Last updated: 8 May 2026
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
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
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.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 70% |
| Neutral | 20% |
| Negative | 10% |
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
Lakshya released on 18 June 2004 (2004).
Lakshya is declared a HIT at the box office.
Budget of Lakshya is approximately ₹753600 Crore.
Lakshya is available on Netflix from 18 June 2004.
Lakshya directed by Farhan Akhtar. Produced by Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani.
Lakshya stars Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Boman Irani.
Tollybo rates Lakshya 3.25/5. Verdict: HIT.
Music for Lakshya composed by Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, Shankar Mahadevan.
Lakshya — Genre: Action, Drama, Romance, Runtime: 186 minutes, Language: Hindi.
