Film review: Parineeti Chopra shines but 'Daawat-e-Ishq' drags on without clarity

Rating: **1/2

Directed by: Habin Faisal

Starring: Parineeti Chopra, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Anupam Kher

What it's about:

A Hyderabad girl Gulrez Qasir (Parineeti Chopra) is tired of the dowry demands from the parents of prospective grooms and decides she wants revenge. She hatches an elaborate plan with her father (Anupam Kher) to con a rich boy and run away with his money and make her dreams come true in America. What she didn't plan for is falling in love with Mr Wrong Tariq (Aditya Roy Kapur) and that's when everything goes... Well, wrong.

What's good:

The film starts off really well. Gulrez's relationship with her father, the arranged marriage proposals, her first romance, prepares you for a enjoyable journey, that doesn't quite deliver. The best thing about the film is Parineeti. She shines in every scene. She does what she does every single time — rises head and shoulders above the film and her costars. Aditya manages to hold his own but the film belongs to the leading lady. Anupam makes an impact, except in the 'light' scenes.

What's not:

Habib Faisal has written and directed some memorable films but this one seems confused. Is it about food, romance, social message or a con film is open to interpretation. Strangely it was marketed as a food film (the title suggests it too) but the film isn't about that. The film drags on in the second half.

What to do.

Head to Hyderabad and gorge on the goodies.