The Warrior (2001) (4 Stars)

This is the fifth film that I've watched to remember Irrfan Khan, who died five days ago. I discovered earlier today that Netflix (Germany) contains 11 of his films. Yes, eleven! It's unusual for Netflix to be so good, especially outside of America. I've made a note of them, but for now I'll stick to the five films that I have in my personal film collection. I deliberately left "The Warrior" till last, because it's the only film I own in which he plays the lead role. It's a British film that was made in Hindi. It won the Bafta award for Best British Film in 2003.

Irrfan Khan plays an unnamed warrior who lives somewhere in northern India. It's difficult to say exactly when it takes place. Based on the primitive society and the lack of modern weapons I would say that it takes place before British rule of India, anywhere between the 12th and the 18th Century. The Warrior lives in a small house with his teenage son Katiba.

The story begins when representatives of the surrounding villages come to pay taxes to the Ruler (also unnamed). An old man from the village of Tanga gives only a handful of grain because there was a poor harvest. The Warrior is ordered to behead the man as a punishment, then lead a raiding party to destroy the village. The buildings are set on fire, and everyone is executed. The Warrior is about to kill a young girl, when he sees that she's wearing his son's amulet. It's Katiba's girlfriend. The Warrior throws his sword on the ground and swears he will never use a sword again.

The Ruler orders that the Warrior and his son should be executed. Katiba is killed, but the Warrior escapes. He begins a long journey on foot to his home village, Kulla. On the way he meets a young thief and an old blind woman with prophetic vision.

This is a very intense tale of redemption. Despite similarities with Chinese war epics, it could never have been made in China. A Chinese film would have involved revenge. "The Warrior" shows a man who's so disgusted with his past that he'll never pick up a sword again, not even to defend himself. The salvation of his soul in the next world is more important than revenge in this world. The religion followed by the Warrior is probably Hinduism, but it's left vague so that viewers of any religious faith can relate to it.

Needless to say, Irrfan Khan's acting ability carries the film. The slightest movements of his eyes allow us to look deep into the soul of the Warrior. Was there ever another Indian actor with such skill?