Producer: Vishal Nihalani
Director: Apoorva Lakhia
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Lara Dutta
Music: Anu Malik

Apoorva Lakhia who has assisted some of the biggest names in Hollywood directs this film ‘Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost’ with Abhishek Bachchan and Lara Dutta playing the lead. This is for the first time they are paired together on the screen. Let’s take a look at this unique looking film.

The film is set in rural milieu in the interiors of India. It brings into fore one such village where electricity has not reached yet. Kanji (Abhishek Bachchan) who lives in the city goes back to the village to his grandfather with a gift television set. Little does he know that this will spark off a power struggle leading to violence and mayhem.

The film is refreshing in the sense that the subject is very novel. Director Apoorva Lakhia makes a different kind of film in a village setting and his efforts are commendable in this regard. The film begins with the problem of power struggle but soon drifts to different tracks and this makes our attention sway. Also the humor helps little and tends to deviate it from the plot. Some efforts were also required for the romance of Abhishek and Lara that looks too much taken for granted. Technically the film is aplomb. Cinematographer Gururaj R.J makes the ambience charming. Some executed sequences are superlative. The climax is apt and satisfactory.

The raw and rustic feel of Anu Malik's music gel well with the screenplay. Editing by Steven Bernard ought to be sharper.

Abhishek Bachchan performs well and he makes it evident that he is growing with every film. Lara Dutta looks good and her performance is average. Yashpal Sharma suits the role to the sore. Aditya Lakhia and Akhilendra Mishra are useful. Dayashankar Pandey, Shubro Bhattacharya, Raageshwari and Chunkey Pandey aren’t impressive.

The film as a whole is an ordinary affair, which leaves its mark in bits and pieces but nothing as a whole for a stunning impact.