The "shrouded in secrecy" plot? Well Zooni Ali Beg(Kajol) is a blind girl. She lives in Kashmir with her mum (Kirron Kher) and dad (Rishi Kapoor). Both love her to bits, and hope one day that their girl finds the prince of her dreams. Zooni decides to go to Delhi with her group of friends as part of a dance group and there she meets Rehan (Aamir Khan) who is the local tour guide as well as a unshamed flirt. Rehan takes a instant liking for Zooni, and despite warnings from her friends that Rehan is nothing more than a roadside romeo-Zooni follows her heart as she has slowly started to fall in love with Rehan. Rehan tells Zooni frankly that he is a drifter and doesn't believe in love and all this is just fun for him. The moments that Zooni spends with Rehan are the most precious moments of her life. Rehan shows Delhi in all its true beauty. Rehan and Zooni end up spending the night with each other("HUM TUM" anyone?) and Rehan too confesses his love to Zooni. He takes Zooni to an eye specialist and he tells them that Zoonis can regain her eyesight. Rehan goes to the station to pick up Zoonis mum and dad as Zooni goes into the operation theatre...when she opens her eyes she can see-but she realizes something has changed.....something bad has happened! Rehan was killed in a terrorist bomb blast! End of story?
Not quiet-this is where the movie really starts and at this juncture we find out that Rehan is in fact alive and well. He is a mastermind and chameleon terrorist who is fighting for the Independence of Kashmir from India and Pakistan. He instigated the entire bomb blast in Delhi.....what happens next? "FANAA" provides the answers.
Shibani Bathijas story is one that has been witnessed in different shades by the viewer before and flashes of films like "MISSION KASHMIR", "FIZA", "YAHAAN", "ROJA" come to mind, but while the focus on those films was more on terrorism the focus here is on the love story. The screenplay of the movie is a job well done too by Bathija. The first half is incredibly SLOW and gives the audience the impression that this is another candy floss, straight forward, Yashraj film("HUM TUM" except the girl is blind) and just as I was getting comfortably dozy in my seat the movie takes a sharp twist that jolts the viewer awake. The second half of the movie is what "MAKES" the movie. One can say the first half is just good while the second half is excellent. Those expecting a hard core thriller will be disappointed as the movie turns into a rather dark, hard hitting, emotional and at times slightly disturbing drama. I won't give away the twists in the second half but there are plenty of them which keep the viewer thoroughly hooked and engaged to their seat right to the very end.
As a director Kunal Kohili cements the fact that he is here to stay. I enjoyed parts of "MUJHSE DOSTI KAROGI" and "HUM TUM" -yet I did get reasonably bored in parts of both those films...and that can be said the same for "FANAA" but where Kohili succeeds is taking a extremely complex, and relatively dark subject and turning it into a rather engaging drama without resorting to violence of gore let alone any form of Jingoism(although there are some insanely stupid scene of Kashmiri Terrorists shouting their heads off). His strengths are no doubt emotionally packed romantic scenes as well as electric drama sequences. He also handles the light and comic scenes at the start with equal confidence and does exceptionally well(which he proved with "HUM TUM") One can safely say that Kunal Kohili isn't going anywhere anytime soon...yeh lambi race ka ghoda hai! On the negative side one wishes that Kunal hadn't dragged the movie on so much. The initial portions start out well but then really start faltering and drag. The second half is much better paced but even then there are a few scenes that start to drag. Tighter editing was the need of the hour. Also some scenes do require the viewer to chuck their logic out the window-take for example at how quick Kajol gets her operation booked and done!
On a side note one must say that Kunal Kohili passion for cinema is evident throughout-be it his first film "MUJHSE DOSTI KAROGI" and the brilliant medley sequence, the constant filmi references in "HUM TUM" and now a mixture of a mini medley(a classic cinematic moment when Aamir and Kajol play spear-of-the-moment Antakshri and sing in their own voices). Songs and references to other Yashraj films(the poem from "KABHIE KABHIE" or Aamir lifting Kajol like SRK did in DDLJ just after the "train scene" or Madan Mohlas classic LAG JAA GALE which plays hauntingly throughout the movie with brilliant timing.
Lastly Kunal Kohili the dialogue writer is a genius! The dialogues in the movie are rather poetic and the hundred odd "shayaris" are just BRILLIANT(heck I felt like noting a few down). The dialogues are natural to the core and keeping in sync with the genre of the movie. Kohili does tend to go a little bit overboard with the "mush" factor(remember iam NOT a fan of this genre) but redeems himself quick enough.
The performances in the movie are of a high order.
Aamir Khan delivers yet another astounding performance which completely captivates the viewer from start to finish. Viewers have a certain expectation from a Aamir Khan film and "FANAA" lives up to that expectation. Aamir Khans performance elevates the movie to a huge extent and the manner in which Khan tackles such a complicated and author backed role is truly admirable. Like always, he completely gets into the skin of the character and fleshes out Rehan Qadri like only Aamir Khan can. Be it his trademark comic scenes in the first half, or his utterly spellbinding act in the second half . . . Aamir Khan tumko SALAAM!
Kajol is a actress I have NEVER liked with the exception of "DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGEI" and "DUSHMAN" I have always found her overrated (screechy, annoying etc) but here she sprung a surprise. After a hiatus of five years Kajol makes a comeback of sorts with "FANAA" and she has truly matured like fine wine. Her role is as challenging as Aamir's and she too fleshes out her character superbly. In the first half she plays the blind girl extremely well but once again its the second half where Kajol is truly brilliant. Her chemistry with Aamir Khan is splendid and the scenes the two share together are electric!
The supporting cast is a mixed bag.
Rishi Kapoor plays his part efficiently and its great to see Rishi get come half decent roles. First "HUM TUM" then "PYAAR MEIN TWIST" and now "FANAA". He performs his part with flourish and leaves his mark.
Taboo is good-but is thoroughly wasted in a inconsequential role. She does NOT play a terrorist contrary to rumors and this role could've been played by anyone.
Kirron Kher is as lovable as ever in her part.
The comic acts by Jaspal Bhatti and specially Vrajesh Hirjee (doing a Rajesh Khanna mockery) don't come across as funny as they should. Given Kohilis comic touch one would've expected something a lot funnier. Hirjee at times came close to being "cringeworthy".
Sharat Saxena and Lilette Dubey are as reliable as ever as is Satish Shah in a small role.
Shruti Seth is impressive as Kajol's mate. Master Ali Haji makes a excellent debut and is natural to the core. The boy is adorable and delivers his lines extremely well and with a definite amount of confidence and cuteness without turning into those annoying/brattish/loud child artistes. He had the audience wrapped round his finger!
Finally WHY OH WHY did Shiney Ahuja sign this role? Well firstly I can see why Abhishek Bachchan left the role-it is the same length but with LESS impact than what Abhishek had in "HUM TUM" and "SALAAM NAMASTE". Shiney is royally wasted.
Technically the film is again mixed. Ravi.K.Chandrans camera work is AWARD WORTHY! His lens perfectly capture the films mood from the light start to the icy and tragic finale....the movie unfolds onscreen like a beautiful painting.
Action by George Aguilar is good(specially in the snow with the soldiers chasing Aamir) but the Special FX are a right royal embarrassment. The fake/plastic helicopters blowing up was done so shoddily that it evoked laughter from the audience every time. Luckily the movies primary focus isn't action.
Musically the film is good. CHAND SIFARISH is the best song of the movie. Followed by MERE HAATH MEIN. CHANDA MAMA CHAMKE is cute and is placed well in the movie. The picturisation of the song too is well done. Salim-Sulaimans background score is excellent(as always).
So where does that leave "FANAA"? Well as mentioned before the movie is one of the best products from the Yashraj Campus in a while. A outright classic it may not be however the film is a often engaging drama laced with some superb performances by Aamir Khan and Kajol as well as a brilliant second half. Give "FANAA" a go..you won't be disappointed!
Final Rating: * * * ½
