大象传媒

Billed as 'the most shocking thriller of the year', Naqaab should have Abbas-Mustan fans salivating at the mere thought of another whodunit involving a dubious menage-a-trois. Sadly, the latest offering from the Indian director duo provides more cheese than chills with a plot inspired by B-grade British film, Dot The I. Revolving around three adults wrapped up in a love triangle that may not be exactly what it seems, its myriad of twists and turns are oddly amusing, but far from edge of your seat stuff.

Just how likely it is for a girl working at Burger King to be dating a multi-millionaire is debatable, but not impossible according to Shiraz Ahmed's screenplay. Sophia D'Souza's (Sharma) good looks are enough reason for her to be living rent free in the plush Dubai mansion of caring but dull businessman Karan Oberoi (Bobby Deol). The two are en-route to marriage until Sophia encounters Vicky (Akshaye Khanna) on a night out with her pals. The stranger sparks a dormant passion within her, and next thing you know she is up against the sort of dilemma constantly plaguing Bollywood leading ladies - should she marry her rich boyfriend, or a poor actor who is acting mighty suspicious? Hmmmm...

"A CINEMATIC CONTRADICTION"

Tickling your funny bone instead of your brain cells, Naqaab is a cinematic contradiction. On one hand its tacky dialogues and bad continuity (watch out for the leading lady dancing in red sandals in one shot and then slippers the next), make you laugh out loud. On the other hand, the frenetic pace at which the story unfolds somehow keeps you engaged. But in the end, it's the compelling performance by debutante Sharma, and not the veil of secrecy surrounding the climax, that will catch most by surprise.

Naqaab is out in the UK on 13th July 2007.