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Title: Aankhen Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar,
Arjun Rampal, Sushmita Sen, Bipasha Basu & Paresh Rawal
Producer: Gaurang Doshi
Director: Vipul Shah
Duration: 172 mins
Released: 5 April 2002
Review by Shamaila Khan |
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Aankhen
- A Dangerous Game
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In
fact is is quite hard to believe that this is his first film, having
said that this new breed of directors (includes talented son of
Javed Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar of 'Dil Chata Hai' fame) have a more
Hollywood esq. feel to their movies and seem to venture into directing
with more advantages/training than their predecessors.
Aankhen
is based on a Gujarati play 'Andhla Pato' (Blindman's Buff), this
might well be the reason, that the film's plot and dialogues succeed
in keeping you enthralled. As most Bollywood directors often admit
to having loose scripting or in some cases no scripts at all.
Amitabh
Bachchan plays Vijay Singh Rajput a schizophrenic bank manager,
whose dedicated his whole life (no wife/kids) to the rise of the
bank. However his bad temper (bad, as in beating members of staff
up, bad) causes him to get fired.
He
in return wants to take revenge on the owners of the bank who had
the audacity to sack him. After many failed plans to rob the bank
single-handedly, he comes across Neha (Sushmita Sen) a careworker/teacher
who helps blind children achieve goals by using their other senses.
This
is where the others come into it. Singh's master plan includes three
blind men Vishwas (Akshay Kumar), Arjun (Arjun Rampal) and Ilyas
(Paresh Rawal) who have to rob the bank by appearing like they can
see. Neha is roped into helping them by blackmail (Amitabh's character
kidnaps her younger brother), the others are simply in it for money.
Whilst Arjun is hesitant as first he soon succumbs to Neha's tears.
What
takes place until the interval, are serious training sessions. This
is where the film excels, the comedy scenes between the three lads
are spot on and the comic timing of the excellent Paresh Rawal deserves
an award.
Akshay
Kumar has seriously improved since his 'Khiladi' days and has proved
once again in Aankhen that he is more than a pretty boy Action man
and can actually stand up to the might of Amitabh Bachchan.
Arjun
Rampal is a great natural (and seriously delicious but that's obviously
irrelevant!) and lucky to get a break such as this so early on in
his film career.
Sushmita
Sen is as graceful as ever. It's quite unbelievable how all her
talent and charm fails to be recognized, hopefully after this movie
she gets out of the underrated slot. The other 'leading lady' is
Bipasha Basu who although has been tailored as being paired with
Akshay again after 'Ajnabee' is in fact only in a special appearance.
What
can you say about the acting capabilities of Amitabh that haven't
been said before. Even in an out and out negative role and in a
film with undoubtedly younger and arguably prettier lads, he still
steals the show.
The
great robbery is a slight let down because you are waiting for something
more explosive to happen and drags a bit as the film is quite long.
However,
that's only a small failing in this fab movie, you have to see for
yourself how all Bollywood conventions have been defied to come
out with this absolute corker!
Without
giving to much away, it's the first Indian film I've seen that actually
has the possibility of a sequel.
Rating:
8.5/10
You've
read our review but what do you think? Add your comment below.
From
Praveen
this"blind movie" can actually be an eye opener to those who still
rely on tried & tested formula
From
Homaira, California
I think this movie was brilliant and very different from many indian
movies i have watched. It tended to drag at times, but over all, it
was entertaining and the acting was great. Sushmita, Arjun, Akshay,
and Amitabh did a great job!!! The songs were not that impressive,
however, so the movie was good only because of the plot and the actors.
From
Ranjith Prasad, Shrewsbury
Well what can i say, apart from the fact that this movie was extremely
funny and entertaining!
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