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By Taran
Adarsh, June 20, 2008 - 12:00 IST
 This common question is addressed to the producer
[Kumar Mangat], director [Anil Devgan] and lead
actors [Amita Pathak, Nakuul Mehta, Adhyayan Suman]
of HAAL-E-DIL: What actually did you see in the
script of this film? And the next question is for
the writer [Dhiraj Ratan]: How could you pen this
apology of a script? Sorry, let me alter the
question: Do you know the basics of screenplay
writing?
Really, if there was a 'Razzie' [it salutes the
worst in movies] in Bollywood, the writer would've
walked away with the statuette, stealing the march
from contenders like TASHAN, JIMMY and HASTEY
HASTEY.
HAAL-E-DIL suits the adage so well - Body beautiful
minus soul. Filmed on some stunning locales, the
film registers a strong visual impact. Add to it the
popular musical score. Also, the two lead men show
sparks and are sure to be noticed, irrespective of
how badly this film fares at the ticket window.
Sadly, the shoddy writing camouflages the positives
completely. You expect to be served a sumptuous,
seven-course meal, but the writer serves you a few
crumbs.
All said, HAAL-E-DIL is a terrible waste of a
terrific opportunity. This one, I am sure, would
easily rank prominently in the 'Letdowns of 2008'
when one compiles the facts as the sun sets on the
year.
HAAL-E-DIL tells the story of Sanjana [Amita Pathka],
for whom love is chaste and sacred. It's the story
of Shekhar [Nakuul Mehta], who keeps tripping for
every second girl and loves to be in the perennial
state of love, not realizing that he is going to
meet a girl who'll change his existence. It's the
story of Rohit [Adhyayan Suman], who would fall so
deep in love that resurfacing would be impossible.
Sanjana is at the crossroads of life where she has
to choose between her perfect love and a perfect
stranger.
 Strangely, two of the three Hindi releases this week
bear an uncanny resemblance to the immensely likable
JAB WE MET -- HAAL-E-DIL and KHUSHBOO. In this case,
the story fails to grab your attention from the very
start. In fact, confusion prevails all through this
misadventure, so much so that there're times when
the viewer is forced to ask the person seated next
to him: How did that happen? Or what was that?
The love story is completely lifeless and the train
yatra is anything but enjoyable. The adventure in
the jungles [where the couple bumps into a Veerappan
look-alike] is equally sad. If the intention was to
add a dash of thrill or adventure to the goings-on,
sorry, it falls flat. Or if the intention was to
raise a few laughs, sorry again, it's anything but
funny.
The 7-day fast undertaken by one of the leads in the
concluding reels in equally phika. Are we living in
the 21st century? Why is the screen writing so
regressive in Hindi movies? Prior to that, the
viewer learns that one of the leads has passed away
and you actually fall off your seat. Ab yeh twist
kahan se aaya?
Director Anil Devgan is off the mark this time.
Frankly, his RAJU CHACHA and BLACKMAIL appear as
classics when compared to this one. Music is the
only saving grace. Every track has been filmed on a
panoramic locale and acts as an eye candy.
Cinematography [Rajeev Ravi] is efficient.
 Nakuul Mehta may subconsciously be inspired by SRK,
but you don't mind it. In all fairness, he's very
confident, a bundle of energy and knows his job
well. His expressions are perfect at all times.
Adhyayan Suman definitely deserved a better launch.
What's he doing in this film? He has the talent,
which, unfortunately, hasn't been channelized at all
in this misadventure.
Amita Pathak is a fine actor, no two opinions on
that. But there's a problem. She looks too plump and
her makeup makes her look mature. Very frankly, she
looks much better in real life than on screen.
On the whole, HAAL-E-DIL is a complete dil-breaker.
This one's gonna sink at the box-office!
Rating * 1/2
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