When I first got the book “The Kite Runner”, I had just kept it on my bookshelf to read as and when I would find the time, for a year it stayed there even after numerous requests from someone who loves reading as much as I do, then finally my dear friend – yes the same dear friend who says “Namaste” , asked me to read it, well then I just kept thinking 2 people can’t be wrong and neither would it be on the best sellers list, there had to be something in that book!

Then I finally took the plunge and read it start to finish, I simply couldn’t keep the book down! After reading the book, I found out that it’s being made into a movie, I couldn’t wait to watch the movie then, I know the book always is better than the movie, nevertheless I wanted to watch it just to see if its how I imagined it to be.

On Saturday, I went and watched the movie with my husband, It was very well made. Most of the important elements of the book were included and it was definitely directed well, although as a reader there were a few things which I felt the audience who haven’t read the book first might not feel how the readers felt.

I could easily feel the depth of all the characters in it since I’ve read it before.  The respect that Baba jan/ Agha sahib commands from his people probably didn’t come across so strongly as it made an impact in the book. The only time his character’s strength outshone was during the scene where he goes against the Russian soldier.

Hassan – the character who played his role was perfect, the moment you see him you just fall in love with his innocence, yet the depth of his love never came across on the screen. He didn’t just love Amir, he almost worshipped him in the book that too wasn’t as intense and the phrase “for you, a thousand times over” wasn’t emphasized as much as it was in the book.  Or maybe, it’s really just words that take your heart away.

Amir – the guilt, the fear, the love, the denial all his emotions which he felt after witnessing the unfortunate incident wasn’t as intense  in the movie.

Regardless of all these points due mainly to the time restriction , this movie moved me to tears, the scene when Amir goes to the orphanage just broke my heart.  The ending was beautifully directed……. it ended with the phrase which has made the book what it is.

For you, a thousand times over………….