'Ruslaan': Tacky film on a serious issue (IANS Film Review; Rating: *)

Film: 'Ruslaan'; Cast: Rajveer Sharma, Megha Chatterjee, Smita Jaykar, S.M. Zaheer, Shahbaaz Khan, Ganesh Yadav, Asrani; Director: Mohan Sharma; Rating: *

The audience can't really be blamed if they make up their minds weeks before the release of the film based on its promos. And with 'Ruslaan', the promos are as tacky as the film.

Just like 'Baabarr', the other release this weekend, 'Ruslaan' too has debutant Rajveer Sharma playing the title role. But while in 'Baabarr', the lead character is out and out negative, that's not really the case in 'Ruslaan' where the young man is innocent and framed for a terrorist attack.

The film reminds you of quite a lot of such films made in the recent past, but each and every frame in 'Ruslaan' reflects that the film was probably shot under severe money constraints.

One wouldn't have minded watching the film if the story was captivating and if the film has been shot impressively. But sadly that is not the case here.

'Ruslaan' has a predictable narrative and some 'below the poverty line' production values and even the actors don't contribute enough.

For someone who has been caught for apparently indulging in an act of terror, Rajveer Sharma doesn't quite grab your attention.

'Ruslaan' could have been a good project for Rajveer Sharma to showcase his talent, but in the end it is a lost opportunity for debutant actor and Megha Chatterjee - daughter of Maushami Chatterjee.

Megha Chatterjee couldn't have suffered from a more ill fated beginning to her Bollywood career. Neither is her role substantial and nor does she manage to make much of an impression in the screen time given to her.

It's hard to find some redeeming value in the film. The interval point makes you feel that the second half may have something better to offer but that is not to be. Worse, the music by Raeess Jamal Khan too belongs to the bottom of the barrel.