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Fanaa (2006 film)

"Fanaa (film)" redirects here. For the 2010 film, see Fanaa (2010 film).

Fanaa (transl.  Annihilation) is a 2006 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama thriller film directed by Kunal Kohli and produced by Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra under their banner Yash Raj Films. It stars Aamir Khan and Kajol in the lead roles, with Rishi Kapoor, Kirron Kher, Tabu, and Sharat Saxena appearing in supporting roles. In the film, Zuni (Kajol), a blind Kashmiri dancer, falls in love with Raihan (Khan), a Delhi tour guide with a dark secret.

Fanaa
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKunal Kohli
Written byStory and Screenplay:
Shibani Bathija
Dialogues:
Kunal Kohli
Produced byAditya Chopra
Yash Chopra
StarringAamir Khan
Kajol
CinematographyRavi K. Chandran
Edited byRitesh Soni
Music bySongs:
Jatin–Lalit
Score:
Salim–Sulaiman
Production
company
Release date
  • 26 May 2006 (2006-05-26)
Running time
169 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹30 crore[1]
Box office₹105.48 crore[1]

Fanaa was one of the most expensive Bollywood films at its time of release. The film's title is derived from the Islamic Sufi term fanaa, meaning "destroyed". Khan and Kajol were paired romantically opposite each other for the first time, but it marked their second collaboration after Ishq (1997). It also marked the comeback of Kajol, who was last seen in Karan Johar's family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001).

Fanaa was released on 26 May 2006, and grossed over ₹1.05 billion at the box-office against a production and marketing budget of ₹300 million, thus becoming the sixth highest grossing Hindi film of the year. The film emerged a major commercial success, despite having been banned in the state of Gujarat due to protests against Khan for his comments criticizing the Gujarat government.[2][3][4] At the 52nd Filmfare Awards, Fanaa won three awards, including Best Actress (Kajol).

Plot

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Zuni Ali Beg is a blind Kashmiri woman who travels for the first time, to New Delhi, with her friends, Fatima "Fatty" Ali, Mehbooba "Bobo" Siddiqui, Rubina "Ruby" Ansari, and their dance teacher Helen to perform in a ceremony for Republic Day. There, she meets their tour guide, Raihan Qadri. Although her friends dislike his flirtatious personality, Zuni falls in love with him. Rehan and Zuni spend their last night in Delhi together. Rehan stops Zooni from leaving Delhi and her parents soon arrive in Delhi to make arrangements for their wedding. Zooni's eyesight is restored after a surgery, but when she awakes, she finds out Rehan was killed in a bombing in the city.

Malini Tyagi, an anti-terrorism agent, investigates the bombing and the IKF, the group responsible. It is revealed the IKF is fighting for an independent Kashmir and that Rehan is their leader, having faked his death so Zooni wouldn't come looking for him. He admits he loves Zooni, but concedes that she can never see him again. Seven years later, it is revealed the IKF have acquired a nuclear weapon after attacking an Indian Army station, but that the IKF still require a trigger. Susheel Rawat, Malini's teammate, orders for all nuclear triggers to be moved. Rehan, operating undercover within the Army, steals a trigger as it is being moved, but Malini figures out he is the IKF leader and sends forces to stop him. In the ensuing shootout, Rehan is badly injured.

He makes his way to a remote house for help, which turns out to be Zooni's. Zooni, now a mother to a son named after his father, and her father nurse Rehan to health, with Zooni's mother revealed to have died two years prior. Zooni and her father do not recognise Rehan. Though initially distant from them, Rehan develops an affection for his son and the family. Rehan eventually reveals his identity to them, but does not tell them about his terrorism. Initially hurt, Zooni refuses to let Rehan leave her again, and the two of them get married with Zooni's father presiding.

Malini publishes a public report about Rehan, revealing that he is a terrorist. Zooni's father sees this report and confronts Rehan on finding the trigger in his pocket. Rehan accidentally throws Zooni's father off a ledge, killing him. He radios the IKF from a nearby army officer's house, but kills the officer when he discovers Rehan. Zooni finds her father's body, and realizes Rehan lied about his death. Zooni later sees the report and finds the trigger and flees with her son to the officer's house, and radios for help. Malini responds, and tells her to stop Rehan.

The next day, Rehan returns and takes the trigger from Zooni, saying the IKF will kill her and their son if he doesn't. Rehan was about to give the trigger to the leader of the IKF, who is Rehan's maternal grandfather. Zooni shoots him in the leg, preventing this from happening. Rehan draws his gun on her, but can't bring himself to shoot. Zooni shoots him again, this time fatally. In the nick of time, Malini arrives and stops the IKF from killing Zooni. Rehan dies in Zooni's arms.

Zooni and her son then visit the graves of her father and Rehan, who are buried next to each other. When her son asks if his father was wrong, Zooni tells him that his father did what he thought was right.

Cast

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Production

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Casting

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Aamir Khan was the first choice for the role of Rehan, who readily agreed to do the film, thus marking his first collaboration with Yash Raj Films.

Initially, producer Aditya Chopra wanted to cast Aishwarya Rai as Zooni, but he and director Kunal Kohli approached Kajol on Khan's suggestion. Despite simultaneously being offered Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) with frequent collaborators and friends Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol chose to do Fanaa, thus marking the first film in which she was romantically paired opposite Aamir Khan, after having starred together in Ishq (1997).

Sushmita Sen was also considered for the extended cameo of Malini Tyagi, who was eventually essayed by Tabu.[5]

Filming locations

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Fanaa was originally planned to be shot in Kashmir before Kajol backed out due to the continuing insurgency in that region. The director choose to move the Kashmir segment to the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland, which also provides suitably snowy and mountainous terrain.[6] It was filmed at historical locations in Delhi including the Red Fort, Jantar Mantar, Qutub Minar, Purana Qila, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Lodhi Gardens.[7]

Reception

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Critical reception

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At Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 100% rating critical approval rating, based on 7 reviews.[8]

The performances of the leads, Aamir Khan and Kajol, as well as their on–screen chemistry were praised.[3][4] Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama rated Fanaa 4 stars out of 5 stating the film was "a beautifully written, effectively acted and meticulously crafted effort that is likely to remind many viewers of a simple axiom: A movie doesn't have to be groundbreaking to be compelling." He, however, criticized its screenplay and pacing saying "The film tends to get very lengthy and also, the narrative tends to get very slow towards the second half."[9] Subhash K. Jha, reviewing for The Times of India, was appreciative of Khan, writing that he "displays a normalcy that is chilling," and "scales the ladder some more and almost creates an actor's manual for impeccable acting," further concluding that Fanaa "showcases Aamir as never before."[3]

Sukanya Verma of Rediff stated, "Considering it spans almost a decade and gets predictable with its melodramatic content that runs a lengthy 18 reels, Fanaa, despite its palpable flaws, is engaging and entertaining," and was positive of Khan and Kajol's chemistry, commenting that they "share a dynamic equation, which makes their inability to let go of each other, believable and heart-felt. Fanaa would be empty without Aamir and Kajol's joint passion."[10] Raja Sen of the same website was less impressed, finding faults with the film's screenplay and length, and concluded that "a mere casting coup does not a good film make."[11] A review from the Hindustan Times wrote that the movie "falters because of its storyline and script," though it was positive of the leads' performances, noting that Kajol "is as good as she ever was, maybe better because she emotes with more maturity and looks trimmer."[12]

On June 11, 2006, Pravin Joshi self-immolated in protest against the release of the film.[13]

Music

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Fanaa
Studio album by
Jatin–Lalit
Released12 April 2006
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LabelYRF Music
ProducerJatin–Lalit

The music of Fanaa composed by Jatin–Lalit with Salim–Sulaiman providing the background score. The lyrics were penned by Prasoon Joshi. 5 songs are featured in the movie while the soundtrack contains 7 songs. This was the last film for which Jatin–Lalit composed as a duo (they split afterwards).[14][15]

According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, the album sold 17,00,000 units.[16]

Salim–Sulaiman programmed for the first 5 songs and Dhrubajyoti Phukan programmed the song "Destroyed in Love".[17]

Aamir Khan and Kajol recite lines of poetry in "Mere Haath Mein" and "Chanda Chamke".[14]

SL.No Song Artist Length
1 "Chand Sifarish" Shaan, Kailash Kher 04:37
2 "Mere Haath Main" Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, William Rousseau, Sulaiman Merchant, Aamir Khan, Kajol 04:48
3 "Des Rangila" Mahalakshmi Iyer and Amanat Ali 05:18
4 "Dekho Na" Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan 05:24
5 "Chanda Chamke" Babul Supriyo, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Master Akshay Bhagwat, Aamir Khan, Kajol 03:50
6 "Destroyed in Love" Strings 04:52
7 "Fanaa For You" DJ Aqeel, Shaan & Kailash Kher 04:26

Accolades

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Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2006 8th Bollywood Movie Awards Best Actress Kajol Nominated [18]
Best Villain Aamir Khan Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan & Kailash Kher for "Chand Sifarish" Won
2007 52nd Filmfare Awards Best Actress Kajol Won [19]
Best Music Director Jatin–Lalit Nominated
Best Lyricist Prasoon Joshi for "Chand Sifarish" Won
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan & Kailash Kher for "Chand Sifarish" Won
2nd Global Indian Film Awards Best Director Kunal Kohli Nominated [20]
Best Actress Kajol Nominated
Best Music Director Jatin–Lalit Nominated
Best Lyricist Prasoon Joshi for "Chand Sifarish" Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan & Kailash Kher for "Chand Sifarish" Nominated
Best Choreography Saroj Khan for "Desh Rangila" Nominated
8th IIFA Awards Best Actress Kajol Nominated [21][22]
Best Lyricist Prasoon Joshi for "Chand Sifarish" Won
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan & Kailash Kher for "Chand Sifarish" Won
13th Screen Awards Best Actress Kajol Nominated [23]
Best Villain Aamir Khan Nominated
Best Music Director Jatin–Lalit Nominated
Best Lyricist Prasoon Joshi for "Chand Sifarish" Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan & Kailash Kher for "Chand Sifarish" Won
Best Background Music Salim–Sulaiman Nominated
Best Dialogue Kunal Kohli Nominated
2007 Stardust Awards Star of the Year – Female Kajol Nominated [24]
2007 Zee Cine Awards Best Actress Won [25][26]
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan & Kailash Kher for "Chand Sifarish" Won

Controversy

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While promoting the film in Gujarat, Aamir Khan made some comments regarding the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the Narmada Dam and the necessity to rehabilitate the displaced villagers.[27][28] These comments were met with outrage from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The government of Gujarat demanded an apology from Khan. Khan refused to apologise, saying "I am saying exactly what the Supreme Court has said. I only asked for rehabilitation of poor farmers. I never spoke against the construction of the dam. I will not apologise for my comments on the issue."[29] An unofficial ban of Fanaa was put in place for the entire state of Gujarat. Protests occurred against the film and Khan which included the burning of posters of the star in effigy. As a result, several multiplex owners stated that they could not provide security to customers. Thus, all theatre owners in Gujarat refused to screen the movie.[30]

Producer Aditya Chopra moved a petition to the Supreme Court of India asking them to direct the Gujarat government to provide protection to all cinema halls that wanted to screen the film, but was rejected.[31] Their response was that if a cinema was concerned for their protection they could call on the police. Aditya's father Yash Chopra in the meantime also sought protection from then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi as well as open discussions to release the film in Gujarat without any disruption. Khan also received support from a number of Bollywood stars including Anil Kapoor, Govind Nihalani, Ashutosh Gowariker and Subhash Ghai as well as Anupam Kher and Hrithik Roshan all of whom reiterated that Khan had done no wrong in expressing his views.

Addressing the media, director Kunal Kohli said, "All theatre owners or exhibitors who wish to release this film can request for protection and the government should extend support. We as filmmakers request all theatre owners of Gujarat to come forward and release the film. We have earned 470 million (both domestic and overseas) in the first week and have lost approximately 6 to 70 million of business in Gujarat. However it's not about money... it is about a principle. As a democratic country where Aamir has a right to say what he feels, even the people of Gujarat, who are protesting have the right to say what they feel ... but in a democratic fashion, and not by burning posters and threatening people."[32]

A single privately owned cinema in Jamnagar, Gujarat, screened the movie with police protection despite the threats.[33] It ran for over a week before being withdrawn again following a self–immolation bid by a man protesting against the screening. The man, Pravin, entered the bathroom of the theatre during intermission of one of the screenings and set himself on fire. He suffered 85% burns and succumbed to his wounds nine days later.[34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Fanaa – Movie". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Aamir Khan enters Brazil with Fanaa". Hindustan Times. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Jha, Subhash K. (29 May 2006). "Fanaa". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  4. ^ a b Adarsh, Taran (26 May 2006). "Fanaa". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 29 April 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Aishwarya Rai & Sushmita Sen Were Aditya Chopra's First Choices For Fanaa But Aamir Khan Suggested Three Other Names, "Kajol…Kajol and Kajol"". 26 May 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Throwback: When Aamir Khan had resolved not to work with Kajol again, but Fanaa happened". Times of India. 26 May 2023. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Aamir to play Dilli's Raju guide". Times of India. 11 October 2005. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  8. ^ Fanaa (2006) Archived 26 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  9. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (26 May 2006). "Fanaa Review 4/5 | Fanaa Movie Review | Fanaa 2006 Public Review | Film Review". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  10. ^ Verma, Sukanya (26 May 2006). "Watch Fanaa for Aamir, Kajol!". Rediff. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  11. ^ Sen, Raja (26 May 2006). "Aamir isn't Dil Se enough". Rediff. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Fanaa". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 12 June 2006.
  13. ^ "Fanaa: man who immolates dies". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 21 June 2006. Archived from the original on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  14. ^ a b Ghosh, Lakshmi B. (16 April 2006). "'Fanaa' promises to keep audience tuned in to its music". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 May 2006. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  15. ^ Jatin–Lalit (16 May 2006). "Jatin–Lalit on their last movie togethe" (Interview). Interviewed by Patcy N. Mumbai: Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 24 June 2010.
  17. ^ "Track List – Audio CD Back Cover". Amazon. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  18. ^ Yount, Stacey (30 April 2007). "Bollywood Movie Awards Nominees Announced". BollySpice.com - The latest movies, interviews in Bollywood. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Nominations for the 52nd Filmfare Awards". 10 February 2007. Archived from the original on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  20. ^ "G.I.F.A. Awards 2006: List of winners". Bollywood Hungama. 20 July 2010. Archived from the original on 20 July 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Nominees for IIFA Awards 2007". 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 6 January 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  22. ^ "IIFA Awards 2007 winners". 28 December 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  23. ^ "Winners: 13th Annual Star-Screen Awards". 5 January 2008. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  24. ^ "Max Stardust Awards Nominations". Sify. 18 February 2015. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  25. ^ "Winners of the Zee Cine Awards 2007". Sify. 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  26. ^ "Zee Cine Awards 2007, Zee TV's Bollywood awards: Vote online on Sify Max". 6 April 2007. Archived from the original on 6 April 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Aamir Khan slams Narendra Modi". Rediff. 14 June 2006. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  28. ^ Prasad, Raekha (26 May 2006). "Film banned over star's dam protest". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  29. ^ Singh, Ankar (25 May 2006). "Aamir on Narmada: I won't apologise". Rediff. Archived from the original on 24 May 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  30. ^ "Gujarat left out as world sees Fanaa". The Times of India. 27 May 2006. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2008.t
  31. ^ Singh, Onkar (5 June 2006). "SC rejects Fanaa petition". Rediff. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  32. ^ "Fanaa finally cleared in Gujarat". IndiaFM. Archived from the original on 14 April 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  33. ^ "Gujarat theatre screens Fanaa". Rediff. 6 June 2006. Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  34. ^ "Fanaa: man who immolated dies". The Hindu. 26 June 2006. Archived from the original on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
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