How to rip-off a Hollywood cinematic dud

Ru-Ba-Ru
Cast: Randeep Hooda, Shahana Goswami
Director: Arjun Chandramohan Bali
Rating: * 1/2

Remember a trite American film circa 2004-05 called If Only starring Jennifer Love Hewitt which, according to Wikipedia, after failing to get a US distributor went straight to a TV premiere?

Arjun Chandramohan Bali, who can pull together a fresh crew and feel for a film, and makes a technically respectable debut, would have benefited greatly from helming something original. This copy presents two of the most annoying characters you could bump into on a slow train in Bangkok.

Nikhil and Tara seem to have a pretty even-keeled live-in relationship, till one day Tara displays all her insecurities, and Nikhil, his self-obsession. The tone and context of their persistent bickering might ring true with many couples, especially his ambition and insensitivity and her constant nagging and need for reassurance, but 20 minutes into proceedings,  you are still waiting for the film to start.

By the time it gains momentum (just five minutes short of the interval) it’s too little too late because by then you know exactly where this story is headed. Sadly, the momentum does not sustain in the post-interval session.

Hooda’s Nikhil is far more believable as the chauvinistic, insensitive boyfriend than as the caring, loving, selfless person he transforms into later.

Hooda may be the stuff of intense, scowling gangsters, but lacks the charisma required for a romantic hero. Plus he delivers his dialogues three seconds too late, as if he is waiting for a cue for his lines. 

Shahana Goswami takes her character of Debbie from Rock On! further. Let’s hope this actress has more dimensions to display. Seeing her made-up and glamorous in one sequence here, one knows she certainly cleans up well.

A sluggish script (there are no great insights into life or relationships), lethargic pace, imbalanced lead performances and stereotypical lead characters further disconnect the audience from the underlying emotion of the film — of the value of people and the moment. If only the makers had seen the value of originality, too.