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Panga Naa Lo - Review

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Laughter is the best medicine. But making people laugh is a difficult job. This, you realize after watching PANGA NAA LO.

PANGA NAA LO is a story of the two families -- Kartar Singh alias Kakkee [Om Puri] and Karsanbhai Shah alias Karsan [Satish Shah] -- who have been living in adjacent bungalows since the past 25 years. Karsan and Kakkee are inseparable friends. They mostly meet for drinks and 'snakes' [snacks] at a pub they have been frequenting ever since their college days. The owner of this pub, Gonsalves [Viju Khote], also happens to be their buddy and over the years, the three have developed a wonderful bond of friendship.

Their two children, Vera [Priyanka Yadav] and Bhura [Kunal Roy Kapoor], too have played together as kids. Now in their teens, their friendship is slowly beginning to blossom into love. Karsan and Kakkee are overjoyed at the development. But they notice that neither of them is making their move.

Sensing the deadlock, the enthusiastic fathers decide to cook a plan. They scheme a series of events in order to bring the lovers together, but it so happens that, sometimes due to Bhura's introvert nature and sometimes by a sheer stroke of bad luck, their plans fail to produce the desired results. So do the fathers eventually manage to bring the two kids together?

Good intentions gone wrong, that's the best way to describe this film. A handful of sequences do tickle your funny bone, but the comedy falls flat most of the times. Also, the handling of the subject leaves a lot to be desired. Besides, a few scenes can be deleted to make the goings-on crisper.

Most importantly, PANGA NAA LO could've done with a better script. You can make out that the actors are doing their best, but the screenplay loosens up at times, depriving you of the guaranteed impact it promised.

Rajen Kothari's direction is passable. Also, as mentioned earlier, the screenplay lets him down. Music [Rahul Ranade] is uninspiring. Cinematography is fair.

Om Puri and Satish Shah, two seasoned actors, deliver competent performances. Satish's Gujarati accent is humorous. Kunal Roy Kapoor fails to deliver. Priyanka Yadav is just about okay. Supriya Pathak Kapoor stands out, while Navni Parihar is alright.

On the whole, PANGA NAA LO is a dull show. At the box-office, it's a non-starter.

Kya Love Story Hai - Review

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Post Raj Kapoor's SANGAM, the concept of love triangles have been cycled and recycled over the decades. Debutante director Lovely Singh borrows everything from the shelf and comes up with a fare that has nothing new to say.

Most importantly, if the title happens to be KYA LOVE STORY HAI, there has to be something in this love story to make you jump with joy and also feel that the title was justified. Sadly, that's not the case here!

Two guys love the same girl, add a dash of heart-burn, throw a few comic scenes and plug five/six song and voila, the recipe for a love story is ready. Films like KYA LOVE STORY HAI worked in the 1970s and 1980s, but in today's context, it's completely out of sync.

In a nutshell, KYA LOVE STORY HAI is as obsolete and outdated as last year's newspapers.

KYA LOVE STORY HAI is the story of a carefree and wayward youth, Arjun [Tusshar Kapoor], who experiences love-at-first-sight with Kaajal [Ayesha Takia]. It isn't a typical situation -- he follows her for some time before succeeding in breaking the ice.

For Kaajal, Arjun is a mere acquaintance, but the latter is in love with her and afraid of conveying his feelings. On befriending her, he learns that she lost her mother years back and that her father was busy traveling abroad on business.

A situation arises when Kaajal comes across a letter that Arjun has written for the girl he loves, but she doesn't know to whom he is referring. Arjun deliberately asks her how she would reciprocate his love if she were the girl he was in love with? Kaajal's reply leaves Arjun self-introspecting, making him mysteriously disappear from the scene.

In the meantime, a successful and snooty entrepreneur Ranveer [Karan Hukku] meets Kaajal. Following some heated verbal scuffles with her, he concludes that she would make for an appropriate life-partner because she was a stabilizing influence and kept him mellow.

When Arjun returns to South Africa, during an astonishingly coincidental encounter, he finds Kaajal engaged to the entrepreneur. Destiny has entangled three hearts, but who will emerge victorious?

The problem with KYA LOVE STORY HAI clearly lies in its script. You don't have to be a Nostradamus to predict what's in store next. You actually look for some novel sequence/incident in the narrative, but there's none. Sure, a few sequences are well executed, like the sport on the beach, but the unwanted songs coupled with the cheesy comic track involving Tusshar's sex-maniac friends act as spoilsport.

From the writing point of view, the conflict between the three people is handled in the most routine manner. The viewer knows what twists and turns will follow next since there's no originality whatsoever.

Lovely Singh's direction is mediocre, but the culprit is the screenplay. A thin storyline has been stretched needlessly for no reason. Lovely knows the technicalities right, but one hopes he opts for innovative stuff in his future endeavors.

Pritam's music is a major asset. The Kareena Kapoor track ['It's Rocking'; the film begins with this stylish song] is the best track. The other songs are tuneful as well. Only thing, the placement of songs is a problem. Rajeev Shrivastava's cinematography is attention-grabbing. The stunning locales of Cape Town give the film a glossy look. Dialogues [Niranjan Iyengar] sound natural.

Tusshar's role is akin to the one he portrayed in his debut film MUJHE KUCHH KEHNA HAI. He loves the girl, but can't express his feelings. Despite saddled with a role he has visited in the past, it must be noted that Tusshar is quite likable in his part. The honesty that this character demands is writ large on Tusshar's face and expressions.

Ayesha Takia handles her role with admirable ease. Her infectious smile enlivens the scene. Although the part doesn't demand histrionics, she pitches in a commendable performance. Newcomer Karan Hukku has strong screen presence and carries himself well, but he looks stiff in a few scenes. Also, he needs to work on his dialogue delivery, especially during romantic scenes.

Sujata Kumar [Karan Hukku's mom in the film] is effective. Tusshar's two friends irritate. Kareena Kapoor looks gorgeous in the opening track.

On the whole, KYA LOVE STORY HAI stands on a shaky foundation [poor script] and that is its biggest weakness. Disappointing!

Yatra - Preview

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Dasrath Joglekar (Nana Patekar), a celebrated writer travels to Delhi to receive the prestigious Literary Award. During the journey he meets a young film maker (Nakul Vaid), an ardent fan of Dasrath’s writing and the encounter brings back memories from the past. Both of them travel back in time, remembering characters from the Dasrath’s celebrated novel Janaza, reconstructing the true story of the novel protagonist – Lajvanti (Rekha) from their own perspective. Fact and fiction merge together to create a new journey.

After the gala award ceremony in New Delhi, Dasarath begins another journey in his new novel, while the nostalgia of the previous one haunts him.Dasarath disappears from his hotel. Tension mounts in his family and associates.

Memories from the past and passion brings him to Mehendi galli where people flock to listen to mujras. The entire area has changed. Lajvanti alias Lajobai has become Miss Lisa, presenting popular film songs numbers to entertain a new clientele. Dasarath’s sudden appearance is a great surprise for Lajvanti. The character of his novel Janaza comes alive in an unexpected juncture.

Lajvanti shows her reverence to Dasrath by singing melodies from their past. Fate accomplices another journey into the unknown is created. Is this fact or is it fiction, created by filmmaker Mohan for his forthcoming film called Janaza.

Cash - Preview

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Damned if you have, damned if you don't!

Three diamonds, two heists, four murders, one double-cross, one double-crosser who is triple-crossed, one misunderstanding, one fatal error called trust and beneath it all, friendship and love. Welcome to a world Of the cash, By the cash, For the cash.

A set of three unique diamonds, mined in India in 1779, almost ruined the career of Divya Gupta in 2005. This set of three has travelled around the world over the past few centuries. Sometimes as a set, sometimes as single stones. From India to France in 1881 to England in 1901 to… well, its difficult to trace the exact journey of these three. Two of them surfaced in 1986 and were promptly acquired by the mafia. They are currently with a man who is the undisputed CEO of mafia operations, South Africa. His name, or so his passport says, is Mr. Francis Augustine D'mello. This man desperately needs the third to complete the set. The estimated price of the set: 100 crores. All his work, dirty or clean, legal or illegal, right or wrong, big or small is done under the supervision of his most trusted man: Vikram Singh Goyal a.k.a. The Mint (word is that he is one of the coolest around and is actually quite a refreshing personality) Not even Mint knows that his boss has the two diamonds that are etched in history.

When Sanjeev Khanna's 79 year old father died, he had no idea hell would break loose. His lawyer called him and told him a short story. A story about how the missing third diamond was always with his father. Sanjeev being an honest citizen decided to give the diamond to the Indian authorities. Being in South Africa, he straight went to the Indian Embassy in Cape Town. He handed over the diamond to the embassy and walked out. For him the chapter was over. But for a wild bunch of people, some in SA and some in India, the story had just began.

Divya Gupta is the head of security at the Indian embassy in Cape town and responsible for the safety of the diamond. Her job is to transport the diamond safely to the airport, from where it would be on its way to New Delhi. Her problem: Her boyfriend. She doesn't know it yet, nor does he. Her boyfriend, Ajay, is a top drawer conman. But she doesn't know it. That's what makes him top drawer. He can hide his career even from the woman he lives with. His current assignment: To rob a convoy that is headed for the airport. He does not know, and will not for a long time, that this is not a private convoy like it is made out to be but an official one headed by his girlfriend. The best conman in the country is misled by: Mint, who wants the diamond for his boss. Mint still doesn't know that his boss has the other two. He will change his mind and kill his boss when he finds out, but that is later.

The job is tough. Ajay is going to need help. Now one but two more men need to be put on it. He knows two men in Mumbai who specialize in these kind of high-risk-higher-stakes-highest-adventure jobs. But the trouble with them is that they don't work together. They can't stand each other. Reason: They are in love with the same girl. A girl with whom they were a team. A great team of cons. When love interfered, the girl decided to move out. She was in love with one of them. Her problem was that she could not face the other one and tell him that. So both of them, she and the man she loved, decided to break up and never see each other again. Their third buddy, till today doesn't know the real reason of the split. But he knows that his friend is responsible for it. Hence the hate. The girl: Sania. Current Location: Cape Town. Ajay's problem: To get them to do the job for him, without telling them that the other one is on to it as well. Ajay's plan: To make their jobs look like two stand alone jobs. Simple. Akshay does the first job. Alone. Because he does that job, it becomes possible for Zayed to do the second job. Alone. Because job one and two are done, it becomes possible for Ajay to do the third job. A relay heist. A chain reaction robbery. Ajay succeeds and fails at the same time. The job is done. And after it is done, he realizes that he has put his girlfriend in trouble. He also realizes one more detail. His girlfriend too has put him in trouble. How: The money he robs as a part of the job is marked by the embassy. He and his partners have marked money which they have already started spending. Divya still doesn't know he is the one, but she will now. Once the third diamond comes to Mint. He doesn't give it to his boss. Instead, he gives him lead. .22 calibre lead. And takes the other two diamonds. Now Mint has the set of three. And the set of three heroes are in trouble.

The game begins. Now they have to rob the diamond back from Mint and put it in the embassy before the police and Ajay's girl find out the truth. But there is also a lot more that they find out. The fact that Ajay made Zayed and Akshay work together. The fact that they ended up helping each other. The fact that they still were best friends. The fact that Sania actually loved Akshay and not Zayed. The fact that Zayed now had to get them together. And the fact that Divya was soon finding clues that this robbery had something to do with someone she might know. At least till the point the diamond was returned. But Sania didn't. She was kidnapped by Mint.

The three diamonds set out for India. But the guys made sure of one thing: They would not reach India before they completed their respective stories, become heroes and got hot on the heals of the cool Mint.

Big Brother - Review

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Do you recall the Sunny Deol starrer GHAYAL? And GHATAK, JEET, ZIDDI, SALAAKHEN, CHAMPION and FARZ? Post GHAYAL, Sunny starred in a series of films that projected him as an angry young man who could bash the wrong-doers to pulp.

No, this isn't a write-up on Sunny's careergraph. We're running through the movie titles because if you've seen those movies, you'd get a fair idea what BIG BROTHER is all about. To state that BIG BROTHER is purani wine packed in nayee bottle would be putting it mildly.

Sample these…
* Sunny throws acid on people's faces as if he were distributing chocolates.
* Sunny throws a rapist and his advocate from a skyscraper. The rapist jumps himself, because he has committed a heinous crime. The advocate is thrown, because he's defending the rapist.
* When Sunny hits people, they fly, they glide, they even get buried in the soil.
* When he throws people in air and if the person hits a lamp post, the lamp post actually breaks off.
* That's not all, when he holds an iron rod to hit people, the rod starts melting.

He targets rapists, molesters, pedophiles, erring son and daughter-in-law, dowry-seeking in-laws, all wrong-doers… The public supports him, the ministers hate him… In the final scene, he shoots the prospective Chief Minister at point blank range and empties his gun in the Police Commissioner's chest. And all this happens in the Commissioner's official residence and is being telecast LIVE on Aajtak channel.

To sum up, BIG BROTHER takes you back to the 1980s and 1990s when maar-dhaad, bullets, swords, acid bottles, guns, pistols, bombs, knives et al were the compulsory requirements to make a masala film. Need one add more?

BIG BROTHER starts in New Delhi and travels to Mumbai. It tells the story of a middle class family comprising of Deodhar Gandhi [Sunny Deol], his mother [Farida Jalal], brother [Imran Khan] and sister [Prachi].

Leading a simple and peaceful life, an incident turns their life upside down [the Home Minister's son throws acid on his sister's face] and the family is left with no other option but to leave the city and move to Mumbai under a different guise. They start life afresh and all seems well till the ghosts of the past surface again.

Things reach a point when the protagonist is prodded by his mother to take that course of action which not only avenges their hurt, but also takes on the cause of the aggrieved in the country as a whole. The movement so created gets the support of girls, ladies and the infirm who proudly proclaim him as their 'Big Brother'.

Relying on an age-old story, BIG BROTHER offers nothing new to the viewer. The only question you want to ask Mr. Guddu Dhanoa is, Sir, what exactly prompted you to make such a violent movie? There's an overdose of violence in the film, so much so that you start feeling nauseated. There's comedy too [Raju Shrivasatav and the auto rickshaw sequences] that look like an add-on and completely forced.

While three songs flow in rapid succession at the start, you strongly feel that barring the aarti, the romantic song between Sunny and Priyanka was not required and the MTV-style number looks weird since it doesn't go with Sunny's character in the movie. Cinematography is okay.

Sunny is repeating himself. Priyanka Chopra gets three songs and a few lines to deliver. Danny has a half-baked role. Farida Jalal is passable. Sayaji Shinde plays to the gallery. Govind Namdev is loud. Imran Khan is alright. Shahbaaz Khan is perfect. Prachi is ordinary. Shernaz Patel is good.

On the whole, BIG BROTHER is a poor show. At the box-office, it has some hope at the single screens of North India, that's it.

Kabhi Socha Bhi Na Tha - Preview

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KSBNT is a story about the unpredictability of modern-day urban relationships. Neel (Dibyendu Bhattacharya) and Ritu (Seema Mishra) have been having a live-in relationship for over a year. They are the perfectly odd couple. Ritu's colleague, Ozzy (Vishal Vatwani) is a disaster with women. He has had 13 failures so far; he's got the hots for Ritu.

Neel secretly desires Diya (Sandhya Shetty), a celebrity model and Ritu's best friend. Diya keeps bed-hopping, because she is scared of committing. Sukhi (Rishi Khurana) is Neel's only and best friend. He keeps falling in and out of love every week. Recently he fell in love with his relationship counselor, Radhika (Madhoo); but she is gay.

Too many hidden desires, too many insecurities, too much of confusion.

How can one find true love?
How important is sex?
How can one know what one is truly looking for?

The movie explores all these intimate issues of the male-female dynamics of modern-day urban India through a delectable romantic comedy.

Khoya Khoya Chand - Preview

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Welcome to the Hindi film industry’s golden years spanning 2 decades of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Khoya Khoya Chaand (KKC) is an ode to the time and to its magnificent people in that mythic world.

Khoya Khoya Chaand is the story of writer-director Zafar (Shiney Ahuja) and actress Nikhat (Soha Ali Khan), their turbulent romance and their impossible love set in the politics and the power play of the film industry. It’s an encounter of an actress and a poet. KKC is a compelling, everlasting love story of two people madly in love yet separate in the idea of life and what they want from it.

Khanna & Iyer - Review

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BOBBY. EK DUUJE KE LIYE. LOVE STORY. QAYAMAT SE QAYAMAT TAK. Four love stories that spoke about a young, hopelessly-in-love couple facing parental opposition. Mukta and Zee’s KHANNA & IYER borrows from all these films, but after a fairly good start, the speeding car runs out of fuel.

Debutante director Hemant Hegde had so many references on hand, but the problem with KHANNA & IYER is that the storyteller tries to cram too many tracks in those 14 reels, resulting in KHANNA & IYER neither catering to the palette of the Punjabis, nor proving an appetizing South Indian delicacy.

Sure, there are engrossing moments. In fact, a couple of sequences between the lovers are cute, while the banter between constantly-at-loggerheads fathers [Manoj Pahwa – Khanna; Mushtaq Khan – Iyer] is enjoyable. But how one wishes this simple love story would’ve had a simplistic, uncluttered and uncomplicated second hour.

As the captain of the ship, Hemant Hegde knows the technicalities right, but why did he succumb to predictability in the latter reels? Why so many tracks? Why relegate the love story to the background?

To sum up, KHANNA & IYER tries to be different, but ends being the same kahani moviegoers have witnessed a zillion times.

Faced with parental opposition, Aryan Khanna [Sarwar Ahuja] and Nandini Iyer [Aditi Sharma] run away from home. While on the run, a series of unforeseen circumstances unfold and unknown to them, a CD containing proof of relationship between a known politician [Aroon Bakshi] and terrorist Donga [Yashpal Sharma] lands up in their bag.

Chased by their parents, cops and terrorists in the jungles, what ensues is a series of adventures and misadventures.

For any love story to leave a mark, it ought to be embellished with [a] An adorable screen pair, [b] Interesting romantic/dramatic moments and [c] Melodious music. While the lead pair does rise to the occasion [more on that later], the writing falls prey to mediocrity in the second hour. The music isn’t bad. In fact, the tunes are catchy, but fade into oblivion once you’re out of the auditorium.

KHANNA & IYER begins on a dramatic note. You’re told that the lovers have eloped and the warring parents hate each other’s sight. The first hour packs in a lot of entertaining moments, but after a reasonably delicious main course, when you’re about to go for a second helping, you’re told that the food is over. In this case, the story just stagnates in the second hour. Also, too many tracks [an old woman looking like a ghost lands up from nowhere and robs the lovers… a Gabbar Singh resembling dacoit… the minister and the CD track] and also an unwanted song [filmed on the two fathers] make a complete mess of the situation.

Tabun Sutradhar’s music is fair. Laxman Utekar’s cinematography is up to the mark. Although there’s not much scope for visuals, the output is nevertheless striking.

The performances are commendable. Sarwar Ahuja does very well. He has the trappings of a fine actor and given the right roles, the youngster has the ability to go far. Aditi Sharma is equally confident and comes across as a bundle of talent. It’s a perfect performance! Manoj Pahwa is a live wire and in terrific form, while Mushtaq Khan gets a meaty role after a long time. He is excellent.

Prateeksha Lonkar [Mrs. Iyer] and Neelu Kohli [Mr. Khanna] are first-rate. Kohli especially compliments Pahwa effortlessly. Yashpal Sharma [Donga] is okay. Asha Sharma is fair. Aroon Bakshi does well, but his role lacks meat.

On the whole, KHANNA & IYER is an ordinary fare that doesn’t have much to salvage it. The low-key promotion coupled with lack of face-value as also a weak script will make the effort go unnoticed.

Shakalaka Boom Boom - Review

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Cut the crap about the Big B - SRK rivalry being the focal point of Suneel Darshan's SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM. It's Milos Forman's masterpiece AMADEUS that SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM borrows from.

After attempting desi movies in the past, Darshan Sr. goes videshi with SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM. It's a modern-day story set in the U.S. [filmed in South Africa], but it packs in varied emotions like envy, jealousy, insecurity, anxiety, manipulation and anger in those 2 + hours.

Darshan Sr. hops on to a new lane and tries to explore a genre that's a contrast from what he has been associated with in the past. Sure, the glossy look and stunning locales catch your eye, but Darshan's take on AMADEUS is captivating at several points, especially the second hour.

Wait, there are loose ends as well. The writing could've been tighter. Also, since it revolves around the music industry, there're songs and more songs. The film reaches its crescendo in the pre-climax, but the finale could've been better thought of. Yet, despite the oddities, the plusses outnumber the minuses here.

In a nutshell, SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM successfully peeps into the minds of the overtly ambitious youngsters who'd stoop to any level to attain their dreams and desires. Watch it, you'd enjoy it!

Set against a backdrop of the international music industry, SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM delves into the complex relationship of two dramatically different men who have but one thing in common -- their passion for music. If ruthless, manipulative, cut-throat… is considered synonymous with the music industry, these terms certainly do not apply to AJ [Bobby Deol], the most loved, the most popular singer/composer New York has seen.

If prodigious talent, passion, attitude… is considered synonymous with the music industry, then Reggie [Upen Patel] fits the bill. Young and hugely talented, he hungers for what AJ has; he craves to be where AJ is -- on the top. Into the lives of these two men enter two beautiful women -- aspiring singer Ruhi and ambitious PR professional Sheena.

On the professional front, Ruhi [Kangana Ranaut] admires and looks up to AJ. On the personal level, she has been wooed and won over by Reggie. On the professional front, Sheena [Celina Jaitley] has done a lot for Reggie. On the personal level, she holds a huge grudge because he has spurned her.

As ambition, manipulation and desperation take centre stage, Ruhi and Sheena become pawns in a ruthless game.

Director Suneel Darshan takes the tried and tested path to introduce his characters. In fact, the story movies lazily in the initial portions, but smells coffee and wakes up with Upen's arrival. The sequences between Bobby and Kangana are least interesting, but every time Bobby and Upen come face to face, you like the intensity.

It's the twist in the tale at the intermission point -- Bobby's indecent proposal to Kangana -- that saves the film from mediocrity. The mind-games Bobby adopts to destroy Upen from the music scene takes the film to its peak. In fact, Bobby's manipulative moves -- being goody-goody on face but backstabbing at the slightest opportunity -- keeps you charged.

Rajesh Pandey's screenplay has its loose ends. The interaction between Bobby and his guru [Govind Namdev] gets monotonous after a point. Even the end could've been impactful. Yet, in all fairness, the writing in the second half is shades better than the first hour.

Suneel Darshan's execution of the subject material is up to the mark. The undercurrent of tension whenever Bobby and Upen come face to face and also Bobby's manipulations are well filmed by the storyteller. But Darshan can easily trim the film by about 10 minutes. The Bobby - Govind Namdev track can be reduced, while a song or two can easily be chopped off.

Himesh Reshammiya's music is ear-pleasing and the choreography, eye-catching. A couple of tunes stand out, including the title track, 'Thade Vaste' and 'Namumkin' [filmed on an exotic, breath-taking locale]. The choreography [Bosco-Caesar] is fantastic. In fact, the choreography only uplifts the songs further. Dialogues [Anurag Kashyap] are alright, but a few lines [especially Anupam's advice to Upen at the airport] are really well-worded.

Both Bobby and Upen get fabulous roles and the two actors make the most of it. Bobby is one of the most under-rated actors around. His work has been consistent all through, but one tends to overlook this talented actor's abilities all the while. Watch him go negative in SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM and you'd agree that he's amongst the best in the business today. His outburst in the end is remarkable.

Upen gets a complex role so early in his career and though there're a few rough edges [expected], the youngster is confidence personified. Watch him take on Bobby with his 'I am the best' attitude and you know this guy knows his job well. Upen is not just a show-stopper when it comes to looks, but has the potential to climb the ladder as an actor. SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM proves it.

Celina is slightly awkward initially, but enacts the role with grey shades very well. Kangana is likeable. She looks stunning and matches it up with a fine performance. Anupam Kher has a small role, which he portrays like a seasoned actor. Dalip Tahil, Seema Rahmani, Govind Namdev, Viveck Vaswani and Asrani are adequate.

On the whole, SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM is a well-crafted entertainer and lives up to the expectations of its target audience -- the youth. At the box-office, its business at the multiplexes will help it generate good revenue, making it a profitable proposition for its investors.

Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee - Review

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Packing multiple stories in one film is slowly becoming a practice. In 2007 itself, SALAAM-E-ISHQ, HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT. LTD., HATTRICK and JUST MARRIED had assorted stories running parallel, culminating into one finale. LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE also narrates five stories and unlike some films that gave an episodic feel to the viewer, the stories here run simultaneously, leading to one climax.

LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE raises a serious issue. It mirrors a truth you can't shut your eyes to. Most youngsters today are driven by ambition, power, greed and money and can resort to all possible shortcuts in life to realize their dreams. Vikram Bhatt narrates this aspect quite convincingly. The film also drives home one pertinent truth: You can't 'buy' happiness.

There's no denying that the storyline of LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE is its USP. However, the best of stories/concepts/ideas fizzle out if the storyteller is inept. Thankfully, Bhatt treats the subject with maturity and the ride to the destination is sans roadblocks most of the times.

LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE isn't your run of the mill saga. There are sequences you identify with. There are portions you relate to. There are incidents that you know occur in reality as well. All this and more is penned and presented with conviction.

But there's a flip side too…
One, the story gets too serious after a point. Now that's a major hiccup since a majority of viewers tilt towards feel-good/light entertainers.
Two, while the first hour is captivating at most times, Bhatt should've put a leash on the second hour. Simply put, the post-interval portions tend to get lengthy and need to be trimmed for a better impact.
Besides, a film like LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE caters to the sensibilities of those frequenting the multiplexes mainly and that also limits its prospects.

To cut a long story short, LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE is an engrossing fare that should find its audience at big centres mainly. Sadly, the lack of names having box-office draw will curtail its prospects.

LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE is the story of five friends, five years, one goal -- happiness.

Manish [Aftab Shivdasani], Rajeev [Dino Morea], Jai [Sameer Dattani], Mona [Nauheed Cyrusi] and Ishita [Anjori Alagh] get drunk and have a bet that who out of them would be the happiest in life. They give themselves five years. At the end of five years, Manish would decide who was the happiest.

All of them have different ideas of happiness --

Rajeev thinks that to be the best in what you do is happiness
Mona thinks fame is happiness
Jai thinks power is happiness
Ishita thinks money is what happiness is all about.

LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE is the journey of these five friends. It talks of success and failure, triumphs and tribulations, hope and despair, happiness and sadness and of course, the final question. Who will win the bet?

Of late, a majority of Vikram Bhatt-directed films failed to deliver since the emphasis wasn't on script as much on cast/technique. But LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE stands tall in Bhatt's repertoire. Bhatt handles the complex subject with sensitivity. Despite juxtaposing five stories in the film, not once do you feel that the storyteller should've finished one story first and moved on to the next. Bhatt gets abundant support from screenplay writer Manoj Tyagi, who creates the right drama.

Amongst the five different tracks, at least three are highly absorbing [Nauheed/Anuj/Rajat Bedi, Anjori/Raj Zutshi and Dino/Mohnish Bahl/Ekta], one is plain average [Aftab/Koel] and the fifth [Samir Dattani] starts off well, but totters subsequently. The conclusion to the five stories is in fact the icing on the cake. Almost every story has a sad end [completely justified] and it's this aspect that makes it very real and identifiable, since life is not just a bed of roses. But, as mentioned at the outset, the film tends to get too serious and intense, which may be difficult for an average moviegoer to absorb.

Lalit Pandit's music is soothing. 'Hum Khushi Ki Chah Mein' is a lyrical gem [Sameer], while the title track [at the start of the film] is foot-tapping. 'Gehra Gehra' [the party track] is interesting. Cinematography [Pravin Bhatt] is striking. Dialogues [Girish Dhamija] are excellent. They're the soul of several scenes.

The performances are topnotch! Dino Morea delivers his finest performance so far. Watch him in two sequences -- one, when he wins an award and taunts his brother in his thanks-giving speech and two, when he apologizes to his brother in the end. This film is sure to earn him respect as an actor. Aftab Shivdasani is lovable. He plays the seedha-saadha guy to perfection. Sameer Dattani springs a pleasant surprise. He's slightly stiff initially, but conveys a lot through his eyes subsequently. This youngster has the potential if offered the right roles.

Anuj Sawhney is a complete natural. It's sad that people haven't utilized this talented actor. Even though he's not the focal point of the story, the actor manages to make a strong impact. Nauheed Cyrusi does a good job. From LAKEER to ANWAR to LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE, she's really evolved into a fine actor.

It takes time to take to Anjori Alagh at the start, but as the reels unfold, you realize that this debutante is indeed talented. She handles a number of dramatic scenes - difficult, since this is her first movie -- with rare maturity. Only thing, she needs to shed a few kilos. Koel Purie is highly dependable yet again.

Raj Zutshi is excellent. Nikita Anand is adequate. Ameen Haji is fair. Ashwini Kalsekar [Raj Zutshi's first wife] is exceptional in the sequence when she confronts Anjori. Rajat Bedi is competent and suits the role. Pinky Harwani and Mushtaq Khan are alright.

On the whole, LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE is a well-made film, but its serious theme and also its genre will restrict its prospects to multiplexes mainly. At the box-office, the film has the chances to grow with word of mouth.

Delhii Heights - Review

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The current generation of working professionals leads a life very different than what it was earlier. That’s the essence of DELHII HEIGHTS.

But the question is, does this seemingly realistic yarn work? Sure, DELHII HEIGHTS tries to portray the life of many working professionals in the metros of India, with Delhi in particular, but the result isn’t as convincing.

What acts as a spoilsport here is the writing. Had the material been as compelling as the actors enacting the parts, the results would’ve been complimentary. But that’s not the case here!

Abi [Jimmy Shergill] and Suhana [Neha Dhupia] are a newly-wed couple who live in a building complex called Delhii Heights. They work for rival companies. In the same society live Timmy [Om Puri], his wife Ruby [Kamini Khana] and their daughter Sweety. Abi’s friend Bobby [Rohit Roy] and his wife Saima [Simone Singh] also live in the same complex.

Due to their tiresome and tedious professional lives, Abi and Suhana are not able to dedicate ample time to each other and have to compromise on many occasions. On the other hand, Bobby is a compulsive flirt. When Suhana and Bobby dance on Holi and when they meet at Suhana’s house for a business chat, Abi begins to feel uncomfortable with Bobby being around too much and gets a little possessive. All these factors reduce the tolerance level of the couple.

Abi and Suhana, employed with rival companies, are working on the same deal and it seems to be going in favor of Abi. But at the end moment, the deal goes in favor of Suhana’s company. Abi feels Suhana has taken advantage by reading his confidential documents and taking the deal away from him. He has a tiff with her and does not even give her a chance to explain her viewpoint.

Saima is fed up of her husband’s flirtatious ways and catches him red-handed one day. In the tension that follows, Bobby meets with an accident. Since she loves him, she takes care of him until he recovers. Bobby begs for another chance. That incident changes their lives.

Meanwhile, Abi realizes his fault and apologizes to Suhana, realizing that she was not responsible for anything and had never broken his trust in the first place. All’s well that ends well. Other tracks are that of a group of friends who are just having fun and play pranks.

The story stands on a realistic platform and the identification with the premise is tremendous. But the material hasn’t been explored to the optimum. An exciting screenplay would’ve only taken the graph of the film upwards. Also, a number of scenes are unnecessary and seem forced in the narrative. The writing lacks vision.

Barring the Jimmy-Neha track and to an extent, Rohit-Simone track, the other stories only add to the length of the film. Had the director concentrated on limited characters, the results would’ve been better.

After an ordinary first hour, you expect things to perk up in the second half. But, again, the mediocre writing doesn’t improve things. Even the climax is a disappointment. A better culmination was the need of the hour for sure.

Given the material, director Anand Kumar’s execution doesn’t really help elevate matters. Music [Rabbi Shergill] is pleasant. ‘Tere Bin’ is the best track of the enterprise; its one number you carry home after the show has concluded. Cinematography is striking. Dialogues don’t leave much of an impact.

Jimmy Shergill is a complete natural. The role demanded an able performer and Jimmy doesn’t let you down one bit. Neha Dhupia enacts her part with equal conviction. She seems to be evolving into a fine actor. Rohit Roy goes a little over the top, but is alright otherwise. Simone Singh is efficient. Om Puri doesn’t get substantial footage, but is a delight to watch whenever he appears on screen. Kamini Khanna and Vivek Shauq are just about okay.

On the whole, DELHII HEIGHTS is too mediocre a fare to leave any impression. The pre-release promotion [attractive promos] might appeal to a section of the multiplex-going junta, that’s about it!

Bheja Fry - Preview

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Character Sketch

Sarika as Sheetal Thadani
Sheetal Thadani is a singer married to Ranjeet the owner of Soundman Industries, a music company. She is trying hard to get her husband Ranjeet away from his habits of poking fun at innocent people. Well aware that her husband is beating his stress by engaging in such activities, she terms his doings as unfair. She decides that leaving him will only teach him what she had been trying for two years.

Rajat Kapoor as Ranjeet Thadani
Ranjeet Thadani is a bored, arrogant music company executive who lives up his upper class existence by attending “talent dinners” hosted by his friends and him. His life revolves around this stress busting fun which is just not appreciated by his wife. It is his pride that will probably lead to his downfall.

Vinay Pathak as Bharat Bhushan
Bharat Bhushan is a roly-poly officer with the Income Tax department. His innocence and his obsession for singing gets him trapped in Ranjeet Thadani's house. He shares his pain through Hindi songs and a scrap book which contains memoirs of his childhood. He relentlessly tries to be of some help to Ranjeet Thadani, only to make matters worse on every front. A likeable, warm little fellow, he is undeniably a big time goof up.

Ranvir Shorey as Asif Merchant
Asif Merchant apart from being the finest tax inspector of his department is also Bharat Bhushan's best friend. He is as egoistic as Ranjeet Thadani and is always looking to put the other person down. He comes to help Ranjeet at the behest of his friend Bhushan, only to discover his worst nightmare come true!

Milind Soman as Anant Ghosal
Anant Ghosal a music director is an old society friend of the Thadani's. He is the friend in need, who is ready to help Ranjeet in spite of the fact that Sheetal chose Ranjeet over him two years ago. He is ready to forgive Ranjeet for the betrayal and assists him in finding the whereabouts of Sheetal after she leaves Ranjeet.

Bhairavi Goswami as Suman Rao
Suman Rao is the provocative, melodramatic friend of Ranjeet Thadani. A wannabe singer, she is always trying to lure Ranjeet towards herself. Well aware of Ranjeet's past she waits patiently for the day when Ranjeet will reciprocate her love.

Storyline

Ranjeet Thadani (Rajat Kapoor), a bored, arrogant music company executive hurts his back the night he has found a prize catch for a weekly bring - your -idiot talent dinner hosted by his friends and him. He ends up spending the evening with this idiot, Bharat Bhushan (Vinay Pathak) who tries to help him get his wife (Sarika) back who left him earlier that day. The result is utter chaos let loose by the idiot, who cannot do a single thing without messing it up further.

The plot turns around to be a series of mini disasters that leave Ranjeet's comfortable life in ruins. Call it the idiot's revenge!

Don't Stop Dreaming - Preview

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'If music be the food of love, play on….' William Shakespeare.

The movie tells the story of a group of young friends who want to do more than just hang out. They want to leave their mark on the musical scene. Continuing a hand-me-down career is boring and certainly not happening and therefore when three people turn their backs on the wishes of their parents…they front a new career. They form a multi-cultural-ethnic band.

The manager is a pretty female vocalist who's father was an Indian pop singer, now faded and retired as a clothing manufacturer and boutique owner.
We have an alcoholic singer, who sweeps the streets of the city at night.
An Afro-Elvis clone, whose father has a respectable sound equipment store, now chucks it all and joins in as the lead guitarist.
A Chinese post-university-drummer. He dresses like a girl…much to the disappointment of his mother!
A George Harrison hippie remixes the hippie culture.
Two waitresses throw their jobs in and join the band as backing singers.

A Bank robber has his £4million robbery foiled...but where’s the money disappeared to?

Pubs sign on this group to play at their venues and soon they enter a competition that will send the winners to America.

Do they make it?
Do they stick together?
Do their parents permit this 'sultry' business?
Will their music live on after them?

Ta Ra Rum Pum - Preview

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Character Sketch

Saif Ali Khan as Rajveer Singh (RV)
Hi. I'm RV. The best race car driver in the world! Sounds nice to be able to finally say that, especially since I've wanted to be one, ever since I was a little boy, racing model cars around my room. Racing has always been my dream, and after Mom & Dad died, I worked even harder towards that goal. Since I never really had much interest in studies, I dropped out of college & started working in the pit-crew of a racing team: the only way I could be near race cars! My life seemed to be going smoothly along this loveless still-nowhere-near-driving-a-race-car track, until one momentous cab ride later, everything changed.

That's when I met Harry (my future manager) and Radhika (my future wife), all in the space of 5 minutes. One crazy trip later, I was the new race car driver for 'Speeding Saddles'; and a couple of chance encounters (and my first win in a race) later, I was in love: with the most beautiful & intelligent & talented & creative & …… (you get the picture…) woman who ever came out of West Bengal to live in New York. A music student & a racer don't somehow seem like the best of matches, but sometimes the cliché works. Opposites do attract and we were quite possibly the happiest couple in Manhattan. And that's how Rajveer Singh the pit-crew tyre changer became RV the racer. I was a man with a new job that I had been dreaming about my entire life, a love that I kept dreaming about and everything that I could have asked for. And then my kids arrived on the scene. Princess and Champ - the two people who suddenly gave my life a new meaning. I didn't think I could be happier, but I was! My career took off much like my car when the starter flag goes down, and my family was the backbone that kept me going. Seeing them cheer me on at every race that I won was what made the dream even more beautiful in its reality.

Until that fateful accident…
That one day changed things forever. I was forced to give up my dream career and my dream life. Everything came crashing down to a very painful and a very changed reality. A reality which involved giving up the wild and racy lifestyle that I had always followed. I tried to make it back… but it was never the same. But now, I have no choice. Something has happened and I need to win. But I don't know what will happen. Will I be able to overcome my fears on the racetrack? Will I be able to save my family? Will I once again become the best father, the best husband and the best racer that I have always been for my wife and kids?

Rani Mukerji as Radhika
Life can be the most unexpected journey of all. This is something that I have learnt over my many years with RV, the man who I never thought could be the kind of person I could fall for. My life as Radhika Shekhar Rai Banerjee started off with ambition and very careful planning. I always knew what I wanted to be and exactly how I wanted to get there. Right from when I was a little girl playing with my carefully organized & acquired dolls to when I decided to pursue a career in music - everything I have done has been well thought out and every step chalked along the way. My Dad, who owns one of the biggest software companies in the world, obviously approved. But everything changed when one sunny day I happened to get into a cab that took off with a bang & propelled me into a life that I had never thought I would lead.

RV exploded into my life with the usual madness & energy that I have now come to expect from him as an everyday trait. Before I knew it, I was sitting in the stands of the New York Speedway, cheering on with wild abandon a man that I had barely met 2 days ago. But that's what I mean about life being unexpected. Love too, in this case. I fell in love in a manner completely contrary to everything that I've ever done so far, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me! And suddenly Radhika Shekhar Rai Banerjee, the straight-laced girl became 'Shona', a woman in love. Life with RV was always a roller-coaster ride of emotions, and things didn't change even with the arrival of Princess & Champ - the two shining lights in my life. We were the ideal happy family that I never knew I wanted, but was so content that I had! But life, in all its unpredictability, had more in store for us…

RV's departure from the race track forced us to give up the idyll of a happy & content life, including our beautiful house. Suddenly we had to fend for a living using any means possible, all the while maintaining a facade of normalcy for the sake of our children. Will I be able to keep my family together while struggling against the vagaries of life? Will I manage to see us through yet another crisis?

Angelina Idnani as Priya
Welcome to my world… the world of Priya Rajveer Singh. I am 'Princess' to the people who are close to me. I have four important people in my world and without them I am lost - Papa, Mama, Champ and Bruno (our dog)… I love them all… strictly in that order! I love my school, Miss Peggy my teacher and my friends… not in that order... ha ha ha!!! I love when Papa races. He looks so good in his uniform, wow! Mama, Champ and myself we all go and cheer Papa!

Champ and I are good children, we never fight… well almost never :)
I am his big sister, and also his friend. But when Papa had his accident, we got really scared… and life is not like it used to be. I want my old world back a happy world in which there were smiling faces of Papa, Mama, Champ and Bruno!

Ali Haji as Champ
Hi. I am Ranveer Rajveer Singh but pyaar se everyone calls me ‘Champ’ - because when I was born, my Papa won a big big race. I like to go school, listen to Princess because she is always right. I also like to fight with her. My favourites are Cars and Burgers - I love to eat burgers. I also like to play games. I don't like to make Mama-Papa, Princess sad. I always want us to be smiling and happy. And I always sing the song they love “ta ra rum pum…”

Storyline

This is the story of one man, his family and how they overcome the obstacles that life puts in their way, together. It is the story of human spirit and how it ultimately prevails.

Rajveer Singh (Saif Ali Khan) is a pit-crew worker in a racing team with a passion for driving who gets discovered by a team manager, Harry (Jaaved Jaaferi). The same day he accidentally meets a music student, Radhika (Rani Mukerji), who he falls for instantly. He gets drafted into 'Speeding Saddles' – a failing race team and transforms from Rajveer Singh to “RV” the race car driver. While his racing career takes off instantly, his love life also blossoms after a whirlwind romance. A few months later, he is both a happily married man and one of the country's best racers. Fatherhood and greater success both follow and soon he is the Number 1 race car driver in the USA, as well as the proud father of two precocious kids Priya (Angelina Idnani) and Ranveer (Ali Haji).

But as a result of a bad racing accident, RV is hospitalized for a few months. When he tries to make a comeback, he realizes that he has been mentally scarred by the accident and has lost his edge. His life now takes a turn for the worse and after a string of failures, he is forced to auction his house and move with his family to a run-down Bronx-style neighborhood.

However, RV and Radhika decide not to tell their children the truth and construct a skillful masquerade of a reality show where they have to live a poor life in order to win a mythical grand prize. The family struggles to survive a life that they are not used to, using a mixture of fantasy and cheerfulness to pull through in the face of adversity. But an incident forces RV to reclaim the life that was taken away from him.

Can he, once again and perhaps for a last time, face down his inner demons on the race track?

Can the family remain together in the wake of what could perhaps be their biggest challenge yet?

Dil Dosti Etc - Preview

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When you are young, you believe, the possibilities are endless...

What does an eighteen year old guy in college really want? Dil Dosti Etc is a fresh and unabashed look at how young men of today think and choose to live their lives. Dil Dosti Etc is set around students in Delhi University. Through two university hostellers, Apurv (Imaad Shah), a rich, cosmopolitan guy and, Sanjay Mishra (Shreyas Talpade), an old-fashioned Bihari guy, the film juxtaposes the ‘new/ liberal’ and the ‘old/ conservative’ in our society.

Sanjay is an ambitious and focused student-politician in Delhi. He represents the romantic and the idealist who steadfastly pursues his political goals. On the other hand, Apurv’s life is directionless. With the abundance of time and money in hand, he searches for meaning in life through amorous escapades with various girls.

The three female leads – that of a prostitute (Smriti Mishra), a school girl and a rich model, provide a myriad of social and emotional backdrops to the film. Vaisali (Smriti Mishra) plays an attractive but sharp-tongued prostitute. She claims never to get emotionally attached to her customers. Then there is the precocious school girl Kintu (Ishitta Sharrma), who coquettishly remains noncommittal to Apurv’s flirtations and plays hard to get. Prerna (Nikita Anand) is the rich South Delhi babe who aspires to become an international model, and yet finds herself attracted to the earthy and charismatic student-politician, Sanjay.

Dil Dosti Etc uses a rich ensemble of characters, stories and themes to explore the very nature of friendship, male bonding, voyeurism, sexual perversion, love and betrayal. The film, based on an original screenplay, is full with realism and black humour and shows the coming of age of not only a young man but also explores the ambiguities and pre-occupations of an entire generation.

Dil Dosti Etc has been produced by Prakash Jha and directed by Manish Tiwary.

Life in a... Metro - Preview

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Rahul is one young man with dreams. Working as a call centre executive in a BPO in Mumbai. He silently loves his boss, Neha. A smart young woman who has made it up the ranks in a very short time. And hard work is not her only secret. Because her boss, Ranjeet loves her and is willing to shower her with gifts and opportunities… only if she is willing.

In his 30s, Ranjeet is married to Shikha with a 6 year old son. Shikha is very well educated and was a better student that Ranjeet. But they decided that she should stay back at home and take care of the house and the kid. So Ranjeet ventured out on his quest for money and success… and forgot his family somewhere on the way. And bitterness and boredom crept into their relationship. Soon he found solace and a fresh lease of life in Neha. An exciting, non-committal relationship based on sex.

Neglected by an indifferent husband and bogged down by family chores, Shikha is soon attracted to a maverick in Akash. A loser and a rebel without a cause, Akash is a struggling theatre artist whose wife divorces him… because she cannot stand his failures anymore. Akash and Shikha’s love blossoms and she almost crosses her limits that she has so fervently guarded all these years.

Amol is a 70 year old man who’s returned to India after 40 years. To spend last few years of his life with his first love, Vaijanti. This lady lives in an old age home and is Shikha’s aunty who gives moral strength to Shikha.

Shikha’s sister and Neha’s room-mate, Shruti works in at Radio Mirchi. A producer. In her 30’s and still a virgin, she’s desperate to get married. She is dreamy eyed about her RJ, Wishy K. Her boss hooks her up with Wishy K. While she also meets Debu through a matrimonial site. Hates him. But Debu, an ordinary man, is ready to marry her. Her affair with Wishy K blossoms.

Rahul is extremely ambitiously and discovers the easiest way to success. Rather the key to success. The key to his uncle’s opulent apartment where he stays while his uncle is away. Most of the men in his office look for places to take their mistresses, girlfriends or prostitutes. He provides the perfect place to release their libido. His apartment. The cost? A recommendation for his out of turn promotion. Even Ranjeet gets the key and takes Neha to the apartment.

Amidst one of their escapades Neha asks Ranjeet about their future. A commitment? Ranjeet makes it clear that she should not even think of a commitment. He insults her and leaves. She tries to commit suicide. Rahul discovers her in his apartment and takes care of her, They share some loving moments… come closer but still she’s unsure about him.

Delhii Heights - Review

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The current generation of working professionals leads a life very different than what it was earlier. That’s the essence of DELHII HEIGHTS.

But the question is, does this seemingly realistic yarn work? Sure, DELHII HEIGHTS tries to portray the life of many working professionals in the metros of India, with Delhi in particular, but the result isn’t as convincing.

What acts as a spoilsport here is the writing. Had the material been as compelling as the actors enacting the parts, the results would’ve been complimentary. But that’s not the case here!

Abi [Jimmy Shergill] and Suhana [Neha Dhupia] are a newly-wed couple who live in a building complex called Delhii Heights. They work for rival companies. In the same society live Timmy [Om Puri], his wife Ruby [Kamini Khana] and their daughter Sweety. Abi’s friend Bobby [Rohit Roy] and his wife Saima [Simone Singh] also live in the same complex.

Due to their tiresome and tedious professional lives, Abi and Suhana are not able to dedicate ample time to each other and have to compromise on many occasions. On the other hand, Bobby is a compulsive flirt. When Suhana and Bobby dance on Holi and when they meet at Suhana’s house for a business chat, Abi begins to feel uncomfortable with Bobby being around too much and gets a little possessive. All these factors reduce the tolerance level of the couple.

Abi and Suhana, employed with rival companies, are working on the same deal and it seems to be going in favor of Abi. But at the end moment, the deal goes in favor of Suhana’s company. Abi feels Suhana has taken advantage by reading his confidential documents and taking the deal away from him. He has a tiff with her and does not even give her a chance to explain her viewpoint.

Saima is fed up of her husband’s flirtatious ways and catches him red-handed one day. In the tension that follows, Bobby meets with an accident. Since she loves him, she takes care of him until he recovers. Bobby begs for another chance. That incident changes their lives.

Meanwhile, Abi realizes his fault and apologizes to Suhana, realizing that she was not responsible for anything and had never broken his trust in the first place. All’s well that ends well. Other tracks are that of a group of friends who are just having fun and play pranks.

The story stands on a realistic platform and the identification with the premise is tremendous. But the material hasn’t been explored to the optimum. An exciting screenplay would’ve only taken the graph of the film upwards. Also, a number of scenes are unnecessary and seem forced in the narrative. The writing lacks vision.

Barring the Jimmy-Neha track and to an extent, Rohit-Simone track, the other stories only add to the length of the film. Had the director concentrated on limited characters, the results would’ve been better.

After an ordinary first hour, you expect things to perk up in the second half. But, again, the mediocre writing doesn’t improve things. Even the climax is a disappointment. A better culmination was the need of the hour for sure.

Given the material, director Anand Kumar’s execution doesn’t really help elevate matters. Music [Rabbi Shergill] is pleasant. ‘Tere Bin’ is the best track of the enterprise; its one number you carry home after the show has concluded. Cinematography is striking. Dialogues don’t leave much of an impact.

Jimmy Shergill is a complete natural. The role demanded an able performer and Jimmy doesn’t let you down one bit. Neha Dhupia enacts her part with equal conviction. She seems to be evolving into a fine actor. Rohit Roy goes a little over the top, but is alright otherwise. Simone Singh is efficient. Om Puri doesn’t get substantial footage, but is a delight to watch whenever he appears on screen. Kamini Khanna and Vivek Shauq are just about okay.

On the whole, DELHII HEIGHTS is too mediocre a fare to leave any impression. The pre-release promotion [attractive promos] might appeal to a section of the multiplex-going junta, that’s about it!