Is Anjaana Anjaani really a two character movie as claimed?
Definitely not, there are other characters as well.
The promos looked good and most of the movie feels good too; but for the 20 minute tear-jerker stretch that forms the climax; which takes a heavy toll on the movie. Frankly speaking the movie have worked just fine without it, which makes the protagonists look loony! Anyways.
The film opens on George Washington bridge, with the male protagonist, Akash (Ranbir Kapoor) trying to commit suicide. Here he meets the female protagonist, Kiara (Priyanka Chopra); she also wants to commit suicide.
A stroke of ‘bad-luck’ brings them together and they decide to commit suicide at the dawn of the new-year; they decide to do one thing that they always wanted to do before they die.
Thus forms the narrative of the protagonists rediscovering life and discovering love.
A brilliant screenplay and dialogues are required for such a wafer-thin plot. While the dialogues are brilliant indeed; the screenplay falters, as already mentioned the tear-jerker 20-25 minutes that form the climax is just a test, audiences are put through.
What rocks the movie:
Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra’s performance; they have a crackling chemistry and it shows onscreen. Just watch Priyanka Chopra as she guides Ranbir Kapoor to give away his ‘virginity’. Amazing!
Cinematography by ace DOP Ravi K. Chandran; the rustic Grand Canyon has been shot aesthetically.
Hairat number… simply the best and the most exquisitely shot song of the year!
What chucks the movie:
The climax which takes away all the peppy moments of the movie; too over-stretched!
Screenplay is marred by sluggish pace intermittently.
The two slow numbers that don’t even register.
Blooper! How come there is no trace of snow in NYC on New Year’s Eve. Hudson river is almost freezing at this point of the year!
VERDICT:
Anjaana Anjaani is good, could have been exceptionally good, if the makers had not spoiled this feel-good popcorn film with over-the-top teary climax. It should work at metropolitan multiplexes.
July 21 '10; the day Indian Film Industry got INDEPENDENT!