Anthony Kaun Hai…a light, breezy, comic thriller. The title drew in the eyeballs; the story had to glue the audiences together.
Story telling is a fine art and a clever one too. Directors have to hand hold audiences into the world of the story, into a state of suspended disbelief; into a world that convinces them the story unfolding is authentic. Together with this, the film rhythm, the characters essayed by the actors and a crisp plot thread are crucial to creative success. As long as they are ensured the interest, excitement and the curiosity graph of the audience remains sustained. Any lapse and the interest wanes.
Anthony Kaun Hai manages to do that & more! To that extent, the director’s & the writers efforts are commendable even though I really wish they had easily avoided the often used “inspiration” to craft the story. I do not recollect the Hollywood film/s that inspired them, but certain scenes did corroborate this fact. Why do we have to resort to any such “inspiration”? But then of course the argument is, nothing is original anymore. Creativity itself isn’t original. Or is it?!
Arshad Warsi has emerged as a fine actor with a comic sense. With telling performances in the two films I have seen him in, one wonders where he was all these years. A hidden talent finally revealed, he went about his task with aplomb and drew in much appreciation and cheers. The interactions between Dutt and Warsi were hilarious especially the awkward “smile” Warsi had to adorn time and again. The quintessential Yash Chopra bollywood references were excellent touches added to certain beats; I think they were moments of magic added, on location and were certainly a riot. The airport scene in the end with Warsi singing had the audience guffawing.
Watching these reactions made me realize how much we need laughter in our lives, especially in these trying times. In an environment dripping with fear, remorse & anger, laughter plays a sublime role. For this alone, the team of Anthony Kaun Hai, led by the director deserves all the kudos for a job well done.
Barring the above, what was certainly disappointing for me, were the ludicrous song sequences which seemed to interrupt when they were least required. Wonder what the thought process was? Songs at the cost of the story flow is a heinous crime; and that’s putting it mildly. It’s enough to drive us intelligent viewers round the bend. Why? I don’t think there is an answer.
Now that we know who Anthony was (and I do in reality and in person!), inspite of a well made film, an apology is in store for getting “inspired” and for not avoiding a few of the typical bollywood balderdash of song sequences! “Tum log, galti kyon karte ho yaar? Chal sorry bol”!