Anjaam

This is one of SRK's BEST movies, his acting, as usual, is flawless, and I sit back in amazement, and think "I could not do that". He is just perfect in the film, you can't but help feeling incredibly sorry for him, and incredibly angry at Madhuri, some scenes are disturbing, but they only add to the movies brilliant storyline, I have seen many Indian and English movies, but I have never seen any like Baazigar, Darr and Anjaam, coincidentally they all have Shahrukh Khan in them, he is just the BEST, never have movies been made like these, and never has there been an amazingly terrific actor like Shahrukh Khan, who NO other actor in the WORLD can compare too, there is just NO comparision between him and ANY other actor. There is not a single moment of boredom in this movie, you can't take your eyes off it. It is just terrific, along with the acting.

I have seen quite a few Indian films (often from the 1990s) where you have a male protagonist who is a spoiled, rich playboy who falls for a woman....and by the end of the film, he's changed and they fall in love. "Anjaam" looks much like one of these but then instead of the protagonist reforming, this guy becomes dangerous....which is MUCH more realistic than him becoming 'nice' by the end of the story.

Vijay (Shah Rukh Khan) is the obnoxious playboy in this film. He sees Shivani (Madhuri Dixit) on a TV commercial for the airline for which she's a hostess and he's smitten with her. He repeatedly follows her and acts boorish but instead of her falling for this, she marries another man. Does that stop Vijay? Nope...because he's emotionally unstable and twisted...and he will either get her or destroy her. I'll say no more...I don't want to spoil the suspense.

So is the film good or not? Well, it's a bit of both. Since it was made in the 1990s, the acting is a bit less subtle in films you'd see today. The music, also, like older films is a bit dated. Also, the cross-dressing trio just seem way out of place in such a serious film...I was never sure why they were there in the first place. Otherwise, it's a very good, suspenseful and creepy film...and SRK lovers might be surprised at how twisted and sick he is in this one. If you thought he was bad in his gangster films like "Don" or "Raees", well he seems a lot worse and dangerous in "Anjaam"! So, if you are looking for a sweet love story...keep looking! Instead, it's a film with strong feminist vibes...showing how godawful not only Vijay can be but the rest of the men in the story as well.

By the way, there are at least two other Indian films called "Anjaam" which came out before this one. It turns out neither have anything to do with this film other than the titles.

Also by the way, can a judge in India really sentence a person to prison without hearing all the evidence or allowing a jury to decide the case? This part of the film really confused me.

Nobody could have imagined the Casting of srk & madhuri for the 1st time, but not in a love story, but in a vengeance drama. That too srk as the villain in a woman centric film. This thought itself deserves an applaude. Some movies are beyond the limits of their box office verdict & needs to be given respect forever. Anjaam is one of those honorable films which the audience couldnt accept at the time of release due to the shock, but they can never deny the impact of it. Srk has not become what he is today just like that. He will be remembered as the most versatile & audacious actor in future. Madhuri dixit is a naturally talented actress & she shocked everyone with her brilliant performance in this film. This one should achieve cult status now.

This film is perhaps one of the better films to have come out of "Bollywood" in the mid 90s. Bearing in mind that Hum Aapke Hain Koun came out in the same year it showed the versatility of one of India's finest actresses... I am of course talking about Madhuri Dixit! So the plot may be a little far stretched and the sub plots may be a little distracting (referring to the transvestites) but all in all what a powerful film! "Bollywood" is accustomed to certain codes and conventions so lets not forget we are watching a film from a completely different arena (compared to Hollywood).

Now to the songs (a key feature of any "Bollywood" film)... Badi Mushkil Hai, Channe Ke Khet mein, Tu samne jab aata hai and Barson ki baad - all top notch! Maybe its become common knowledge now but Barson ki baad was taken in one single shot! That doesn't happen often now does it?! Madhuri is sensuous, alluring and enchanting in her seduction...nothing is vulgar about this - can't say that about the heroines of today!

I don't think you have to be a fan of either Shah Rukh or Madhuri to appreciate this unique film... However, one does ponder if their performances were the real pull for this film - I can't imagine anyone else in their place!

Final thought: if you are sick of the stuff "Bollywood" is churning out these days - go back to the 90's and make sure you pay Anjaam a visit!

Anjaam is a Great underrated Movie with attitude. Shah Rukh Khan plays the obsessed phycho lover after Baazigar and Darr. Both were Great Films, Anjaam is another Hit added to his list. Shah Rukh Khan delivers a powerful and great performance. Madhuri Dixit gives another powerful and Superb acting as the women who goes through many bizarre incidents. She gets framed for murder and ends up in a brutal prison. The Prison is used like a brothel in nights, focusing in police corruption. One of the serious Scenes include, when a 9 Months Pregnant Madhuri gets beaten like crazy, she gets whacked in the stomach by the corrupt Police by a stick. Madhuri goes on a quest for revenge, Lots of Violence including the death of her brother in law. Madhuri bites his hand so badly, that his skin comes off.

I expected this to be a romantic movie, with a bad guy that likes a married women. Instead, i see a serious movie that kicks ass. Great acting and madness of a storyline. Worth the watch.