Director: Rahul Rawail
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Johnny Lever
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangs or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can play many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a bold legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood test of time as a celebrated icon that’s beloved in Indian Cinema. Despite having reached the age of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies which he has made in his career. However, “Anjaam” definitely stands out as being his most underrated movie. Released in 1994, Rahul Rawail’s movie offered a compelling portrait of the dangers posed by obsession. Packed with breathtaking musical numbers, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it is a captivating Bollywood crime drama. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies a lover driven towards the brinks of insanity by his obsession. Although “Anjaam” is a riveting Bollywood thriller, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from a melodramatic ending without a clear resolution. Nevertheless, it provides engaging entertainment that would satisfy fans of SRK.
“Anjaam” tells the story of a rich man that’s driven to the brink of obsession. Shah Rukh Khan plays Vijay, a wealthy businessman in search for love. Vijay has often had a habit of becoming obsessed with women towards the point of self destruction. When he falls in love with the air hostess Shivani (Madhuri Dixit), Vijay’s dreams come true. However, his life forever changes when he discovers Shivani doesn’t love him. Growing obsessed with a woman which leaves him impressed, Vijay questions whether it’s possible for him to avoid becoming depressed. As he begins to destroy Shivani’s life in a grim campaign, Vijay wonders whether it will be possible to overcome pain.
Rahul Rawail is a newcomer to the themes of obsession. Before he made “Anjaam”, he had never made a movie about obsession before. It marked the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to capture the dangerous barriers faced by obsessive lovers but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Rawail captures life of an obsessive lover on a perilous journey. Inspired by Rob Reiner’s “Misery”, Rawail uses handheld camerawork to capture lives of obsessive lovers that face misery. For instance, handheld camerawork elevates the stalking scene. During this bold scene, Vijay stalks Shivani as she embarks upon a weekend trip without her awareness. Using handheld camerawork, Rawail crafts a portrait of obsession which is compelling. Handheld visuals are complex techniques to use in Bollywood films. As Aditya Chopra’s “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” suggested, handheld visuals elevate Bollywood films about dance competitions. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using captivating visuals, Rawail captures the tensions that obsessive lovers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Anjaam” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies you will see. Inspired with Raj Kanwar’s “Deewana”, Rawail effectively uses cross-cutting to stage music numbers about obsessive lovers that face a dilemma. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the Badi Mushkil Hai song. During this heartfelt song, Vijay delivers a melody expressing his love for Shivani whom he cares for. Through cross-cutting, Rawail creates a portrayal of obsession that’s engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is marvellous. It gives the film an intense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden obsessive lovers bear. Using strong production, Rawail captures lovers facing a consequence of obsession.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Anjaam” is a classic Bollywood film about obsession which is engaging. The movie is extremely well-written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture hardships that obsessive lovers often experience. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the love confession scene. During this intense scene, Vijay confesses his love for Shivani in a revealing monologue in front of her family. Through strong monologues, Rawail creates a portrait of obsession audiences relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, dramatic monologues elevate Bollywood films about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Rawail captures obsessive lovers that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Vijay. Khan first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Anjaam”, however, the actor took on his first ever villainous role. It isn’t simple for portray an obsessive lover experiencing adversity but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly vulnerable in his most underrated role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, frustrations and obsessive nature of a man driven to the brink of self-destruction. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors in India.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Madhuri Dixit is magnificent, capturing the innocent personality of a woman unaware she is being taken advantage of by a man that is obsessed causing tragedy. Deepak Tijori is dazzling, bringing tension towards a man that becomes the victim of a jealous lovers’ obsession. Lastly, Johnny Lever is unforgettable. As always, he brings comical relief to these movies.
Despite its brilliant performances, however, “Anjaam” can’t quite capture the danger of obsession. If there is a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an engaging ending. It’s a melodramatic conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards a satisfying conclusion. Whereas this over-the-top ending elevated Yash Chopra’s “Darr”, it conflicts with the tone of this movie. At worst, it perpetuates false messages about obsession that are not true to reality. Therefore, “Anjaam” is one of those Bollywood movies which not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Shah Rukh Khan will definitely enjoy “Anjaam” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A captivating Bollywood classic, it celebrates an Indian actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about a man that’s driven to the brink of destruction by feelings of obsession, it’s a brilliant reminder about a beloved Indian actor that has established a formidable reputation through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable films throughout an impressive career which absolutely without any single doubt deserve appreciation.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 