Ajnabee

Another unoriginal fare by Abbas-Mastan, Ajnabee does work maybe because it was generally well made by the directors-brothers duo Abbas Mastan who often prefer to concentrate on the making of a film rather than invest time and write a new script. Well a job is a job and everyone is working for money, so remaking a foreign film is a much easier way to make money. Creativity/originality is not the word to describe this duo but they do manage to make an enjoyable flick every once in a while so let it be. Ajnabee is quite an interesting watch - it has good cinematography, very good editing, exceptional music, suitable actors and a very modern concept. The portrayal of Indians living in a foreign country is well done, the suspense is successful, and it uses the usual Bollywood clichés from time to time. The film is mainly surprising because of Akshay Kumar's shocking villainous turn (well if he had accepted the directors' early film Baazigar maybe things would have gone differently for him). He is convincing and wins most of the viewers' attention. It has a very lovely newcomer named Bipasha Basu who makes a confident debut. It also has an average Kareena Kapoor, a Bobby Deol (about him I don't have anything good or bad to say), and a hilarious Johnny Lever. I was annoyed at the beginning of the film to see Dalip Tahil who laughs and laughs for no reason - very disturbing. Anyway, you can try it if you like, it is a decent Indianised, fairly updated and changed version of Consenting Adults.

Of all the Bollywood-films I've seen, "Ajnabi" is one of the mediocre ones. The songs didn't work for me, the tension was flat and the actors were average. Bipashu Basu made a gorgeous debut, but that's about it. Oh and the comic relief was bad. Really.

But, as many Bollywood films do, this one has some scenes in Switzerland. Actually about 50% of the movie takes place somewhere in the country. I don't want to blame the film because many movies treat geography rather loose, but "Ajnabi" is a hoot on that level. I'll start with the policemen. They swap languages in every scene - from English to German to French. Trust me, I know that Switzerland has a French part, but then the Police-cars should be labeled "Police" not "Polizei" - the film does it vice versa: In Luzern (German speaking part. With many *bad* extras!), no police car would be labeled "Police".

The funniest stuff is in the court room sequence. This doesn't look like a Swiss court room at all, but I didn't mind. Then, Raj jumps out of the window and runs. He runs through streets with many Asian looking people. Tourists perhaps? Well, even some Chinese signs. And what's that? A subway? There aren't any subways in Switzerland! Wow! It's Singapore! He ran around the world in a couple of seconds, hunted by Swiss policemen. Well, what shall I say ... I had great fun with stuff like this.

But the film itself is mediocre, so I give it a

5/10

this was one of the most planned scripts written in all of time good direction as usual from the Abbas-Mustan duo and a script that's written by all of the known sweet writers into an ultimate story songs are pretty average and the acting by Akshay Kumar is great he delivers his dialogues with lots of fun and passion Shyam Goel dialogue writer delivers dialogues with passion and writes with wit screenplay is average but good story by Neeraj Vora us good being Bipasha Basu's debut is good overall average film with great acting story every element a movie needs this has songs need a little work and the screenplay could do with that as well but overall good movie by creative directors and highly enjoyable action direction

Abbas-Mastan's movies are known to make suspense thrillers. Although the topic of wife swapping was a new theme for Indian Cinema.

Ajnabi too is a copy of Hollywood flick 'Consenting Adults' (1992) staring Kevin Spacey, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Kevin Kline.

Abbas-Mastan are known to lift stories from Hollywood movies.

Right from 'Bazzigar' (1993) to 'Race' (2007) are all copies. They try very hard though to add some Bollywood tinge, and get away very easily.

And in the process have won quite few awards successfully. There is nothing wrong to draw inspiration, but making straight copies frame to frame is not good.

Though its adapted from a hollywood movie, still it is praiseworthy for providing entertainment. It doesn't lose the thrill throughout, but also sometimes fuses the innocence cum comic characteristics of both hero and the villain. Akshay kumar is believable as the dishonest lover, a greedy opportunist, a betrayer, a liar and finally a killer. I see it only for him, his performance kinda stands as the reminder to all the liars and dishonest guys out there. Akshay just acted his heart out, really fits in the role. It may not be the best movie in its genre but from the entertaining side it deserves a praise, a thrilling experience, a rewatchable film despite its flaws and annoying intentional comic scenes.

Bobby deol plays a lovable character, a guy who is downright honest and good, believes in goodness, unity and progressiveness. He lives with his wife, who is fun loving, caring and honest. Their meeting is itself a strange incident depicting the made for another scenario. But Akshay took the opportunity of Bobby's goodness and exploits him, only to open his own downfall. The message of the film is very clear, without any confusion will leave you with the idea that good prevails either by hook or crook. The comic characters doesn't seem comic really, rather annoying at some but the director cautiously placed some thrill within the funny characters and made their presence significant in the movie's storyline.

Technically it's presentation is fine, atleast it retained the thrilling environment with well crafted BGM, may be a bit noisy at some but had put necessary echoes in exact places. Narratives are fast paced but not too fast like surpassing viewers comprehensibility. Finally well acted performers who atleast succeeded in bringing the intended characters into the screen. All these aspects made it a rewatchable suspense film, despite unrealistic moments like French police and government being so naive esp regarding immigrants, language barriers and as usual Bollywood action scenes of hero vs villain. Nevertheless all these issues couldn't degrade the film and it delivered what it wanted to deliver. And that's a suspenseful journey.

An 8/10 for its entertainment value. An 80 on a scale of 100.