‘AANCHHI’ REVIEW | 26 August, 2022

Paper Plate Pictures Pvt. Ltd. and Mekbrand’s Aanchhi (UA) is the story of a young man, Chaman (Ishtiyak Khan), who takes up a contract to kill someone. It later turns out that the one who gives him the contract to murder is also the person who has to be killed! Meanwhile, the display of Chaman’s cellphone gets spoilt, because of which he is unable to know the identity of the person who is to be murdered. This is because the photograph of the target is in his phone. Anyway, Chaman wrongly assumes that the college principal (Neeraj Khetarpal) is the person to be killed. However, Chaman is unsuccessful in his attempt to kill the principal. Instead, one Hasmukh (Nehepal Gautam) follows Chaman when he is returning after the failed attempt. Who is Hasmukh? What happens thereafter?

Lucky Hansraj has penned a story which doesn’t make much sense. His screenplay is dull except for some entertaining comedy. In the final tally, however, the audience is left wondering what the drama is all about because there’s frankly no connection between the track of contract killing and that of Hasmukh. Lucky Hansraj’s dialogues are okay at places.

Ishtiyak Khan does well as Chaman. Sunita Rajwar is fair in a brief role as Chaman’s wife, Sangeeta. Subrata Dutta delivers a fine performance as Prof. Shishir Bakshi. Nehepal Gautam lends routine support as Hasmukh. Jayant Gadekar (as Hasmukh’s maternal uncle), Khemchand Verma (as Chaman’s friend, Ismail) and Neeraj Khetarpal (as the college principal) provide ordinary support.

Lucky Hansraj’s direction is weak. Aditya Bedekar’s music is dull. Camerawork (Joydeep Dey), action choreography (by Moses Fernandes) and art direction (Manas Ghosh) are all below average. Nilesh Gavand’s editing leaves something to be desired, especially in the first half.

On the whole, Aanchhi is a silly film with nothing to keep the audience satisfied.

Released on 25-8-’22 at Movie Star Goregaon (daily 1 show) and other cinemas, and on 26-8-’22 at Gem (daily 1 show) and some more cinemas of Bombay thru Filmastra Studios. Publicity & opening: very poor. …….Also released all over.