I just watched Ek Ajnabee. Sadly, it's more or less what I expected: a horribly ripped-off film. If you've seen Man On Fire (which, itself, is simply "OK"), you've seen Ek Ajnabee. Actually, the only real difference in the film is the role essayed (in Man On Fire) by Christopher Walken. Here, it is played by Arjun Rampal, and Walken's and Rampal's are two very different characters. Honestly, Rampal has much more to do, and he's simply more interesting. That said, the rest of the film is anything but "original." Indeed, the entire script of Man On Fire seems simply to have been translated into Hindi. Anamika is a swimmer, her father (who eventually kills himself with the bullet that didn't do in the protagonist) has a hand in her kidnapping, the cops are in on it, blah blah blah. Actually, the idiotic way in which this film has been "based on" another, is a bit reminiscent of last year's (debacle), Hum Kaun Hai? Why then, is Ek Ajnabee so much better than 2004's The-Others-inspired disaster? Ahem...Amitabh Bachchan (he was in Hum Kaun Hai?, as well, but he actually has work to do, here). Bachchan actually out-does Denzel Washington in his part (though Washington was nothing to scoff at). The sad part is, we know exactly what the character will do: he'll teach the girl how to swim, he'll fire a gun off when she's being kidnapped (and she'll run at the sound of the shot), he'll have a teddy bear named after him, he'll cut off fingers, he'll kill at a club, blah...blah blah. Thus, the only really riveting thing he gets to do, is pummel Arjun Rampal (that's right: no guns; hand-to-hand) at the end. (So, even this "novelty" is brought about through Rampal's character.) It's a really great fight sequence, and it's a pleasure to watch Amitabh kick ass (somewhat reminiscent of his battle with Ajay Devgan, in 2004's Khakee).

As is logical, Ek Ajnabee retains all of Man On Fire's faults. The "slickness" often takes away from the story, and situtations can become lost in overly-stylized editing techniques. It hurt Man On Fire, and it hurts Ek Ajnabee. That said, the latter does handle some scenes better, as it is not afraid to deal with them in a "non-dejected" manner.

Barring Sanjay Dutt's "ending-credits rap number," there is only one song in the film: an "item number," featuring Rampal. It's OK, and works in a Hindi film, but it is a bit distracting. Its exclusion may have actually helped the film, as it might have kept things moving at a more brisk pace.

Baby Rucha is good, but she's no Dakota Fanning. Somehow, she lacks some of Fanning's naturally genuine attitude. Perizaad Zorabian is excellent as the mother, though, and she leaves more of a mark in the role. That said, Vikram Chatwal is just horribly weak as Anamika's father. He has a few oppurtunities to really show his chops, and he just fails miserably. Arjun Rampal is commendable as the "rogue ex-military man," but his character's "turn" is horribly dealt with, and quite predictable. Come on: "twist, twist, twist." We've heard it; it can't be just the wicked father. Oh, no: it's going to be the back-stabbing buddy. PLEASE DON'T BE THE BACK-STABBING BUDDY! ...It was the back-stabbing buddy. Why's he do it? "Paisa." Wow. It's just a terrible way to "surprise" people, but, hey, it leads to a kick-ass fight sequence that can't be spoiled in the advertisements (by the way, let me kill it for you: that "shoe stepping out of the car" that you see in the commercials — the one that makes you think..."Vijay Dinanath Chauhan" — it's Rampal, not Bachchan ). At the end of the day, Amitabh Bachchan ends up owning Ek Ajnabee. If not for his presence, the film would just be a "dumb rip-off that should never have been made." So, even to-day, Amitabh just can't help fight his nature of "saving films."

Oh, by the way, Abhishek Bachchan and Lara Dutta really are just there because they're friends of the filmmaker; neither has any part (in fact, I don't recall about Lara, but [thankfully] Ahishek hasn't even a line).

Oh, question: how the hell is 80-year-old Suryaveer identical to 65-year-old Suryaveer? I kind of wish they'd gone ahead and given Bachchan a decent haircut, a black goatee (or clean-shaven face), and made him to be in his forties. Whatever.

ok just got back from watching it.. agree with commando.. its a well made movie, however the lack of initiative in bollywood film making is truly mind boggling.. i mean fair enough if you want to make a movie which is "inspired" from some other movie in a different language, but that doesnt mean u dont translate the movie from one language to the other... it is very disappointing, and I sat there I was narrating the whole movie to my wife before it was even happening and she was kinda getting worried that i may have sneaked off and watched it with another bird..

The only thing that did it for me was seeing amitabh in an action role again... and seeming his illness may result in him finaling retiring, im sure it will be the last we see of him with a sub machine gun... other than amitabh there is no substance to the movie.. which is a let down in a big way.. just hope family doesnt happen to be the same sort of re-hashed bullshit..

Faddy, what happened to kaalia.co.uk? It's gone, man. I'm sure we'll see Amitabh do action, again; really, the only physical "action" he had to do in the film, was kick Arjun Rampal's ass. I don't recall any other "fight scene"; it's really not all that draining to hold a gun and pull its trigger. I hope he has some ass to kick in Family, too.