Ho-hum!. Review on Humko Deewana Kar Gaye

Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye, directed by Raj Kanwar, is a love story that starts off well, but eventually falls in the same mould as a run-of-the-mill flick.

Aditya (Akshay), who is an automobile engineer with a passion for cars, is engaged to Sonia (Bipasha), a fashion designer on the threshold of making her mark in the field.

But both of them belong to different school of thoughts - for Sonia career comes first, while Aditya is a family man and believes in traditional values.

Just before their wedding, Aditya has to leave for Canada to attend a training session about a new car to be launched in India, while Sonia heads to Paris for a fashion show.

In Canada, Aditya bumps into Jia (Katrina), who is shopping for her trousseau. Soon Aditya and Jia become very fond of each other and what happens next forms the movie's climax.

Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye has several interesting moments in the first half, but it settles down to a routine love story as it reaches its finale.The initial reels are engaging and the movement of the story catches the viewer unaware. In fact, so much seems to happen in the first half-an-hour of the film at such a brisk pace that the viewer gets completely involved in the goings-on.

But as the drama unfolds , the story stagnates.The post-interval portions have a couple of interesting moments, but a few unwanted sequences too. In fact, even if these sequences weren't there, it wouldn't have made a difference to the main plot.

Another aspect where the film suffers is its music. Anu Malik's music is fairly tuneful, but the film lacks a hit score – so essential for a love story. Although 'fanaa' and the title track are well tuned and well promoted as well, they don't leave a lasting impression. However, background score is effective.

Director Raj Kanwar seems at ease handling the dramatic portions, but is letdown by a mediocre screenplay. Dialogues sound fresh, even though the situations are not. Cinematography is simply flawless. The locales of Canada are a visual treat. Even the indoor look is magnificent. editing is crisp in the first half, but not in the second.

Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye will be remembered for Katrina's towering performance. Cast in a difficult role, the actress takes to it like a fish takes to water. Her expressive eyes and near-perfect dialogue delivery takes you by surprise, while her overall performance is first-rate. Although she tends to get a bit theatrical in the latter reels, there's no denying that she's a powerhouse of talent.

Akshay gives a fair account of himself, although he seems awkward and ill at ease in emotional scenes.Anil Kapoor needs to take care of his outfits, makeup and overall appearance.

Bipsha is, like always, efficient.All up Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye is an ordinary film