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Indian Babu

28/ 3/2003

DIRECTOR Lawrence D´Souza had hits with 'Saajan' and 'Arzoo' but I'm afraid it is not third time lucky with his latest offering 'Indian Babu'.

This film has no familiar faces, a relatively unknown distributor and a lack of promotion in the right place. Its plot and acting could have saved it but neither rise much above the broingly predictable.

India Babu is the story of ´Dil´ (played by newcomer Gurleen Chopra), the daughter of a poor farmer 'Babu'.

She is engaged against her will the son of the village zamindar.

It is discovered that Dil has heart problems and her father in law to be sends her to London for treatment.

Abroad the story follows the obvious path of Dil meeting her true love and, the 'hero' of the film, Jeet (Jas Pandher) after being introduced to him by her cousin. This character is played by dance queen Honey Kalaria and the film is much plugged in the UK where she is based as her big Bollywood break.

Dil returns to India after her successful operation, Jeet realises that he cannot live without her and ends up pursuing her in her native village.

The second half of the films deals with a tedious and drawn out battle between young lovers and parents. The psychological drama holds no surprises and since it has been told countless times in Indian films, is utterly boring.

The two newcommers do not make impressive debuts. Honey has adopted a florid and rather gushing acting style somewhat reminiscent an American cheerleader while Gurleen is bland and seems out of sort with her sick tragic young woman character.

Melodies from Nadeem Shravan are hummable, especially 'Mera Dil Mera Dil', but the music alone does not save the film.

SB