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.

There was about 30 mins of the movie in the middle that was interesting. The movie starts out weakly on a very bogus premise and ends in an even more pathetic fashion. Most of movie is super corny and almost unbearable to watch. It is completely predictable to the point that most of us who have watched such movies can predict what the next line and expression will be. Please, stop wasting time and money making crap like this. Sid, can you please try to make a movie in a different genre? Ranbir, can you stop picking loser scripts? Music was good but the movie is a total suck.

4/10

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.

Few stand outs from this mushy romantic parable directed by Siddarth Anand. "Confusion is the only med for confusion", "Storytellers do not freeze in sub-zero waters", "Blush is better than ram-pyari with free money, clothes, gas and aamir-all-is- well-sense", "Love travels faster than any science" and many more whims.

Diverse characters – heart-broken in their own ways - witness each other while ridiculing themselves! PC is heart-broken after losing trust in her infidel lover, while RK is struck with misfortune as his overambitious stunts crash with the stock market and dissolve his firm leaving his co-workers / friends distraught. While the movie starts on a negative note, with the 2 trying to commit suicide, the script moves naturally with the 2 teaming up in their pursuit of death. Unfolding memories, as they confront each other, help them learn and appreciate the optimism of life. The story moves to the obvious, fallin' in love, which changes the genre of the movie to emotional atyachar. And as it happened in KHNH, Love Aajkal and Hum Tum, the Mungeri Lals' realize their feeling for each other after they are miles apart. Of course, they did not commit suicide on Dec 31 – as they had initially planned – but ended up confessing their love in sub-zero waters at 12 midnight! They eventually commit suicide by getting married.

The amateurish direction brought out scenes that lacked finishing, e.g. 1. Can't you wrap the cling film starting from nose-down instead? 2. In a random desert, how can you walk directly to your stolen car – GPS tech, coincidence,…? 3. The fuming radiator just needs fresh air, few prayers and 'Love', to cool off!?

None of the songs were script-worthy, and definitely crowded the script. PC could have done better as Kiara, considering her natural buoyant attitude. However, the script convincingly brings out the entertaining chemistry between them, thanks to RK's smooth acting and personification of Akash.

There are a few good messages, however. As you try running away from life you realize how exciting it becomes. At the same time, the proximity to death makes it easy to live life as there's no tomorrow. Philosophical, isn't it?

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.