Kisna: The Warrior Poet

Kisna: The Warrior Poet is a 2005 Indian Hindi-language period romance film written, edited, produced and directed by Subhash Ghai and starring Vivek Oberoi (who plays the title role), Antonia Bernath, and Isha Sharvani. The musical film is set in British India during the tumultuous 1940s when Indian nationalists fighting for the country's independence rose as one, urging the British Raj to leave. It is a love story about two people who are torn between love and duty. The film has two veteran composers, A. R. Rahman and Ismail Darbar; the lyrics were written by Javed Akhtar. The film marked Amrish Puri's last appearance as he had not signed or acted in any film after it before dying on 12 January 2005. The film, however, did not perform well at the box office. The film was premiered in the Marché du Film section of the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

Lady Catherine Williams (née Beckett), a wealthy British woman and former British minister, arrives in India to donate Rs 3500 Crores to charity as part of India's Republic Day celebrations. Before she can hand over the money, she requests a visit to Devprayag, where India's 2 rivers, Bhagirathi and Alaknanda, meet to form the Ganges River. At Devprayag, Lady Catherine remembers her childhood and narrates her story to a small crowd, which include two journalists – Rita and Jimmy.

Catherine was born in India in 1930, to British parents – Jennifer Beckett, who used to serve as a teacher to local children and Peter Beckett, who used to serve as the Deputy commissioner of Pauri Garhwal in British India. She had a privileged and peaceful upbringing. In 1935, a young Catherine befriends Kisna Singh, a local village boy and son of Peter's trusted servant Shriram Singh and Shanta Devi, and the two share a joyous friendship. Upon learning of this, Peter forcefully sends her back to England.

In May 1947, during the Independence Struggle, Catherine comes back to India on holiday and again meets Kisna, now a poet, school teacher and getting trained to be a warrior. Their childhood friendship is rekindled, and over time the feelings slowly develop into love. Their relationship is tested by the fact that they seemingly belong to opposite sides of India's struggle for freedom. Kisna also reveals that he is engaged to be married to Lakshmi, granddaughter of his music teacher and his one-sided but a crazy and possessive lover since childhood who always felt insecure of his friendship with Catherine.

There is growing resentment against colonialism, and Catherine finds herself targeted by an enraged mob of Indian nationalists after Peter is killed and Jennifer is presumed dead. She is protected by Kisna, who faces backlash from his maternal uncle Bhairo Singh and elder brother Shankar and community, who were part of the mob. Kisna is torn between his friendship and love for Catherine, his duty to his country, and the hatred of the British Raj. Supported by his mother Shanta, Kisna takes it upon himself to escort Catherine to the British High Commission, where safe passage back to England can be arranged for her.

The trip reaffirms their love for each other and tested by several trials including their hideout at his friend Nandu's home, their bond with Nandu's wife Rukmini, Jennifer being revealed alive, getting mobbed by rioters on the base of religion due to Partition of India and Kisna being forced to kill a corrupt Bhairo and the local prince Raghuraj Singh (who despite being friend with Peter was obsessed with Catherine and tried to rape her after she denied his proposal and advances when Peter was alive and also when her and Jennifer were caught by him during their escape with Kisna) to protect Catherine, but he is ultimately forced to choose between his feelings for Catherine and his duty to his newly independence gained country. He chooses the latter, and the pair bids an emotional farewell to each other.

In the present, it is revealed that Kisna married Lakshmi and fulfilled his duties to his wife and country, but always loved Catherine till his death. His last wish was for his ashes to be spread at Devprayag, the place where first love blossomed between him and Catherine. Catherine's last wish is also for her ashes to be spread at Devprayag so that, even though they both married different people, she and Kisna can be together forever.

The film was shot on sync sound under the direction of Dilip Subramaniam at Ranikhet on a budget of ₹250 million ($5.48 million). Award-winning cinematographer Ashok Mehta, action director Tinu Verma, choreographer Saroj Khan, and production designer/art director Samir Chanda round out the crew.