Aamir

What happens when a director is in full control of his craft, his crew and his subject? You get an unexpected wonder like Aamir. Nevermind that it is built on a shoe-string budget, has a low profile cast and hardly had any publicity-spend.

The screenplay is brilliant. It is built piece by piece to create riveting drama. The camera work is raw and real. The locations are actual Mumbai mean streets and alleys. The supporting cast is very real. It is like Rajeev Khandelwal is walking through a real day in his life. Ah yes, Rajeev Khandelwal ! He is plain amazing. The character he plays is in a turmoil - vulnerable, helpless, frustrated, tired and angry. But Rajeev Khandelwal - he is just effortless. Easily the best performance of the year so far.

Raj Kumar Gupta makes a fine directorial debut. He does not fall into the clichés that a newcomer may be susceptible to. It would have been an easy choice to shoot the story in a dark night instead of the broad daylight that Gupta chose. He chose not to hide in darkness. He throws his craft open in blinding sunlight. Instead of a la-Hollywood film-noir style, he places his drama-thriller in the dusty Indian landscape.

Of course, there are overtures of terrorism and disillusionment of a community but these are not the highlights of the film. And thankfully, the film does not editorialize. It is basically a drama-thriller - and a good one.

There is excellent use of slow motion in the climax. It makes it the edge-of-the-seat moments of the film. Best film of this summer !

How often we come across a movie which forces us to see inside our-self even before we start criticizing others. Aamir does this in the knock-out style. Brilliant Acting, awesome camera work, tight script, haunting background, extreme locations (even i would not dare to go in daylight) and message for all. This film showcases what we have become off late in the name of fighting terrorism. Religion cannot be criteria for judging a person. Portrays the Grim realities and dilemma of a modern young Muslim who are often torn apart in the name of religion and love for their country. One of the best movies which do not screams about patriotism but shows it's our inner self which defines what person we are not our race.

In the midst of writing my first screenplay, I was keenly observing reviews from my close ones about the movies they liked and disliked and the reasons for them. I acquainted myself to the grim reality that people still don't want to see something real on the silver screen. Movies are a getaway from reality and there is this unanimous love for their stars. That's why our movies are about glamor, glitz and almost always no impressive storyline. Aamir is fantastically different to the clichéd movie world, we live in India. Cinematography reminiscent of the great Nicolas Roeg's lens work, Alphonse Roy is the hot new talent to watch out for. He managed something that a lot of movies based in Mumbai could not...the only notable exceptions being Slumdog Millionaire and Salaam Bombay. It has a gripping plot and keeps you edgy but isn't devoid of a few Muslim stereotypes. That said, there are a whole lot of other pluses which make it a must watch. Rajeev Khandelwal looks dapper, plays his character and displays angst, fear and horror with great facial precision and makes you wonder why he has not been casted in another movie yet, are we all sleeping or are we just too obsessed with our stars? Editing is first rate, direction has a sense of purpose and the whole ensemble of actors plying their trade meaningfully gives Aamir a definite must watch tag. What is lacks is the finesse of an Anurag Kashyap screenplay, but still is a valiant attempt in trying to change the face of cinema in India. Aamir should be lauded, applauded and celebrated as one of the best, coming out from Bollywood factory in the year 2008.

I for one found the negative comments about this film really in bad taste. Guys if u are into typical Bombay cinema pelvic thrust versus mega wedding ...you haven't seen even 1% of what cinema is. Rubbishing Aamir is like proclaiming to the world that Caviar is not edible because you have been brought up on the highly nutritious burger. Or like proclaiming that since you are used to "Desi" ..champagne is as good as salt water.

Aamir is one of the best films I have seen of late . And I am writing this review immediately after seeing it. Its a dark and grimy narrative that is at once gripping without being frivolous. It makes no bones about the fact as to the aim of the director...A short gripping sequence ..thats it. And what a development of story line. Amazing . Nothing short of it. Starting from the much raved cinematography to the subdued expressions ...its a winner all the way.

As to the philosophical argument that portrays followers of a particular sect as accomplices to terrorist crimes. ...It might be politically correct to tow the "secular" line but we all know deep inside us what exactly is happening. Just wished we had more such characters in this world who can say that a religion develops when an individual develops....

I don't have enough words to express my feelings about this movie. Never before in Hindi cinema, anyone has made such a thriller (without introducing any ghosts).

Brilliant direction, story, camera work, background music is far beyond expectation, special credit goes to director for choosing such real life locations during shooting. No rush of characters, no additional drama..... simply the director has filled everything up to the brim perfectly.

Excellent acting by Amir, I can't remember his name, probably Rajiv.....congrats man, you can expect "critics" award next year, some of the incidents in the story are almost our common life experiences like the custom officer matter.

Overall, it is simply a masterpiece. I don't know whether people in India will get to know about the movie or not ?? Last year such an unexpected movie came out "Jhony Gaddar" but this one is far better than that dealing with a real life story from different angles.