This weekend was when friends decided to take in Aankhen, a multi starrer film, starring the B man himself, Amitabh Bacchan. Also, the idea behind the film seemed different, and the promos were somewhat impressive. The star cast was good too. So it was that we met to see this film.
The film starts off with the big B dancing to some number ( songs are the least memorable part of this film). The story is about this brilliant but schizophrenic General Manager of a bank, who has given the best years of his life to the development and prosperity of the same. Unfortunately, his rage sees him hammering the life out of anybody who does not share his passion.
Of course, it is because of this very rage, that he gets fired from his job. And so it is that, when his bak is about to move on to a new era, he is out of it. Our man is distraught and furious. He decides that he is going to get even with the establishment and ruin the very bank of whom he was the nurturer.
One fine day, while walking along the street, he views a rather unusual scene. Guided on by Sushmita Sen, a group of blind students are forming a human pyramid. This gives the Big B a crazy idea.
He gives an ad in the papers inviting blind folks for a special workshop. The general idea of course, is to get 3 (go getters) people who would be trained to rob the bank. For this they would be given 50 lacs ( 5 mill). To train them, he gets Sushmita, who agrees to work, only cause the Big B has kidnapped her younger brother.And She is gonna front the whole thing. The big B makes it known that his presence is not to be disclosed to anyone.
And so it is that our three blind men come into the pic. Numero uno is Arjun Rampal (AR), who loses his sight because of his uncle. The second is Paresh Rawal (PR) who is a singing beggar. He sings in trains. The third, and smart one is Akshay Kumar (AK), who loses his sight in an accident, which according to him has sharpened his sixth sense (smirk).He even senses Mr B when he is standing around.
So while the other two, have come for the workshop, this guy (AK) knows he is here for something dangerous. And he is proved right when they r told what to do. But it isnt that simple is it. AR looses his his cool and refuses to be part of this scheme, but is roped in by Sushmita’s sentiments and her plea for help.
And so starts the training in a remote house, which has been designed as the bank, by the designer himself. The three guys are trained according to the plan, get to know the ropes. Meanwhile, they bond together as friends, and share their pain etc. AR falls for Sushmita, and is ribbed by PR for the same. Paresh Rawal excels in his role. He has some of the best lines and comes through brilliantly. The training is for them to move around as would normal guys.
Everything goes with precision, and soon the guys are ready. All set to execute the plan. The plan is to rob the jewels in the bank, kidnap Mr B when he tries to intervene, and take hime out. And he inturn would take them safely, and pay them off. After all who’d beleive that blind men could rob a bank.
The D-day arrives, and the 3 folks dressed as two guys and a woman make it to the bank. But as is with all brilliant plans, things go wrong at the nth hour, the same happens here. It is here that Mr B comes in handy, and he in turn smoothens out the rough edges. The robbery is carried out quite well. The only change made is, that the blind guys take out another employee, instead off the Big B.
And it is from here, that a film which could have been a good thriller, goes phut! They could have ended the film on a high note. Instead, we r taken on a ride wherein the 3 guys change cabs at regular intervals and make it back with the loot to their base camp.
From here till the end, it is a nightmare. We have a furious Mr B, who vows to have them killed. PR is sent out with the loot to hide it.
From here the story drags on. We have a spillage of bodies, wherein PR is killed by the Mr B. (accidently). This happens when the other 2 are outside. Sush is shocked by the whole incident, and when told that all the planning is done on her name, kills herself. Then Mr Instinct and his buddy stumble in on the bodies. A shootout happens, witht he big B on their heels. Soon we have cops sniffing near the house. The come in with Super cop (Aditya Panscholi).
No one beleives Mr B, when he tell the cops that the blind men have robbed the bank. He is termed mad and taken away. The good guys find the loot in the singers harmonium. So alls well, since they uncannily have recovered the lost brother, send him off to boarding school, and the film ends or does it.?
Friends, the film could have ended with the robbery happenning, and it would have been best. However, the director goes berserk towards the end, trying to give a dose of humor, suspense, thrill - ends up giving neither.
Performances wise, Amitabh Bachan (Mr B) excels as usual.The range of emotion that flick across his face are a treat to watch. Paresh rawal is hilarious and fabulous. Akshay Kumar has given a stunning performance. Arjun Rampal just looks good. Sushmita comes across quite well.
The director attemps at humor with 3 charcters at the bank. Those were the pits. I wonder why they were needed. They could have been as faceless as the rest of the bank staff.
See the film if only for the brilliant performances. But that alone is not the reason to spend money. If you get a VCD, see it and save the trouble of going to the theatre. The film is like a roller coaster ride. You zoom to the top in good speed. But on the way down, your cart just stutters down. You cant wait to get out.