Gone in a flash

Debutant director Jehangir Surti's Aa Dekhen Zara is a classic example of a good idea gone bad due to poor execution.

The film could have been a slick, racy sci-fi thriller but, unfortunately, only limps its way to the finishing line without even once exploring the sci-fi angle convincingly.

Twist of fate

Life changes overnight for Ray Acharya (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a struggling wildlife photographer, when his grandfather (Biswajit) leaves behind a unique camera for him.

This camera has the power to show him photographs from the future and Ray exploits this attribute by betting on lotteries, horse racing, cricket matches and the stock market.
He even manages to win the heart of a DJ, Simi (Bipasha Basu).

All is fine until the camera becomes a national security issue and a bunch of evil forces, led by Captain (Rahul Dev), pursue Ray and his camera.

Aa Dekhen Zara starts off well and with the kind of subject it tackles, should ideally have been a rollercoaster ride.

However, the film is let down by amateurish writing, especially in the second half.

Cue from the past

Surti should have taken a cue from the 1980s hit, Mr India, which successfully tackled a similar subject. The film became an instant hit with children.

However, Aa Dekhen Zara neither appeals to kids, nor is it intellectual enough for grown-ups.

After an impressive debut in Johnny Gaddaar, Mukesh's acting skills in Aa Dekhen Zara seem to have gone a step backwards. However, the hackneyed screenplay is also to blame.

Mukesh comes across as wooden in a few scenes and needs a mature director to help him hone his acting skills. Basu looks glamorous but doesn't have much to do.

Dev brings some life into the film with his cool characterisation and portrayal. Sophie Choudry adds to the oomph but is nothing short of a joke as an undercover agent.

The music by Pritam and Gourav Dasgupta is peppy and is well matched by vibrant choreography.

The production values of the film are good, with decent chase sequences, which are given a leg up by Jehangir Chaudhary's consistent cinematography.

Sequel scare

Aa Dekhen Zara is a missed opportunity — it could have made for an intelligent and entertaining sci-fi thriller. However, it should be a good choice for a DVD watch.

There is a hint, at the end of the film, that there may be a sequel dealing with time machines. But, for starters, filmmakers should concentrate on making a decent original first.

— Abdulla Mahmood is a UAE-based freelance writer