This film began in a typical bollywood fashion with two attractive leads (Madhuri and Shahrukh) in opposing roles, (and some very enjoyable dance sequences thrown in) until it took a dark turn that I began to recognize from an older French film. I would encourage anyone who hasn't seen "The Bride wore Black" (1968) to see it first. While Anjaam is not a remake, the theme of revenge is handled similarly in the second half... systematic extermination of villains (and there are many of them), but with one very remarkable difference: the shocking level of violence.
Anjaam is unforgettable for me if only for the fact that the female character, played excellently by Madhuri Dixit (usually docile, beautiful, present only for the entertainment of men in her other movies) evolves into an almost superhuman avatar of revenge. And when she finds that she has been robbed of her chance to face her greatest enemy as an equal, she cries, but does not weaken in her resolve.
Shahrukh's character Vijay, while less attractive than his obsessed would be lover role in Darr, is far more realistic in this film. His resolve to "destroy what he cannot have" rings true to life. How many times do we see this kind of choice being made in real life? His violent attack on Shivani makes him a true villain. The ending is a bittersweet tragedy. I recommend it.
Anjaam is unforgettable for me if only for the fact that the female character, played excellently by Madhuri Dixit (usually docile, beautiful, present only for the entertainment of men in her other movies) evolves into an almost superhuman avatar of revenge. And when she finds that she has been robbed of her chance to face her greatest enemy as an equal, she cries, but does not weaken in her resolve.
Shahrukh's character Vijay, while less attractive than his obsessed would be lover role in Darr, is far more realistic in this film. His resolve to "destroy what he cannot have" rings true to life. How many times do we see this kind of choice being made in real life? His violent attack on Shivani makes him a true villain. The ending is a bittersweet tragedy. I recommend it.