Raj Kanwar after Andaaz is back with his new outing .The premise works because the two principal characters are genuine and their emotional problems are identifiable. You empathize with their dilemma and growing attraction to one another. Moreover, the chemistry between Akshay and Katrina excites.
But the film is not without its share of flaws. The story is stretched to such an extent that the impact gets diluted. Also, a couple of songs flit in without valid situations whatsoever. For instance, the title track comes soon after a song has ended .
A bit on story
Aditya is an automobile engineer in a car company, and is passionate about cars. He is engaged to Sonia, a fashion designer by profession. Sonia is a typical 21st century professional girl to whom career comes first. Aditya on the other hand is basically a family man. He believes in traditions while Sonia believes in changes. The differences in their beliefs keep on creating frictions in their relationship.
Before marriage Aditya and Sonia have to separate for a while as Aditya has to leave for Canada to attend a training session while Sonia has to go to Paris for a fashion show.
In Canada, Aditya gets to meet Jia, the daughter of a business tycoon A.J. Yashwardhan. She is already engaged to another business magnate. She has come to Canada to shop.
Aditya and Jia happen to spend quite some time with each other. A close friendship develops between them gradually. The friendship grows intimate. At one point of time they tend to forget that they are already engaged to somebody else.
Finally they become lovers. Now they have to choose between their already arranged marriages and the newly found love. They are in a fix.
What do they do? Do they go back to their old arrangements or stick to the intimate love? What is the reaction of Sonia? How things turn in the final count?
Director Raj Kanwar has handled a couple of dramatic sequences with ease. Akshay and Katrina falling in love gradually has been justified well on screen. Even the sequence in the pre-climax, when Anil tells Katrina that she is free to marry the man of her choice is simply brilliant.
However, he shouldn’t have relied too heavily on the tried-and-tested stuff, for the novelty of the plot gets lost in the process. Also, the film can do with some trimming for a better impact.
Music is upbeat and easily one of the highpoints of the film. At least four numbers can easily be singled out for their rhythm and melody, which include the title track , Rock Star , Humko and dil hi ..
Cinematography is first-rate. The locations of Canada give the film a definite sheen. Dialogues are commendable.
Katrina springs a pleasant surprise with a freewheeling performance. She dances well, looks photogenic and her diction is perfect.Akshay is competent.
Bipasha is far from convincing. Even her role is half-baked.Anil is efficient in the concluding reels.
HDKG is a decent entertainer that should find flavour mainly with the youth. However, trimming the film will only brighten its prospects.