Inspired by a Chinese fable as the writer-director Asif Kapadia admitted, the film progresses through rich imagery and metaphors suggestive of the human mind scape that is put through the test of tolerance, resolve and will. And just as a dull mind or an infant mind must go through a stream of experiences that must rip open the layers of dreary or steady existence, similarly it was essential for the story teller to envelope the snow-capped terrain of earth which must be climbed by a traveler who has sweat for the reasons he never challenged before, burnt his skin and bled too, both in his body and soul. There is almost a ghost-like resemblance with King Ashoka who goes through a change of heart and denounces blood- shed and war after the famous battle of Kalinga. One can't help notice similarity between the warrior hero and the character from Indian mythology Shravan who carries his blind parents. Even after initiating these referral points in his journey, the warrior-hero does not follow his crusade to the end, thus proving that he is not a superhuman, neither has any inclination to accept the role of Job from Christianity. He belongs to this era, where a man when pushed to his limit will break, or more appropriately, react. But the warrior-hero is not here to prove any fallacies or be put on a pedestal by those who look upon him as the one with a spine. He must take his own course, take responsibility for his actions and be the heir to the destiny misbegotten when he opens the gates of hell to please his tyrannical lord. It is the rule of the jungle that as soon as your shield is dropped by trick or by your own accord, the tyrants who live for nothing else, will attack you. Referring to the mythology again, in Mahabharata, Karan, who came into the world out of benediction of Sun God, was born with a shield, which no human sword could pierce. Tricked into removing it and offering it to the enemy in disguise, Karan didn't give up his other weapons, mainly his resolve, mental strength and pledge. Once again, coming back to our warrior-hero, who tends upon the path covered with thorns that shall pierce his bare feet and also make his soul bleed, he assumes the emotions of a human being contrasted with that of a warrior that almost led an animal like base existence. Through his transformation from a warrior to a human being, he realizes the simple pleasures of love, caring and life itself. The warrior-hero also gains the redemption pact when he chooses not to whet the appetite of his bloodthirsty sword. But the deal is only struck when his son must lose his life and pay for his father's deeds. The film is about Lafcadia (Irfan Khan) who lives in a violent world, but on his journey he seeks the strength to turn his life around to become a much better person and, in a sense, a better father. The film is gripping until last half an hour, where it begins to drag. What is unique about this film is that with least dialogues or any verbal communication, the characters succeed in portraying pain and turmoil the writer chose for them. Irfan Khan is one of the superlative actors of the Indian film industry today, who uses his body and expressions most effectively and adds a new dimension to his character. Here too, Irfan puts his best foot forward in this realistic war saga woven with the morality tale in a film made by a visionary director from UK. Kapadia found a true street urchin who had been living on a train station platform since the age of 7 Noor Mani, who reminds Lafcadia of his son in the film. He plays his part to the perfection and not even once gave an impression that he is acting. Damyanti Marfatia also played her real life handicap of blindness in the movie infusing some heart wrenching emotions with her realistic portrayal.
The Story: Irfan Khan stars as Lafcadia, a skilled and deadly Rajput warrior, who works at the behest of a brutal local warlord (Anupam Shyam) who regularly sends Lafacadia to carry out such savage punishments as be-headings and pillaging raids of entire villages. Then one day, Lafcadia decides to go straight. In the middle of a massacre, a mystical encounter with a young girl brings about a moment of transformation in which the warrior drops his sword and vows never to kill again. Gathering his only son Katiba (Puru Chhibber), Lafcadia hits the road and heads for his native mountain village. But the warlord who controls Lafcadia will not let his warrior go. The warlord soon dispatches a second warrior, the ruthless Biswas (Aino Annuddin), to hunt down Lafcadia and bring back his head. Still Lafcadia will not be deterred. Challenging the strict codes of the warrior life, he will sacrifice more than he could imagine in his quest for a peaceful existence.
The Story: Irfan Khan stars as Lafcadia, a skilled and deadly Rajput warrior, who works at the behest of a brutal local warlord (Anupam Shyam) who regularly sends Lafacadia to carry out such savage punishments as be-headings and pillaging raids of entire villages. Then one day, Lafcadia decides to go straight. In the middle of a massacre, a mystical encounter with a young girl brings about a moment of transformation in which the warrior drops his sword and vows never to kill again. Gathering his only son Katiba (Puru Chhibber), Lafcadia hits the road and heads for his native mountain village. But the warlord who controls Lafcadia will not let his warrior go. The warlord soon dispatches a second warrior, the ruthless Biswas (Aino Annuddin), to hunt down Lafcadia and bring back his head. Still Lafcadia will not be deterred. Challenging the strict codes of the warrior life, he will sacrifice more than he could imagine in his quest for a peaceful existence.