Monday, December 12, 2005

Film Review-Ek Ajnabee

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Perizad Zorabian
Direction: Apporva Lakhia
Rating: * * 1/2

When I got out of the mutliplex after watching Ek Ajnabee, I felt a sensation of deja-vu just a similar feeling when I saw the director's debut debacle "Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost". The feeling that I am talking about here is "what is the purpose of making the movie" feeling. Ok, understood everything is taken care of, right from the stunning locales, to the background music, outstanding stunts, but what about the weak script and shoddy screenplay???

Bangkok is the place, Perizaad, Vikram, Rucha are the family, The kid is the one who needs protection coz some group has been kidnapping Indian Kids in Bangkok, hence Amitabh is the bodyguard and Arjun is his sidekick, both being ex suspended army officers.

Obviously the kid is kidnapped, so who's who, and whodunit, et al is the story. There are definitely some twists and turns but somehow the zing is missing. Though the editing is crisp, the film is still boring and lengthy in parts. The action is awesome, the costumes, location and Arjun's and Big B's look are fab. Arjun's item number is also not bad......

Perizaad truly excels as Rucha's helpless mother, she's a complete natural. Vikram Chatwal as Perizaad's hubby can't match up to her. Arjun looks great, acts well but the character is not well sketched at all, anyways things are looking brighter for him now. But the show stealers are Rucha Vaidya and Big B. The kid is such a sweetheart, her annoying arrogance in the first half and her love for her bodyguard cum friend in the second half is very cute. She really matches Mr. bachchan in every scene and every frame. And what can be said about the legend himself, a total powerhouse performer, he just steals every scene. His energy and freshness are just indispensable. Absolutely knock out performance.

Abhishiek and Lara's special appearances in the end add to the star power. Not great cinema but not disappointing either. Meet the stranger if you want to pass time......

-Sanketh Rao.


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