Director Dharmesh Darshan's latest offering is a little bit of a lot of things. While Dhadkan's basic plot is inspired particularly by such films as Yash Chopra's Darr and Raj Kanwar's Jeet, you're also likely to find similarities to films like Beta, and even the director's own Raja Hindustani.Despite spectacular camerawork (by W B Rao), chart-busting music (easily one of the best albums this year, by Nadeem-Shravan), and an impressive glossy look, Dhadkan simply fails to realise its potential because of a script that seems like it might have been written some forty years ago. Cliches like evil souteli mothers, and good-as-gold betas who want to win over their nasty relatives through pyaar should have gone out of fashion a long time ago, right? Apparently not.Of the cast, Shilpa Shetty looks resplendent in those pastel-coloured outfits and an all-new seedha-saadha look. She manages a sincere performance that is easily her best so far. Despite the occasional melodramatic over-acting, she is a pleasure to watch. Akshay Kumar plays his part well, and lends able support. Sunil Shetty shines with a performance that is neither over-the-top, nor underplayed. He exudes just the right amount of intensity that his character requires. Mahima Chaudhary, meanwhile, despite only three-and-a-half scenes and one song to her credit, delivers the goods perfectly. Once again she proves she's a natural before the camera.Unfortunately, despite just about every other department meeting the requirements, the film falls flat on its face because of a cliched storyline and not-so-brilliant direction.First Mela, now this. Dharmesh Darshan, please put a dhakkan on it, will you?
