Lakshya (2004) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 8 May 2026
Lakshya (2004) Review
Lakshya (2004) (Hindi action, drama, romance) — directed by Farhan Akhtar. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan. An aimless, jobless, irresponsible grown man joins the army and matures into a battlefield hero. Our Rating: 3.25/5. Verdict: HIT. Released: 18 Jun 2004. Runtime: 3h 6m.
Lakshya(2004)
It Took Him 24 years And 18000 Feet To Find Himself
Hindi · Action, Drama, Romance
3h 6m · 18 Jun 2004
Music: Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, Shankar Mahadevan | DOP: Andre Menezes, Christopher Popp, Dhimant Vyas | Writer: Javed Akhtar, Karan Kashyap, Karan Vishwanath Kashyap
Ratings
Our Rating
3.25
📖 Story
Lakshya follows the journey of Karan Shergill, a directionless and aimless young man who eventually finds purpose and determination after joining the Indian Army. The film explores his transformation from a carefree individual to a disciplined soldier, set against the backdrop of the Kargil War. Along the way, Karan faces personal and professional challenges, including his relationship with Romi, his mentor, and the harsh realities of war.
Lakshya is a compelling coming-of-age war drama that combines personal growth with patriotic fervor. The story is well-structured, with a clear narrative arc that effectively captures the protagonist's transformation. The screenplay balances moments of introspection with intense action sequences, maintaining a steady pace throughout. The first half focuses on Karan's aimlessness and his initial struggles, which some viewers might find slow but necessary for character development. The second half picks up momentum with gripping war scenes and emotional depth.
The film's music, composed by the trio Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, and Shankar Mahadevan, complements the narrative beautifully. Songs like "Lakshya" and "Separation" add emotional resonance without disrupting the flow. The background score is impactful, enhancing the tension during battle scenes and the emotional beats effectively. Cinematography by Andre Menezes, Christopher Popp, and Dhimant Vyas captures both the scenic beauty and the harshness of the war environment, adding a visual richness to the film.
Overall, Lakshya stands out for its inspiring story, strong performances, and technical finesse. While the pacing in the first half may test some viewers' patience, the payoff in the latter half and the film's message about finding one's purpose make it a memorable cinematic experience.
Hrithik Roshan: Delivers a nuanced and transformative portrayal of Karan, capturing his evolution from a carefree youth to a determined soldier with conviction.
Preity Zinta: Provides a supportive and grounded performance as Romi, adding emotional depth to the protagonist's journey.
Amitabh Bachchan: Offers a commanding presence as the mentor, lending gravitas and wisdom to the narrative.
Om Puri: Strong and authoritative in his role, contributing to the film's realistic military backdrop.
Boman Irani: Delivers a memorable supporting role with subtlety and charm.
Sushant Singh: Effectively portrays the camaraderie and struggles of soldiers, adding authenticity.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Strong character development and transformation arc
- ✓Engaging war sequences with realistic portrayal
- ✓Memorable music and background score
- ✓Effective cinematography capturing both emotional and action scenes
- ✓Solid performances by lead and supporting cast
Weaknesses
- ✕Slow pacing in the first half
- ✕Some predictable narrative elements
- ✕Limited depth in female lead's character development
🎬 Direction & Writing
Farhan Akhtar's direction is confident and assured, successfully blending a personal coming-of-age story with a larger patriotic theme. His writing is focused, with well-crafted dialogues and a screenplay that balances emotional and action elements effectively.
- - Cinematography
- - Music Direction
- - Background Score
- - Screenplay
- - Editing
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 70% |
| Neutral | 20% |
| Negative | 10% |
Critics
Critics praised Lakshya for its inspiring narrative, Hrithik Roshan's compelling performance, and Farhan Akhtar's direction. The film's realistic depiction of the army and war sequences was highlighted as a major strength. Some criticism was directed at the slower pacing in the first half and underdeveloped female lead. Overall, the film was appreciated for its technical finesse and emotional depth.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lakshya release in theatres?▾
Lakshya released on 18 June 2004 (2004).
Is Lakshya a hit or flop?▾
Lakshya is declared a HIT at the box office.
What is the budget of Lakshya?▾
Budget of Lakshya is approximately ₹753600 Crore.
Where to watch Lakshya online? OTT release date?▾
Lakshya is available on Netflix from 18 June 2004.
Who directed Lakshya?▾
Lakshya directed by Farhan Akhtar. Produced by Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani.
Who are the main cast members of Lakshya?▾
Lakshya stars Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Boman Irani.
What is the Tollybo rating for Lakshya?▾
Tollybo rates Lakshya 3.25/5. Verdict: HIT.
Who composed the music for Lakshya?▾
Music for Lakshya composed by Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, Shankar Mahadevan.
What is the genre and runtime of Lakshya?▾
Lakshya — Genre: Action, Drama, Romance, Runtime: 186 minutes, Language: Hindi.