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.

I am sure my review won't be any different from the ones already posted. The movie starts with an unusually depressing premise for a bollywood style romance. It sounds promising but the director was probably instructed not to be too experimental because he quickly recovers himself and falls back into the routine of making a painfully boring love story. The first half has a few rare, blink and u miss it funny moments.The saddest part is that Priyanka and Ranbir actually have an excellent chemistry. So much scope and talent gone to waste! The hypocrisy also kills the mood. On one hand the protagonists are shown as modern , living on their own terms kind of characters who share an apartment , and when need arises , even a bed. Yet it becomes necessary for the director to force their virtuousness down our throats. Anyway the second half adds nothing to the story except some tears and then some more. Instead of making an entire movie on killing themselves they should have just made those two kill someone. Now that would have made an interesting story.

A Bollywood movie revolving around only two major characters with its major scenes emphasizing only on their verbal conversations was surely a brave subject to choose for the director Siddharth Anand. But sadly this time too, he follows his same old path of inspired themes and copied scenes and comes out with a film which is tailor made only for the multiplex and college going audience.

Right from the release of its first look, the film gave out few negative signals as its initial poster was straight away a copy of "An Education" (2009) with the genders changed, which was later pulled off due to its criticism. And today on its release, when the movie started on the screen, it's very first scene was exactly a copy of the French movie "Girl on the Bridge" (1999) with again the genders changed. The moment I saw this exactly similar execution of the scene as in the French film, my whole excitement to watch ANJAANA ANJAANI vanished into the thin air and I simply felt like cheated.

I agree 90% of the audience would surely be not aware of this truth and neither would they be interested in knowing about it. But it does affect my watching experience of a movie when I see an entire sequence simply lifted from another source of World Cinema, without any kind of courtesy note or acknowledgment. So for me, ANJAANA ANJAANI failed from that very moment and it is simply made on the same formula of Siddharth Anand, which more or less remains dependent on ingredients taken from its VARIOUS SORUCES. Though after its opening lifted scene, the film moves on to different path talking about the relationship between the lead pair. But undeniably its main subject and theme is quite close to the original "Girl On The Bridge" on the whole (with also a reference to "The Bucket List").

Moving ahead of this inspirational angle, ANJAANA ANJAANI does try to incorporate something fresh on the screen, with only the two lead characters in its script till the end. But the problem is that along with its novel theme, the director still keeps clinging to the ages old love formulas of Hindi Cinema, wherein the realization of true love comes towards the climax and the movie ends as usual with a rushing airport sequence. Now this raises a logical question that if we are intelligent enough to get inspired from such beautiful masterpieces made in the other parts of the world, then why we keep on adding our own rotten and overused formulas into it which totally ruin an otherwise good project in the end. The process simply takes away the beauty of the subject and results in a poor project in comparison to its worth watching original.

On a positive note, ANJAANA ANJAANI has surely got some original entertaining moments showcasing few bold discussions going on between the couple. But these moments are not consistent throughout the movie and there are several dull moments too which spoil the spirit of the movie as a whole. The second half is a bit lengthy and should have been edited severely to leave a more solid impact on the viewers.

Musically, the film has only two tracks which score above the rest and as I felt the background music was more enjoyable then the whole soundtrack. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's song has now become a must for every good budget movie irrespective of the fact that whether his voice suits on any character in the film or not. But still he somehow manages to score in his most of the tracks, which is remarkable as an artist. Cinematography is one of those rare aces in the movie along with its eye catching costume designing.

Collectively, ANJAANA ANJAANI can only be watched for Priyanka and Ranbir alone as they remain the soul of the film, with their brilliant, realistic performances of the Losers. The first half certainly is more entertaining than the second having the few worth watching moments for the youth. Both Priyanka and Ranbir once again prove their mettle with this movie and confidently declare that they can easily carry off a project on their shoulders alone without the help of any major supporting cast. But in absence of an adequate, strong and emotional script, their performances unfortunately just remain floating on the surface. As a surprise package, Zyed Khan is also there acting seriously in some scenes along with Priyanka.

However, the film once again made me think that when the directors choose an inspired subject for their films or when they shoot an exactly similar sequence, secretly taken from another source, then do they inform this truth to their leading stars or they keep them in dark forever?

Anyway, ANJAANA ANJAANI couldn't impress me a lot as it was not based on an original thought and lacked a fine execution but you may like it if you are a fan of Priyanka and Ranbir.

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?