''Aamir'' is a 2008 Indian
Hindi
Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...
-language
action thriller film
Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...
written and directed by debutante
Raj Kumar Gupta
Raj Kumar Gupta is an Indian film writer and director, known for his work in Hindi cinema. He made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed '' Aamir'' (2008). He then went on to write and direct ''No One Killed Jessica'' (2011), based ...
and produced by
Ronnie Screwvala
Rohinton Soli "Ronnie" Screwvala (born 8 September 1956) is an Indian entrepreneur.
He has been named on Esquire's List of the 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century and ranked 78 among the 100 most influential people in the world on t ...
under newly spun-off
UTV Spotboy, the avant-garde project arm of
UTV Motion Pictures
UTV Motion Pictures (also known as Disney-UTV) was the feature film unit of UTV Software Communications founded by Ronnie Screwvala and Zarina Screwvala in 1996 as UTV Motion Pictures Plc., the film distribution division of UTV Software Communica ...
. The film stars debutante
Rajeev Khandelwal
Rajeev Khandelwal (born 16 October 1975) is an Indian film and television actor, singer and host.
He started his career directing the television series '' Filmy Chakkar''. His break as an actor was as the lead in the television drama, ''Kahiin ...
as the titular Muslim doctor who upon returning to
Mumbai
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...
is coerced into a terrorist conspiracy by a mysterious caller and his henchmen.
Gajraj Rao
Gajraj Rao is an Indian actor who appears predominantly in Hindi films. He is widely known for his performance in the comedy drama film ''Badhaai Ho'' for which he also won a Filmfare Award.
He debuted in 1994 with a minor role in Shekhar Kapur' ...
voices the unknown caller.
''Aamir'' features music composed by debutante
Amit Trivedi
Amit Trivedi (born 8 April 1979) is an Indian music director, singer and a lyricist who works primarily in Hindi films. After working as a theatre and jingle composer and composing for non-film albums, he debuted as a film composer in the 2008 ...
, and marks the co-production debuts of future UTV president
Siddharth Roy Kapur
Siddharth Roy Kapur (born 2 August 1974) is an Indian film producer and the founder and managing director of Roy Kapur Films. He is the former managing director of The Walt Disney Company India and the former president of the Producers Guild o ...
and filmmaker
Vikas Bahl
Vikas Bahl is an Indian filmmaker, best known for directing and scripting the comedy drama film ''Queen'' (2013).
Early life and education
Bahl was born and brought up in Lajpat Nagar in Delhi, and his father worked with the Indian Oil Corporat ...
, the latter of whom also plays a brief role. Although the film was initially said to be adapted from the Filipino film ''
Cavite
Cavite, officially the Province of Cavite ( tl, Lalawigan ng Kabite; Chavacano: ''Provincia de Cavite''), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Located on the southern shores of Manila Bay and southwest ...
'', the makers of ''Aamir'' were given a no-objection certificate by Neill Dela Llana and Ian Gamazon, the director duo of ''Cavite'', who were also thanked by the makers of ''Aamir'' in the film's prelude.
[ Gupta further claimed a decade later that the film was instead inspired by the ]post-9/11
The post-9/11 period is the time after the September 11 attacks, characterized by heightened suspicion of non-Americans in the United States, increased government efforts to address terrorism, and a more aggressive American foreign policy.
Pol ...
era.
''Aamir'' opened theatrically on 6 June 2008. Upon release, it received favorable reviews from critics and viewers, including Sheila Dikshit
Sheila Dikshit () (née Kapoor; 31 March 1938 – 20 July 2019) was an Indian politician. The longest-serving Chief Minister of Delhi, as well as the longest-serving female chief minister of any Indian state, she served for a period of 15 yea ...
, the then Chief Minister of Delhi. Praised for its direction, production, script, cinematography and music, the film was a commercial success.
Plot
The film begins with Dr. Aamir Ali returning to Mumbai on vacation. Upon arrival at the airport, an unknown person hands him a cellphone. The caller asks him to follow instructions. Though initially reluctant, he finds himself chasing after a taxi driver working for the caller. With his luggage gone inside the taxi, Aamir is handed over the phone again. He sees a video in the phone and realizes that his family has been kidnapped. Not sure what to do, he hesitantly agrees to follow the instructions when told that his family will be released if he does so.
The instructor asks Aamir to think of Islam and wants him to do something for his religion rather than work and live in a foreign country. He is then made to go to a hotel, where he is given an address. From there, he goes to a PCO and calls an anonymous number from Karachi, following which a suspecting cop chases after him. Escaping, he is told to stay in a lodge, where a lame man asks him to follow him. Aamir is then led to a house where he is given a red briefcase. Initially thinking the briefcase is a bomb, he opens it and finds that it is full of money. From the lodge, he is asked to catch a particular bus at a designated time.
He leaves to catch the bus, but is beaten up on the way and has the briefcase stolen. In order to retrieve it, he enlists the help of a prostitute whom he met at the lodge. After finding the place, he fights off the robbers and takes the briefcase. He then hurries to catch the bus while talking to the caller. Once inside the bus, he is told to put the briefcase underneath his seat and leave. Aamir now realises that his briefcase has been switched. Instead of money, they have put a bomb inside it. He alights from the bus, but looking at a young passenger innocently waving at him, decides to return. Looking at the traffic signal countdown, he rushes through the crowded bus and retrieves the briefcase. He then runs towards a work in progress area and clears it by alerting the workers. Realizing this is the end, he holds on to the briefcase tightly. Having heard about this through his henchmen, the caller calls Aamir, who smiles and refuses to answer. As the countdown reaches the zero marks, the bomb explodes, killing Aamir. The caller is devastated to learn of his plan's failure. Media reporters cover the blast, believing Aamir to be a suicide bomber who "backed out in the last minute out of fear".
Cast
*Rajeev Khandelwal
Rajeev Khandelwal (born 16 October 1975) is an Indian film and television actor, singer and host.
He started his career directing the television series '' Filmy Chakkar''. His break as an actor was as the lead in the television drama, ''Kahiin ...
as Aamir Ali
*Gajraj Rao
Gajraj Rao is an Indian actor who appears predominantly in Hindi films. He is widely known for his performance in the comedy drama film ''Badhaai Ho'' for which he also won a Filmfare Award.
He debuted in 1994 with a minor role in Shekhar Kapur' ...
as the caller
*Rohitash Gaud
Rohitash Gour (born 24 March 1966) is an Indian actor best known for his leading character in the TV sitcoms '' Lapataganj'' and ''Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai!''. He has also acted in films like ''Lage Raho Munna Bhai'', ''Kya Kehna'', ''Munna Bhai M ...
as a Customs officer I
*Sudipto Balav
Sudipto Balav is an Indian actor who is known for his negative roles. He is known for his works primarily in Malayalam, Hindi, and Bengali-language films.
Career
In 1999, Sudipto Balav started acting in Kolkata and worked on several televisio ...
as a Customs officer II
*Vikas Bahl
Vikas Bahl is an Indian filmmaker, best known for directing and scripting the comedy drama film ''Queen'' (2013).
Early life and education
Bahl was born and brought up in Lajpat Nagar in Delhi, and his father worked with the Indian Oil Corporat ...
as Amar Bahl
*Aishwarya
Aishwarya (Devanagari : ''ऐश्वर्य'') is a Hindu Indian or Nepalese male or feminine given name, which means "prosperity" and "wealth".
Notable people named Aishwarya
* Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran (born 1971), Indian actress
* Aishwar ...
as Shabana Pataudi
*Shashanka Ghosh
Shashanka Ghosh is an Indian filmmaker and writer. As a director, his notable works include the commercially successful films like ''Khoobsurat (2014 film), Khoobsurat'' and ''Veere Di Wedding''. As a writer, he penned the story for ''Waisa Bhi ...
as Khan
*Uday Sabnis
Uday Sabnis (born 7 June 1959) is an Indian actor and voice actor. He has worked in English, Hindi and Marathi languages. As a voice actor, most of his work is Indian but he has also dubbed for foreign films and series.
Filmography Live acti ...
as Bald man
*Supavitra Babul as Man in the aircraft
*Sanjay Kulkarni as the Police inspector
*Vasan Bala as Whispering man at the airport
*Jaywant Wadkar as National Restaurant owner
Production
''Aamir'' was released on 6 June alongside the Ram Gopal Varma
Penmetsa Ram Gopal Varma (born 7 April 1962), often referred to by his initials RGV, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer, known for his works in Telugu cinema in addition to Bollywood, Hindi, Kannada cinema, Kannada language ...
-directed ''Sarkar Raj
''Sarkar Raj'' () is a 2008 Indian Hindi-language political crime thriller film directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film is a sequel to the 2005 film '' Sarkar'' and the second installment of ''Sarkar'' film series. The film was premiered at the ...
''. Shot on a budget of , it is a thriller set in the streets of Mumbai
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...
. ''Aamir'' is also the debut film of its lead actor, cinematographer, music director and the producer UTV Spotboy. The tagline of the film is "Kaun Kehta Hai Aadmi Apni Kismat Khud Likhta Hai?" ("Who says a man writes his own destiny?")
Regarding allegations that the film was copied from the 2005 Filipino film ''Cavite
Cavite, officially the Province of Cavite ( tl, Lalawigan ng Kabite; Chavacano: ''Provincia de Cavite''), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Located on the southern shores of Manila Bay and southwest ...
'', Gupta explained he did not watch it, and that it took him a year to write ''Aamir'', which would not have happened if it was copied. He further mentioned contacting the makers of ''Cavite'' to clarify that the script of ''Aamir'' was written before theirs was released. The makers Neill Dela Llana and Ian Gamazon, who wished Gupta luck and explained how ''Cavite'' itself was alleged to be inspired by the American films ''Phone Booth
A telephone booth, telephone kiosk, telephone call box, telephone box or public call box is a tiny structure furnished with a payphone and designed for a telephone user's convenience; usually the user steps into the booth and closes the booth ...
'' and ''Cellular
Cellular may refer to:
*Cellular automaton, a model in discrete mathematics
* Cell biology, the evaluation of cells work and more
* ''Cellular'' (film), a 2004 movie
*Cellular frequencies, assigned to networks operating in cellular RF bands
*Cell ...
'', were thanked by makers of ''Aamir'' in the film's prelude.
Reception
Raj Kumar Gupta was commended for his fine writing and directorial work. Rajeev Masand
Rajeev Masand is an Indian film critic and journalist. He has worked for Noida based English language news channel CNN-Indian Broadcasting Network (CNN-IBN). He usually reviews Bollywood films and major Hollywood films released in India in hi ...
of CNN-IBN
CNN-News18 (originally CNN-IBN) is an Indian English-language news television channel founded by Raghav Bahl based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is currently co-owned by Network18 Group and Warner Bros. Discovery. CNN provides internationa ...
praised the film's tight script and direction, while Raja Sen of Rediff
Rediff.com (stylized as ''rediff.com'') is an Indian news, information, entertainment and shopping web portal. It was founded in 1996. It is headquartered in Mumbai, with offices in Bangalore, New Delhi and New York City.
, it had more than 300 e ...
praised its realism, cinematography and music. Other reviews were also mostly positive. Reviewer at VjMOVIEws noted that, "Aamir is a part of such breed of Bollywood movies which never garners the limelight of cinema but still manages to carve a niche for them."
The film had a weak opening due to the new names involved and its story-line but gained widespread word of mouth publicity. It ended up doing good business with a good collection in subsequent weeks.
Music
The album contains six tracks composed by Amit Trivedi
Amit Trivedi (born 8 April 1979) is an Indian music director, singer and a lyricist who works primarily in Hindi films. After working as a theatre and jingle composer and composing for non-film albums, he debuted as a film composer in the 2008 ...
, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya
Amitabh Bhattacharya (born 16 November 1976) is an Indian lyricist and playback singer who works in Bollywood films. He shot to fame with the film ''Dev.D'' with the song "Emotional Atyachar" turning an instant hit. He sang this song under the ...
, including one instrumental played by Marianne D’Cruz Aiman and Jeetendra Thakur. Four bonus tracks are also included: two songs from the Pakistani film ''Khuda Kay Liye
''Khuda Kay Liye'' (also released as ''In the Name of God'' in international markets) is a 2007 Pakistani drama film directed by Shoaib Mansoor, produced by Brigadier Syed Mujtaba Tirmizi from ISPR and stars Shaan Shahid, Fawad Khan and Iman Al ...
'' and two songs from Kailash Kher
Kailash Kher (born 7 July 1973) is an Indian music composer and singer. He sings songs with a music style influenced by Indian folk music and Sufi music. He was inspired by the classical musicians' Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Pandit Hridaynath Ma ...
.
Home Video
Three DVD editions of the film were released, by UTV Home Entertainment, Moser Baer
Moser Baer was an Indian multinational manufacturer of optical discs, storage devices, CDs, DVDs, based in New Delhi. The company was present in over 100 countries, serviced through 15 marketing offices and representatives, and had tie-ups ...
and Eagle Home Entertainment. The UTV DVD was released on 5 July 2008, and was launched by Rajeev Khandelwal.
The film is available to stream on Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...
.
Remake
''Aamir'' was remade in Tamil as '' Aal''.
References
Karen Gabriel,
The Country in the City: The Bye-lanes of Identity
, in ''South Asian Journal'', July–Sept 2010, pp 53–64.
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aamir (Film)
2000s Hindi-language films
2008 films
Films set in Mumbai
Films about organised crime in India
UTV Motion Pictures films
Films scored by Amit Trivedi
Films about kidnapping in India
Hindi films remade in other languages
Indian action thriller films
Indian crime thriller films
Indian psychological thriller films
2008 psychological thriller films
Films directed by Raj Kumar Gupta
Hindi-language thriller films