EVER HEARD of the term star-power? What is it exactly? Watch Ghajini and you will know for sure.

‘Star-power’ is the power of an actor to rise above the film and take an otherwise average film to the level of a film worth watching. Akshay Kumar exhibited it earlier in the year with ‘Singh is King’, Aamir Khan displays it now in ‘Ghajini’.

The film opens in a medical college where the professor (Anjum Rajabali) is giving a lecture on ‘short-term’ memory loss. Very soon a student (Jiah Khan) gets to know about an interesting case concerning Sanjay Singhania (Aamir Khan). She wants to research into his ailment, but the professor warns her to stay away from Singhania, due to his involvement in a police case. Very soon Singhania is shown seeking revenge for the brutal killing of his girlfriend, Kalpana (Asin).

While dying, Kalpana whispers a name – Ghajini – into Sanjay’s ears, as she collapses, Sanjay is hit by an iron-bar. Thanks to this jolt he is now a patient of short-term memory loss.

Sanjay’s struggle to remember his tormentor and kill him forms the narrative of the story and it is this aspect of the film that sets it apart from the typical 70’s vendetta sagas.

It takes real guts for a hero to work in a film named after a villain! Aamir does it with conviction – you could actually live the character’s single-minded obsession and single-handed execution of ripping through his tormentors. Aamir leashes a manic streak that makes it believable – just watch him remove his t-shirt in the washroom – it is sure to give you goose-bumps! Chances are women might find this adrenaline-pumping fare (in good parts) too violent.

Aamir is first-rate as Sanjay Singhania. The change in body-language that he brings to play the normal character and short-term disorder character is an insight into the kind of actor he is. Meticulous! The body he has built in a period of 2 years would put hunks like Salman and John to shame. Dedication!

Asin is the prize-watch of the film. She is very spontaneous and her comic-timing is amazing. Given the right kind of roles, she is set to play a long innings in Hindi cinema.

Jiah Khan has a small role and she is good; not very good, as she was in Nishabd. Pradeep Rawat as the antagonist Ghajini makes his presence felt.

What rocks the movie:

Aamir Khan and Asin.

Treatment: The manner in which the story of Aamir and Asin is revealed to the audiences. The sequences unfold at a feverish pace.

Sequences: Aamir Khan’s introduction scene; the duel with the inspector, where Aamir climbs on his shoulders and hits him; the climax scene, where Aamir suffers ‘short-term’ memory loss.

What chucks the movie:

The songs Bachchu and Lattu could have edited out; as they mar the pace of the film. The comic track of Aamir and Asin could have been crisper.

Verdict:

Ghajini is an average fare that is worth a watch only because of Aamir Khan.