Movie Review : 'Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha'
Critic’s Rating: **1/2 2.5/5
Cast: Shiv Darshan, Natasha Fernandez and Upen Patel
Direction: Suneel Darshan
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Duration: 1 hr 45 mins
What Is It About:
A charming and young girl, Natasha (Natasha Fernandez) who decides to have her destination wedding at her ancestral property goes there along with her fiancé Sunny (Upen Patel). Destiny had other plans as she falls in love with the stud farm keeper Devdhar (Shiv Darshan). However, what follows is a game of deception with an unexpected turn of events…
Review :
When I first heard of the movie title “Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha”, it reminded me of the evergreen song from the movie Karz but there seems to be no such connection between them. This romantic thriller stars Shiv Darshan, debutant Natasha Fernandes and the handsome hunk Upen Patel. Suneel Darshan who has given us notable movies like Jaanwar, Ek Rishtaa, Talaash: The Hunt Begins, Andaaz, Barsaat ,Shakalaka Boom Boom and many more, disappoints in this one.
While trying to add a supernatural element to this game of love and deception, the makers of this movie end up producing a medley of hilarious events, which leaves us confused and amused altogether. Shiv Darshan being one of the leads, is portrayed as a supernatural being, with Vampire-like powers and his over the top dramatic Urdu dialogues which will remind us of the old era of romance gone wrong! Also, the newbie Natasha isn’t very realistic in her approach and brings out a very plastic character onscreen, who falls head over heels in love with the supernatural stable boy.
Although, Upen Patel serves as the saving grace for this movie with his subtle presence and realistic approach.
What’s Hot:
The Music by Nadeem Saifi (of Nadeem Shravan fame) is the highlight of this film as the songs Hue Bechain, Aankhon Mein Aansoon and Nain Song have been loved by the masses. Apart from this the only meritorious part is the honest and effortless performance by Upen Patel. The locations in the United Kingdom, across several sites including Cornwall, Dartmouth, Cardiff and Manchester have been captured like a portrait.
What’s Not:
The film which depicts a ghost returning to claim the love of his life, in the form of his lover's grand-daughter is beyond comprehension. There are various scenes which were meant to be serious actually have the audience in splits as it’s so bizarre.
Verdict : A romantic saga which is worth watching only for Nadeem Saifi’s music and a honest and commendable performance by Upen Patel.