Aankhen

Aankhen (transl. Eyes ) is a 2002 Indian Hindi-language heist thriller film directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Sushmita Sen, Arjun Rampal and Paresh Rawal in the lead roles. Aditya Pancholi plays a naive cop. Akshay Kumar appeared in visually impaired role who uses his sixth sense and it was second movie where he played this type of role before that he had played same role in the 1994 film Jai Kishen. The film is an adaptation of Shah's own Gujarati play Andhalo Pato (Blindman's Buff).[2] The producers wanted to name the film as "Aankh Micholi" but the title was registered with another producer.[3]

The film tells the story of Vijay Singh Ratjput (Bachchan) a hard-working but temperamental man, who has spent all his life working for one bank and even achieving them International recognition. When Vijay loses his mind and goes on a violent rampage beating up another employee, he is subsequently fired. He decides to take vengeance by organising a full on heist, and having the same bank robbed by three blind men, as no one will suspect them.[4]

Aankhen had its worldwide premiere in Malaysia at the 3rd IIFA Awards ceremony on 5 April 2002.[5][6] Upon release Aankhen received acclaim from critics and cinema-goers alike, for its unusual storyline, well executed direction and acting, with Bachchan and Akshay Kumar drawing maximum accolades for their performances. The film was nominated in several award categories in 2002/03, although it didn't win any.

While shooting for the film Namastey London the director Vipul Shah learnt that his film Aankhen was the second highest grosser film in the year 2002.[3]