Dil Maange More (2005)
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Ayesha Takia, Tulip Joshi, Soha Ali Khan
Director: Anand Mahadevan
Music Director: Himmesh Reshamiyya
Synopsis: Worth a lazy Sunday afternoon on the sofa—pleasant enough while it lasts
Reviewed by: Faiz Khan

 

Nikhil (Shahid Kapoor) is a happy-go-lucky young man who spends most of his time playing football in the small town of Samarpur. Content with his simple life, he is deeply in love with Neha (Soha Ali Khan), whose ambitions stretch far beyond the confines of their sleepy hometown. Determined to see the world and make something of herself, Neha dreams of becoming an air hostess and eventually leaves for Mumbai to pursue her ambitions.

Unable to accept her departure, Nikhil follows her to Mumbai in the hope of persuading her to return.

Predictably, things don't quite go according to plan.

Instead, he lands a job in a music store, where he meets the attractive Sara (Tulip Joshi). As if one romantic complication weren't enough, he also finds himself living next door to the cheerful Shagun (Ayesha Takia) and her warm-hearted mother (Zarina Wahab). The inevitable verbal sparring between Nikhil and Shagun soon hints at a romance waiting to blossom.

Just when Nikhil finally convinces himself that he has forgotten Neha and decides that Sara is the woman for him, she promptly leaves him for someone else. His attention then shifts towards Shagun—only for Neha to reappear, suddenly eager to rekindle their relationship.

From there the film settles into a familiar cycle of misunderstandings, crossed signals and romantic confusion as Nikhil tries to decide whether his future lies with Neha, Sara or Shagun.

The destination is never really in doubt.

Anand Mahadevan's previous film, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, may not have been entirely successful, but it possessed a certain charm that made its shortcomings easy to forgive. Dil Maange More is cut from much the same cloth. It is little more than lightweight popcorn entertainment, but it remains amiable enough to keep one reasonably entertained. In many ways it plays like a Bollywood chick flick—bright, breezy, mildly amusing and utterly inconsequential.

Shahid Kapoor slips effortlessly into the role of Nikhil and carries the film with considerable ease and likeability. Ayesha Takia is appealing, while Tulip Joshi leaves comparatively little impression. Soha Ali Khan, making her debut, displays surprising confidence and looks completely at ease before the camera. Zarina Wahab, meanwhile, once again demonstrates what a dependable supporting actress she is.

Himesh Reshammiya's music is suitably peppy and fits the mood of the film well enough, although not a single tune lingers in the memory once the end credits have rolled.

Worth a lazy Sunday afternoon on the sofa—pleasant enough while it lasts, but unlikely to occupy your thoughts for very long afterwards.