Aamir

A calorie free movie which sans the "phormoola" (the must-have superstitious ingredient for every Bollywood movie).

Aamir rests heavily on the technical department and needless to say it is rock solid, hence works big time. The concept is innovative, story is engrossing, screenplay is deft, music is captivating and of course direction is first rate. And above all, if the performances would have even fallen short by a degree – it would have been a fly in the ointment. Kudos to all the new faces, Rajeev Khandelwal deserves a special mention (and so does the lady who plays the hooker).

The director spares no moments to gets straight down to business and you get sucked into the whirl hole. The choice of locales deserves a special mention – very realistic and add the background score to it, you almost feel it is virtual reality you are experiencing.

Somewhere in between, you get déjà vu as though the entire plot is a bad prank (Bluffmaster/ The Game) – but eventually it dawns that the funny bone does not exist.

And ah yes – the ending couldn't have been better! As the credit rolls, you will be enlightened with a few answers.... and left with barrage of questions.

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.

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 !

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....

A Masterpiece showing a reality of old Bombay at present, a small budget movie with great significant of present issues photography was excellent by Alphonso Roy, A great effort from rising star of film industry"Rajiv Khandelwal" sure he'll going to have rocking future like S.R.K. If we put ourselves in the character then we will realize the psychology of the maker & excellent story with a power punch to think Aamir=Leader title is perfect beyond the politics Watch it at any cost. the life of the people in Mumbai-3 is being well portrayed the locations were all real no sets at all. filming was done in a short period of time