director: DHARMESH DARSHAN

producer: RATAN JAIN

cast: SHILPA SHETTY, SUNIL SHETTY, AKSHAY KUMAR and MAHIMA CHAUDHARY.

music: NADEEM - SHRAVAN

lyrics: SAMEER

DHADKAN tells the story of Anjali (Shilpa Shetty) and Dev (Sunil Shetty), who are in love with each other. Anjali's parents (Kiran Kumar and Anjana Mumtaz) are against this match as Dev is not only poor but also a child out of wedlock, while Anjali belongs to the upper crust. Dev's dependence on Anjali is tremendous, as he has none but her to call his own.

When Anjali leaves Dev to marry Ram (Akshay Kumar), Dev is heart broken. His worries multiply when his mother (Sharmila Tagore) also dies, shocked to hear about her son's split with Anjali. However, Dev continues to hope for Anjali's return.

Dev feels that he lost Anjali to Ram because he had nothing to offer her in this materialistic world, so he decides to become rich and get her back. In the meantime, Anjali suffers from her past while she's with Ram plus Ram's step family (Sushma Seth, Manjeet & Parmeet Sethi) who are evil as hell and trying their best to make Anjali leave Ram. Later Ram kicks them out of the house. Then Anjali slowly starts loving and respecting her husband, Ram, whose love for Anjali knows no bounds.

Enters Sheetal Verma (Mahima Chaudhary), a sophisticated girl from London, who falls in love with Dev, knowing fully well that Dev is in love with an already-married woman.

DHADKAN is an intense love story and director Dharmesh Darshan has handled it with the sensitivity it deserves. The initial few reels make the base for a love triangle. Shilpa and Sunil parting ways, Shilpa and Akshay's marriage and the turbulent times their marital life faces � Dharmesh Darshan comes to the point straightaway, not meandering on various tracks at all. The re-emergence of Sunil Shetty at the interval is a turning point and one eagerly looks forward to the second half of the film.

The second half has its share of strengths and weaknesses. The intense sequences between Shilpa and Sunil have been handled perfectly.

Anpam Kher is introduced as Mahima's father at the end of the movie and when she talks about her plans of marrying Sunil, Anupam gives a not-too-happy look at the mention of Sunil's name.

Director Dharmesh Darshan gives another perfect love story film after Raja Hindustani. Although his latest film Mela bombed at the Box Office. W.B. Rao's cinematography is top class. The film is rich in visuals and the outcome is splendid. The background music (Surender Sodhi) is very effective. Dialogues are first-rate. They sound fresh to the ears and elevate the emotional scenes considerably. Nadeem-Shravan's music is a must in the film.

Performances! Shilpa Shetty's life will definately change after Dhadkan, as she's been saying it from the begining. She will definately change everybody's mind after seeing her in Dhadkan. She looks amazing, delivers her lines effectively and emotes with utmost conviction. Dhadkan will definately help her.

Akshay Kumar does very well in his role. He is very controlled and handles this difficult role with sincerity.

Sunil Shetty is perfect in the role of Dev! His role has shades of grey and he handles this complex role with flourish.

Mahima Chaudhary does her role well too.

Sharmila Tagore leaves an impression in a brief role.

Kiran Kumar is superb as Shilpa's doting father.

Anjana Mumtaz is equally nice.

Sushma Seth does very well but loud at some places.

On the whole, DHADKAN is targeted at the gentry, not the masses, which will restrict its prospects to a major extent. Trimming the film in the second half is a must.