Aamir (2008)

This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

No Hindi movie in recent memory had a screenplay and visuals like that of Aamir, a movie with débutant director Raj Kumar Gupta and débutant lead actor Rajeev Khandelval, along with the débutant music composer and cinematographer.Also, for the first ever time the dingy by lanes in the dirtiest parts of the dreamy film city Bombay (Mumbai) have been captured on the big screen. If Bluffmaster captured Mumbai in all its splendour, Aamir catches the city off guard, showing things no one ever dared to think about, let alone show.Imagery is central to the entire idea of the movie Aamir. Once when the protagonist bumps into a pole right in the middle of the narrow lane in which he was chasing his bag snatchers, the poster towards the left announces "a gift for you". Similarly there is a TV visual in Aamir's room in the lodge which is showing a familiar discovery/animal planet video of a leopard chasing its prey, and the one where the mafia don is casually playing with a monkey faced puppet while talking on phone, prodding and knocking the toy whenever it gets stuck. Another interesting theme is the portrait shots of quaint characters on the street and in the surroundings. Normally such visuals are reserved for the climax or some central (normally disturbing) incident in a movie. Over here, the entire film is peppered with such portraiture. Amidst all these settings and scenarios is the taut, tough story that grips you almost from the word go and never lets it hold slacken even once. People may ask, why catch a stranger, why not some expert hand? Well I guess that strangers entail lesser risks of getting caught. Even if Aamir would have been captured, it would have been him only who faced the music. By the time the authorities figure out, the mafia don would be conveniently out of the country, having eliminated as much evidence as possible. An interesting thing is that barring Aamir and his family, barely anyone else has a name. Everyone is unknown; the area alien, the voices threatening and the looks menacing. Rajeev Khandelval surely impresses in his maiden effort (I don't watch TV serials so haven't seen him there). However, his role, due to the tautness of the screenplay, is unidimensional. It will take him a few more movies to fully figure out his potential and/or limitations.

You would be glued to the screen from start to finish. Debutant lead, Rajiv Khandelwal gives a powerful performance. A must watch! One of those movies which leave their impression on you for ever. It depicts a story which can happen to anyone in today's world. Aamir's character is so perfect that you feel yourself sliding into the protagonist's shoes. The songs are a mix of soulful renditions as well as peppy numbers that keep you humming long after the movie. Amit Trivedi truly finds the chords with this one. He too has gone a long way with compositions in Dev.D and Wake up Sid. "Ha Raham (Mehfuz)" - Murtuza-Qadir, Amitabh and Amit Trivedi, "Chakkar Ghumyo" - Amit Trivedi, "Phas Gaya (Never Mind)" - Neuman Pinto are particularly nice numbers.

A calorie free movie which sans the "phormoola" (the must-have superstitious ingredient for every Bollywood movie).Aamir rests heavily on the technical department and needless to say it is rock solid, hence works big time. The concept is innovative, story is engrossing, screenplay is deft, music is captivating and of course direction is first rate. And above all, if the performances would have even fallen short by a degree – it would have been a fly in the ointment. Kudos to all the new faces, Rajeev Khandelwal deserves a special mention (and so does the lady who plays the hooker).The director spares no moments to gets straight down to business and you get sucked into the whirl hole. The choice of locales deserves a special mention – very realistic and add the background score to it, you almost feel it is virtual reality you are experiencing.Somewhere in between, you get déjà vu as though the entire plot is a bad prank (Bluffmaster/ The Game) – but eventually it dawns that the funny bone does not exist.And ah yes – the ending couldn't have been better! As the credit rolls, you will be enlightened with a few answers.... and left with barrage of questions.

I must say this was the best movie i have seen so far in this year. Forget about mega-budget,star studded block busters. This movie has all it beats. It tells the reality of India. How criminals work and Crime is handled. Absolutely truth captured. Kudos to director for such a concepts. I say watch it not just once but often. Movie like this changes the societies. Movies like this changes young minds. Superb effort. Humanity. God created Humans who created HUMANITY.Humanity.An educated Muslim vs uneducated Muslim. Humanity vs Brutality.Why can't everyone be AAMIR? Absolutely GREAT movie. A+