Sona Mishra (Konkona) is a struggling starlet from Kanpur, exchanging favours with producer Choudhry in return for the proverbial big break that never comes. On the other hand is Vikram Jai Singh (Farhan), a street-savvy dilli ka munda on a similar quest to make it big in apna Bollywood, by hook or by crook. Throw in a handful of industry typecasts and mavericks and another handful of special appearances, you have a colourful concoction that is a decent 150-minute joyride into the innards of Bollywood. As with real life, morals and values are adaptable here, yet this is a world resembling more a circus rather than a nightmare.

The tour de force lies in the praiseworthy characterisation - characters are well-developed and arresting, each in their own way, so much so that while Vikram has us swooning when he courts Sona, as easily he has us cursing him when he cheats on her. Both Konkona and Farhan put in commendable performances; both Sona and Vikram are strong characters and how each of them carves out the respective manzils in a racy world is the journey that the film traces.

Destiny is there and so is determination. Isha as Nikki puts in a convincing performance in a not-so-easy-as-it-looks role. Dimple is ’still (one of) the most beautiful women in the world’, as Vikram says. Rishi Kapoor, one of my favourite actors since my childhood, still manages to look cute and performs credibly as the rolly-polly Romy Rolly. Special mention must be made of the gorgeous Juhi’s gorgeous wardrobe, Sanjay Kapoor’s cowboy hat, Nikki dancing on the lake in the song where Vikram’s hairdo sucks, Sona’s awesome totes, the vibrant Baawre sets and true-blue superstar Zafar Khan’s scene with the kids.

In fact, the latter is probably the most sorted out and likeable character in the film. The guest appearances are fun to watch, especially the sequence where you have a handful of actors: AB baby, John Abs, Ranbir and Akshaye Khanna, approached for a role rejected by Zafar. Akshaye is the best, eliciting the most appreciation and laughter from the audience without speaking a word! The diamond in the tiara is, however, the King Khan himself. SRK strolls in royally for the Epiphany and you are convinced instantly of what must be one of the happier laws of life - that virtue and values need not be alien to stardom and success. Talons prove useful when you need to claw your way to the top but you need more than that to remain at the top... and who better than SRK, living proof of superstar amity grounded in uprightness, to drive home the point?

It is easy to figure out why Luck By Chance has been hugely popular in cinematic circles. It is like the ghar ki daal served as biriyani. Those expecting a typical masala fare ending will perhaps be disappointed but those willing and able to rise above the middling mindset will be pleased. Luck By Chance may not be a film that leaves a lasting impression but the message you take away from the film remains with you in all its well-meant sincerity.