Shoot On Sight

Shoot On Sight is a film about a terror, bomb blast, racialism, Islamic individuals wedged in troublesome moments and clear-cut terrorism. The film tells the story about an honest Muslim cop's nephew turning into a terrorist. The film unfolds the turmoil in the life of Tariq Ali [Naseeruddin Shah], a Muslim police officer at Scotland Yard. Commander Ali, born in Lahore and married to an English woman, is given the task to investigate the police shooting of a suspected Muslim terrorist in the London Underground.Distrusted by both his superiors and his fellow Muslims, Tariq finds his inquiry hampered from all sides. Eventually, evidence surfaces pointing to the slain man's innocence, as well as the existence of a terrorist cell operating in his own backyard is spotted. Now, it's time for Tariq to face the realization that sometimes, the right decision is the hardest one to make.Shoot On Sight is based on the aftermath of the infamous 7/7 bombings in London and the killing of Jean Charles De Menezes on the London Underground. Carl Austin's screenplay does proper justice to the subject by showing view points of both the sides aptly. The family interplay surrounding Tariq and his clash of values with Westerners, and his patient but increasingly torn wife, played by Greta Scacchi, who is an outsider to their culture trying to blend in has come out superbly.Performance wise, Naseeruddin Shah is impressive, so is Greta Sacchi, who plays his wife. In fact, the supporting cast all blend well. The casting of Om Puri as the Cleric who misguides the youth is a great fault. That role would have been apt for Gulshan Grover, who plays Ali's friend. They should have switched roles.On the whole, Shoot On Sight is a good attempt in seriouos cinema. It has very good storyline and superb screenplay. At the box-office, however, the lack of awareness would restrict its prospects but a grand round of applause for entire team.