Product description Original Yashraj Films Blu-ray Disc Review "FANAA is one of the finest products to come out of Yash Raj. In fact, it wouldn't be erroneous to state that it's one of the most accomplished products to hit the Indian screens in a long, long time. The film works on every level: script, music, visuals, technique and yes, the performances. The writing (screenplay: Shibani Bathija) pushes the envelope, taking us in new and unexpected directions. Every time you thought you recognized where the story was headed, the movie surprises you. Cinematically speaking, this is a well-balanced, multi-course meal. Dialogues (Kunal Kohli) are excellent, specially the shayari throughout the movie. FANAA is gorgeously composed and photographed by cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran. The locales of New Delhi and Poland enhance the visual impact. Music (Jatin-Lalit) is pleasing to the ears. 'Chand Sifarish' and 'Mere Haath Mein' are two melodious gems. 'Chanda Chamke' [the tongue twister] appeals because it comes at a time when you yearn for some relief. The action scenes (George Aguilar), in minimal doses, are kinetic and exciting. Background score (Salim-Sulaiman) is topnotch. The sound quality (Dileep Subramaniam) is excellent.The acting is of the highest caliber. In fact, most performances in the enterprise are perfect -- no hints of artifice or fakery. Yet, there's no doubt that one of the assets of the film is the chemistry between the lead pair. Aamir successfully buries his personality beneath Rehan's, allowing the character to come to the fore. The ferocity with which Aamir delivers his lines and the restless energy he imparts to his character, electrifies every scene that he's in. Rishi Kapoor is efficient. Kiron Kher is lovable. Shruti Seth is excellent as Kajol's friend. Satish Shah, Sharat Saxena, Lilette Dubey, Jaspal Bhatti and Vrajesh Hirjee are effective. The child artist is fantastic.On the whole, Fanaa is a beautifully written, effectively acted and meticulously crafted effort that is likely to remind many viewers of a simple axiom: A movie doesn't have to be groundbreaking to be compelling. The first weekend business will be historic, the first week billing will be unprecedented and in the wake of no major oppositions for the next two weeks, Fanaa will attain the 'Hit' status in a matter of days. In short, Fanaa is yet another landmark film in the remarkable and enviable repertoire of Yash Raj. " --platform47.com"FANAA is one of the finest products to come out of Yash Raj. In fact, it wouldn't be erroneous to state that it's one of the most accomplished products to hit the Indian screens in a long, long time. The film works on every level: script, music, visuals, technique and yes, the performances. The writing (screenplay: Shibani Bathija) pushes the envelope, taking us in new and unexpected directions. Every time you thought you recognized where the story was headed, the movie surprises you. Cinematically speaking, this is a well-balanced, multi-course meal. Dialogues (Kunal Kohli) are excellent, specially the shayari throughout the movie. FANAA is gorgeously composed and photographed by cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran. The locales of New Delhi and Poland enhance the visual impact. Music (Jatin-Lalit) is pleasing to the ears. 'Chand Sifarish' and 'Mere Haath Mein' are two melodious gems. 'Chanda Chamke' [the tongue twister] appeals because it comes at a time when you yearn for some relief. The action scenes (George Aguilar), in minimal doses, are kinetic and exciting. Background score (Salim-Sulaiman) is topnotch. The sound quality (Dileep Subramaniam) is excellent.The acting is of the highest caliber. In fact, most performances in the enterprise are perfect -- no hints of artifice or fakery. Yet, there's no doubt that one of the assets of the film is the chemistry between the lead pair. Aamir successfully buries his personality beneath Rehan's, allowing the character to come to the fore. The ferocity with which Aamir delivers his lines and the restless energy he imparts to his character, electrifies every scene that he's in. Rishi Kapoor is efficient. Kiron Kher is lovable. Shruti Seth is excellent as Kajol's friend. Satish Shah, Sharat Saxena, Lilette Dubey, Jaspal Bhatti and Vrajesh Hirjee are effective. The child artist is fantastic.On the whole, Fanaa is a beautifully written, effectively acted and meticulously crafted effort that is likely to remind many viewers of a simple axiom: A movie doesn't have to be groundbreaking to be compelling. The first weekend business will be historic, the first week billing will be unprecedented and in the wake of no major oppositions for the next two weeks, Fanaa will attain the 'Hit' status in a matter of days. In short, Fanaa is yet another landmark film in the remarkable and enviable repertoire of Yash Raj. " --platform47.com"FANAA is one of the finest products to come out of Yash Raj. In fact, it wouldn't be erroneous to state that it's one of the most accomplished products to hit the Indian screens in a long, long time. The film works on every level: script, music, visuals, technique and yes, the performances. The writing (screenplay: Shibani Bathija) pushes the envelope, taking us in new and unexpected directions. Every time you thought you recognized where the story was headed, the movie surprises you. Cinematically speaking, this is a well-balanced, multi-course meal. Dialogues (Kunal Kohli) are excellent, specially the shayari throughout the movie. FANAA is gorgeously composed and photographed by cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran. The locales of New Delhi and Poland enhance the visual impact. Music (Jatin-Lalit) is pleasing to the ears. 'Chand Sifarish' and 'Mere Haath Mein' are two melodious gems. 'Chanda Chamke' [the tongue twister] appeals because it comes at a time when you yearn for some relief. The action scenes (George Aguilar), in minimal doses, are kinetic and exciting. Background score (Salim-Sulaiman) is topnotch. The sound quality (Dileep Subramaniam) is excellent.The acting is of the highest caliber. In fact, most performances in the enterprise are perfect -- no hints of artifice or fakery. Yet, there's no doubt that one of the assets of the film is the chemistry between the lead pair. Aamir successfully buries his personality beneath Rehan's, allowing the character to come to the fore. The ferocity with which Aamir delivers his lines and the restless energy he imparts to his character, electrifies every scene that he's in. Rishi Kapoor is efficient. Kiron Kher is lovable. Shruti Seth is excellent as Kajol's friend. Satish Shah, Sharat Saxena, Lilette Dubey, Jaspal Bhatti and Vrajesh Hirjee are effective. The child artist is fantastic.On the whole, Fanaa is a beautifully written, effectively acted and meticulously crafted effort that is likely to remind many viewers of a simple axiom: A movie doesn't have to be groundbreaking to be compelling. The first weekend business will be historic, the first week billing will be unprecedented and in the wake of no major oppositions for the next two weeks, Fanaa will attain the 'Hit' status in a matter of days. In short, Fanaa is yet another landmark film in the remarkable and enviable repertoire of Yash Raj. " --platform47.com P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); About the Actor Aamir was first introduced as a child artiste in the 1970's hit Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) -- he was the youngest child in the trio. He 'quit' movies and went on to become the state tennis champion for Maharashtra. Aamir also fell in love with the girl next door in the meantime. He proposed to her the day he turned 21, and she accepted. But apparently, there was opposition since she was from a Hindu family and he, from a devout Islamic one. So, they eloped, got married and returned to their homes. Aamir's wife Reena even appears in the song "Papa Kehte Hain" that made him the darling of the nation. From the tremendous success of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), which was released when he was 23, he has blossomed into India's finest actor. His list of sterling performances include Dil (1990), Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1990), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Rangeela (1995), Raja Hindustani (1996), Ishq (1997), Ghulam (1998) and Sarfarosh (1999) and innumerable other films.Born as Aamir Hussain Khan on 14 March 1965, Aamir gained critical and popular acclaim for his roles as an Indian film Actor, Director and Producer. In 2001, he made his debut as a film producer with the Academy Award-nominated Lagaan, where he played the lead role and earned his second Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance. In 2007, he made his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par, for which he received a Filmfare Best Director Award. This was followed by Ghajini (2008), which became the highest-grossing Indian film of all-time, unadjusted for inflation.Khan then took a four year break citing personal problems, and returned in 2005 with Ketan Mehta's Mangal Pandey: The Rising. In Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's award-winning, Rang De Basanti, Khan's role was critically acclaimed, earning him a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance and various nominations for Best Actor. The film was the official entry of India for the Oscars and received a nomination for Best Foreign Film at the BAFTA Awards in England. Khan's work in his next movie, Fanaa (2006) was also appreciated, and the film went on to become one of the highest grossing Indian films of 2006. See more
L**N
Powerful & heart wrenching as well as beautifully drawn romance
This is the story of a blind girl (Kajol) who visits Delhi and falls in love with a tour guide (Aamir Khan). She is pure-hearted and can love him deeply. He has never loved and regards women as 'countries to pass through, rest while and move on'. He also has a dark side she doesn't know of. However he falls for her and decides to change his life and marry her. As they await her parents for the wedding, she undergoes an operation to restore her sight then there is a bomb blast and it looks like he is killed. To say more would be to ruin the movie.I hesitated long before buying this. The reviews rated it highly but talked of 'shocking' bits - and I don't like graphic or very violent movies. If you have been in the same dilemma - there wasn't anything graphic and any shock may have been in the characters dilemmas. There is shooting (mostly off camera) but really there is very little screen time that is violent in any way -and that is more symbolic and brief.Overall it is a movie that has beautifully depicted romance between the leads and beautiful cinematography. The first half is mostly romance and the second half changes pace and builds in tension and dilemmas (but still has a lot of touching scenes and beauty as well).Both Aamir and Kajol are first rate - as is Rishi Kapoor as the girls father.This is one that both connects and tears at the heart strings. While there is sort song there isn't the big dance numbers and the music is generally haunting.A fine production and a keeper. Elsewhere on the Net it tends to get above average. I was wavering between 4 and 5 as it is probably a 4 1/2. Recommended after all (despite pre-movie hesitancy!)
L**K
Beware ... if the crows are cawing!
Production quality of Fanaa is very high, with crystal clear cinematography and great sound on home theater. Songs are very good with Des Rangila standing out in this film and from many other films as well. Des Rangila is a dance somewhat similar to Aaja Nachle but less energetic and more gracefull with more expressive and symbolic hand and arm movements. This colorful dance is a magnificent piece of work. All of the music and drum work is very good.Having read other reviews that talked about a surprise in the middle of the film I tried hard to see it coming. I did not. My mind was on a totally different track that might have been okay too. However, the final outcome was not just predictable, it was inevitable.Negative reviewers have a point about the second half of Fanaa. However, there are many sweet moments worth watching in the second half. Also, there is an almost must see tongue twister song in the second half that is super cute.One could buy this movie for the music and dancing alone and be satisfied, especially at the price on Amazon.
A**R
Implausible but gripping
I first saw this film several years ago in the company of American teenagers who spoke only English. The version we had, unlike the version I am reviewing, had no subtitles. Nonetheless, we were all transfixed. It had something for everyone, and everyone was stunned by the climax.This version contains two discs: the movie and special features (quite interesting, especially seeing Aamir and Kajol doing a read-through). The music is gorgeous, haunting. The images: indelible. The subtitles are sometimes ridiculous and clumsy, but Kajol, Aamir, and Tabu are so totally captivating that one still becomes immersed in the story. It's a movie to watch again and again.
G**I
Near Perfect
Zooni (Kajol) travels for the first time to New Delhi with friends to perform in a ceremony for Republic Day. While there, she meets and falls in reciprocated love with a tour guide, Rehan (Aamir Khan). Her friends are over-protective of Zooni, as she is blind, but eventually help the two spend time together. It seems that Zooni's romance will have a happy ending, but tragedy happens.Seven years later, Susheel Rawat (Sharat Saxena) of the Anti Terrorist Special Force and special agent Malini Tyagi (Tabu) are trying to track down the leader of a Kashmiri terrorist organization before he can get possession of the final piece needed to make a nuclear weapon. Zooni becomes unwittingly involved when a wounded stranger appears on her doorstep.The first half of this romantic thriller was good, but not great -- it played out like a mostly typical Bollywood romance. The second half, however, kept me riveted. The suspense and uncertainty were both written and portrayed well. Khan and Kajol were average in the romantic beginning, but were excelled during the thriller portion. Zooni's parents were played by veteran actors Rishi Kapoor and Kirron Kher, who were excellent. Child actor Ali Haji gave a convincing performance as well. The songs were a mixed bag, some just okay but some memorable; the incidental music, however, was quite effective. Overall, Fanaa delivers near perfect entertainment.
C**R
Super well done
Khan delivers once again! Super well done. Over-the-top melodramatics, yes, some weird, unnatural responses from supporting actors and goofy choreography - but this is the Bollywood genre. The child actor is remarkably talented. A completely enjoyable film with a couple of artfully placed plot twists.The extra disc with a special added feature of an interview between the two stars was a giant, sloppy deal-breaker. Kajol behaves with arrogance, contempt and a boorish air that renders a beautiful and sensitive actress on screen to the sadly common condition of an ill-tempered brat. Her bad behavior is suffered graciously by Khan, who is if not good-natured under attack, obviously capable of behaving like a true gentleman.
N**T
Subhan Allah!
Subhan Allah! I love this movie for so many reasons. The number 1 is the amazing soundtrack and poetry. I love Kashmir. I love Aamir Khan. He plays a charming Kashmiri tour guide to perfection! The scene at Qutb Minar for the song Chand Sifarish is a taste of the magic that makes Aamir Khan so unbelievably attractive. He could destroy me with the ecstasy of his love (A rough translation for the sufi concept “Fanna.”) any day.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
2 months ago
