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Candid Camera

People believe that Ray and Simi are killers so it is no wonder that when they walk into a pub, a bunch of locals stop merry-making and stare. Bizarrely, instead of handing over the couple to the cops the locals walk up to sultry Simi and ask, ‘Can you dance?’ Well, of course she can, and promptly breaks into an impromptu song and dance, with lover boy Ray following suit.

Now how on earth can you take a thriller that has such a ridiculous scene seriously? Aa Dekhen Zara offers an unusual if far-fetched premise but as is often the case with thrillers from Bollywood, is crammed with songs that all but kill the tempo.

The story revolves around Ray, a photographer whose grandfather (Biswajeet, in a rare cameo) bequeaths him a camera that can foretell the future. The cash-strapped Ray soon realises that the camera can earn him millions and things are hunky dory until he takes a photograph of himself. He is gobsmacked by what he sees, and to make matters worse there is Captain (Rahul Dev), who wants the camera for himself. As the body count climbs, the hero and his lady love Simi (Miss Basu cast as a DJ for no particular reason) desperately try to save the camera and themselves.

Unlike his single stoic expression in Johnny Gaddaar, there is a little more animation on Neil Nitin Mukesh’s demeanour this time, and overall it’s a likeable act. Bipasha Basu is earnest enough, but there’s no spark between the two. Indeed, they look a mismatched pair. Sophie Chaudhary, saddled with an unintentionally hilarious role, slithers around in skimpy clothes.

Debutant director Jehangir Surti begins promisingly but the proceedings turn confusing when the scenario shifts to Thailand and by the time the film ends, we are quite lost. On the plus side, the film wears a slick look, the title track is peppy and the length (runtime: approximately 110 minutes) is about right. Bottom line: Aa Dekhen Zara is a romantic thriller with minimal thrills, best pegged as average timepass fare.