Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol, Lara Dutta

Producer: Aditya Chopra

Director: Shaad Ali

Music Director: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Rating: **1/2

Yash Raj Films is back again with yet another crossover flick. After Ta Ra Rum Pum's luke warm performance in the box office, it is Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom's trial at the box office. A colourful fun filled fare, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom sure entertains but seems to have ignored the necessity of a sturdy storyline. Basking entirely in its technical expertise, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom is a flimsy script stylishly camouflaged in exotic locales and captivating music and dance.

Like any other YRF movie, two words to describe the movie would be "Colourful entertainer". Colourful not just visually, but also in the areas of screenplay, music and choreography. Expertly crafted, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom lacks just one fundamental aspect – strong storyline. The movie enthralls the senses and leaves one yearning for more by the end of it. Jhoom Barabar Jhoom is the age old boy meets girl - fall in love and thrown apart by ego story. There is absolutely nothing more to it.

The story summed up - two strangers meet in the railway station and fall in love. No we are not talking about Ek Chaalis ki last local! This is Waterloo Railway station and the protagonists are Rikki Thukral (Abhishek Bachchan) and Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta). When Rikki and Alvira bump into each other by chance sparks fly. They spend two hours with each other pretending to wait for their respective fiancé's. Rikki is an uncouth Punjabi living in London who makes his living by selling pirated DVDs and smuggled antiques. Alvira is a cultured British Asian woman who believes she is more British than Pakistani. Alvira tries to avoid Rikki initially and tells him she is already engaged and that she is waiting for her fiancé` Steve (Bobby Deol) to arrive. To keep up his side of the story, Rikki lies to Alvira as well and tells her that he is waiting for his fiancée` Anaida (Lara Dutta) to arrive. They both narrate to each other their self invented love stories to each other just to kill time. By the time their trains arrive they realize that they are mutually attracted to each other. They exchange numbers and leave. Cupid strikes and both Alvira and Rikki try to think of ways to win each others' hearts. Alvira calls Rikki and Rikki invites her and her fiancé` to attend the Mr. and Ms. Southall dance competition. Alvira asks Rikki to come with his fiancée`. A mad rush begins to find fake fiancée's for Alvira and Rikki. Alvira asks her friend Sukhvinder (Bobby Deol) to act as Steve for the night and Rikki asks Laila (Lara Dutta), a prostitute to act as his fiancée` for the night. What ensues is a totally fun filled nach-gaana sequence. Rikki and Laila are declared as Mr. and Ms. Southall. The rest of the story revolves around how Rikki and Alvira discover that they are not engaged to Laila (Anaida) and Sukhvinder (Steve) and are in love with each other. Sukhvinder and Laila somehow meet and fall in love with each other and lock lips. The film ends with Rikki and Alvira confessing their love for each other and locking lips in the suburbs of London.

Abhishek Bachchan as Rikki Thukral delivers a fine performance. His portrayal of the tapori guy with absolutely no refinement is up to the mark. Preity Zinta has made an honest attempt but hasn't worked on her accent enough. She doesn't look British Asian. Lara Dutta has delivered a truly fantastic performance both as the French Asian and the prostitute. Bobby Deol struggles to bring in Steve's suave look. Sukhvinder suits him better. Amitabh Bachchan is item number. He plays the British busker who keeps reappearing with the peppy title track all through the film. Though insignificant to the story, this busker keeps alive the screenplay every time it begins to spell boredom. Dressed like a rainbow, Amitabh Bachchan charms as always.

Shaad Ali's narrative is impressive. He juxtaposes reality and fantasy through the conversations between Alvira and Rikki. A very fresh and fine initiative wasted by a flimsy script. Ayanka Khan impresses yet again with vivid visuals and effervescent colours.

Music is the highlight of the movie. The title track will top the charts for weeks to come. Ticket to Hollywood is another track that lingers.

All in all, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom entertains but lacks substance. Though it has three lip-locks (Abhishek Bachchan - Lara Dutta, Bobby Deol – Lara Dutta and Abhishek Bachchan – Preity Zinta) and an A certificate Jhoom Barabar Jhoom can pass of as a complete family entertainer. Jhoom Barabar Jhoom is pastime.