In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones is now regarded as a cult film.
But this film, which released in 1989 and went on to win a National Award, would likely have faded into oblivion…
What’s the story here? Well, allow me to take you on a journey.
How We Almost Lost In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones
Directed by Pradip Krishen and written by Arundhati Roy, who also stars in the film, In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones captures the lives of architecture students in Delhi during the 1970s, blending humour and satire to offer its viewers a bold critique of many facets of Indian life.
But this film never made it to theatres.
Instead, In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones was released one night on Doordarshan before its original print was lost.
So, how did we get it back? The film’s near-loss appears to be a tale of archival challenges and the fleeting nature of television programming.
What Happened to the Original Print of In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones?
In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones was produced by Kaleidoscope Entertainment’s Bobby Bedi as well as Krishen. Eventually, it was broadcast once on Doordarshan, India’s state-run television network, and those who caught it on TV absolutely loved the film.
However, as stated before, despite its initial popularity and critical acclaim, it was not widely distributed or preserved adequately. Given that, as a product of its era, the film focuses on niche subjects like student life in an architecture school, which may not have been deemed commercially viable on that scale.
Though it is unclear exactly how the original print of the movie was lost, the fact remains that the only reason we can watch this movie anymore is due to some movie buffs who recorded the Doordarshan screening on VCRs.
Thanks to them, In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones found a new life on digital platforms, allowing it to reach audiences far beyond its initial Doordarshan broadcast.
What Role Does Shah Rukh Khan Play in the Film?
In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones is a film that predates Khan’s fame today. Back then, in 1989, his TV debut, Fauji, also released, but he was just another actor trying to make it in Bombay.
As far as In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones is concerned, Khan actually plays the role of a college senior who barely comes in a couple of scenes.
This character isn’t really one the plot focuses on much, but Khan definitely sports a much different appearance. He has a distinct side part, and he doesn’t have typical male mannerisms. Moreover, avid fans of the superstar are convinced that he did not even dub his own dialogues.
Lastly, it is worth noting that, according to the Times of India, Khan was a bit nervous to play this role because he had been told to “be flirtatious with his eyes.” As per other (unverified) reports, it also seems as though Khan actually wanted to play Arjun Kamat, Radha’s boyfriend, though that role went to Arjun Raina (who went on to become a Kathakali dancer and National School of Drama teacher).
Is Manoj Bajpayee Also in In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones?
Yes!
Believe it or not, In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones has a terrific cast, many of whom went on to become big names in the Indian entertainment industry, including Manoj Bajpayee.
However, Bajpayee doesn’t really have any dialogue and seems to be a supporting character in the film. He appears in filler scenes, such as when everyone is playing carom in the common area.
Cast Details of In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones
As stated above, various actors who appear in In Which Annie Gave It Those Ones have had massively successful careers.
Today, while Roy, Khan, or Bajpayee may be the most famous names on the cast list, the actors who actually make the film what it is also deserve massive acclaim, so here’s a shoutout to them.
- Arjun Raina: Anand Grover/Annie
- Arundhati Roy: Radha
- Rituraj Singh: Arjun
- Roshan Seth: Y. D. Billimoria (Yamdoot)
- Isaac Thomas: Mankind
- Himani Shivpuri: Bijli
