Anjaana Anjaani

All lovers start off as strangers first, before an affirmation as friends, then the bridge to be crossed to become lovers, and if the speedbumps along the way prove too much for the couple to handle, then that relationship will get relegated to friendship, before time takes over for memories to fade and they become strangers again. Director Siddharth Anand's Anjaana Anjaani takes on this cyclic tale as far as modern romances go, and while the premise is as sexy as its two leads, unfortunately it's the meandering, average storyline that ultimately trips up the film, no matter the powerhouse performances by Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.

It started off promising though, as the narrative takes its time to set up the backgrounds and stories behind how Ranbir's Akash and Priyanka's Kiara met on a bridge while both are contemplating suicide, with the former being a hotshot investor whose bad call at the markets translated to bankruptcy for him and his partners, while the latter in a drunken stupor, had hers kept under wraps and told in flashbacks as the story wore on. For an audience, you get set up to feel that you too have partaken in this getting-to-know-you phase by director Siddharth Anand, and get acquainted with the leads just as their characters begin on a journey, and an incredible one at that since they've moved in together, and set a date on which to execute themselves, but not before spending time crossing out an impromptu bucket list.

For instance, the first half dwells specifically on the adventures of these two doing quite the incredible for comedy, with most times leaving you wonder just how they get the cash to do what they do. But this is a fantasy film, so anything goes with nary a worry, which for two persons hell bent on killing themselves, splurging cash shouldn't be an issue at all since they can't bring their savings bank along to their graves. For Akash, his dream is to get laid, well sort of, since he's that romantic dreamer whose career had meant little chance and time to chase skirts. This of course sets off some alarm bells with audiences when there's Ms Kiara standing in front of him to pursue, but it's this slow burning discovery that true love may be in front of him after all, that forms the theme after the interval.

Meanwhile, Kiara's bucket list consists of swimming in the middle of the Atlantic. How they get there is one thing, but they do, and this episode sowed the seeds of a budding romance leading well into the second half of the film, where the story falls back on the tried and tested formula of a romantic comedy, with the couple not knowing what to do since they've made a pact to end their lives, yet see within each other a rainbow at the end of their personal stormy issues. You can almost sleepwalk through the entire film after the break, as it breaks out the formula to turn whatever's refreshing, and like a genie decided to put it all back in the bottle.

Watching two former Miss Worlds in separate movies from two of the largest film industries in India, can somewhat be distracting as well as surreal. But Priyanka Chopra came out tops in this tussle, in my opinion, since Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's role in Enthiran was somewhat whiny in behaviour to my liking. Chopra on the other hand turned out to be quite the livewire in this film even though her Kiara has the most baggage to bear amongst the two lovers in Anjaana Anjaani. Infusing her role with so much sass, one cannot help but to highlight that this is one of her most memorable performance to date after last year's Fashion and What's Your Rashee, which saw her take on 12 different roles. Ranbir Kapoor feeds off Chopra's bubbling energy really well, and the two share some excellent screen chemistry together in their first pair up, that I'm wishing there will be more films in future to exploit this.

If only the story was more gutsy to match both actor's stellar performances, without which Anjaana Anjaani turned out to be nothing more than an above average romantic film that gets churned out by the dozens each year.

The suicide attempt of two strangers gets inter-twined. "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" becomes the mission statement of their collaboration. What ensues next is flashbacks of their reasons to end their lives, discover each other and the beauty of life itself. Did I forget to mention all this in the process of futile suicide attempts?

♫ Priyanka Chopra:: Good writing in certain parts of her character though sometime she appears quite bubbly and sometimes low-down. Priyanka gives her best shot.

♫ Ranbir Kapoor:: Gets to showcase various emotion of the character and the layers to it. Delivers at ease. A black horse to watch out in the Bollywood arena.

♫ Zayed Khan:: He falters regardless of an intense scene, casual scene or melodramatic scene. Nonetheless, no great damage to the fly-in-the- ointment character.

For starters, the movie should have been "Anjaani Anjaana" for the premise of Priyanka Chopra has a greater depth which had the potential to leave lasting impact had the movie started on that thread. Ranbir's starting point is quite weak and ill-written. The plot could have connected well if it was based in India and the journey of the protagonist would have revolved around "Discovery of India". The weakest of the movie are the excessive cinematic liberties in the plot, hence the reference Kismet Konnection stated.

The outline of the plot is clueless whether it was meant to be comedy or love-story under the framework of suicide mission. Owing to which the writing is poor is both fronts.

The song "Aas Paas Hain Khuda" is a standard piece of line which is placed whenever there is Kismet Konnection moment. Having said that music is not as rich as "Hum Tum" or "Bachna Ae Haseeno".

With "Robot" released alongside I got the impression that AA suffered but frankly that wasn't the case. Even the multiplex crowd (read that generation next) could not fancy the meat in the plot. The only takers I suppose must have been Ranbir and Priyanka's fan-base.

It has story of half an hour but exaggerated for 2 and half hour. Not so exciting yet predictable. But the music was awesome so 2 extra stars for that. Thank you.

I slept through this.Beginning was wonderful very funny and witty.Priyanka Chopra was in good spirits.Ranbeer Kapoor looked like Abhishek Bachchan's younger brother.he is not so good here.

Sidharth Anand directs this foolish script.its as awful as Salaam Namaste was.i don't know why our film makers go to US to shoot every second film.films like 3Idiots which showcase beauty of hill-side around Simla also show that their are breath taking locales here itself which remain untapped.

Direction is horrible,see Priyanka Chopra's ward robe in the film ,its just such a drag really awful.that red dress she wears in the bar make her look like an ethnic behanji.

this movie was so reminiscent of Neal & Nikki which starred Uday Chopra & Tanisha.Frankly that was so fresh this sucks like rotten tomatoes.Can't understand why producers spend such big money on making such awful stuff.Sajid Nadiadwal has ancient film line,could do something for film restoration.Nobody cares about our Indian classics.many films are already lost,most classic film negatives are in shambles.they can do better by investing their money in restoration of Indian classics.Government too does nothing .it does not even award people who work for restoring immortal classics.

Movie like these are a waste of time and money.

Priyanka is the showstealer of this movie. Her flawless and effortless acting make it an absolute pleasure to watch the character of Kiara go through a roller coaster of emotions from guilt, grief, and depression to jubilation, ecstasy, and love. Ranbir is also fantastic. He always gives a subtle but powerful performance. Both Priyanka and Ranbir's comic timing is right on the money, and the duo keep you in splits.

The script, the backbone of the film, is terrific. I can't give too many details without giving away the story here. The entire process of making the film, from cinematography and direction to the most minute details such as depicting accurate weather across the US in winter, has been done very professionally. I personally really like how the film confronts the difficult times that the US is going through and, in a fun, light-hearted, and fully entertaining way, turns a devastating situation into a positive one. The entire soundtrack is awesome with fresh, soul-stirring music. The movie is a great, fun experience and has repeat value.