Ek Ajnabee (2005; end credits clip) - Review in English

In this film Sanjay only appears in the clip during the end credits.

About the story: Ravi Rathore (Vikram Chatwal), a wealthy Indian businessman, lives in Bangkok with his wife Nikasha (Perizaad Zorabian) and his little daughter Anamika (Rucha Vaidya). When Ravi seeks a new bodyguard for his daughter, ex-soldier Shekhar (Arjun Rampal) recommends his former superior, retired colonel Suryaveer Singh (Amitabh Bachchan) who, after traumatic war experiences and excessive consumption of alcohol, is close to being a mere wreck. Surya is not delighted by the prospect of having to guard a child, but soon the cheerful girl wins over his heart, and Surya and Anamika become close friends. But Surya cannot hamper that Anamika is abducted, and when he comes to know that she has been killed, his world is shattered. His only ambition now is revenge – and by and by he unveils ourageous truths...


Amitabh Bachchan’s era as the "angry young man" surely may be over, but as an "angry old man" he still is very impressive (and the only thing he doesn’t manage to make me believe him is that young and fit men cannot beat him in a dogfight). After Black and Viruddh, Ek Ajnabee (= a stranger) was another really great performance of Big B in 2005, a year of success which cemented his rank as a living legend of Hindi Cinema more than ever.

Sanjay appears only after the film’s last scene: During the end credits he creates the clip "They don’t know" – a guest appearance he’s appreciated for with "Special Thanks to Mr Sanjay Dutt" at the beginning of the film. To watch Ek Ajnabee only because of him therefore would be very senseless. But for those who like Amitabh Bachchan in powerful roles, maybe also have a soft spot for Arjun Rampal (who, equipped with hot tattoos, delivers a convincing performance) and, adding to that, want to see a promising newcomer with potential (sweet Rucha Vaidya), Ek Ajnabee is a very good choice as it’s a very thrilling film. And as a bonus, as I said, you get afterwards a piece of stylised gangster-rap which Sanju did out of his friendship to Bunty Walia, Apoorva Lakhia and Amitabh Bachchan – and as he stated in Filmfare 12/2005, he had "a great time" doing the number.

Produced by Bunty Walia & Jaspreet Singh Walia; Directed by Apoorva Lakhia
136 Min.; DVD: Eros, English Subtitles (including songs); the DVD also contains a Making Of and an interview with Amitabh Bachchan about the film.
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