The movie Anamika is directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan. He presents every sequence with utmost care. Everyone is hooked and transported to the world of Mrs. Anamika Sisodiya, the character who continues to haunt everyone in this film, even after she's gone. Everyone eagerly look forward to the twist in the tale.
But the movie fails to surprise you because midway through the journey, you know what the outcome would eventually be. What Mahadevan could have finished telling off in one reel, he prolongs for 14 painful reels. And he has no semblance of a clue of how to hold the suspense.
A suspense saga works only if it is backed by a solid climax. In Anamika, the tension gradually builds up till the climax, but the end is so tame, so contrived that everyone exclaims, 'Gosh! What was that?'
Dino Morea (Vikram Singh Sisodiya) a rich industrialist from Rajasthan comes to Mumbai for a business meeting and requests the services of an escort who actually will be his secretary for the day. Minisha Lamba (Jia) who is employed by the escorts service makes a hash of her job, which prompts Dino to train her to be a good escort. Before the day ends, he has proposed marriage, and she has accepted.
Next she moves on to his palatial bungalow where she is introduced to the caretaker Koena Mitra and other support staff who do nothing but always refer to the dead Mrs Sisidoya (Anamika). "She would have preferred it this way", and "she would have done it this way" Everything in the mansion has her stamp "A"and Jia is trapped, until she musters enough courage to say that she is Mrs Sisodiya. Both try to save their marriage by burying the ghost of the past and by a twist of fate, are led to the body of Anamika.
In a turn of events, Anamika's dead body is discovered and the police [Gulshan Grover, Dino's brother-in-law] re-open the case. All fingers point towards Vikram. Is he the murderer?
Loosely based on the novel 'Rebecca', Anamika is a difficult subject to make. But after the initial hiccups, the director succeeds in involving the viewer in the mysterious world of Anamika. The backdrop of Rajasthan, the isolated palace and the reference to Anamika at every point only deepens the mystery. So far so good!
Dino Morea surprises you with a controlled performance. Also, he carries the regal look convincingly. Minissha Lamba is a revelation. She's getting better and better with every release. Koena Mitra is first-rate. Gulshan Grover is effective. Achint Kaur is highly competent. Vishwajeet Pradhan and Jatin Grewal are okay.
On the whole, Anamika is letdown by its writing in the second hour. At the box-office, the not-too-interesting face-value coupled with the ongoing cricket mania will only go against it.
