Shoojit Sircar’s debut film, *Yahaan*, offers a compelling exploration of love amidst the turmoil of Kashmir. Cinematographer Jakob Ihre’s use of blue-tinged lenses beautifully captures the valley’s duality of beauty and hardship. The film distinguishes itself from previous cinematic attempts to portray romance in the context of Kashmiri militancy, such as *Mission Kashmir* and *Sheen*. *Yahaan* intricately weaves a romance between an army officer, Captain Aman, and a Kashmiri girl, Adaa, played by Jimmy Shergill and Minissha Lamba respectively, punctuated by moments of both humor and stark realism. The narrative delicately balances the development of a lasting relationship within a setting defined by conflict. The second half intensifies as Aman is accused of collaborating with a terrorist, leading to an engaging finale, including a climax inspired by the Hazrat Bal mosque siege. Despite occasional narrative simplicity, Sircar’s focus on the characters’ individual experiences fosters empathy, softening the impact of predictable plot points. The film also takes a sympathetic view of the press and the militants. Ultimately, *Yahaan* isn’t a perfect romantic portrayal, but its aesthetic value and subtle storytelling make it a worthwhile watch, structured around a romance that doesn’t get in the way of socio-political relevance. Sircar shared that the story was inspired by a real-life account during the peak of the insurgency and that he had to compromise on the original ending, which he now regrets.
