Anjaam (1994)

Wonderful character development!

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Well, it's quite known past that in 1990's Shahrukh Khan was very well known for portraying any role he is served. He started off his career on an average note and then became popular by doing some terrific performances in movies like Darr, Baazigar, Dil Toh Pagal Hai etc. But there were films which could have downed SRK in a very terrible way. There is this Anjaam which falls in the later category. Well, yes movies are carried out by Actors and their performances. But sometimes they ain't that responsible for the flop of a movie. Directors are equally responsible for the same. Even though knowing very well that movie Darr which was a landmark in the film history of Bollywood was made so beautifully and released just a year before, why did Rahul Rawail chose to make another movie on revenge with similar premises? If this movie has hot some popularity that's only because of SRK and Madhuri Dixit in it. Anjaam has very similar concept and nearest to that of Darr if not just a remake of it. The only difference is there's some more and terrible brutality and there's some more role of leading actress which was missing in Darr. But that doesn't mean it is sufficient to make a hit movie. Many other things fall flat and underused so badly. For an instance, SRK is just pathetic to see. I think SRK alone would have carried the whole movie but director didn't give him free hands to do the charm and that made his skills overused. Having seen lots of varieties of movies Anjaam had worst possible execution of screenplay. There can be lots of comparisons made with Anjaam to Darr. Like Darr was a psychological thriller where it could be enjoyed notoriety by SRK. Here, in Anjaam the notoriety looks like he's forced to do and he's so unnatural. I think Rahul Rawail just misused SRK and that should be known by him. Again the second half which literally takes a different take which looks like movie is going to offer some good topics. But it lets down so badly. Women Empowerment is shown pathetically. The old Bollywood style super power enveloping by actress by the grace of some Goddess and taking revenge is just lame to see. So creating two faced movie from both the sides offering Actor and Actress rise and show caliber doesn't work. I just wished SRK and Madhuri Dixit shouldn't have accepted this film and should have concentrated in Dil Toh Pagal Hai.

This film is basically feminine oriented and carries a social theme.Story is about a psychopath millionaire who falls obsessively in love with an air hostess who does not reciprocate, and goes to any extent to get her, even to the extent of ruining everything she has. The wounded lady then rises up for revenge against the villain and all the wrongdoers involved.Basically it is a social film, depicting the evils in society, harassment of women, jail atrocities. It is UNSUITED for kids to watch owing to its extreme scenes, especially in the second half.The song "Badi Mushkil hai" has remained evergreen and is still a favourite among many. But though a peppy number, it does not indicate the type of film at all that "Anjaam" is. Direction is good, all the actors have done a good job.Few things were unnecessary,like some dances, and it is not told what becomes of the lady Vijay really marries.Can be watched, but over 2 and a half hours long, and very grotesque. Moral: Never falls for somebody's money, Alcoholism and gambling ruins families, and be careful with relationships

This film is perhaps one of the better films to have come out of "Bollywood" in the mid 90s. Bearing in mind that Hum Aapke Hain Koun came out in the same year it showed the versatility of one of India's finest actresses... I am of course talking about Madhuri Dixit! So the plot may be a little far stretched and the sub plots may be a little distracting (referring to the transvestites) but all in all what a powerful film! "Bollywood" is accustomed to certain codes and conventions so lets not forget we are watching a film from a completely different arena (compared to Hollywood).Now to the songs (a key feature of any "Bollywood" film)... Badi Mushkil Hai, Channe Ke Khet mein, Tu samne jab aata hai and Barson ki baad - all top notch! Maybe its become common knowledge now but Barson ki baad was taken in one single shot! That doesn't happen often now does it?! Madhuri is sensuous, alluring and enchanting in her seduction...nothing is vulgar about this - can't say that about the heroines of today! I don't think you have to be a fan of either Shah Rukh or Madhuri to appreciate this unique film... However, one does ponder if their performances were the real pull for this film - I can't imagine anyone else in their place! Final thought: if you are sick of the stuff "Bollywood" is churning out these days - go back to the 90's and make sure you pay Anjaam a visit!

If you look at the film-cover and see Madhuri and Sharukh, you know you're in for a romantic drama, right? WRONG!Anjaam is what in Western Cinema would be called first class slasher movie. It has it all: an insane psychopath, and lot's of bloody deaths, with some divine justice in the end. It deals with how much a woman (shivani,played by madhuri) can take by men (the worst being Vijay played by Sharukh) before she exacts her revenge. Of course overlaid with the obvious references to Maa Durga, Madhuri takes on that revenging-part awesomely well: she even bites off a piece of her bad brother-in-law's arms with her bare teeth before choking him on his own money. As far as slasher movies go, this one is top notch - at least for the second part of the movie. But Anjaam is able to achieve something that most slasher movies of the West can never achieve. It's the political message. Because however horrid and incredible the stuff that is done to Shivani seems, it is not all that exceptional. Of course, for the film some parts were overblown. But everyday in beautiful India young girls ARE being sold as prostitutes, wives ARE being beaten just because there husbands can, et cetera, et cetera. Anjaam asks us two questions: 1) Why should women take such punishment? The answer is provided by a monologue Madhuri delivers: because they are the only ones strong enough to be able to take it. 2) What are the consequences (Anjaam) when women refuse to take it anymore? The answer is: Anjaam! Bloody gore and divine justice done by stark raving mad women empowered by Maa Durga. So, don't go watching this movie expecting romance. Expect gore and death. And in that genre, Anjaam reigns supreme.