Reviewer's Summary - Good
Language: Hindi
Year: 26 May 2006 in the U.S.
Actors: Kajol, Aamir Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Kirron Kher
Director: Kunal Kohli
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Story & Screenplay: Shibani Bathija
Music: Jatin-Lalit
Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi
Dialogs: Kunal Kohli
Fanaa is loaded with charm.
A richly layered and seemingly original story, Fanaa is a welcome respite for long suffering Hindi movie fans groaning from beneath the tripe that Bollywood mercilessly shovels at them routinely.
This fast-paced film features current Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and Kajol, the Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge girl who's mostly been in hibernation since her marriage to Ajay Devgan a few years back.
Besides a gripping narrative, Fanaa packs solid acting by the lead pair, picturesque photography and pleasing songs - a combination that rarely comes together in Bollywood.
The movie goes beyond the traditional - and dispiritingly banal - Bollywood love story though love is the leitmotif of Fanaa as well. There is action aplenty and a much needed focus on the Kashmir problem, a long simmering political issue.
With Fanaa, director Kunal Kohli has wisely resisted his usual impulse to steal. Kohli's last movie Hum Tum was a lift of the Meg Ryan-Billy Crystal charmer When Harry met Sally and his earlier film Mujhse Dosti Karoge was inspired by The Truth About Cats & Dogs.
Zooni Ali Baig (Kajol) is a blind girl, who comes to Delhi from Kashmir with her friends to participate in the annual Republic Day program. In Delhi, Zooni meets tour guide Rehan Quadri (Aamir Khan) and is instantly bowled over by his charm and poetry. Zooni falls headlong in love with him. Rehan is also mesmerized by the beautiful Zooni.
Much against the advice of some of her friends, Zooni cannot stop thinking of her Prince Charming and soon the two decide to get married. An operation helps to restore Zooni's vision but just as she opens her eyes comes the disturbing news that Rehan has been killed in a deadly terrorist bomb attack in Delhi.
Zooni is shattered and returns to Kashmir with her mother Nafisa (Kirron Kher) and father Zulfi (Rishi Kapoor).
Fast forward, many years later.
Rehan is disclosed to be a brilliant agent working for IKF, an organization fighting for Kashmir's independence from both India and Pakistan. By stealing parts from different countries, IKF is close to building a nuclear bomb. All that stands between IKF and the nuke is a key piece of equipment called the trigger. Rehan infiltrates the Indian army and steals the trigger. As Rehan attempts to escape with the trigger, he is badly injured in a counter-attack by Indian intelligence agents.
Amidst a fierce snow storm, a severely hurt Rehan staggers into an isolated house. Guess, who lives in this house? Zooni, her father and her young son (product of the brief affair with her tour guide lover of many years back).
Although Rehan instantly recognizes Zooni, she does not initially recognize him because she was blind during their encounter in Delhi. Rehan spins a yarn that he is an Indian army captain on a mission. However, he soon discloses his identity as Rehan to Zooni and they get married. A short while later comes the news on TV of a terrorist in the area.
Zooni's father quickly recognizes his new son-in-law for the deadly terrorist he really is. In an altercation with Rehan, Zooni's father loses his life.
Soon, Zooni also recognizes Rehan as the murderous terrorist. She must now make a choice: chose Rehan or stop his evil designs.
What course will Zooni take? Will she turn a blind eye to Rehan's terrorist activities because of her fierce love for him or will she stop this terrorist at any cost.
The songs are not extraordinary but do not disappoint either. Our favorite songs were Chand Sifarish and Mere Haath Mein.
Fanaa comes from the house of Yash Raj Films, which has delivered some fine Hindi movies for over three decades including Chandni, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kabhi Kabhie. - Copyright Rekha Inc.
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