Vikram Bhatt had scored a sixer with last year’s horror film, Haunted. Hence, a section of moviegoing audience was keenly awaiting his next, Dangerous Ishhq. His style of execution has been top-class in most films but he wasn’t in form in Dangerous Ishhq. And this is sad, since he was equipped with a very interesting storyline that could have turned into a great entertainer. Just proves once again that it’s not the content but the treatment that matters the most!

The story of the movie: Sanjana (Karisma Kapoor) is a supermodel in love with a rich industrialist, Rohan (Rajniesh Duggall). Life was going great for them until one day, Rohan gets kidnapped. At the same time, Sanjana experiences strange visuals and sounds. Her doctor friend, Neetu (Divya Dutta) realizes that these strange occurrences could be related to her past life and hence takes her to a past life regression therapist. Sanjana then travels to her past lives and realizes that Rohan has been her partner in her every life and a powerful force has always tried to separate them. And this villainous force can be the one behind Rohan’s kidnapping. Who is he/she and what is its motive? Watch Dangerous Ishhq to find out!

Dangerous Ishhq has a shaky start but gets on track when Rohan gets kidnapped. Also the scene in the hospital when Sanjana gets the past life memories for the first time was intriguing. Similarly was the scene where she suddenly realizes that she can read a language, alien to her! The scene at the therapist took takes off well but the tacky special effects spoil the show! However, the entire partition-related Landi Kotal sequence was fairly interesting. The second past-life episode – Daulatabad circa 1658 – was the least interesting! And most interesting and powerful was the Chittorgarh episode of 1535. However, it comes too late in the day. The three past life tracks don’t come one after another. There are gaps with the kidnapping track going on simultaneously. And it is this part of the film that’s most unconvincing. ACP Singh (Jimmy Shergill) ordering his juniors to prepare the sketch of the accused, as ‘seen’ by Sanajana during her regression seemed unconvincing. Also, the entire episode at the truck depot and the bar just doesn’t register any impact. Thankfully, the twist in the climax works to an extent!

Even the performances aren’t exemplary. Karisma Kapoor does well in the present-day portions but her Urdu and Rajasthani accent didn’t sound authentic. She looks beautiful throughout the film though! Rajniesh Duggall was alright in the beginning portions but delivers his best in the partition episode. He is hardly there in the second half even though the film revolves around him! As expected, Jimmy Shergill gives a brilliant performance and turns out to be the best performer of the film. Divya Dutta was likeable in all her avatars. Ravi Kiseen leaves a mark in a small role. So does Aarya Babbar. Samir Kocchar and Ruslaan Mumtaz were okay. The film also features Gracy Singh as Meerabai! Others were okay.

Himesh Reshammiya’s music is letdown and the only songs that work to an extent is ‘Tu Hi Rab’. Raju Singh’s background score was too loud. Pravin Bhatt’s cinematography was alright. The VFX didn’t work. Girish Dhamija’s dialogues could have been sharper.

Amin Hajee, who also wrote Haunted, comes up with a very interesting storyline which, if it was treated well, could have made for an interesting saga. But sadly and shockingly, Vikram Bhatt’s direction was disappointing. He messed up the most in the kidnapping drama and the Daulatabad scene. I love the 90s feel and songs that Bhatt incorporates in his films but in Dangerous Ishhq, it misfired. The songs acted as sore thumb! Also, what was the need for 3D in the film? Except the glass breaking and debris flying sequence, there was nothing extraordinary or ‘3D-worthy’ in the movie! Hope Vikram’s next Raaz 3 justifies the 3D context!

Few good scenes in the film:
1. Sanjana in hospital
2. The Landi Kotal sequence
3. The blast in the hotel
4. The climax

On the whole, Dangerous Ishhq is one of the biggest disappointments of the year! Equipped with an interesting storyline, Vikram Bhatt messes up with the script and direction. Even Karisma was good but not great! The other film of the week, Ishaqzaade, is any day a safer bet than Dangerous Ishhq!

My rating-** out of 5!