Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

'Fan': Insightful And Thrilling

IANS, 15 Apr, 2016 01:10 PM
  • 'Fan': Insightful And Thrilling
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Waluscha de Sousa, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Deepika Amin, Yogendra Tiku, Sayani Gupta
 
Directed by: Maneesh Sharma
 
Rating: * * * 1/2
 
In a star-struck country, where hero worshipping is a norm, "Fan" is an insightful film looking into the obsessive, delusional behaviour of a star admirer and his love for his matinee idol. It is a reality check for both, stars and their fans.
 
Basically, the film is a battle of wills between Gaurav Chandna, the fan, and Aryan Khanna, the star.
 
Delhi-based Gaurav is the reigning heart-throb Aryan's doppelganger and a die-hard fan. It is his dream to meet his idol. So crazy is he that he follows the same trail as his idol to Mumbai and goes to any lengths to protect his star.
 
How he meets his star and the disillusionment that follows, forms crux of the tale.
 
 
The story written and directed by Maneesh Sharma, is uncomplicated, but of course exaggerated and zooms into a noire zone, pushing the boundaries of acceptability. The first half of the film is well-balanced and taut. It is the second half that is far-fetched, and though thrilling, strains.
 
Although treated as a dramatic thriller, the film is more of drama than a thriller. Narrated from Gaurav's point of view, the film brings to fore, the pragmatic issues of stardom and how stars deal with their crazy fans. Your heart bleeds for Gaurav, but at the same time makes you realise that one needs to be rational.
 
The pace of the film though racy, drags in parts, especially in the stretched action sequences, which is well-choreographed.
 
 
With well-etched characters, the performance of each actor is noteworthy. The film belongs to Shah Rukh Khan, who in a dual role, is a treat for his fans. In both his characters, Gaurav and Aryan, he is distinct in his sartorial style, speech and mannerisms. With his overt histrionics, sincerity and simplicity, his obsession is palpable. He steals the show as Gaurav. As Aryan, Shah Rukh Khan is merely an extension of himself.
 
Of the rest of the supporting cast, Deepika Amin and Yogendra Tiku, as Gaurav's parents are fairly competent. Waluscha de Sousa as Aryan's wife and Shriya Pilgaonkar as Gaurav's love interest Neha, in small roles make their presence felt.
 
With great production values, the sets are realistic and the locales impressive.
 
Visually, Director of Photograohy (DOP) Manu Anand's images are impressive. He captures the hysteria of the fans and their gawking at their star, with precise acuteness. His frames seamless mesh with the computer generated images. It is in the initial scenes where the shots with grainy images are chaotic and thus, disorienting, but once the narration settles, the visuals are realistic and appealing.
 
Namrata Rao's razor sharp edits are crisp and note-worthy. She aptly layers the visuals and Andrea Guerra's background score to make the film a sound and visual delight.
 
 
Interestingly, despite with no songs in the narration, "Fan" keeps you entertained with Shah Rukh's gusty performance.

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Salman Won't Be Able To Croon For Randeep Hooda

Salman Won't Be Able To Croon For Randeep Hooda
t is not happening. It was very kind of Salman Khan to say that he will sing a song for me in film, but its release date was advanced, so it is not happening due to lack of time

Salman Won't Be Able To Croon For Randeep Hooda

Shyam Benegal, Imtiaz Ali To Direct Short Films

An anthology of eight short films "Shor Se shuruaat" is being helmed by eight different directors like Shyam Benegal, Imtiaz Ali, Raju Hirani and Mira Nair and is slated to release by the end of this year.

Shyam Benegal, Imtiaz Ali To Direct Short Films

AbRam More Inclined Towards Me: SRK

AbRam More Inclined Towards Me: SRK
I could be presumptuous though. He has a mother and has two other siblings, but I have a feeling that he is more inclined towards me. He might not be a fan, but he likes me more

AbRam More Inclined Towards Me: SRK

Priyanka Chopra Receives Padma Shri

Priyanka Chopra Receives Padma Shri
Priyanka looked no less than a "Desi" girl, dressed in a lime green sari while receiving the honour.

Priyanka Chopra Receives Padma Shri

Prince William, Kate Middleton Are Down To Earth: Madhuri Dixit

Actress Madhuri Dixit, one among the many Bollywood celebrities invited for the gala dinner with British Royals Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, says it was a “memorable night” for her to meet the “gracious and down to earth” couple.

Prince William, Kate Middleton Are Down To Earth: Madhuri Dixit

Anupam Kher 'Looking Forward' To Meeting The British Royals

Veteran actor Anupam Kher is looking forward to meeting Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Anupam Kher 'Looking Forward' To Meeting The British Royals