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Movie Review: Ghajini

ghajiniposter.jpg

By Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama News Network

The wait is finally over! An Aamir Khan film is nothing short of an event. The supremely talented actor acts in one film a year and no two films are ever identical in terms of plotline. No wonder then that you await an Aamir starrer with bated breath.

GHAJINI, the Tamil version, has been a massive hit and so was its dubbed Telugu version. Will the Hindi adaptation live up to the humungous expectations? The hype is unmatched and you expect no less than a present-day masterpiece.

Now the good news: GHAJINI demonstrates how strong film-making can enhance and elevate an already solid concept.

GHAJINI 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 A.R. Murugadoss. And, of course, it has a knockout 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 screenplay is so gripping that you don't feel the need to look at the auditorium ceiling or at your watch at brief intervals. You aren't 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.

Aamir Khan is suffering from acute short-term memory loss set off by the violent murder of his girlfriend Asin. He's got to work around this handicap, but with methodical and meticulous determination. Aamir etches a path of clues that lead him on his road.

To aid him in his quest, he carries around a sheaf of Polaroids and when he is really sure of a piece of information, he has it tattooed on his body, which stands in for the damaged part of his mind. His indelibly marked torso is the repository of his grief, his rage and his reason to go on living.

Any more revelation would do gross injustice to the film and to its viewer.

First things first! GHAJINI is not MEMENTO. There're minor similarities, but GHAJINI takes a completely different route to tell its story. Director A.R. 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 [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 A.R. Murugadoss deserves brownie points for not just coming up with an interesting story, but also presenting it [refreshingly] 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.

A.R. 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 and 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.

Asin is fabulous. To share the screen space with an actor of the stature of Aamir Khan and yet remain in your 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.

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.

Bollywood.com Rating: 4

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Comments
Posted by Anonymous

Average....Amir's good but not in form as in Taare Zameen... Asins strictly Okay and the music is pretty good for the most part....bleh. A 2/5 from me
at Sat, 01/10/2009 - 03:09.
Posted by Anonymous

pulic needs this type of films which touch to their hearts and ghajini have done it brillaint job acting by each and every person is good. aamir u have done bussines man/romantic person/comic role/and agrasive persons in this film each an every acting is superb without no mistake.every time you have show diffrent type of role to every movie u r the tiger of bollywood in this generation and in old generation amitab bachan have done same job of different style to his every movie rock to ghajini ***** rating.

at Tue, 01/06/2009 - 09:06.
Posted by Anonymous

Aamir Khan done a great acting like always ... for my self i rate the movie 5 / 5
Aamir give one movie in a year and whole year i keep waiting for his movie
review little bit back about dil chatha hay, lagaan, rang de basanti, and tare zameen par all this movies we seem a great ent. and we dont get bore by watching the movie again and again
and like always Aamir gives us the best movie for whole 2008 Ghajini
some thing differnt ... some thing make you think and wait till end of the movie ..
some my frineds talk about it roughly a kind of tamil action and blah blah
i didnt seem any extra action or fluk inthe movie .. love story + revenge + action + romance and like always we saw a great actiing from a great actor
all the other in the movie looked perfect i dont see any - + in the film
well its better then shahrukhan with his fluk film rab ne bana de jori what was in this movie ??? nothing only shit and boring movie what was in om shanti om again boring movie and extra drama and over acting of shahrukhan and if you go little bit back see main hona bullshit story and action where shahruk was flying in the air like a superman a extra shit action
see salman with his last movies in 2008 what he give his fans only a extra pagal bore films
Akhsay done a gr8 job in Namastey london and the film nice but what about singh is king another boring movie and let see chandni chowk 2 china a first indian kungfo movie :P
muchmore .... shahrukhan and salman both now looking older to be a hero but aamir still looks good

in the end Aamir is the best ... keep it aamir
we all love you .... and thank you for a such gr8 movies you give

my mail address .. remanius@hotmail.com for any one who want to give his reply most welcome

at Mon, 01/05/2009 - 16:05.
Posted by Anonymous

boring movie hai yaar. it's WHAT THE HELL.not upto aamir khan standards.

at Sat, 01/03/2009 - 10:58.
Posted by Anonymous

VERY GOOD FILM ACTED BY AAMIT & AASIN . NOT BORED FOR A SINGLE MIN ALSO. GOOD STORY , GOOD ACTION , GOOD DIRECTION , BUT THEN ALSO I FEEL SOMETHING LOOSE PERHAPS IT MAY BE MUSIC SIDE. I RANK IT 4/5
at Thu, 01/01/2009 - 15:46.
Posted by Anonymous

well i would say that amir has cracked it again...the guy is not only a genius but his acting is the best.....this film shows his pain,emotions....etc in no way any other actor has ever performed......well looking at some boring peoples reviews i would say that it isnt some peoples cup of tea specially the ones who dont get bored with the lovey dovey masala films.GHAJANI IS DEFINATELY RECOMMENDED!!!....U WOULDNT GET BORED AND WILL ENJOY SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR A CHANGE!!..PEACE!!
at Wed, 12/31/2008 - 07:18.
Posted by Anonymous

Fantastic, loved it.. and going to watch it agian... its 5 out of 5 from me..

don't compare the actor or movie. The movie is really good and worth all the penny.

Loved it loved it.. :
at Wed, 12/31/2008 - 04:39.
Posted by Anonymous

absolutely gr8 movie!!!!!
must watch it n find urself!!!!!!!!
at Tue, 12/30/2008 - 19:57.
Posted by Anonymous

amir's love killed by a villain and amir wants revenge.. wow what a new story.. oh ya there is a twist in the story.. twist is "short term memory loss!" thats some thing new! come on guys cant we have some better stories to watch?????
at Tue, 12/30/2008 - 10:38.
Posted by Anonymous

awesome movie.. amir is rightly called "A PERFECTIONALIST"
at Tue, 12/30/2008 - 08:38.
Posted by Anonymous

We four of us, watched the film yesterday. All 4/4 liked it very much. Another great film by Aamir. I have not watched his 1995s movies, however heard about it. His ansd Asim's acting is super and loads of action. We loved it from age group 20 to 80 years. And another thing. STOP COMPARING AAMIR, SHAHRUKH, SALMAN AND AAMITABH. THEY ALL ARE FINE ACTORS BY THEIR STANDARDS. ALL OF THEM GAVE US SOME OF THE MEMORABLE MOVIES OF ALL TIMES. WE LOVE ALL FOUR OF THEM. Can you imagine industry without them? NO< NO< NO.

at Mon, 12/29/2008 - 21:25.
Posted by Anonymous

AR MURUGADOSS MADE A GOOD JOB HATS OFF TO HIM.
at Mon, 12/29/2008 - 13:10.
Posted by Anonymous

Not at all upto the Aamir-standards.
Aamir - I couldn't see the 'actor Aamir' in the movie. Aamir's loud acting probably did not come out that well. Though his physique is amazingly portrayed in the movie.
Asin - Good repeat.
Jiah khan - no words to explain how worse was her acting.
Villain pradeep - bad selection of actor.
Fight scenes - typical Telugu. yucks... :-( With due respect to Rajanikanth.

Despite all this...
Watch it only beause..., Aamir will not appear in more than a movie in a year.

Hum uski achchee filmo ke karjdaar hai, isliye jaao.. movie dekho... aur ek baar wo karja utaar daalo.
at Sun, 12/28/2008 - 04:51.
Posted by Anonymous

Not at all upto the Aamir-standards.
Aamir - I couldn't see the 'actor Aamir' in the movie. Aamir's loud acting probably did not come out that well. Though his physique is amazingly portrayed in the movie.
Asin - Good repeat.
Jiah khan - no words to explain how worse was her acting.
Villain pradeep - bad selection of actor.
Fight scenes - typical Telugu. yucks... :-( With due respect to Rajanikanth.

Despite all this...
Watch it only beause..., Aamir will not appear in more than a movie in a year.

Hum uski achchee filmo ke karjdaar hai, isliye jaao.. movie dekho... aur ek baar wo karja utaar daalo.
at Sun, 12/28/2008 - 04:50.
Posted by Anonymous

i felt like watching nagarjuna or chiranjeevi,
nothing great in this law-less movie,
asin is cute ...full marks to her
at Sat, 12/27/2008 - 19:59.
Posted by Anonymous

It's really Superb ,unbelievable brilliance , best movie of aamir
at Sat, 12/27/2008 - 06:48.
Posted by Anonymous

the film is superb and aamir is awesome
at Sat, 12/27/2008 - 06:22.
Posted by Anonymous

bindaaas moview must watch film
some time voilence is good
or we can say much much much better than rona dhona pyar mohabbat
at Fri, 12/26/2008 - 14:54.
Posted by Anonymous

bad movie.dont waste time watching it ....u have got better things to do
at Fri, 12/26/2008 - 13:52.
Posted by Anonymous

if i say that ghajini is excellent.you think i may a fan.
but,watch it atleast once, has a fabulous feel of love.
and you it is too violent,rthen you have no feel in you.
at Fri, 12/26/2008 - 11:38.
Posted by Anonymous

will post it when i watch the movie
at Fri, 12/26/2008 - 08:49.
Posted by Anonymous

It's really Superb.........Blockbuster..........& Aamir as well as Asin were Fabulous
at Thu, 12/25/2008 - 12:59.
Posted by Anonymous

HORRIBLE MOVIE!!!WASTE OF 180 MINUTES!AAMIR CAN'T ACT AND FOR THE 1st TIME I FELT THAT AAG WAS BETTER!IT IS TOO VIOLENT AND A COMPLETE BORE
at Wed, 12/24/2008 - 08:23.

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