Director: Subhash Ghai
Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Antonia Bernath, Isha Shravani
Music: A R Rahman, Ismail Darbar

Kisna, which had stirred the audience and the trade, fails in celluloid. Subash Ghai is left with no alternative other than to kiss the dust. This fictional story is set on the background of the pre-independence British era and seems to be strongly inspired from Lagaan, Titanic and The Last of the Mohicans.

The pluses. A novel and refreshing story. The songs, stunts and the brilliant direction. The magnificent effort, needed to create this magnum opus. The exquisite moments between Vivek Oberoi and Antonia Bernath. Ashok Mehta’'s cinematography. The locales. Antonia Bernath.

The minuses are lack of verve, slow pace, long trailing scenes, unnecessary skin show, famished screenplay, and lackluster script.

The story is a narration by Lady Katherine (Antonia Bernath) and it unfolds in flashback.  Kisna (Vivek Oberoi) plays an Indian youth, a warrior poet who defies his family to save Katherine, a British female from the clutches of a raging nationalist mob.    Katherine is the daughter of British Deputy Commissioner (Michael Maloney) whose house is attacked. Kisna gives shelter to her and decides to escort her to the British High Commission in New Delhi. But the task is nonetheless easy. He faces opposition and threats from his near and dear ones. On the voyage they develop love for each other. Kisna though is already affianced to Laxmi (Isha Sharvani).

The characterization is very apt.  Antonia Bernath is a great talent and furnishes the screen with her vibrant face and zeal. Vivek Oberoi has compiled his part well but his performance though is not implosive. Isha Sharvani, the newcomer, is a dancing diva. She woos with her skill and confidence. Amrish Puri in a negative role of an uncle leaves his impact.  Sushmita Sen, Polly Adams, Om Puri, and Yashpal Sharma impresses.

The film seems to work in bits and pieces. The initial part is striking though it falters halfway. The end just collapses. The plot loosens and the focus misses its grip. It fails to make an impact for once and for all. 

The anticipation has failed and the film will receive a wretched fate. Subash Ghai’s much hyped reverie didn’t strike.  Reactions are supposed to be varied but it won’t receive a standing ovation anyways!