Shobha De's take on LAK

This is a picture I clicked of a Romanian Gypsy child. I found it heart breaking... look into those sad eyes. Look at the plastic begging bowl. There she was at the palace gates in Krakow on a cold evening, playing a single tune over and over again on that little accordian. I placed a few coins in the bowl.... but couldn't walk away. Our guide obviously didn't like the sight of a beggar girl at the busy tourist spot. He snorted, " These people are no good. They send their children and women to beg, while the men steal and get drunk. We don't like Gypsies... they are a menace to society." Poor child. She hadn't asked to be born to Gypsy parents!

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I am not in the best of moods... I have just come home after enduring two hours of unadulterated tedium in the form of 'Love Aaj Kal.' Right now, I'm in no mood to feel sorry for Saif... I'm feeling sorrier for myself. I haven't been this bored for a long, long time. Much as I like Saif, there is something called too much of a good thing . Saif is in every damn frame! His monologues are embarrassing, and I got the distinct feeling if he could have played Deepika's role as well, he probably would have! He plays the jawan Rishi Kapoor ( the best moments in the film), and he pretty much plays himself for 120 minutes. There is no story as such, no fun stuff either. The item numbers are stale and borrowed. Plus, there is a truly ghastly New Year's eve sequence which redefines 'tacky'. What else??? Rishi Kapoor is the sole saving grace in an otherwise pointless movie. The anonymous young girl who plays the young Neetu Singh is refreshingly natural, likeable and way better than Deepika, whose make up is most unfortunate! Howcome the film has received a four star rating?? What's there to like??? If it's a hit, Saif will have the last laugh, of course. But come on, Imtiaz Ali - much more was expected from you after the sizzle, crackle and zing of 'Jab We Met.'