They also try desperately to make their presence felt, quite literally. In one scene, Ugly goes selling a script to Yash Ram studios (I'm not kidding!) and the office is strewn with posters of films produced earlier by the banner. All of them were turkeys at the box office. I'm not sure if the guy acting as the script approver – bald and French bearded – was an impersonation of the banner's head himself, but what I am not sure about I won't assume!

What I am sure about is that the film, to a large extent, does not work. Yes, there are funny moments – thankfully to the talented Mr Shorey – and a few interesting dialogues. Sherawat isn't bad at all. Give her a less constantly-getting-on-your-nerves character, and she could actually make an impact.

The songs can all be done away with. The '99 slaps', which the producers have already warned the audience about, get quite boring by the time the count reaches 9. It's just not funny after a point, I tell you.

Enough talk of Hindi filmmakers trying to be different! Let's have some good films now, folks.

g_aniruddha@dnaindia.net