Fanney Khan

If Hindi movie filmmakers keep on making such insipid movies like Fanney Khan it will not do any good for the Hindi cinema. Atul Manjrekar debut as a director also credits for screenplay is a failure in both departments.

The movie is an official remake of a Belgian movie (If it has to be remake a better movie could have been adapted) but does not help its cause.

Story is about a days gone by struggling artist who wants to make her daughter a successful singer. The movie does not have any originality and the execution is also not up to the mark.

The only saving grace is Anil Kapoor and the girl who plays his daughter. Talented actor like Rajkumar Rao is wasted. Aishwarya looks attractive but overacts in some scenes though she does not have much to do.

Music is average. I am so exhausted after watching this movie that don't feel like writing more. Do not waste your money and if you are a fan of Anil Kapoor please wait to watch when it gets screened on the television.

Fanney Khan - to be a star and a celebrity artist is not easy in a country with a billion people and needs hard work and focus. Fanney Khan is the story of a man who didn't quite make the cut having had to sacrifice his dreams for the more important responsibility of life and family. He still nurses his creative side when he finds time from his crane operating job and sees his dream stay alive in his daughter Lata. Lata is talented but faces body-shamers bullying her constantly as she is obese, which stands in her way of recognition. Also, she finds her father annoying and is easily embarrassed due to his intrusive (actually concern) nature. Do you see a maze of subjects here already? Add to it a strange twist - Fanney Khan will go to any length to find success for his daughter's singing career, and will kidnap a celebrity singer for ransom, a case where he will transform from being a perpetrator into being manipulated by some sly bounty hunters.

It's just too many subjects to handle - director Atul Manjrekar is clearly unable to balance things out. After the interesting first 30 minutes, the film just loses its way and meanders in a wayward fashion, failing to engage. Rajkumar Rao is underused and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan misses yet another opportunity to up her game, keeping things superficial and plastic. The end is preachy. Debutante Pihu Sand as Lata is very impressive. But the film belongs to Anil Kapoor, who infuses exceptional energy and life into the role of a doting family man. He is clearly the only asset of Fanney Khan. Also must mention Divya Dutta who also produces a punchy performance. 4 STARS okay for it.

The movie was below average, the star cast were sincere and tried their best.

As i watched the movie i realised there is an imortant parental message in the movie. The movie is essentially a story of a daughter, mother and father. The parents are poor yet have they have totally spoilt their daughter. She disrespects her fatber at every stage and the mother defends here by blaming the father for upsetting her. The father tries everything in the world to keep his daughter happy and to fulfil her dreams, to the point where he resorts to kidnapping. The daughter is totally rude, spending money and taking loans to buy dresses without asking for consent from the bill payer. At the end this spoilt, rude child makes it.

This is message of this movie. Like i said a pathetic movie somewhat tolerable due to a 1st class set of actors.

FANNEY KHAN is an official remake of the Belgian film IEDEREEN BEROEMD aka EVERYBODY'S FAMOUS. While the original film was shorter and had dark comedy, thereby maximizing impact, FANNEY KHAN on the other hand moves at its own pace and is too melodramatic. While this may work for some, others might find it unconvincing. Atul Manjrekar, Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal's screenplay is lackluster at places but scores at a few places. Hussain Dalal, Abbas Dalal, Jasmeet K Reen and Athar Nawaz's dialogues are simple but quite funny in some scenes.

Atul Manjrekar's direction could have been better and that in turn would have made the film better. There's no doubt that he handled some scenes exceptionally well. However, at many places, he loses the plot. The storyline is quite illogical in the first place and it needed an expert hand to ensure the film works logically. Unfortunately, Atul partly fails in his endeavour.

FANNEY KHAN has a decent commencement and sets the mood of the film. The introduction of characters however is not that impressive. The track of Adhir and Jinal (Swati Semwal) however is interesting. The film picks up thankfully once the kidnapping takes place. The manner in which Fanney Khan and Adhir make futile attempts to scare Baby Singh makes for a great watch. In the second half, the film drops again and hooks viewers only towards the end. The climax would be loved by a section of viewers as its quite moving. But some might find it too illogical.

The performances however are too good, thereby helping the film. Anil Kapoor is in a great form and is the soul of the movie. The emotional scenes work thanks to him. One can feel his pain and one can't help but hoot for him even when one knows that what he did isn't right. Rajkummar Rao genuinely puts his best foot forward and is endearing. He raises laughs in the kidnapping scene. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looks like a million bucks and adds a lot to the film with her supporting role. Pihu Sand seems a bit irritating at places but she makes up for it with her touching performance in the climax. Divya Dutta (Kavita) is dependable as always. Girish Kulkarni as usual plays the negative part quite well. Satish Kaushik (Kadar bhai) has an interesting part but is wasted. Barbie Rajput (Rhea), Swati Semwal and Asif Basra are decent.

The songs are appropriate for the sequences in which they appear but could have better since the film is essentially a musical. 'Achche Din' is the best of the lot. 'Tere Jaisa Tu Hai' comes next and it comes at a crucial juncture. 'Mohabbat' serves as a fair introduction for Aishwarya. 'Fu Bai Fu' has interesting lyrics. 'Halka Halka' is the most unconvincing portion of the film as it shows a prominent singer, whose kidnapping has shaken the entire nation, roaming around freely! Tubby - Parik's background score goes well with the various moods of the film.

S Tirru's cinematography is quite effective. Ajay Vipin's production design however is nothing great although it works in the house scenes of Fanney Khan. Monisha R Baldawa's editing is passable. Eka Lakhani and Manish Malhotra's costumes are appealing, especially the ones worn by Aishwarya.

If you want to torture someone take them for this movie.