MOVIE REVIEW: FANAA (2006)

Producer: Yash Raj Films
Director: Kunal Kohli
Cast: Aamir Khan, Kajol, Rishi Kapoor, Kiran Kher and Tabu
Music: Jatin-Lalit

A good film is always awaited anxiously and the curiosity rises high when a big worthy banner is attached behind. After watching abundant of humdrum movies recently that simply submerged at the box office, the cinegoers were eager to see something exciting – something that hits their hearts. And with Yash Raj banner, they are sure of being gifted with a good stuff to be with. Fanaa was also being waited hugely due to Kajol’s comeback and Aamir Khan’s presence on the star cast. Kunal Kohli, the captain of the ship, is delivering his third project with Yash Raj Films. His first with the mammoth banner ‘Mujhe Dosti Karogi’ simply sank at the cinema houses but the second enterprise ‘Hum Tum’ shoved to heights making him a director of talents and worth. The man is ready once again with the latest offering ‘Fanaa’ and yes he has done it again.

Yash Raj banner is a name to rely on since it has been churning out movies of class – the flick carrying the human emotions, moments of happiness, soft romance, melodious hummable music and displaying the true picture of nature in lens. And this is what makes a production house of standards. Once you stay with their movies, you get glued to screens and don’t want the show to finish. And they have achieved this status with the brilliance of their works and determination to make mark.

Aamir Khan and Kajol – both are actors who are swathed with the oceans of talents. And the big point is they are sharing the screen together for the first time. And the credit goes to Yash Raj Films. In every film whether you term them classy or mundane, there are errors and flaws. Most of the time, script is the main letdown of any film emerging on Hindi cinema circuits. But Fanaa is perfect in all departments of a movie.

Kunal Kohli has come out as valuable asset for Hindi cinema as he is a master of story telling. He has got brilliant command over unzipping the scenes getting you to walk along with the characters and this is actually called the luminosity of filmmaker.

Zooni (Kajol) is a blind Kashmiri girl. His father (Rishi Kapoor) advises her that choosing between right or wrong is always simple but decision between the greater of two goods or the lesser of two evils is what describes your life. And she is completely unaware that these words will actually shape her life. There is Rehan (Aamir Khan) who is a local tour guide and is a flirt by nature. His work takes her city-to-city to discover the architecture and he also explores the gorgeous beauties of those cities due to her flit habits. Zooni comes across Rehan. Her friends warn Zooni to be away from him but she does not care their warnings since she now wants to explore life and love. Rehan is spellbounded by Zooni and wants her to see the colorful life. Zooni says him that the moments she has spent with him would be the most memorable ones in her life. But there is something with Rehan … his other side..the darker portion of his life that Zooni does not know and that can change her life and destroy too.

The first half of the movie unfolds with the routine pattern of Hindi movies – lovers’ meeting to each other and then chipping in songs, etc. But it is the post interval portion that gets you caught simply as it features terrorism aspects on screen. Fanaa is not for those who want a romantic ending rather it leaves you with tears in eyes.

Direction by Kunal Kohli deserves huge marks. It is classy in every sense of the word. It is undoubtedly the best work of Kunal done so far in his career. Shibani Bathija writes a gripping script and it does grip the audience till the end reels. Kunal Kohli impresses with his ability to pen excellent dialogues. Cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran is fabulous and first rate. The gorgeous locales of Poland and New Delhi are eye-catchy. The duo of Jatin-Lalit composes soothing music. ‘Chand Sifarsih’ is the pick of the lot. George Aghilar’s action sequences attract. Background score by Salim-Sulaiman is commendable. Sound quality by Dileep Subramaniam and visual effects by Tata Elxsi deserve applauds.

Amongst the performers, Aamir Khan and Kajol stand first. Aamir ceases the breath by undergoing the skin of the character very aptly. Whereas Kajol delivers awesome performance. Both need no word of praise since their talents are already acknowledged. Rishi Kapoor is good with the role. Kiran Kher is adorable. Tabu does fine also. Shiney Ahuja is okay. Lara Dutta in a brief role looks good as well. The rest of the cast enacts the job appropriately.

In a nutshell, Faana is a memorable venture by Yash Raj and is another medal of success to their banner. A sure-shot hit all the way.

RS Rating: 9.5/10

WRITTEN BY GOHER IQBAL PUNN (Bollywood Analyst)

To submit your own articles for posting on radiosargam.com please email.