Film review: Watch 'Ishkq in Paris' if you are a die-hard Preity Zinta fan

Film: Ishkq in Paris
Cast: Preity Zinta, Rhehan Malliek, Isabelle Adjani
Director: Prem Raj
Rating: **

Mon Cher! Parlez-vous anglais?, asks Preity Zinta dressed in a short skirt as she travels from Rome to Paris on the Euro Rail. Her companion is Indian born Akash (pronounced A-Cash!) (Rhehan Malliek) who is on the same route for a business meeting.

The two exchange pleasantries over a bottle of wine and decide to spend the night in the French capital walking the cobbled streets (Before Sunrise?) and rolling a dice that gives them options to choose from - dinner, movie, coffee, party and sex!. Once these choices are exhausted, they manage to fall in and out of love over a rain drenched Sufi song, an energetic cameo appearance by Salman Khan, and a tiring narration by French actress Isabella Adjani.

On the up side, you get to see Paris in all its glory - the coffee shops, the night clubs and the lit up Eiffel Tower—all of it at a price of a single movie ticket. Ishqk in Paris is made for one single reason - to remind us that Preity Zinta still has sparkling eyes and charming dimples that made her the darling of the big screen early in her career.

There are moments, when she's dressed in Indian attire (the Salman song) that remind us of her heydays and the reasons why we fell in love with her effervescence. Unfortunately, that is where the film stumbles.

Even though there are supporting characters, the focus constantly remains on PZ (a scene where she reads a letter written by Akash in her own voice over). In the effort to impress us and showcase her zest, she seems in a constant need for approval.

The exercise leads to a futile end with her co-star Rhehan Malik being reduced to a prop. He has a scene or two with long monologues where he manages to make a mark, but majority of his screen time is shared with Zinta.

Technically the film has a fresh look and appeal, but departments like make-up and hair styling botch the setting. It's shocking how Isabella's hairdo along with Preity's mopped up tresses could make it past the monitor.

Ishkq works in the first half with lighthearted repartee between the lead actors. The stand up act where they mimic their first date is witty and entertaining. So are some of the pick up lines and dialogues. But the second half and the climax are so predictable that you know the end before the supposed 'change of heart' rolls in.

Watch Ishkq if you are a die-hard PZ fan. Otherwise rent the Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy starrer Before Sunrise and experience the true essence of an European setting for a romantic film.

Watch the film trailer here: