The genre “romance” has more or less changed its face over the past decade with films like Hum Tum, Saathiya and Neal “n” Nikki (!!!) In today’s times where the audience is being flattered with fresh concepts, distinctive scripts and unusual screenplays, Fanaa takes you back to the old era of sad, unconditional, to-die-for love.
Zooni (Kajol) is a blind Kashmiri girl who lives with her parents (Rishi Kapoor and Kirron Kher). They allow her a trip with her friends to Delhi praying that she just might bump into her “shehzaada”. What do you know?! She does! She falls for the flirtatious, romantic Rehan (Aamir Khan), the tourist guide, who woos her with his never-ending shers! The sparks between them are a treat to watch while letting our own hearts skip beats! Though Rehan is spellbound by her dazzling beauty he doesn’t believe in love (!). She anyway gives him her heart and pleads Rehan to make her last few hours in Delhi her most memorable. And he does, while falling helplessly in love with her.
But as fate has it, a terrible incident pulls them apart. Was it really fate that played her card? The skeleton in Rehan’s closet is disclosed; his real identity, his real mission, his real self that could destroy Zooni.
Till here Fanaa is a look-good and feel-good film with fantastic cinematography. Not revealing much, they meet again after 7 years. The movie takes a whole new turn here with innumerable twists and running high on emotional content. Zooni encounters her most dreaded nightmare and is forced to make a choice – a choice between the man she loves and the man she fears - a choice between her life and his death!
Fanaa offers brilliant performances by Aamir and Kajol, without whom the film would fall flat. Kajol makes an explosive comeback, glamour personified. With a mature performance she sometimes even overshadows Aamir in the first half. Aamir in the first half is the playful romantic that we’ve seen in many of his films. But once his identity is revealed Fanaa gives him a chance to explore the widest range of emotions and he excels. He makes Rehan’s love for Zooni, his guilt, his restlessness and his pain so heartfelt that one cant help but sympathise with a terrorist!
Rishi Kapoor and Kirron Kher are fine. Shruti is brilliant. Tabu is strictly okay. Shiney Ahuja is wasted and disappears as soon as he appears. The child artist is good.
Kunal Kohli did a good job with his actors keeping melodrama at bay. For instance the way the ophthalmologist talks to Zooni. But his biggest achievement is the treatment of Zooni’s character. We see a very different and a very real blind girl, who laughs at her imperfection and has no complaints. The director throws lots and lots of snow at you making you nostalgic of the old Yash Chopra romance. Then there are the extremely electric scenes like the Antakshari scene and the grand finale climax, which steal the show.
Like any other film, Fanaa has its share of shortcomings. The film tends to drag at times. It has unnecessary characters like the Rehan’s cheesy sidekick or the ridiculous Rao. The dialogues are good during most of the movie but are too filmy at the beginning. But above all is Rehan’s ill sketched character, which changes according to the situation. Why is he a terrorist? In the climax why does he not stop Zooni from coming out knowing it’s dangerous? But thank god for Aamir, who makes it all believable!
Fanaa is the perfect paisa vasool film, which haunts you for a long time. Comparing the film to Dil Se or Roja is rather silly than unfair as the stories are entirely different. Being a Yash Raj production the liberal budget ensures great locales and high quality performances.
Fanaa is a spectacular fairytale, except they don’t live happily ever after…
Plus Points:
The ever melodious love songs
The breathtaking locations
Apt usage of old hindi songs in the background score
Minus Points:
Aamir looks a bit old in the first half
Lara Dutta’s special appearance. Why does a film starring Aamir and Kajol need special appearances? Is Lara more popular than the two?
Overdose of shers
Loosely plot terrorist mission
he he...late review no re?