I am not much of a movie review guy. But after watching Ghajini, the latest offering from Aamir Khan, I feel I need to let out what I think about it. Especially, since its touted as the best movie of 2008 and a runaway success.
Frankly, I am disappointed with the movie. I think Aamir made a wrong choice this time in signing up for this, much as he did after Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. And it is Aamir’s popularity and trust that people have in him that has made this movie anything next to a hit. I think the producers have used Aamir as a property and cashed on his name. And I have my reasons for why I say so:
– Did someone say this movie is a thriller? Mr. Murugadoss, do you even know what a thriller means? This is a very predictable story of a good guy taking revenge with a bad guy who killed his girlfriend spiced up with some ‘larger than life’ ‘over the top’ action. This is not a thriller. Everyone knows whats going to happen next. And its slow as well.
– The movie has a ‘larger than life’ South Indian tone. Which I particularly dislike. Everything is exaggerated beyond realism, very similar to Rajnikanth movies.
– My biggest disappointment is the screenplay. It is very loose. It’s clear that in order to take story forward, Mr. Murugadoss, has conveniently left many many loose ends in the screenplay. Specifics below:
- The policeman who enters Aamir’s flat in the Odyssey building was not carrying a gun. While I understand that in order to keep violence low in the movie, no gunshots were fired but still, I wonder how come a policeman is carrying out a mission without a gun?
- Again, no guns were shown when policemen caught Aamir in the lift of the girl’s hostel. I appreciate that for the sake of keeping violence low. But the policemen actually made no attempt to catch hold of Aamir. The only way he could think of running was to jump right into policemen’s arms.
- And here’s the best one – no one in the police had any idea who’s this guy whom they have caught inspite of 1 policeman following his lead. No sketch. No identification. Nothing. To top it up, why didn Jiah Khan tell the police whom they’ve caught? If I remember correctly, she was the one who called up police. So, she should have been the first one to be interrogated. No? Well, there was no other way to make Jiah Khan useful in the movie, hence this bullshit. Right, Mr. Murugadoss?
- A minor one: what was Aamir purpose of visiting the medical college where he met Jiah Khan for first time? That was the easiest way to meet her, I suppose.
- And, actually, Aamir throwing guys twice his size like snowmans is quite hilarious. No one could hit him. Not even a punch. OMG!
– One last thing: We could make out that the endless dessert in the song Ghuzarish were digitally created. It was damn easy to know that.
The loose ends in the screenplay popout even more since they are the course changing events in the movie. Also, one does not expect absolutely any slack in an Aamir Khan movie since he’s the perfectionist. Sad to say, this one did not live upto his standards.
Having said all that, I must touch upon a few things I liked about the movie:
– Aamir’s acting is par excellence. He’s not let us down. And he looks really good as Chairman, Air Voice when he’s doing business.
– Asin’s good too. Acts well. Looks good. Suited well to the role.
– The entire drama of Asin thinking that Aamir is fake Sanjay Singhania and Aamir enjoying it, is very tickling. Very hilarious and full of sweet spots. Thoroughly enjoyed that.
– Using villain’s screen name (Ghajini) as the movie title is, I think, a first in Indian cinema. Very cool!
Well, that is all I had to say about Ghajini. I would be happy to hear some more point of views, both supporting and contradictory.
Updates:
Another thoughtful review of Ghajini by Nag: http://www.narendranag.com/ghajini-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.php
Kapil Mohan's Blog 
Well, I guess I more or less agree to you, but entertainment my friend is not in perfecting a screenplay, but is in touching the right emotional chords, taking the audiences to an emotional high and throwing him immediately to a low…which this movie did almost to perfection 😉 going by hindi movie standards, this is one of the first movies in this genre(gore till now has been shoved under wraps, not here :P)!!
personally, I quite liked the movie overall, just hated the ending, too lame X(
i don’t think so but the role is suiting him and he has done very very good acting
@Saurabh If the movie is taking you through highs and lows without properly connecting the dots, then you’re going to feel like lost. Thats where screenplay comes into picture. Events on-screen need to make some logical sense. And they also need to be in tune with present real life scenarios. Plus I dont think Aamir Khan strives to match upto hindi movie standards. His movies have been nominated for Oscars 4 times.
I think the movie was amazing. I mean what u need is entertainment. So i guess it was good. The action was better than any of the bollywood movies.
This movie is a copy of the movie Memento. I left the theater right when the policeman, having been untied by the medical student, whose dance looked straight out from a Disney movie, ululates at her to run away from the apartment, because Sanjay was a murderer. I wanted to murder the policeman.
I dont know the film
One can find many such Illogical things in almost all the movies nowadays, wheather it is english movie or any other, If you have seen the movie death race then u can point out many Illogical things in that movie and RAB NE BANA DI JODI
tops the chart when you speak about ILLOGICAL THINGS, I would rather watch GHAJINI 10 times than going for movies like RAB NE BANA DI,
I think you have a very negative preconceived thoughts(NPT) about south Indian movies, Since you have seen ghajini with NPT you tend to dislike the movie,
Dont Judge the book by its title nor Judge the south Indian movies by Rajni kanth,
Rajnikanth is the NOT only actor in south.
Think broadly and never be narrow minded only then you enjoy life Mr. Stereotype.
@Rohit Yeah, I know. Most morons speak of Ghajini like you do.
I cannot Agree with you more. This may be the worst mistake of Amir Khan.
Mr Perfectionist has been very successful to disappoint all its audiences and fans.
The worst that could happen was that the Telgu junta commenting on his performance and comparing it with the Andhra version of the movie.
Any way nice post.
Totally agree. The movie was crap. Storyline- predictable, action- superfluous. I am a big fan of Amir, but this time, I think he has only concentrated on building a physique and not other aspects of the movie.
I totally agree wid u, and am glad there r other people like me :)……this movie was pure, unadulterated bullshit……totally illogical and south-indian(though i believe they are the same thing X))…… fuck you murugadoss for disrespecting memento like this….n looks like even Aamir has become materialist….doin a movie for only money…… bcoz i CANNOT for the life of me believe he would agree voluntarily to act in such oily, shitty fare………..this movie deserved some B-grade bollywood baddie( read rajnkanth) to act in it……
however, Asin was really cute n bubbly…..reminded one of priety zinta…
one point though, kapil. what is so interesting about having a villain’s screen name as the movie title> what was the movie about, the fall of petty criminal mr ghajini OR about Aamir n his fucked-up life? i mean, imagine Lagaan being named “Captain Russel” LOL……
I think that aamir is the best actor in bollwood now!!!!!!!!!!! Even though GHAJNI was the copy of an english & a tamil film but still he had the gut to do this film without any fear…… This proves how great he is!!!!!!!!!! he has done a very good acting in GHAJNI & there is nno doubt of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
WHAT A IDIOT MAN GHAJINI IS MOVIE NOT REAL LIFE . THINK 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000TIMES BEFORE WRITE YOUR STUPID COMMENTS