Cast
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Akshay Kumar
as DCP Hari Om Patnaik
Shatrughan Sinha
as Vikram Singh
Suniel Shetty
as Sub. Insp. Appa Kadam Naik
Paresh Rawal
as Constable Khalid Ansari
Lara Dutta
as Kiran
Jackie Shroff
as Gautam Walia
Raveena Tandon
as Roshni Verma
Irrfan Khan
as Yusuf Pathan
Rahul Dev
as Yeda Bhai
Om Puri
as Commissioner Khurana
Manoj Joshi
as Manik Rao
Rajpal Yadav
as Apte
Ravi Kishan
as Raghu Shetty
Aanjjan Srivastav
as Judge Sahani
Shri Vallabh Vyas
as Hirachand Mehta
Crew
Director
- Madhur Bhandarkar
Writer
- Sanjeev Puri
- Manoj Tyagi
Producer
- Firoz A. Nadiadwala
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Crime/Thriller film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Aan: Men at Work distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Madhur Bhandarkar brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2004, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Aan: Men at Work took approximately 30 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 149 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 201 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 7 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 15 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2004, when this film is released:
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Aan: Men at Work shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Fighter, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Aan: Men at Work subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Checkmate and Kick 2 explore similar territory, Aan: Men at Work stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 4, 2004
- Runtime: 2h 29m
