Can Kajol match up to Rani with 'Fanaa'?

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) It might not seem fair to compare the two cousins. But since it is confirmed that Kajol is playing a blind girl in "Fanaa", Rani Mukerji's performance in "Black" immediately springs to mind.

Rani has bagged all the popular awards for her stupendous performance in the role of a blind-deaf-mute girl in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Black"?

Her success with the role has certainly set a high standard for Bollywood beauties, including Kajol who is making a comeback after four years with "Fanaa" produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Kunal Kohli.

But from the perspective of treatment, "Black" and "Fanaa" seem worlds apart. The only similarity is both films talk about the struggle of physically impaired heroines and their unbridled emotions.

"Fanaa", which is said to have shades of "Noorie" and "Dil Se", is the love story of a terrorist and a Kashmiri girl, who is deprived of the pleasures of life. The entry of a young man changes her life and she goes through several emotional ups and downs in the film.

Unlike "Black" where Rani kept oscillating between black and white, Kohli's "Fanaa" is more colourful and vibrant and exudes all the hues of life.

Kajol is an exceptional performer and has breathed freshness and vitality into every role she has played - from "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Dushman", and "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" to "Yeh Dillagi" and "Baazigar" among many others.

Happily married to Ajay Devgan, Kajol has for some time been focussing on her young daughter.

Rani, in her absence, has established herself as a bankable actor and her performances in "Saathiya", "Chalte Chalte", "Yuva", "Hum Tum", "Veer-Zaara", "Bunty Aur Babli", "Paheli" and "Black" speak volumes for her. She is said to be the reigning queen of Hindi films.

Another platform for comparison is the pairing with Aamir. Kajol will star opposite the actor for the first time in "Fanaa".

On the other hand Rani has earlier acted opposite Aamir who is known to be a perfectionist and is sometimes accused of eclipsing his co-stars. Audience liked their onscreen chemistry in "Ghulam" and "Mangal Pandey - The Rising". Rani has never seemed overawed by Aamir's presence.

"Fanaa" promos seem to suggest that the Aamir-Kajol paring too is likely to fire up the box office.

In the looks department, Kajol is still a stunner - the flab has disappeared, she is trimmer and prettier than ever before. And that's not surprising, given that Yash Raj Films is known to give special attention to the appearances of its cast.

The film has several firsts - Kajol has never played a physically impaired girl before; neither has Aamir played a terrorist.

Also, for the first time Kajol has rendered a song for the film with Aamir.

This is also yesteryear lover boy Rishi Kapoor's first stint with Aamir.

"Fanaa", which is scheduled for a May release, certainly reflects the Yash Chopra stamp - a mature romance blooming in exotic locales laced with exhilarating music.

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