Travis Hodgkins’ Line of Control is a powerful coming-of-age drama set against the backdrop of the long-running conflict in Kashmir. Adapted from Mirza Waheed’s acclaimed novel The Collaborator, the film shifts focus away from military strategy and political rhetoric to examine the human cost of a conflict that has shaped generations of lives.
Set in 1993, the story follows a teenager known only as The Boy, who lives in a Kashmiri village caught between India and Pakistan. Like many young people, he dreams of a future beyond the uncertainty surrounding him, spending his days with friends and developing a tentative romance with Asma. However, the realities of life in a disputed territory soon begin to intrude, forcing him to confront choices that no young person should ever have to make.
As tensions escalate, the lives of The Boy and his friends become increasingly entangled with the demands of the conflict. The film explores the impossible position occupied by ordinary Kashmiris, many of whom find themselves trapped between competing powers while simply trying to protect their families and preserve some sense of normality. Questions of loyalty, survival and personal responsibility emerge as central themes, with every decision carrying potentially devastating consequences.
Rather than presenting the conflict through a broad historical lens, Line of Control remains focused on individual experience. The film highlights the emotional and psychological burden placed upon those living in contested regions, illustrating how war extends far beyond battlefields and official borders. In doing so, it offers a perspective that feels both intimate and universal, regardless of a viewer’s familiarity with the history of Kashmir.
Nikhil Singh Rai delivers a compelling performance as The Boy, capturing both the vulnerability and resilience of a young man forced to navigate a world shaped by fear and uncertainty. His journey forms the emotional core of the film, grounding the larger political context in human experience. Equally effective is Rudi Dharmalingam, whose portrayal of Captain Kadian brings an unsettling authority to the story. The character is presented not simply as a symbol of oppression but as a complex figure whose presence creates constant tension throughout the narrative.
At its heart, Line of Control is a story about people caught between forces beyond their control. By focusing on the personal consequences of conflict rather than the politics surrounding it, the film delivers an emotional and thought-provoking examination of identity, survival and the search for freedom in a region defined by division.
