FROM WHAT the audience get to see in Woodstock Villa, Sikander seems be an average performer, neither too bad, nor too good, just plain average. This apart, the film also has Neha Uberoi in her first full fledged role (if her one story act in dudc oops!c Dus Kahaaniyaan is discounted). She, in fact, makes a better impression than Sikander.

The film tells the story of Jatin Kampani (Arbaaz Khan), who is in a love-less marriage (thats the impression initial reels give) with Zara Kampani (Neha Uberoi).

Things take a turn when Zara is kidnapped and Jatin gets a call for ransom. The caller is Sikander.

In the very next scene it is revealed that Zara has in fact staged her kidnap with Sikander because she wants to test her husbands love for her.

Things go awry when Zara is found murdered. Or has she really been murdered? Who is playing games with whom? This premise forms the crux of the story and the narrative of the film.

Call it irony or plain inspiration, the film borrows the entire track of the story from Abbas-Mastan’s earlier hit Ajnabee (isnt it coincidental that the director duo has given one of the biggest hits of 2008, Race).

The director, Hansal Mehta, starts the film with a very taut and gripping narrative. The shots are not only well-executed, but also help heighten the drama and tension.

However, once Sikander is introduced in a song (a bad remix of Mikas hit Saawan Mein Lag Gayee Aagc) the film falters. So much so that despite its short running time of 85 to 90 minutes, audience can be seen yawning for a major part of the film.

The film does pick up towards the end, but the damage has already been done. Audience have lost interest in the plot, in the narrative, in the characters and in the film. The four or five songs only serve as deterrents to audiences interest. Imagine, there is no response even to Sanjay Dutt’s song.

The screenplay (Sanjay Gupta, Rajiv Gopal and S Farhan) is flawed. How else do you explain Jatins and Zaras motivations? If the characters wanted to plot, wouldnt the character of Zara go underground, instead of featuring in a music-video? There are many such instances, which are wrong on the part of writers in terms of characterisation.

Technically, the film’s best aspect is its cinematography. Amar Mohile’s background score is simply mind-blowing, particularly in the initial scenes.

Of the actors, Sikandar is average, while Neha Uberoi is a shade better. However, it is Arbaaz Khan who surprises with his act, one of his best and most natural acts so far. Sachin Khedekar and Dayashanker Pandey are wasted in the roles of routine cops.

A below average fare, which the audience can skip for a better and a more happening weekend.