Ishk Actually Hindi Movie
I am sure at least once every cinebuff must've landed him/herself in a film so bad that it would've made them question how certain films get funds and why films that don't deserve a release too end up seeing the light of the day while many highly deserving ones remain in the pipelines. Rajeev Khandelwal starrer Ishk Actually is one such film that challenges your faith in Hindi cinema and the workings of the film industry.
Gia (Neha Ahuja) is at the crossroads in her life, with her heart yearns for Neil (Rajeev Khandelwal) with whom she had a one-night stand she is marrying Kabir (Raayo S Bakhirta) a serious businessman. She grapples with making a decision as she's torn between the two worlds that she's been living in. Who she eventually chooses and how is what follows through the rest of the plot.
You cannot fathom as to why an actor like Rajeev Khandelwal who was popular not just on television but also managed to win critical acclaim with his debut Bollywood film Aamir would ever take up a shoddy film as this.
Director Anish Khanna mercifully sticks to the plot till a considerable portion of the first half while goes guerilla with jump cuts in the second half. The intercut between the past and the present are with such jerks that you lose track of that the filmmaker is actually trying to do. The movie after a point starts appearing disjointed, tedious and boring.
The lackluster dialogues and unimpressive acting only make matters worse.
The only respite in the film are the lilting melodic soft numbers composed by an ensemble of composers and the pretty visuals thanks to cinematographer Duleep Regmi.
Rajeev Khandelwal seems to be in serious crises and should get out of it soon if he plans to last in this industry. Neha Ahuja's only expression throughout the film is that of appearing blank. Raayo Bakhirta who did a decent job in Pyaar Ka Punchnama fails to make an impact in his second film.
In short, Ishk Actually is actually that bad a film that you would either want to run to the exit or make use of the air conditioned theater and sleep your way through it. Best avoided.
