By Martin D'Souza, Bollywood Trade News Network
Is it the story of Madhubala, Meenakumari or Sarika? Is it a movie, documentary or making of a movie? Nothing is clear. Sad, because director Sudhir Mishra has an interesting subject on hand but somewhere, he loses it while converting his thoughts into screenplay.
You don't know whether what you are seeing on screen is the actual shot of the movie or of another movie being shot within the movie? Confusing, right? Absolutely! There is no effort to brighten up the lighting!!! So there you are caught wondering what is being projected on screen. After some time, you stop taxing your brain and just slip deeper into your seat.
And if the film is set in the sixties and seventies and the other actors dress and have hairstyles resembling that era, why is Shiney Ahuja (Zafar) a writer-director looking like he has stepped out of an Ad in the current era? Speaking of Ahuja, he steps onto the screen with a pained expression and maintains it throughout the duration of the 15 reels. Vinay Pathak is falling into a dangerous rut. This talented actor is playing a side-kick more than once. While there is nothing wrong in playing a side-kick, I have to admit that Vinay is far more talented. He has to use his creative side more imaginatively if he wants to leave an indelible mark on Indian cinema. And I know this man has that.
Now for the story, if you have not yet guessed from the opening line. It is about the struggle of a pushy mother to get her daughter, who is already an extra in films, the heroine roles even before she can turn 15! So she pushes real hard taking her to producers and directors who scar Soha Ali Khan (Nikhat). Later, Nikhat, 'uses' the reigning star of that time Rajat Kapoor, to climb up the ladder. She also realizes that when she decides to get married to Zafar, her bank account has been wiped off by her mother! Rings a bell???
To cut the long story short, Zafar and Nikhat then 'Live in'. He then has some differences because she refuses to do his film, which eventually flops and he moves off to England while Nikhat hits the bottle big time. Cut to a few years later when Zafar returns. He learns that Nikhat also has a hole in the heart, after she agrees to star in his film. They marry. She dies a year later, and Zafar goes on to make many more films. The last two lines are flashed on screen when the movie ends, that's how I know.
Among the star cast there is only Soha Ali Khan who stands out. No not because of any extraordinary bit of acting. The girl is talented no doubt, but the role is such that the focus is always on her. KHOYA KHOYA CHAND is a mind-blowing show reel for Soha.
To go or not: Like I mentioned, this is a movie which is lost in translation (somehow, Mishra's intentions and story is not properly executed on screen). If you don't want to be confused, please stay at home. The only saving grace is the music.
Ratings: 1/5
