SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
one thing i really hated about the movie is when kajol son keeps on saying rehan this rehan that like we get it your name is rehan, who the heck says rehan loves you, wouldnt you say i love you that was pathetic and kind of annoying

— SPOILER WARNING —
It's official (as though it hadn't been for a long, long time): Taran Adarsh is an utterly odious retard.

I just got back from the theater, having watched Kunal Kohli's Fanaa. When I went to http://www.theimaginasian.com (not where I ended up watching the film), I read that it was directed by Yash Chopra; having seen the film, I'm inclined to believe that everyone else has incurred a misprint. Unfortunately, this is not a good thing. Fanaa is not Yash Chopra of Deewaar or Trishul, or even of the romantic-story, Kabhi Kabhie; Fanaa is Veer-Zaara...with a terrorism backdrop.

I've seen films based on terrorism before, and some have been good (e.g., Mission Kashmir) and most have been bad (e.g., ...take your pick). The thing is, the "bad" ones generally came out prior to the world's fascination and pre-occupation with the topic; of course, by "the world," I mostly mean the U.S. I understand that Fanaa is not an award-winning, "deep" film, such as Osama; unfortunately, its "entertainer status" does't quite free it from the confines of plausibilty, though. I could look the other way only so much when I saw a "top terrorist" (who, somehow, came off more like a millionaire playboy than a freedom-fighting "atankvaadi") completely forwent the years upon years of training to be a terrorist, for his desire to have a wife and kid. Fine: He's human; he fell in love; he wanted to "leave it all behind" and settle down. I accept that. I do not accept the ease with which it all seemed to happen. The way Aamir's character winds up forgetting all about his über-important mission, hearing his kid talk about "Mr. Depenable," is simply ludicrous. Further, I'm tired of seeing high-ranking government officials and operations portrayed as they too often are in Indian films: "OK, a couple of 'no-nonsense people' who get to yell, 'DAMN IT, NOW!'" Tabu does fine in her small role, but her role sucks. I wish films would, in addressing terrorism, cease to use the angle of "this one man, and only this one man...all alone, could bring down the entire city with the push of a button." Again, recognizing that this is supposed to be "entertainment" (which, per se, makes me wince a bit as to its using the "terrorism angle"...but, whatever: so long as it works), it's just insane to continue to pursue, at this point in time, the position of showing off "one-man super-teams."

Continuing with the "bad" of the film, I have to say that I quickly (after about the twentieth one) got annoyed with all the "shayari" that was being thrown back and forth. It was fine on the bus, and it was fine for a time or two in the streets, but, eventually, I found myself just waiting — mind clenched — for the "next one." Maybe it's just my taste, but I'm a bit nauseated by the endless poetry that some films like to incorporate into their love themes; I had a similar problem with Akshay Kumar's character in 2004's Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo.

Now, perhaps my biggest "quibble": the REPETITION. I abhor people's bitching about a film's being "too obvious." I wanted to vomit as I read this claim made again and again by a snobbish minority, in response to this year's (2006's) phenomenal V for Vendetta. That said, there is such a thing as "taking it too far": How many times do we have to hear certain dialogues looped as we see an image? "Blue sweater...cue dialogue; Rishi Kapoor understanding Aamir's identity...cue dialogue; anything happens that relates to something that happened earlier...you guessed it." Sorry, but this really got to me after a little while; it seems a mark of an inexperienced, sophomoric filmmaker, and not of Ya...Kunal Kohli.

OK, the "good": Kajol. Yes, "everyone's said it." Well, it ought to be said. She's a great actress, exuding charm, charisma, and warmth. Any good actress could have done the part well, and any mediocre one could have fucked up an already "so-so" movie. Knowing the "industry," however, I just liked seeing Kajol on-screen again; after Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, I rather wanted to witness the event. Aamir Khan is just fine in his part, though I found myself liking him more during the second half of the film. Yes, he's put on a bit of weight, and, though I normally wouldn't care, I think it actually hurts his part: that of a "playful, young tour-guide." During some of the songs and some of the romance, I just couldn't help but think "Shah Rukh Khan, perhaps, ought to be here." Maybe it's the "history" between Khan (Shah Rukh) and Kajol, or the fact that the former is so likened to the image of the "romantic lead," that any such role begs to be imagined enacted by him, but Aamir just wasn't "right" (for me) at times. That said, again, he seemed to play his part sincerely, and I have no real complaints about his work. I think I have to mention Shruti Seth, because I really did find myself liking her (not just "tolerating her") in what might easily have been a very annoying role; she actually reminded me a bit of Tara Sharma, especially her voice. The songs were enjoyable, and what are to be expected from this type of "Yash Raj banner" venture.

The "technicalties": I liked much of the action, but it didn't strike me as "brilliant," or anything. I felt that Aamir's fight in the woods was quite resonant of James Cameron's Rambo: First Blood Part II, but it wasn't "contrived," and I rather liked its execution. Rishi Kapoor's "demise" did, however, strike me as unbelievably "amateurish" (in its visual representation). Yes, his "floating beneath the ice" was cool but that fall was just insane. I don't "really" care about these things, but I think it deserves to be mentioned just for how it sucks one out of the film. Kajol's blindness, I feel, was cured in true "1980s"/"1970s" fashion, which, in 2006, just feels unsatisfying. It's not that we've "come a long way" or anything (we're just "different" in our style, now), but the procedure felt rushed and obligatory. She was cured because "it was time in the script" for her to be cured, and that's just the way it felt.

Lara Dutta's "cameo" felt as unnecessary here as it did in Ek Ajnabee. She's there only so the people who know the industry can say (to themselves), "it's Lara Dutta"; I get the system of friendship and patronage and all that's ostensibly preponderant in the Hindi-film industry, but, really, Dutta's appearance just didn't make any sense in the film (he's a "playboy"...we get it; we don't need a painfully slutty-acting woman to clue us in to the fact). If a cameo is done just in a purely "mandatory" fashion, I wish it were either just somewhat "necessary" (that is, the part would have been there even if the actor/actress in question didn't have to be in the movie [e.g., Amitabh Bachchan, in Lakshya]), or just an obvious "I'm here because I am who I am" (e.g., Tabu, in Main Hoon Na).

The "verdict": I liked it. The movie could have been much more interesting, and made with a bit more maturity, but, I didn't walk out of the theater pissed off. As "not being pissed" does not qualify a "successful film," I guess I'd have to say that I was "adaquately satisfied." Overall, if forced to use numbers to represent my opinion, I think I'd give Fanaa something in the range of a "6.5"–"7.0" (out of "10"): "'Good,' not 'great'."

*Two previews (for Hindi films, along with several, for American ventures) were shown: for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, before the film, and for Kabul Express, during its intermission (which actually comprised just that one commercial and its running-duration). The former looked all right, but it really didn't "make me want to see the movie." Sure, I'll probably see it anyway, but the trailer didn't do much to excite me about the release. Kabul Express, on the other hand, did look interesting, meaning that the commercial really did do its "job": getting me to want to see a film I previously had very little interest in.

Oh, I thought of my analogy (and got sick of "editing" my "review"): Kajol's cured blindness is reminiscent of the ease with which Nirupa Roy's blindness was cured in Amar Akbar Anthony. Unfortunately, these are two very different types of films, and while the "easiness" worked just fine in Roy's case, it fares more poorly for Kajol. I wish people whose blindness was cured would — first, not be "cured" quite so easily — and, second, not have recoveries quite to ready. "You're fine"; "two blinks...'I CAN SEE!'." OK, I'm finised.

Spoilers SPOILERS SPOLERS!!!

Finally went to see the film yesterday. My expectations-not very high. I really did not expect Mr Kunal Kohli to come up with a powerful, ground breaking film going by his past films. And boy was I right! The movie was predictable from the word go. The first half was utterly cheesy and got on my nerves after a point. The 2nd half was slightly better but highly predictable. Anyone who has seen films like Fiza, Vasstav knew where the climax was heading.

The film probably would not have been watchable had it not been for Aamir and Kajol. Aamir does look a tad old in the part of the playboy but still tries sincerely and succeeds to a point. Kajol does not have to deliver a knockout performance but is delightful everytime she appears on screen. And she is looking like a million bucks! Hope we see more of her in the future! This film will probably be a superhit purely because of these two. I am surprised though Aamir decided to do this film knowing his past reputation. This movie really defied most logic. Maybe his renumeration had a part to play in this. Tabu's role was highly annoying.

All in all the movie is watchable once if going with super low expectations. Otherwse you will be dissapointed.

Fanaa is a hit!

Syed Firdaus Ashraf | May 30, 2006 18:04 IST

Aamir Khan has come to Bollywood's rescue once again this year, with Fanaa taking the box office by storm.
The actor who earlier gave us this year's biggest hit, Rang De Basanti, has proved that he is still the darling of the masses and film distributors. Within four days of its release, Fanaa has done business of reportedly around Rs 20 crore and is set to recover its costs on an investment of Rs 25 crore.

"There has been 95 per cent collection at the box office in the first weekend and it has fallen to 85 per cent on weekdays. The film is holding strong and is a hit," says Taran Adarsh, film trade analyst.





Despite the controversy surrounding the film -- what with Aamir's comments on the Narmada issue and the question of a hike in ticket prices -- people thronged to theatres on the first three days.

It hasn't been a very good year so far, as not many films have been able to make it big. Among the major disappointments were the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Family and Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif's Humko Deewana Kar Gaye. The few that made it to the hit list were Kalyug, Gangster, Malaamal Weekly and 36 China Town.

Fanaa received mixed reviews, with many critics panning it. Most felt the film would not appeal to masses as it was illogical, but that didn't deter audiences. Yash Raj films also had a great marketing strategy in place to make the film work. There was a casting coup with Kajol and Aamir, for one, paired opposite each other for the first time. Secondly, the film marks Kajol's comeback.

"If actors like Kajol and Aamir get together, it is bound to have a good effect on the film. Both have massive fan followings, which is why the film has become a hit," says Vinod Mirani, another analyst.

The film was released during the holiday season. Ticket prices at multiplexes were inflated. At some places, they were priced at Rs 175-200 instead of the usual Rs 150, but no one protested.

Another standard tactic from Yash Raj was to release a maximum number of prints. They flooded the market with 650 prints and, in some multiplexes, there were five shows a day over the weekend. The same tactic was used for Veer Zaara. So, most people who went to watch the film found that tickets were available.

The only setback was from Gujarat, where theatre owners boycotted the film. "We are suffering a loss of Rs one crore daily because the film is not released there," said Yash Chopra, producer of Fanaa. However, with such big earnings from the rest of India, there should be very little disappointment for Yash Raj films.




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Fanaa: Big hit!
Even though Fanaa was released under a storm of controversy, the film has been welcomed and is already a big hit. Theatres screening it over the weekend were actually houseful -- a rarity these days.

Note: Films are ranked according to their release dates.









Fanaa

Cast: Aamir Khan, Kajol, Tabu.
Director: Kunal Kohli.
Terrific performances, beautiful locales.

Bad screenplay, boring music, too lengthy.

Number of weeks: New.
BO Verdict: Hit.
The review
The review







Ankahee

Cast: Esha Deol, Amisha Patel, Aftab Shivdasani.
Director: Vikram Bhatt.
Esha acts well.

Bad script, boring pace.

Number of weeks: 1.
BO Verdict: Flop.
The review







Aparichit

Cast: Vikram, Sada.
Director: Shankar.
Good story, great acting from Vikram, good effects.

Bad dubbing.

Number of weeks: 1.
BO Verdict: Flop.
The review







Tathastu

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Amisha Patel.
Director: Anubhav Sinha.
Interesting story.

Bad performances, poor direction, slow pace.

Number of weeks: 2.
BO Verdict: Flop.
The review







Tom, Dick & Harry

Cast: Dino Morea, Jimmy Shergil, Anuj Sawhney, Celina Jaitley, Kim Sharma.
Director: Deepak Tijori.
Good music.

Cheap dialogues, terrible comedy.

Number of weeks: 2.
BO Verdict: Minor hit.
The review







36 China Town

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna.
Director: Abbas-Mustan.
Kareena looks pretty.

Bad plot, no suspense, poor comedy.

Number of weeks: 3.
BO Verdict: Hit.
The review







Mistress Of Spices

Cast: Aishwarya Rai, Dylan McDermott, Ayesha Dharkar.
Director: Paul Mayeda Berges.
Ayesha Dharkar's cameo.

Poor direction, half-baked characters, bad dialogues.

Number of weeks: 4.
BO Verdict: Flop.
The review







Gangster

Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Shiney Ahuja, Kangna.
Director: Anubhav Basu.
Gripping drama, good music, great performances, compelling story.

Slow climax, lacks slickness.

Number of weeks: 4.
BO Verdict: Above average.
The review







Darna Zaroori Hai

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Mallika Sherawat, Arjun Rampal, Bipasha Basu, Suniel Shetty, Manoj Pahwa.
Directors: Ram Gopal Varma, Sajid Khan, Prawal Raman, Vivek Shah, Jijy Philip, Chekeravarthy, and Manish Gupta.
A first of its kind, this hatke film is very interesting.

Arjun Rampal, terrible song.

Number of weeks: 4.
BO Verdict: Flop.
The review







Pyare Mohan

Cast: Viveik Oberoi, Fardeen Khan, Esha Deol, Amrita Rao.
Director: Indra Kumar.
Silly, harmless fun.

Too predictable.

Number of weeks: 5.
BO Verdict: Flop.
The review




Trade pundit: Vinod Mirani | Design: Uday Kuckian

Before the word gets out about merits of Fanaa, it has already reached "Hit Status" (recover costs plus profit) in India in 4 days by collecting Rs 20 crores (4 days). After the weekend it's still running @ 85% capacity (over 600 screens; inflated ticket prices).

Perhaps a new record ??
----------------------------------------

And, in the US collections came up close to $ 1 Million for the first weekend. Ranked # 13.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/ch ... knd=21a&p=

Isn't $878,938 for the first weekend, a record for Hindi movies in the US ??
Isn't # 13 in BO rankings, the best for Hindi films in the US ??

Or, was Devdas, K3G, Veer Zara etc Box Office collections, in the US, better in the 1st weekend ??

Fanaa is a slap on the face to all Aamir Khan fans. Interestingly, I felt the presence of many at the almost full cinema hall that I saw the film in. At the films numerous predictable moments, tiring early 90ish style melodramatic antics and characters, the audience clearly rejected it all with criticizing laughs and sarcastic comments about each lousy moment, and deservingly so.

A dreadful screenplay showcasing almost all the filmi ingredients of a Yash Raj Film. It's filled with many futile things; nostalgic moments, glamerous foregrounds, vexatious side characters, "Love" concurs all mentality, and a redundent two line dialogue repeated about 20 times throughout the film. And a measly spy-turned-terrorist (ala The Saint) angle thrown in the second half for distinct purposes. And Aamir Khan said "Yes" to this? I'd have to agree with Aarkayne, I too think Aamir must have pictured an entirly different film, when he first read the script, because this film is soo unlike anything he would do. Atleast, not after working in 3 Hindi cinema (equivlance) masterpieces.

Don't get me started on the film's racial implications on who the 'real terrorist' are. With Fanaa, Salaam Namaste, and the upcoming Kabul Express. It seems Aditya Chopra now views India as a reflection of a future United States. Follow the western mentalities; socially, politically, and economically. Despite my love for Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, I don't think I'll ever watch an Aditya Chopra produced film ever again.

My apologies to all film fans particularly hindi film viewers etc!

The trend I have seen lately, not only in Hindi films but in Hollywood too!!

Starting this season, with MI 3 doing roaring opening, even I thought it was nothing but just a new set of SFX!

Then came Davinci code, despite being critically ridiculed broke/set some records for opening.

Then lets graduate to X MEN 3, those abnormal monsters set another Mem day week end record, with their breaking, blowing, burning!!

So, every new film with some curiosity value get a roaring viewing responce/milling $$$$.

Then there are some good films, that are never viewed and some sleapers that get good responce e.g WATER in US!

NOW! Hindi films esp in USA!! seems to follow same trend!! People have to had to watch every new film somehow! and moreso, with curiosity value, big names, big shitty banners, big wigs etc etc.

It did not use to be like that, so for YRF, if VZ, DOOM, to HUm TUm to Salam Namaste, Nikki crap and least not the last Shitty Bubli can make BEST FILMS VIEWING RECORD ever then why not Fanna!! that created immense curiosity with humming music and new pair!!

I do not go see all films in theatre but I did Hum Tum, and BNB and I was disappointed!

VZ..I was not thrilled either to stand in line for 2 hours that it was worth it!

But there are guys and gals and even older people who watch all and whatever comes! that is 99.9% trash imho, and I do pay my $$ to watch a minority of it in the theatre!

Now it will be another RECORD BREAKING 5 year hiatus hoopla for Krrish and then gay johar's KANK for star value! and cheesy craftman ship!

Followed by DON , just to see Sarook in JB style going high tech with galoring gals on the side!

So get ready for a WONDERFUL SUMMER! from bollywood and hollywood with TREASURE CHEST on its way!

Fanaa makes Rs 3.9 crores in US

Arthur J Pais in New York | May 31, 2006 11:10 IST


The chemistry between Aamir Khan and Kajol proved rather potent at the box office abroad with Fanaa opening to a strong $880,000 (about Rs 3.9 crores) in North America at the 13th position on the box office chart, over the four-day holiday weekend on 72 screens.

But convert that gross for a three-day period and it falls a bit short of the $700,000 (about Rs 3.15 crores) Aamir Khan's previous hit Rang De Basanti took on 61 screens a few months ago.



Though the figures for Fanaa from the United Kingdom were not immediately available, the buzz has it that it is emerging there among the top 10 hits. Conservative estimates expect the film to gross about $1.6 million (about Rs 7.2 crores) on both sides of the Atlantic, with the take for the full week exceeding $2 million (about Rs 9 crores).

Many of the 72 screens in North America, especially in New York, Vancouver, San Francisco and Toronto reported several house-full shows on Saturday and Sunday for Fanaa.

The call for the boycott of the film in Gujarat, because of Aamir Khan's stance on the Narmada dam rehabilitation, apparently did not resonate with audiences here, especially with younger viewers. Many younger Gujaratis told reporters what mattered to them most was if the film had turned out to be gripping and entertaining.



The solid opening for Fanaa is also significant since Pakistani and Bangladeshi audiences did not want to see the film, with some saying it would give a distorted view of what is happening in Kashmir.

But Fanaa's performance so far could not beat that of the Shah Rukh Khan-Preity Zinta-Rani Mukerji starrer Veer-Zaara, which grossed $840,000 (about Rs 3.78 crores) in a three-day weekend two years ago or the $1 million (about Rs 4.5 crores) taken by Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (this casting coup multi-starrer also had Kajol in a pivotal role) five years ago.

All three films were released by Yashraj Films and Veer-Zaara and K3G each grossed about $3 million (about Rs 13.5 crores) in North America. It looks like Fanaa should have no trouble reaching the $2 million (about Rs 9 crore) benchmark in North America. Many viewers in New York and New Jersey theatres said they were moved by the film and would recommend to their friends that it be seen on the big screen.



"The opening for Fanaa is stronger than what I expected," said BoxOfficeGuru.com's Gitesh Pandya, who is the publicist for the film as well as the arthouse hit Water, which emerged last week as the highest grossing (about $3 million or about Rs 13.5 crores) Hindi film in North America.

Aamir Khan is up there with Shah Rukh Khan as a huge box office draw. Even Aamir's box office disappointment Mangal Pandey opened with $500,000 (about Rs 2.25 crores) in North America this year but it had no staying power, plummeting by about 65 per cent in its second week.

The four-day Memorial Day weekend also marked a solid engagement for Water, which unlike Fanaa is playing mainly to mainstream audiences. Many Indians have seen the film on video, and the movie is not playing in theatres meant for the usual Bollywood films.

It is not often one finds two hit Hindi films among the top 25 movies on the box office chart. Incidentally this week, the chart was led by the comic book movie X-Men: The Last Stand that grossed an astounding $122 million (about Rs 540 crores) in four days.

In its fifth weekend, the Deepa Mehta-directed Water grossed nearly $400,000, (about Rs 1.8 crores) taking its total to $1.4 million (about Rs 6.3 crores).

Combine that figure with its $1.7 million (about Rs 7.65 crores) Canadian gross -- the film opened in Canada soon after its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last September -- Water, which is released by Fox Searchlight, has emerged as the most successful Hindi film in North America in about a year.

It has good chances of flowing beyond the $2 million (about Rs 9 crores) mark in the US, taking its North American gross to $4 million (about Rs 18 crores). Mehta's film was number 21 on the box office list.

"Water is slowly opening in smaller cities week after week," says Pandya. "This weekend it opened in cities such as Ann Arbor and Cleveland. The word of mouth has been very good for the film. Though many Indians have seen the film on video, they are recommending it to their American friends, he adds.

"And then there is a second generation of Indian Americans who are not into buying the video before they see the film," he continues. "For them seeing a film like Water is something of an event and they have to see it on the big screen first.

Dupl Post. Deleted.

Get ready, film producers lining up to your 11 year old niece for her blessings. Ask for BO percentage and you will be a millionaire.

Just got back from the theatre. Fanaa is what Dil Se.. would have been like if Karan Johar had directed it. This isn't just the worst movie I've seen all year, it may be one of the worst films I've seen in my whole life. Brutal. Words cannot help me articulate how appalling this film is.

I think that's taking it a bit too far. Fanaa's not great, but it's certainly not one of the year's "worst films."

kamran looks like you dont watch a lot of hindi movies if u think fanna is one of the worst films ever, i rather put movies as tom dick and harry, family, pyare mohan, etc as worsts films of the year