Wednesday December 24, 2008
Ghajini movie review (Hindi Movie)
Ghajini Review – Taran Adarsh
By: BollywoodHungama.com
Ghajini demonstrates how strong filmmaking can enhance and elevate an already solid concept. It is a revenge saga, one ingredient that has been the staple diet of Hindi films since time immemorial. It is a powerful film. It has the power to sweep you off your feet from the word ‘go’. It has a riveting story, which has been told with flourish by director AR Murugadoss. And of course, it has a knock out performance by Aamir Khan. If at all there’s a shred of doubt whether Aamir is The Best in the business, all you’ve got to do is check out Ghajini.
Flaws any? Running time (almost 3 hours)? Not at all! There’s so much happening in every scene and the screen play is so gripping that you dont feel the need to look at the auditorium ceiling or at your watch at brief intervals. You arent restless. As moviegoers, we’ve watched countless good versus evil fares over the years and although Ghajini belongs to the same family, not once does it take the beaten track. The story has been told differently and most importantly, the story offers so many twists n turns that you just can’t guess what would unfold next. Is it violent? It is, at times, but the violence here is justified. In fact, every time the protagonist bashes up the evil-doers, you clap and root for him. The climax is jaw-dropping dissimilar from the original, but it’s an out of the world experience nonetheless.
To sum up, Ghajini is commercial Hindi cinema at its best. The film has ‘Hit’ written all over it. Let me put it this way: Cancel whatever you’re doing today and go watch Ghajini instead.
Ghajini is not Memento (most believe the makers were inspired by the classic English film). There’re minor similarities, but Ghajini takes a completely different route to tell its story. Director AR Murugadoss tells this one differently. It starts off with what happens in the past, comes to the present day, goes back in time again and returns to the contemporary again. This is a breathless, exciting story, heart breaking and exhilarating at the same time.
Hindi movies have often depicted people suffering from amnesia/memory loss, but Ghajini is poles apart because the protagonist recalls events only for 15 minutes. The story is its USP, without a doubt. But what adds sheen and glory to the story is Aamir’s portrayal of a man suffering from short term memory loss. Aamir hardly speaks. In fact, the leading lady (Tamil Actress Asin) speaks more than Aamir in the film. But Aamir speaks volumes with his eyes, he conveys whatever has to be conveyed through his body language, he says it all with his facial expressions and that only makes Ghajini a memorable, never seen before experience.
Director AR Murugadoss deserves brownie points for not just coming up with an interesting story, but also presenting it differently. The storyteller balances the light moments and the ones demanding intensity with expertise. There’s dum in every sequence. Even if the director has to depict violence, he doesn’t resort to blood n gore or knives, swords, pistols for effect. AR Rahman’s music is top notch. At least three numbers have the unmistakable stamp of a genius ‘Guzarish’, ‘Behka’ and ‘Kaise Mujhe’. Ravi Chandran’s cinematography is stunning. The film bears a stylish look all through. The action sequences are brilliantly executed. The Hindi moviegoers haven’t seen such scenes ever.
Aamir delivers his career best performance. In the first place, it requires courage and maturity to name the film after the villain. Knowing how egoistic our stars are, something like this is next to impossible in Hindi films. A lot has been said and written about the Ghajini look. Aamir’s hairstyle and his dream physique. It’s awe-inspiring and if more people adopt the ‘Aamir look’ or hit the gym, it would be courtesy the actor. As far as his acting is concerned, he’s natural as the tycoon, but like a wounded, ferocious tiger when he goes on an avenging spree.
Without doubt, it’s a concentrated, layered performance. He acts with his entire being. His body movement, the details of his performance, everything rings true. He is both vulnerable and hard. The pain in his face when he can’t remember, is palpable. It’s not only the plot that carries GHAJINI. It’s also the mood and the expression on Aamir’s face that makes Ghajini a treat (to watch). Asin is fabulous. To share the screen space with an actor of the stature of Aamir Khan and yet remain in your (viewers) memory even after the show has ended is no cakewalk. She looks fresh and photogenic and acts her part brilliantly. Pradeep Rawat, the villain, is first-rate. Jiah Khan impresses, especially in the sequence when Aamir follows her to a shopping mall.
On the whole, Ghajini is a winner all the way. The film will set new records and has the merits to emerge one of the biggest hits of all times. The weekend business should be historic, the Week 1 business should be unparalleled, the lifetime gross should be amongst the biggest of all times. In short, GHAJINI has ‘Blockbuster’ written all over it.
Taran Adarsh rated the movie 4.5 on 5 stars.
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