'Kaabul Express' promises loads of thrills

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Variety is the buzzword in Bollywood and Kabir Khan's directorial debut "Kaabul Express", about five individuals linked by hate and fear in Afghanistan that releases Friday, adds another dimension to it.

The thriller is loosely based on Khan's personal experience in Afghanistan while making a documentary in 2001 with friend Rajan Kapoor when the Taliban was collapsing. Kapoor is executive producer of "Kaabul Express".

Set in post 9/11 Afghanistan, when the Americans destroyed Taliban and those who survived tried to escape to Pakistan to save their lives, the film shows the journey of two Indian journalists Jai Kapoor (Arshad Warsi) and Suhel Khan (John Abraham) through the country.

Jai and Suhel come to Afghanistan for an interview with a Taliban leader and meet Khyber (Hanif Hum Ghum) who not only becomes their guide, but their translator as well and drives them around to various places in his Toyota Jeep called Kaabul Express.

The trio have their share of adventure -- being blindfolded and taken to secret hideouts in the mountains to interview Taliban prisoners and nearly getting trampled by horses while shooting a game of buzkashi (a rugby like game played on horses with a dead lamb). American photojournalist Jessica Beckham (Linda Arsenio) saves them from getting trampled.

Despite all their attempts, Jai and Suhel are unable to find any Taliban for the interview. The trip turns into a nightmare when they are kidnapped by a Taliban fugitive who wants to go back home to Pakistan.

The kidnapper, Imran Khan Afridi (Salman Shahid), is a Pakistani army soldier, who was a part of the Taliban. Imran knows that if Afghans get hold of him, they will not spare him.

He also knows that he is safe with Jai and Suhel because as journalists their movements in the country will not be questioned and he can reach the safety of his country by posing as their local guide.

On his way, Imran also takes Jessica hostage.

In their two-day journey from Kabul to the disturbed Afghanistan-Pakistan border, all five face life threatening situations and are forced to act as a team. The experience changes their equations and by the end of the journey Jai, Suhel and Jessica actually help Imran reach the border of Pakistan.

But the turbulent political situation holds a surprise. For the rest, watch the movie.

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Kabul Express