"Impressive but typecasted"--Martin D'Souza Spoilers in this review

Two assistants in prison for the murder of their boss, Bobby Deol acts like schoolboys on a picnic which dilutes whatever impact the weak script manages to bring about. Vikas Kalantri and Vishal Malhotra, who find themselves behind bars, are trying to figure out what emotions to give the camera and in the bargain goof up the scene. NAQAAB does not live up to the director duo Abbas-Mustan’s forte of making thrillers. The duo who have given hits like BAZIGAAR and DARAAR fail to revive the magic of HUMRAAZ, even though the cast still has Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna, the two stars of the last-named flick. So what’s wrong? For starters, the script is very weak and that’s where the story ends. What unfolds next is struggling actor Akshaye Khanna and private detective Raj Zutshi’s handycam work that is being filmed as a reality movie. The only surprise element here is that both don’t know to what extent they are being used. Also, debutante Urvashi Sharma, who is engaged to millionaire Bobby Deol, knows not what her boyfriend is upto.
Akshaye Khanna is once again impressive, but the roles he is getting are typecasting this talented actor. Bobby Deol is passable but what really spoils the plot is the inclusion of Vikas Kalantri and Vishal Malhotra whose roles are neither clearly defined, nor is their acting upto the mark. In short, it’s like an eyesore every time they come on screen. Whatever little intensity is built up goes kaput when they open their mouths. Clearly, a case of bad casting. One scene is a repeat of LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIE when Akshaye and Urvashi go to a five-star hotel for lunch. Aftab Shivdasani treats Koel Purie to a five-star lunch using room service and request for the food to be kept outside a door that has a ‘Do Not Disturb Sign’. Akshaye does ditto. Urvashi Sharma is confident for a newcomer. She carries off her scenes with ease and is as comfortable in a bikini as she is in a sari. All she needs to take care of is certain camera angles, which does not do justice to her looks. Music by Pritam is what keeps the film together.

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