/> MOVIE DETAILS

Cast: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Bipasha Basu, Rahul Dev
Director: Jehangir Surti
Producer: Viki Rajani
Music: Pritam, Gourov Dasgupta
Lyrics: Sheershak Anand, Irshad Kamil, Syed Gulrez, Prashant Pandey

THE FILM

Now why does Bollywood have to face a weak second half syndrome time and again? Aa Dekhen Zara faces a similar issue. It begins with a bang, moves well till the interval point and ends reasonably well too. It's the 30-40 minutes segment after the interval point that keeps oscillating from average to confusing that dilutes the charm.

To the film's credit, it had really managed to create curiosity around it. The premise of a camera looking into future was quite interesting.

Also, the way director Jehangir Surti lays down his cards on the table in the first 15 minutes of the movie itself is quite well done too. You know that it isn't going to be an ordinary thriller in the offering.

Moreover, the film also gets to the point right away without wasting any time in establishing Neil Nitin Mukesh's background and the capabilities of his special camera. You are hooked and start expecting so much from the reels to follow.

It's all well for the first hour of the movie and even though Bipasha Basu hardly contributes to the film's plot, you don't mind that since this time around thrills make for a far more interesting watch than glamour.

In the film's journey from Bombay to Bangkok, it's the Bangkok portion where the film starts loosing it's plot. Though the fast pace of the film does succeed in not giving audience much time to think, it also acts as a hindrance since at number of junctures you really feel left behind.

Number of loopholes emerge in the script as well. Agreed that the film is a commercial masala affair and hence cinematic liberty is completely pardonable.

However, in today's time, even action thrillers have some kind of reasoning attached to them. This doesn't seem to be the case though in Aa Dekhen Zara where things start happening as per the will of scriptwriters Sheershak Anand and Shantanu Ray Chhibber.

Loopholes are aplenty and what is completely unpardonable is to see Neil and Bipasha break into a dance ('Gazab') with Thai nationals when their focus should have been saving their lives.

Even otherwise, the entire chor-police drama is straight out of the 70s. In a movie like Johnny Gaddaar, it seemed nostalgic but in case of Aa Dekhen Zara, it turns out to be utterly illogical.

Watch out for the scenes where characters played by Rahul Dev, Sophie Chaudhary or that actor playing a RAW officer come out of nowhere.

To add to the confusion, there are also a South Indian cabbie, a 'dhokhebaaz' uncle, a friendly bookie and a corrupt Thai cop. Yes, on the face of it, it all sounds like a potboiler but in the overall scheme of things, it's only mishmash.

However, as stated earlier, it's the fast pace of the film, some crispy editing and some striking visuals that do the trick.

You continue to look forward to how the story would culminate even as you hardly try to search for much logic in the proceedings. The thrills only intensify towards the end that brings in some excitement back into the film.

Of course, even till the very end, Bipasha only remains as a show piece which ensures that this would go down as one of her most forgettable roles ever. As for Neil, his role is pretty much one-dimensional and one would like to see him perform in films that require his character to carry multiple shades.

PACKAGING

As is the case with all EROS DVDs, Aa Dekhen Zara too comes in a glossy plastic cover which lends a quality feel to it

DURATION

The film's duration is 117 minutes

SPECIAL FEATURES

- Making of the Film
- Aa Dekhen Zara Title song
- Aa Dekhen Zara Title song (Remix)
- Gazab (Remix)
- Launch of ADZ Rising Band

'Making of the Film' segment is reasonably well structured as it takes the viewer through locations, action, scripting, cast, director, music etc.

There are quite a few glimpses into actual shooting of the film along with backstage happenings. Yes, there is the regular dose of interviews etc. as well that don't really tell a new tale but the overall packaging is such that this segment can be given a one time watch.

For those who loved the title song of the film, there are the music videos of Aa Dekhen Zara as well as the remix versions of the title song and 'Gazab' (both of them being edited versions with glimpses from actual shooting of the song as well as some other portions from the film).

'Launch of ADZ Rising band', which features Neil Nitin Mukesh and Bipasha Basu along with compsoer Gourov Dasgupta on a stage gathering amongst the crowds isn't really an interesting watch since the film has already released and gone while the band too hasn't been in news ever since then.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation - Subtitles in English - Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo

PRICE

Rs. 199

CONCLUSION

In the end, Aa Dekhen Zara turns out to be a merely time pass film which could have been a must watch had it been deftly executed throughout it's near two hour duration.

In fact one misses Abbas Mustan here because given the subject; they could have done wonders with a thriller like this. If you miss watching the film, it won't make much difference to your movie catalogue.

However, if at all you want to hang out with friends and have some popcorn to share at home, have a dekko on a Saturday evening.

Rating: **1/2