Anjaana Anjaani
wogma rating: Add to 'must watch' list (?)
Every syllable of the one-line plot is as common as it can get. After all, you can say "boy meets girl" only in so many different ways. Despite that when you have fun; and you care for the boy and the girl; you know you are watching a brilliant film. And since the means are good, the time it takes to get to the yawn-inducing approach to the end and the end itself doesn't hurt that bad. A bit, yes.
Read more
Anjaana Anjaani - Preview
Anjaana Anjaani might have an unusual lead pair in Priyanka Chopra-Ranbir Kapoor but they don't even remotely claim that Anjaana Anjaani is a 'different' love story. The captions in the promos yell, "All love stories are between strangers." Right there it says, it's like 'all' love stories and like them all it is a boy meets girl plot. They don't know each other and they are going to fall in love. And we are ready for an interval.
But both the synopsis on the official site and the same promo have a something that generated curiosity.
What if the two people meet as strangers want to stay that way? They want to end right where they started - as strangers.
The thing about director, Siddharth Anand's films is that I have semi-liked all of them. His stories are human and about relationships. And he at least attempts to present a different point of view.
My apprehension with Anjaana Anjaani though, is that even if Siddharth Anand claims, " Anjaana Anjaani doesn't have trappings of a commercial pot boiler," the official synopsis does say the sort-of new-age cliché, "They are going through the exquisite pain of falling in love, only they don't know it!". Geez... Aisha , I Hate Luv Storys , Wake Up Sid , Love Aaj Kal , Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Bachna Ae Haseeno ...to name a few in the recent past. Let's just say, I'm looking forward to any fresh angle, notwithstanding the producer's choice of films.
Another heartening discovery is that the script-writer sounds well-balanced Not to mention, that it has almost always been a pleasure to see Ranbir Kapoor wooing his girl. Even if she looks a lot more mature than him. Then again, we've seen him with Konkona Sen Sharna, so Priyanka Chopra is hardly an outcry.
My bigger problem is with the heavy Hum Tum- Salaam Namaste-esque ambience the trailer has. That might or might not have worked then, but I certainly don't like a déjà vu feeling. The seen-it-already and more importantly the seen-all-the-film-has reaction the trailers bring are disconcerting too. Sample this and -
Nevertheless, I will continue to hope for the best...
-
- *
- *
The music seems to have caught on very well. Do read Vishal's awesome interview on the music of Anjaana Anjaani
Music Reviews -
- Milliblog - The tunes do start to sound similar to their earlier soundtracks, but then they have this knack of getting perfect hooks that works big time
- Apun Ka choice - no different from the league, yet they are appealing
- Hindustan Times - young urban sound that the duo has perfected
- Rediff - The duo resurfaces to ooze pastel-hued magic and dramatic chemistry for yet another title track
- Inditatimes - robust mix
- Santosh's blog - go for this album
- Bollyspice - fabulous mix of lyricists to make each note and word count
- Shekhar's online diary - reminds you of the Dostana track altogether with IHLS one
- The naked mind - good buy with 5 good songs
- Gogru Mogru - elusive feel
-
- *
Ps. What's this crap about Anjaana Anjaani being Priyanka Chopra first love story. Please tell me I didn't dream up Pyaar impossible , love story 2050 ? Just look at the film titles for goodness sake!
- meeta, a part of the audience
Mr. Siddharth Anand and I need to have a word about lousy endings to films with decent starts and middles. That aside, I'm mighty pleased with the missing voiceover introductions. It also helps that there is no need for self-referencing with a producer who is not one Mr. Chopra. Worry not, I liked Anjaana Anjaani for the things that it is too. It is funny, it is crisp, it uses every-day, fun, and friendly quips to keep you laughing even though the story is not really moving on.
I've always been allured to the topic of 'suicide'. Does it take more strength to end one's life or to face it? No, no, no there is no such deep philosophy being discussed in the film (except for one lame monologue attempted by Tanvi Azmi which the film could have so done without). In fact, the time devoted to the three acts is too staggered. It's like two hours into the two-and-a-half hour film there was a desperate rush for a conflict. The late arrival takes away from what could otherwise have been a wonderful and I daresay 'real-life' dilemma.
A 150-minute film with only two main characters sounds excessive. This unjustifiable excess makes film seem slow and worse yet, banality of the characters' problems comes through. Suddenly, an issue that you could identify with comes across as self-obsession of the rich and the mindless. I'm not saying I want poverty porn, but fat fairy tale in party-land got tedious for a bit.
Sure, Anjaana Anjaani talks about the last wish(es) and hints towards the meaning of life. It's all too superficial though. Because that concept is not the focus. It's just the thread holding the two characters together.
These two characters get to know each other while we are getting to know them too. We are a part of their journey. They remind us of friends we have; those who get drunk and are more fun than ever; those who are hurting inside but are always making people around them laugh; those who we tolerate despite their self-obsessed sulking. Thankfully, there aren't too many side characters hovering around.
Just imagine having to see pink-lipstick-hyperventilating friend more than the two minutes of his screen time. Sheesh. We already had Zayed Khan overstaying his welcome.
Ranbir Kapoor, well, we are too accustomed to see him fall in love and realize it. He does it well without making it look like puppy love any more (despite his puppy eyes). So well, that I expect no less from him and give no extra credit when he meets those expectations. Tough luck, dude, bane of being a good romantic hero.
O-kay enough beating around the bush! I cannot keep myself from raving about Priyanka Chopra any more. Wow! Has the lady eased into her role as an actor on this earth or has she? Her comic timing, lilt in dialogue delivery, pauses are just brilliant. Her smile has a screen presence of its own but she doesn't overuse it. When her eyes reflect the pain she's going through, you want to hurt the make-up person who glycerinated them.
Of course, a lot of her dialogue delivery was possible only because of the dialogue. But, every once in a while it would go the cliché way, making the eye roll inevitable. Also the writing department seems to have taken a leave when the climax was being shot. Oops! I already complained about that. Well, it was that bad. It also hurt a bit that though the movie revolved around a woman, her life revolved around the men in her life. No career, no money worry, unabashedly dependent. I guess I have to live with it being a story about a woman like that.
Also, such a movie does annoying things to stick to mainstream formula while trying its bit to be different. Are we such snobs as an audience that we can't take our glam doll's hair out of place even when she is completely distraught? Do we have to snicker and make caricatures out of the queer?
An urban tale about a generation that doesn't know its way around. You can identify with the problems and the way they are put forth. Even though it is difficult to react similarly or arrive at the same solutions.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Vivek Kar, AOL INDIA : ...Those who are not fond of romantic stories may find this 'Anjaana Anjaani' too mushy for their liking. However, the humour that the director has liberally infused in the movie makes it bearable... full review
Thumbs up, by Beth, Beth Loves Bollywood : ...remarkably there isn't even a maliciously lechy white dude to frighten Priyanka or token hip-hop dance troupe as the lead pair walks around New York.... full review
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ... terrific moments in its second hour... full review
Thumbs up, Bollywood Mantra : ...Script writer Mamta Anand and screenplay writers Advaita Kala and Siddharth Anand deserve applause mostly for the second half.... full review
Thumbs up, desi hits : ...the film takes our stars on a road trip gives us the amazing sites of New York, Las Vegas, and San Francisco.... full review
Thumbs up, by Pankaj Sabnani, Glamsham.com : ...Priyanka Chopra gives a superlative performance. She's very vivacious and casual. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Divya Solgama, Gomolo.in : ...Though the romantic track continues, but the overdose of songs in second half spoils the fun... full review
Thumbs up, by Sarita Tanwar, MiD DAY : ...The inconsistency in the pace of the film is a hindrance.... full review
Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...the director could have avoided a lot of clichés but the film manages to rise above these clichés on the strength of the performances... full review
Thumbs up, by Abhishek Gurbani, My Take on Flicks : ... this is one of those few movies where you tend to fall in love with the characters... full review
Thumbs up, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...There’s plenty of fresh comedy, often dipping into dark humour. ... full review
Thumbs up, by K N Gupta, SmasHits.com : ...quite different in its treatment of a love story... full review
Thumbs up, by Janhvi Patel, StarBoxOffice : ...The crackling chemistry that Ranbir and Priyanka share plays a huge role in making the movie work... full review
Thumbs up, by K K Rai, STARDUST : ...Ranbir Kapoor, the handsome hunk from famous Raj Kapoor clan of bollywood, gives a superb performance in the character of Aakash. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Spicezee Bureau , Zee News : ...The beauty of Ranbir and Priyanka’s acting lies in their spontaneity and live-wire performance as they let their hair down in Vegas.... full review
So-So, by Naresh Kumar Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice : ...Subtle nuances are simply not to be expected in the script of Anjaana Anjaani. ... full review
So-So, by Fatema Kagalwala , Cinemaa Online : ...The feeling he puts into his sketchy character is a pleasure to experience making a lot of things digestible by his presence rather than the inherent merit of the instances. ... full review
So-So, by Deepa Deosthalee, Film Impressions : ...Of course, like all good Hindi film couples, they tread awkwardly around the subject of sex forever, without actually doing it. ... full review
So-So, by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com : ...However, a fallout of the new-age jazz in story-telling is that the uber-coolness is often overdone... full review
So-So, by Komal Nahta, koimoi : ...Even the journeys they undertake and the adventures they get into aren’t so enjoyable or entertaining that the audience would love for them to be a part of them.... full review
So-So, by Subhash K Jha, Now Running.com : ... Raucous laughter, bitter laughter, silly laughter, goofy laughter... full review
So-So, by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, Seeds and Deeds : ...Among the good parts include some super song, great cinematography and visuals, cool dialogues and effective background score.... full review
So-So, by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India : ...By and large, we have no complaints with that critical quotient called chemistry. ... full review
Thumbs down, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ... But in absence of an adequate, strong and emotional script, their performances unfortunately just remain floating on the surface.... full review
Thumbs down, by Pooja Rao, Bolly Spice : ...Scenes haven't been deliberately lifted from the names mentioned, but the treatment leaves a sense of Déja-vu and strong predictability easily decodable by anyone who has seen a bunch of romantic comedies.... full review
Thumbs down, by Deepa Gahlot, cinemaah : ...it is completely incomprehensible how people in films never seem to know when they are in love, when everyone else can... full review
Thumbs down, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Anand commits the cardinal sin of relying on cliches to have our lovers' story move ahead. ... full review
Thumbs down, filmi cafe : ...Vishal and Shekhar’s music is topping the charts right now and deservedly so. The songs have been very well shot as well.... full review
Thumbs down, by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times : ...All for a story that doesn’t exist.... full review
Thumbs down, by Kaveree Bamzai, india today : ...And where it has the actors drinking beer when it wants to establish that the woman is liberated--not enough to sleep around, mind you, but enough to get drunk.... full review
Thumbs down, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ...Cinematographer Ravi K Chandran captures the American highlands with flawless finesse.... full review
Thumbs down, Mixed Bag : ...The movie posed an interesting question to the audience: What do you want to do before you die? Voices in unison: Protect the mankind from ‘Anjaana Anjaani’... full review
Thumbs down, by Anupama Chopra, NDTV : ...Through the course of the film, they give suicide a few more tries. You wish they had succeeded the first time itself ... full review
Thumbs down, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ... In one ridiculous scene, Kiara tells Akash how he's a perpetual escapist. Strange, considering escapism is the heartbeat of this gloss floss. ... full review
Thumbs down, by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Reuters : ...They spend the two-and-a-half-hour film driving around the desert and swimming in freezing water, pretending they are friends... full review
Thumbs down, by Khalid Mohamed, Review and views uncensored : ...reminds you of the excessively fussy couches-beds-wall-posters of the Aditya Chopra-Karan Johar bon bons. Aha, after all the décor is handled by Chopra-Jo’s regular production designer Sharmishta Roy.... full review
Thumbs down, by filmbear, Upper Stall : ...Yet the filmmakers have chosen the most obvious and least interesting path for the characters to take. Not to mention, bordering on the absurd.... full review
Twitter reviews for this movie are not available.
This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Warning: this section has some details that could distort your experience while watching the movie. I strongly recommend reading this only after you have seen the movie or if you have decided not to see it.
Plot Summary
Boy, Aakash meets girl, Kiara. They both want to commit suicide. But, fate wants them to wait. They wait together.
What Worked
- Priyanka Chopra's opening scene. Must be one of the best 'drunk' scenes ever.
- The set-up that sets the tone for the rest of the film.
- Xmas and new year's week is captured beautifully.
- The very obvious post-production work done with the visuals, especially the tints used.
- There was actually well-meaning applause at interval.
- Tight close-ups of eyes and hands.
What did not
- The opening sequence. Just couldn't handle the thought of having "wall street" déjà vu. The tension of having to watch another film spoiling it all was unbearable.
- The hospital scenes.
- The world's bucket list inspires our lead pair to make their list.
- The superhero fancy-dress song.
- Isn't travel by Grayhound more expensive than taking a flight?
- The way two adults refer to sex. "nothing happened between us" something very childish about this statement.
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: Suicide attempts.
- Language: talk of viriginity,
- Nudity & Sexual content: a couple liplocks, implication of pre-marital sex, a scene in a gay bar
- Concept: Taking life face on instead of escaping.
- General Look and Feel: Light, chirpy and fun
![[Facebook page of Anjaana Anjaani]](/static/images/icons/facebook_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Twitter account of Anjaana Anjaani]](/static/images/icons/twitter_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Wikipedia page of Anjaana Anjaani]](/static/images/icons/wiki_small.png){kind=icon}
![[IMDB Page of Anjaana Anjaani]](/static/images/icons/imdb_small.png){kind=icon}
Comments (10)
I guess this all you could get so early as a review.
Anyways nice site.
@Vishal to each his own dude, is all I can say.
i agree with Abhishek Bhardwaj
thx for this nice site
Couldn't disagree with you more. The entire movie was a sham and was anything but crisp. The film tried hard to be funny and romantic but failed on both accounts. The audience in the theatre were getting restless and wanted the movie to end. I have my own take on this movie on my blog(which no one reads). http://devilishmonk.wordpress.com
@Indian Devil the banter between the two was pretty crisp, especially in Kiara's first appearance.
Dabaang was better. Except the song "bhula diya" rest is waste of time.
Except the song "bhula diya" rest is waste of time. Even Dabaang was better than this one.
anjaana anjaani is a very nicely made movie which always leave an everlasting impression on one who watches it....i'm fascinated by this movie a lot and its my best movie i have ever watched......especially i was deeply touched by the acting of priyanka & ranbir in this movie....they both have performed very nicely and smoothly according to the situations in the movie.....so i suggest everybody to watch this movie.....
Let me guess what happened. Someone told you some awesome news just before you saw this movie and you were very happy! There could be no other explanation for anyone liking this movie!! Pathetic script. Boring PJs. Stale ending. If I ever feel like committing suicide, I will watch this again.
@Kalyan ha ha ha ha! good one! I genuinely liked many parts of the film, man!
Leave a Comment