By: Somesh Vasishth

Audience wants novelty and Papa Roshan has given them oodles of it. When most of scribes were busy writing Hrithik off, Roshan Sr was making Koi Mil Gaya, the film which will put his son's career on a fast track again. In coordination with Bimmini FX of Australia, he stepped into the territory where no Mumbai film house has ever gone before. Grab your popcorns, here starts the 'mystical fare'.

Koi Mil Gaya features Hrithik as a mentally challenged young man Rohit. He is the son of a space scientist, Sanjay Mehra (Rakesh Roshan) and Sonia (Rekha). Sanjay has devoted his life to find the existence of extraterrestrial life. He invents a super-computer that sends musical notes of Om Om Om Om to the space. His dreams turn into reality when a spaceship is sighted in the sky.

Before Sanjay could savour the fruits of his success, he and his wife meet a horrible accident in which Sanjay dies. Rohit is born as a mentally challenged child who is ridiculed by Raj (Rajat Bedi) and his ilks. But the advent of Nisha (Preity Zinta) awakens the 'man' in the man-boy. This infuriates Raj a lot more.

Hapless Rohit turns to God in a truly poignant scene. In sheer frustration he retires into his father's room and plays with his computer. The magical notes of Om goes into the yonder and bunch of aliens land in the woods. On seeing the herd of elephants, they scurry back barring one, Jadoo who is left behind in the stampede. The story switches and the Jadoo transforms his rescuer, Rohit, into a super human.

Though the film has it's share of faults but positives outweigh negatives in the end. The climax seems to be wrapped up in a hurry. The film also borrows heavily from Hollywood's ET but fails to match innocence in the eyes of Speilberg's 'Ewok'. But Rakesh Roshan is no Speilberg and full credit goes to him for breaking the mould. Hrithink is superb in his potrayal of man-boy. His repartees leave you wanting for more. Preity is fresh as a mint.

Picturesque locales from Canada makes the film a pleasure to watch. Rajesh Roshan's music ably supports the project. One must say, Papa Roshan has infused a new lease of life into his son's sagging career. The film is complete popcorn fare and must watch for the kids between 10 to 50.