Raabta Review: Despite Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon's likeable chemistry, this film is a strict no-no!

Film: Raabta
Directed by: Dinesh Vijan
Starring: Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon, Jim Sarah, Rajkummar Rao and Varun Sharma

What it's about:
Filmmakers have this unique attraction towards reincarnation-based love stories, mainly because it gives them the opportunity to create something of epic proportions. But nine out of ten times, when it goes wrong, it eventually turns out to be an epic mess. Dinesh Vijan's Raabta is something like that.  Shiv (Sushant) meets Saira (Kriti) and sparks fly. They tease, tangle and talk oceans at each other.  He even puts a ring on her finger (while she is sleeping) and then they keep asking each other if they are moving too fast. Enter tycoon Zakir Merchant (Jim) and another round of flirting follows with some banter between the two boys about "ladki toh main leke jaaoonga." A week apart from Saira, Shiv returns to find she is gone. The hunt for her begins. Meanwhile Saira flashbacks to a time when she was a princess and the same boys had fought over her and everyone died. Now it's up to her to find a new solution and a happy ending.

What's good:
This is Dinesh Vijan's first film as director. He aims high with some dramatic moments and a big scale in terms of canvas. The locations are somewhat fresh. He manages to exude a likeable chemistry between Sushant and Kriti - they look comfortable with each other even in the most awkward scenes.

What's not:
When you're attempting a conversation heavy film, you need to make your characters endearing in the first place. Shiv's character in the film is the most testing  on your patience. And despite all the nonsense he does, when Saira still falls for him, you wonder what's wrong with the girl. So when your main two protagonists are so flawed, there isn't much left in a love story after that. Vijan then transports you to a world (in flashback) that is beyond all tolerance levels, including a prosthetic-pasted Rajkumar Rao. The problems in Raabta are never-ending. The biggest of them all is that none of the love stories connect with the audience. The film is flat and boring with some really dull performances. Sushant tries very hard to play charming as Shiv. Kriti fails to leave an impact mainly because of the shoddy characterisation of Saira. Jim Sarbh is like a caricature - nowhere close to his Neerja portrayal. Neither his director nor his role support his act, which is more tragic than effective. And why Rajkumar Rao is in this film is something that only he knows. Deepika Padukone's one-song entry and exit is as abrupt and confusing as the rest of the film.

What to do:
Avoid this one and save your money. If not for this one then perhaps for the next life. This Raabta is a strict no-no.

Rating: *1/2​ (One and half stars)