Film: Hello

Director: Atul Agnihotri

Cast: Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Aarbaz Khan, Katrina Kaif, Amrit Arora, Shaarmana Joshi, Gul Panag, Eesha Koppikaar, Sharat Saxena, Dilip Tahil and Suresh Mennon

Rating: 1.5/5

There are books and there are films. Often it has been seen that either of these are created and told through the other. Hello is adapted from Chetan Bhagat's 'One Night @ A Call Centre'. Now, while the book makes for a light read, the film is far from being a pleasant watch. The written word takes the form of a futile film.

Just as the book, the film is about call centre agents and the events that transpire one night. Just when they thought everything was over, they end up receiving a phone call from God. These call centre executives have so much going on in their lives that things just don't seem to get any easier.

Esha (Eesha Kpooikar) aspires to be a model, works non stop and at some point compromises. Loving her is what comes naturally to Varun (Sohail Khan), who personally is equally troubled watching his parents quarrel endlessly. On the other front of the lovers lie Priyanka (Gul Panag) and Shyam (Sharman Joshi) who having separated still breathe the same office air and deep down harbor strong feelings for the other. Unlike any other Radhika (Amrita Arora), the married one is tired of playing the 'wonder woman', working both at office and at home. Longing to see her husband (Arbaaz Khan), she silently sighs day after day. Longing is something even Military Uncle understands (Sharat Saxena), who thirsts to lay eyes upon his grandson. Emotions, love, deceit and a phone call is all that it takes to change their lives for good.

Understanding that movies and books are two completely different media that offer dissimilar experiences is something that is clearly lacking in this film. What the book makes up for in description and has you imagine, is clearly interpreted and shown in the film; thus making the whole fare not the least bit imaginative. It is wrong to say that the filmmaker did not know this, as clearly some scenes have been improvised and done differently. But in all honesty these improvisations are...

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