Another unoriginal fare by Abbas-Mastan, Ajnabee does work maybe because it was generally well made by the directors-brothers duo Abbas Mastan who often prefer to concentrate on the making of a film rather than invest time and write a new script. Well a job is a job and everyone is working for money, so remaking a foreign film is a much easier way to make money. Creativity/originality is not the word to describe this duo but they do manage to make an enjoyable flick every once in a while so let it be. Ajnabee is quite an interesting watch - it has good cinematography, very good editing, exceptional music, suitable actors and a very modern concept. The portrayal of Indians living in a foreign country is well done, the suspense is successful, and it uses the usual Bollywood clichés from time to time. The film is mainly surprising because of Akshay Kumar's shocking villainous turn (well if he had accepted the directors' early film Baazigar maybe things would have gone differently for him). He is convincing and wins most of the viewers' attention. It has a very lovely newcomer named Bipasha Basu who makes a confident debut. It also has an average Kareena Kapoor, a Bobby Deol (about him I don't have anything good or bad to say), and a hilarious Johnny Lever. I was annoyed at the beginning of the film to see Dalip Tahil who laughs and laughs for no reason - very disturbing. Anyway, you can try it if you like, it is a decent Indianised, fairly updated and changed version of Consenting Adults.
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Raj (Deol) and Priya (Kapoor) meet, fall in love and get married in India. Shortly after their marriage, they move to Switzerland due to Raj's job as a polo player/teacher. Once settled into their new home they meet their glamorous neighbours Vicky (Kumar) and Sonia (Basu), also a married couple and the two couples become close friends very quickly. Whilst Priya is not very good at cooking India food and is quite a party animal, Raj craves home cooked Indian food and a peaceful home life. Vicky seems to be a party animal whilst his wife is very homely and loves to cook Indian food.
It soon becomes apparent that both men are more than a little attracted to each others' wives (mainly due to their similar tastes) but when both couples are on holiday in Mauritius Vicky suggests a wife-swap to Raj, Raj loses his temper, fights Vicky and breaks off their friendship. They return home to Switzerland. Do you see where the plot is going? Not yet? OK read on By chance, Raj ends up saving Vicky's life and they become pals again and after an evening out celebrating a birthday and their renewed friendship, a drunken Raj ends up going towards his neighbours' house whilst Vicky heads off towards Raj's home. Waking up in the morning, Raj leaves the house in shock, only to find out later than Sonia has been murdered and he is the prime suspect.
This plot was lifted straight out of "Consenting Adults" which was released in 1992 and starred Kevin Kline, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Kevin Spacey and Rebecca Miller. Being a film aimed at the Indian market, the storyline was toned down somewhat.
Not an original story, so you can guess the ending if you've seen the Hollywood version, nice scenery, pretty good acting, good-looking Bollywood star cast - all round I'd give Ajnabee a generous 7 out of 10. -
Of all the Bollywood-films I've seen, "Ajnabi" is one of the mediocre ones. The songs didn't work for me, the tension was flat and the actors were average. Bipashu Basu made a gorgeous debut, but that's about it. Oh and the comic relief was bad. Really.
But, as many Bollywood films do, this one has some scenes in Switzerland. Actually about 50% of the movie takes place somewhere in the country. I don't want to blame the film because many movies treat geography rather loose, but "Ajnabi" is a hoot on that level. I'll start with the policemen. They swap languages in every scene - from English to German to French. Trust me, I know that Switzerland has a French part, but then the Police-cars should be labeled "Police" not "Polizei" - the film does it vice versa: In Luzern (German speaking part. With many *bad* extras!), no police car would be labeled "Police".
The funniest stuff is in the court room sequence. This doesn't look like a Swiss court room at all, but I didn't mind. Then, Raj jumps out of the window and runs. He runs through streets with many Asian looking people. Tourists perhaps? Well, even some Chinese signs. And what's that? A subway? There aren't any subways in Switzerland! Wow! It's Singapore! He ran around the world in a couple of seconds, hunted by Swiss policemen. Well, what shall I say ... I had great fun with stuff like this.
But the film itself is mediocre, so I give it a
5/10 -
silvan-desouza28 March 2014Abbas-Mustan known for lifting Hollywood films, this time lifted CONSENTING ADULTS(1992) which is too advanced for our Indian audiences who rejected Sauda(1995) and Karobaar(2000) too. The film starts off as a normal romance film but when Akshay enters things get interesting till the interval however the forced comedy of Johny Lever does get irritating. The twist at the interval is good and also the second half but things start getting predictable and the manner in which Bobby tries to settle things looks contrived, the climax too is heckeyened.
Direction by AM is quite good but not one of their best Music by Anu Malik is decent, songs are tuneful, Mehbooba was Adnan Sami's debut as a singer for films, other songs are good
Akshay Kumar did well in his 3rd negative role after Khiladi 420 and Aflatoon where he had a dual role, Bobby Deol too does his part well, Kareena Kapoor is okay, Bipasha Basu in her debut with a dubbed voice is decent Sharat Saxena is okay, Dalip Tahil irritates, Johny Lever and gang irritate more then amuse, rest are okay -
No Spoilers! First of all, the main reason I added this movie to the watchlist is the Akshay Kumar's great meme. You know if you know. Anyways, it's the first picture added in the image list in the IMDb, so you can see it there. The movie started slow. Very slow. I hated the songs. 4 songs, some seemed highly unnecessary. Akshay Kumar enters late. But the movie takes pace since, takes meaning. Akshay Kumar was so sensational, he made his chemistry even with Bobby great along with the other two. Bobby was average. Bipasha was super hot. There were few exotic scenes in the movie, too much considering it was the very early 2000s. But not much at all in this era of web series n tv series. Akshay Kumar and Johnny lever added so much fun in the movie, they made it quite Entertaining. Yes, it was a thriller with comedy. Excellent last 60 minutes and the climax. Apart of the songs, and the initial romance, the movie was great. Enjoyed it. Recommended if a Bollywood fan.
- Pawan P
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rags1831 March 2008Abbas-Mastan's movies are known to make suspense thrillers. Although the topic of wife swapping was a new theme for Indian Cinema.
Ajnabi too is a copy of Hollywood flick 'Consenting Adults' (1992) staring Kevin Spacey, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Kevin Kline.
Abbas-Mastan are known to lift stories from Hollywood movies.
Right from 'Bazzigar' (1993) to 'Race' (2007) are all copies. They try very hard though to add some Bollywood tinge, and get away very easily.
And in the process have won quite few awards successfully. There is nothing wrong to draw inspiration, but making straight copies frame to frame is not good. -
mustafapopal323 September 2001Much hoopla has been made about the Americanization of Indian cinema and how Abbas-Mastan have dared to cross all barriers of culture by copying a bold film like "Consenting Adults", the theme of which revolves around wife-swapping. Well, rest assured - this is Hindustan and our "lajja" is still intact (R.K. Santoshi might feel otherwise). Let me dare to reveal to you that though the idea of wife-swapping does come up, it never really occurs. Still - Neeraj Vohra has managed to write an entertaining story which Abbas-Mustan have infused with their usual slick direction.
The film follows the plot of a newlywed couple - Raj (Bobby Deol) and Priya (Kareena Kapoor). They move to Switzerland so Raj can be a professional polo player where they encounter another couple - Vicky (Akshay Kumar) and Sonia (Bipasha Basu). The couples become close but it becomes apparent that the husbands share more common interests with the opposite wives. To top it off - Sonia tries to seduce Raj and Vicky goes one step further. He suggests to Raj that they swap wives for one drunken night. The next day things go haywire as we learn that somebody is murdered. And somebody is framed. Or are they guilty?
Abbas-Mastan do a good job managing what would otherwise be a confusing narration. They manage to reveal just enough to keep the plot tracking along the line of indifference. The problem is that with four lead characters and one supporting actress introduced pre-intermission in a fleeting scene - it isn´t too hard for the audience to put two and two together. This is not a complex "who-done-it". Still, they are somehow able to maintain as neutral a narrative as possible which is commendable in Hindi cinema - where nothing is really a secret. We all know not to believe somebody is dead unless you see their body and they attempt an interesting twist to get around that fact. Enough said.
The performances of their lead cast add to the slick direction in maintaining any suspense possible. Akshay Kumar is the real star here - but this is his third film with a similar role. It didn´t work for Shahrukh and it gets tiresome even here. Bipasha Basu makes a commendable debut in her seductive, confident role. Just brush up those dancing skills, honey! Bobby Deol does his job as the protagonist well. And Kareena Kapoor breezes through a relatively simple role. She is particularly good in the comedy scenes (David Dhawan, are you listening?).
Music? It does the job. The one song that really sticks in one´s mind is the one that is already there - "Mehbooba Mehbooba" - which is nicely shot. Cinematography? Switzerland. Nobody has the power to make it look fresh at this point. Comedy track? DA. That´s "Don´t ask" for those that have seen the film.
This isn´t necessarily great cinema. Still - in a time where the world is at war, it managed to make me forget about that fact for almost three hours. That in itself is a commendable feat. "Ajnabee" is Hindi cinema at its escapist best. -
wildlife-ptech14 October 2019Rating
2/10
Badly copied Bollywood thriller makes a mess of it's script. The plot is stretched to ahsurdity. While Kumar relishes playing the villain the rest of the cast is all at sea.
Avoidable -
this was one of the most planned scripts written in all of time good direction as usual from the Abbas-Mustan duo and a script that's written by all of the known sweet writers into an ultimate story songs are pretty average and the acting by Akshay Kumar is great he delivers his dialogues with lots of fun and passion Shyam Goel dialogue writer delivers dialogues with passion and writes with wit screenplay is average but good story by Neeraj Vora us good being Bipasha Basu's debut is good overall average film with great acting story every element a movie needs this has songs need a little work and the screenplay could do with that as well but overall good movie by creative directors and highly enjoyable action direction
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WorldMovie9926 September 2020Though its adapted from a hollywood movie, still it is praiseworthy for providing entertainment. It doesn't lose the thrill throughout, but also sometimes fuses the innocence cum comic characteristics of both hero and the villain. Akshay kumar is believable as the dishonest lover, a greedy opportunist, a betrayer, a liar and finally a killer. I see it only for him, his performance kinda stands as the reminder to all the liars and dishonest guys out there. Akshay just acted his heart out, really fits in the role. It may not be the best movie in its genre but from the entertaining side it deserves a praise, a thrilling experience, a rewatchable film despite its flaws and annoying intentional comic scenes.
Bobby deol plays a lovable character, a guy who is downright honest and good, believes in goodness, unity and progressiveness. He lives with his wife, who is fun loving, caring and honest. Their meeting is itself a strange incident depicting the made for another scenario. But Akshay took the opportunity of Bobby's goodness and exploits him, only to open his own downfall. The message of the film is very clear, without any confusion will leave you with the idea that good prevails either by hook or crook. The comic characters doesn't seem comic really, rather annoying at some but the director cautiously placed some thrill within the funny characters and made their presence significant in the movie's storyline.
Technically it's presentation is fine, atleast it retained the thrilling environment with well crafted BGM, may be a bit noisy at some but had put necessary echoes in exact places. Narratives are fast paced but not too fast like surpassing viewers comprehensibility. Finally well acted performers who atleast succeeded in bringing the intended characters into the screen. All these aspects made it a rewatchable suspense film, despite unrealistic moments like French police and government being so naive esp regarding immigrants, language barriers and as usual Bollywood action scenes of hero vs villain. Nevertheless all these issues couldn't degrade the film and it delivered what it wanted to deliver. And that's a suspenseful journey.
An 8/10 for its entertainment value. An 80 on a scale of 100. -
kushagra-7290026 December 2020Far ahead of its time.
This one's of a Hollywood level. Fst away from melodrama, and full of twists and turns.
Will keep you hooked till the very end
From songs to storyline. Loved it. !!! -
nishikantarayray18 July 2021During this movie I watched it in theaters and Bipasha basu became my first teenage crush.
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Way ahead of his time.
Might be copied from some Hollywood flick but it takes courage to make such movie in that era in Bollywood when SRK's so called love story crap bandwagon was in hype
Mind blown when saw first time . What a twist ! -
Dingataca19 December 2007I liked the music, I liked the acting, and I liked the movie. But it wasn't anything special. Strictly mediocre. The beginning of Ajnabee had to be the best part. Wife-swapping, drinking, sex and a lot of crime fills the rest. I thought the best performance was from Akshay Kumar, I don't usually like his films but he was pretty strong in this one. (Though Akshay licking Kareena's lips nearly had me gouging my eyes out.) Bobby Deol does an acceptable job and Kareena is also quite good I admit. Bipasha looked right for her part and fitted in nicely, I thought she was a good Soniya. I really liked the music, especially Mehbooba Mehbooba, which was really catchy.
Good for timepass. An okay thriller. -
Ajnabee" is a Bollywood thriller film directed by Abbas-Mustan and released in 2001. It stars Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Kareena Kapoor, and Bipasha Basu in lead roles. The movie revolves around a couple who becomes entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal when they befriend a mysterious couple.
Here's a review that takes into account various aspects of the movie:
"Ajnabee" is a stylish and gripping thriller that keeps you engaged with its intriguing plot. The film starts off with an interesting premise, as a couple, played by Raj and Priya (Bobby Deol and Kareena Kapoor), befriend a couple named Vikram and Sonia (Akshay Kumar and Bipasha Basu) during their honeymoon in Switzerland. However, their seemingly perfect friendship takes a dark turn when Raj is framed for the murder of Sonia.
One of the strengths of "Ajnabee" lies in its well-crafted suspense and the constant twists and turns in the narrative. The plot keeps you guessing about the true intentions of the characters, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust. The film effectively builds tension and maintains a fast pace, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
The performances in "Ajnabee" are commendable. Akshay Kumar delivers a compelling performance as the charming yet enigmatic Vikram, while Bobby Deol portrays the vulnerable and desperate Raj with conviction. Kareena Kapoor brings a certain innocence and vulnerability to her character, and Bipasha Basu adds to the intrigue with her portrayal of Sonia.
The film's cinematography is visually appealing, capturing the beautiful locales of Switzerland and enhancing the overall mood of the film. The music of "Ajnabee" is catchy and adds to the entertainment value, with songs like "Mujhko Neend Aa Rahi Hai" and "Kaun Main Haan Tum" becoming popular.
However, "Ajnabee" does have its share of flaws. Some critics felt that the second half of the film becomes predictable, and the climax could have been stronger and more satisfying. Additionally, certain plot points and character motivations could have been further developed to provide a deeper understanding of their actions.
In conclusion, "Ajnabee" is an engaging thriller that offers suspense, drama, and an intriguing storyline. While it may have some shortcomings, it manages to entertain with its twists and turns, solid performances, and stylish execution. If you enjoy suspenseful Bollywood films with a touch of mystery, "Ajnabee" is worth a watch.
Please note that this review reflects the general sentiment about the movie at the time of its release in 2001. Individual opinions may vary. -
gavin_coolhgr28 November 2007Two people Raj (Bobby Deol) and Priya (Kareena Kapoor) happen to met by chance and fall in love, they decided to get married due to the fact that Priya's dad (Dalip Tahil) knows the Malhotra's. After there marriage in India, they decided to go and reside in Switzerland, where they met two other Indians Vicky (Akshay Kumar) and Sonia (Bipasha Basu). Very quickly the two couples became friends and decided to go on a holiday to Mauritius where Vicky began to spoke to Raj about wife-swapping. Raj got annoy and decided to fight with Vicky and there friendships were shattered. After a couple of weeks the two couples became friends again and decided to celebrate Vicky's birthday party outside. Where the two men got drunk and each one goes over to the opposite wife. At morning Raj comes to know that Sonia is dead and he is being accused by Vicky, when his case is being try ed in court he break loose from there and goes outside to look for evidence to prove his innocence.