anwar

The problem with 'Anwar' is over-ambitiousness on the part of the director Manish Jha who floats in too many directions at the same time. He sets out to tell a story and for some strange reason he introduces a way too many sub plots (was it to make all the friends happy or what). There are too many characters and many of them are doing stupid things. Manisha Koirala should quit films if she has lost out on options and Rajpal Yadav should desist from spoiling his talent to stoop to such performances. The only saving grace happens to be Mithoon's two brilliant compositions (wish he had composed all the songs). But still, nothing can save 'Anwar' from being a disaster.

Anwar (Siddharth Koirala) is doing his MA in Hindi and he is madly in love with Mehroo (Nauheed Cyrusi), who in turn loves his friend Udit (Hiten Tejwani). As Mehroo and Udita are trying to elope, Anwar informs Mehroo's family. Her brother kills Udit while Mehroo commits suicide. Obviously Anwar considers himself responsible for his lover's death. His confusion finds him going on an unknown journey to nowhere and as he spends a night in a temple, for some strangely weird reason, he is labeled as a terrorist. This is followed by a tug of far between the opportunist politicians and media to cash in on the 'Breaking News'. You shall also have to suffer valentine's day shenanigans, unnecessary extra marital affair sleaze and a grotesquely risqu item song 'Bangla Khula'.

Director Manish Jha in his attempt to show religious discord and shoddy tolerance levels goes haywire with his storytelling. What explanation can he possibly give for wasting a talented actor like Vijay Raaz. Even in the acting department, except for Hiten Tejwani none of the lead stars impress. Siddharth Koirala is at best ok, but he needs an image makeover fast. Yashpal Sharma as expected is competent while Nauheed doesn't have much to do anyways.

Finally it is left to Mithoon's two songs 'Maula Mere' and 'Javeda Zindagi' that are really the saving grace of this film which is not going anywhere. After super showing in 'Bas Ek Pal', Mithoon once again shows that why he is the music composer to look out for. Wish we didn't have to suffer the strange music compositions of Pankaj Awasthi though.

'Anwar' is a wasted attempt at making an issue based film. But if you succumb to the commercial trappings then you are bound to lose the good points too.

Anwar: Avoid…

Star Rating: *