Kash...Aap Hamare Hote lacks appeal

Why am I watching this film?

Which year is this? 2003? 1960?

A film designed by Raj Babbar. What the heck does that mean?

These are some questions that popped in my head while viewing Babbar Films' Kash... Aap Hamare Hote.

1960ish in flavour, predictable in nature and wanting in content, the film is a relentless exercise in boredom.

The film is a launch vehicle for Raj and Nadira Babbar's daughter Juhi. Sure enough, the newcomer is present in almost every frame of the film. As an aside, most star daughters -- Karisma and Kareena Kapoor, Kajol, Esha Deol, Twinkle Khanna -- have been launched in outside productions. Star sons usually debut in home productions -- Sunny and Bobby Deol, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Fardeen Khan and Hrithik Roshan, for instance.

Kash... is about Amrita (Juhi Babbar), who resides with her affectionate uncle Yashwant Raj Mankotia (Om Puri). At her uncle's insistence, Amrita agrees to marry his only son, Canada-based Randeep (Sharad Kapoor).

Now Randeep is an ungrateful swine who marries Amrita for her inheritance. He and his under-dressed business partner Simone (Saadhika) make life hell for Amrita, who eventually escapes from their clutches. Here on, the film becomes a distorted version of Nasir Hussain's musical hit Caravan sans the gypsies.

Amrita seeks refuge with Jay (Sonu Niigaam), an illegal immigrant who works at Sardar Teja Singh's (Raj Babbar) sawmill. Strangely, even though Jay is a small-time sawmill worker; he lives in a plush cottage.

Trust me, this film invokes the silliest of thoughts. Like why is Juhi wearing such atrociously bright colors? Why do Sharad Kapoor and Saadhika try to pull off a vernacular accent? Why does Sonu do an irritating impersonation of Dev Anand? And so on...

Speaking of Sonu Niigaam, who declared during a press screening, 'I am here to stay,' I beg to differ. He is a fabulous singer but as an actor, he lacks both talent and screen presence.

On the other hand, Juhi makes a decent debut. She exudes confidence and has powerful dialogue delivery. She might not be the glamour girl that is a necessity in Bollywood and could do with some toning down in her dress sense.

The best thing about the film is Manmohan Singh's cinematography. A Yash Chopra regular, Singh captures gorgeous Canada beautifully.

But then, films do not run on stunning locations, technical superiority or catchy music. Kash... simply lacks appeal in all other departments.