The film was heavily publicised as the "True Story of Sushmita Sen and Vikram Bhatt". The promos had splattered "Vikram Bhatt tells a story close to his heart" and given that Esha Deols Miss World pictures were plastered all over the photos the curiosity rose. So is the movie a re-telling of the Vikram Bhatt-Sushmita Sen episode? I highly doubt that Sushmita Sen is anything like Esha Deol is in the movie, although iam ready to believe that Vikram Bhatt has written a biographical character with Aftabs portrayl of Shekhar.
The film revolves around Dr Shekhar Saxena(Aftab) who is happily married to Nandita(Amisha Patel). The couple also have a daughter Sheena. Their life is perfect until Kavya(Esha Deol) enters into Shekhars life with a slist. Kavya is Miss World as well as being a famous celebrity. Suicidal....unpredictable..mentally imbalance...manic depressive..you name it. Slowly Shekhar starts falling for Kavya and Kavya too starts becoming more and more depended on Shekhar and falls madly in love with him. She is the type of person who constantly strives happiness....needs to be constantly be told that she is loved..yet somehow happiness seems to always elude her. Nandita comes to find out about Shekhars affair and when she confronts him he admits that he is in love with her-and also that he's slept with her. A few days later Shekhar leaves the house to live forever with Kavya....what happens next? ANKAHEE provides the answers.
The story by Vikram Bhatt is superbly written and although is definetly draws inspiration from Mahesh Bhatts ARTH(once again a husband/wife/depressed celebrity scenario)-Vikram ensues that this is no rehash job. The main difference here being that there is a child too involved here and how she is affected throughout the entire processs is the backbone of the tale. Vikram Bhatts screenplay too is fantastic. It is evident that has spent a considerable amount of time writing the sequence of events as well as etching out some brilliant characters. There are many scenes which linger with the viewer after the movie is finished and there are some that deserve a re-watch even.
As a director this is Vikram Bhatts finest piece of work to date! The director IMO is very talented although he does get off course at times. His previous films have for the most been masala entertainers as well as being remakes. With a completely orignal subject which is close to his heart Bhatt and the fluid and almost flawless manner in which Vikram Bhatt has directed the movie is evidence that he is completely comfortable about the material he is directing and knows the "ins" and "outs" extremely well. A sensitive subject matter likes this in the hands of most other film makers would've fallen flat! Point to note is that Bhatt sticks to ONE track throughout the entire movie without deviating to any gimmicks like a separate comedy track, crowd pleasing scenes, item numbers. Some scenes which are a worth a definite mention are Amisha confronting Aftab at their house after she finds out about the affair, Amisha visiting Esha at her house and pleading to her, Amisha asking Aftab to work out their marrgae in his office(expertly canned), the principal of the school has a chat to the two parents and the scene that follows subsequently between the parents and child, Aftabs outburst at Esha as well as his breakdown in the car. ANKAHEE is director Vikram Bhatts triumph of sorts...despite being a Boxoffice Failure the director reaffirms the fact that he is a director with a bundle of talent.
In terms performances the movie belongs to the three leading actors who all deliver their career best performance!
Aftab Shivdasani LIVES the role of Shekhar Saxena and this is no doubt his most accomplished performance to date. Aftab portrays his spineless and coward character with elan and his versatility and range as an actor will catch the viewer off guard. His delivery and facial expressions are just brilliant and he displays the right amount of maturity needed for the role of Shekhar. He enacts the role of a weak man with complete understanding and sincerity and not even in a single scene does he look out of place to too young to play this part. Vikram Bhatt and Aftab share a special bond which is evident here. The director always manages to extract some rememberable performances from him be it KASOOR(where Bhatt gave Aftab his first HIT as well as giving him the mature & challenging role of a psychotic killer), AWAARA PAAGAL DEEWANA and FOOTPATH. Without a doubt this is their finest work to date and the finest work in their respective career thus far.
Esha Deol is effective in her part and she plays a character with negative shades superbly well. She gets right into the skin of her character and plays the psychotic and depressive tendencies in her character with complete understanding. She had played a similar role in MAIN AISA HI HOON however this is a lot darker.Above all she is extremely convincing in her packed and proves that she is more than just a glam doll!
Amisha Patel IMO is the biggest surprise of the lot as such. She is a actress who I have ALWAYS detested. With the exception of her performance in GADAR and HUMRAAZ, I have always found her annoying. Her dramatic scenes are exaggerated and she has a very bad tendency to overract. She has had plenty of oppottunities with films like AAP MUJHE ACHCHE LAGNE LAGE, MANGAL PANDAY, MERE JEEVAN SAATHI, HUMKO TUMSEI PYAAR HAI, TEESRI AANKH, and TATHASTU but she managed to screw them all up(her emotional scenes where she cries and huffs and puffs and makes funny noises are just horrible). Finally the girls get a meaty role and boy does she sink her teeth into it. Folks-here is a Amisha Patel performance which is mature, controlled, sincere, and expressive. She plays her character with conviction and understanding and not ONCE does she overract....maybe theres light at the end of the tunnel after all although I won't get my hopes up or anything. Only piece of advice to Miss Patel...this is your best work and you were really impressive-please stay on this track!
The supporting cast in the movie have little to do however leave their mark in their various small roles. Amin Hajee and Ashwini Kalsekar as the two friends lend great support and are genuine in their parts. Hrishita Bhatt is good in her part too.
Pritam deserves distinction as he gives a soulful soundtrack here and his music is keeping in mind with the mood of the movie.TUMSE YUN MILENGEI and EK PAL KE LIYE are the pick of the lot. His background score too is consistent and outstanding.
Dialogues by Girish Dhamija are extremely well written and at times the play on words is just superb. Note: Aftab to Amisha: Main Tumhei Ghar Chod Du? Amisha to Aftab: Tum To Bahut Pehle Hi Ghar Chod Chuke Ho!.
Technically there isn't much scope for any action or SFX or snazzy/flashy camerawork however Pravin Bhatts cinematography is reliable as always.
My verdict? Well I have seen a lot of films this year-but ANKAHEE is one of the few that I have left completely satisfied....completed hooked from start to finish and one I know I will re-visit again as the end credits roll. Nuff said.
Final Rating: * * * *
