Director: Raj Kaushal
Music: Himesh Reshammiya
Story: Soumik Sen
Star Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Himesh Reshammiya, Minnisha, Gulshan Grover
Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi’s chemistry was the main reason why Munnabhai MBBS became such a Box Office success. The duo will be seen again in the sequel which will release in a few weeks time. However, fans of the two need not wait that long, this week’s big release stars both of them. But be warned before hand, Anthony Kaun Hai? is no comedy and the duo’s character’s are not friends.
Raj Kaushal has previously directed Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi and Shaadi Ka Laddoo, two low budget unsuccessful films, but Anthony Kaun Hai? is completely different to them.
Sanjay Dutt (Master Madan) plays a hit-man who loves his Bollywood films. Arshad Warsi (Champ) is a conman who keeps changing his identity. Master Madan is given an order to kill Champ. It seems a simple enough job, but things don’t quite go to plan.
The film begins with Master Madan on the verge of killing Champ, but as Master Madan is lover of Bollywood and stories, he starts to listen to Champ’s story. Champ explains to him that this whole situation is a misconception, that Master Madan has got the wrong man. He needs Anthony but he is not Anthony.
Champ explains to him that he in fact is Champak, who borrowed Anthony's identity after escaping from prison.
Champak is trying to find Jiya (Minnisha) who knows where a stash of diamonds is hidden. He finds her, and also finds the location of the diamonds, they are buried inside a prison. The diamonds were stolen by Jiya’s magician father, who has since been imprisoned. A cop by the name of Suraj Singh (Gulshan Grover) is also trying to solve this mystery.
Anthony Kaun Hai? comes as a thriller but not a very good one. The director and writer have tried to make stylish flick for the mature audience, and this does show in the initial reels. The film is meant for the intelligent viewer and not one that just wants to relax and enjoy. The story may sound confusing, but the way the film has made, it isn’t that complex to watch. The film begins as a mystery, but ends up being just a normal love story.
Raj Kaushal’s direction is, as I have said before, very stylish and modern. It would have been better if Raj had made a film that appealed to the masses, but he has done a respectable job, taking on a difficult job such as this.
The story (Soumik Sen) of the film is very good, albeit it being inspired by many Hollywood films, but the actual screenplay could have been done better. A film like this should satisfy you when it finishes, but this one doesn’t. I mean you never get to find out who exactly Anthony is, a major point of the story that goes unsolved. But credit where credit is due, this is a good story.
Himesh Reshammiya is riding high in the world of Bollywood music, and his score here is by no way a letdown. However, the songs could have been placed in story better. Two songs are included back to back at the end of the film, which is very weird and out of the ordinary.
As said before, the film’s look is very stylish, with the locales of Thailand used very aptly. The film has a very international feel to it and should go down well in the cities.
Sanjay Dutt is not used much, and is more a special appearance star than a full fledged character, another letdown by the makers. Sanjay looks very clean cut and does his job aplomb.
The film is solo star vehicle for Arshad Warsi, who has done a fantastic job, carrying the whole film on his shoulders. Arshad always plays his roles to perfection, and does the same here, a huge bonus for the director. Many other actors could have done this role, but it is Arshad who was given it, and he performs like a true professional. Now one waits with intrigue to see if any other directors are bold enough to sign him up as the main lead.
Minnisha was recently seen in Corporate, where she did a pretty decent job, and she does a pretty decent job here too. The actress is coming along well and other Indian actresses should be a little worried.
Anthony Kaun Hai? is a good film to watch. It has been made well, has a good story, with perfect casting. But, next week sees the release of Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, the biggest movie of the year so far. That is Anthony’s major obstacle.
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