Film Review: Turbulence ahead for this one

Film: Main Aurr Mrs Khanna
Director: Prem Soni
Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sohail Khan
Rating: **

As far as a point of view on marriage and relationships goes, writer-director Prem Soni almost had it. But somewhere between the takeoff and landing, he hit turbulence and the audience was hit by jet lag. And this is where the airport pun and reference ends -- in this review and the film. Raina Khanna (Kareena Kapoor) is abandoned by her husband Samir (Salman Khan) like she was a used boarding pass (oops!).

As he sets off to pursue his career and massage his ego, she is left stranded and, for the first time in her life, decides to be independent. But being a sweetly smiling, beautifully wardrobed and charming young lady, she is soon rescued by 'lust at first sight' believer Aakash (Sohail Khan) which adds a complication into Mrs Khanna's life.

Life falls into place miraculously for Raina and thoughts of reuniting with Samir seem to fade rather fast. A complex relationship equation is solved simply, without any drama and with the pace of a long-distance flight (oops, I did it again!).

Add to this lazy acting, pedestrian writing, boring songs and an overuse of the term, Mrs Khanna. Kapoor shows moments of the talent we associate with her, but then slumps with a silly drunken scene or by just smiling beatifically through emotional moments. Give us the Salman Khan of Wanted any day over this arrogant, sauntering, dull performance.

As for Sohail Khan, why must he reduce every part to buffoonery? And, what are Bappi Lahiri and Preity Zinta doing in this movie? If only the central theme about marriage and the slight feminist tone had been delivered more concisely, with a degree of conviction from the actors, this might have been a more appealing watch.