Ishq Review

Watching Ishq, one is reminded of so many influences.  Vikram K Kumar, who might have surprised an RGV with that genuine horror flick 13B, seems to imbibe the qualities of VV Vinayak and Sreenu Vytla here.  If Nitin's attitude is a throwback to the days of Dil, the tomfoolery he scripts to make a dumbass of his bete noire (Ajay) smacks of the tried and tested elements of Dhee.  Our director makes his presence felt, however, by presenting a stylized romance and a sadistic anti-hero in 'bawamardi'.  Does Ishq work?

To be sure, Ishq packs a punch, the lead pair enjoy themselves uninterrupted romance in the first half, and the heroism helps Nitin redeem himself, but the film lacks a coherent screenplay to keep you glued.  Ajay's character was at best sketchy, while Nitin comes across as a never-say-die Teja hero (as in Jayam) in one scene, and someone preferring to remove the one obstacle in the way of marrying his girl through mind games in due course.  You expect him to spout a 'basti me sawaal' dialogue, but he flees the scene by pumping petrol into his vehicle.  Every time you expect to see the film become serious/dramatic, the next scene turns out to be fallow with a simplistic antithesis, many a time taking the zing out of the proceedings.

On their way from Delhi to Hyderabad, Rahul (Nitin) and Priya (Nithya Menen) develop chemistry without uttering much.  Our heroine has connected emotionally to that guy who heroically picked up a doll on a busy traffic road in Delhi and threw it to the rightful owner (a baby).  The guy lost his cap in the process, which was picked up by Priya.  No prizes for guessing that the cap is Rahul's!  As our heroine overcomes the initial disgust for the hero, she agrees to accompany him to his friend's wedding in Goa, where the plane landed following heavy rain.   It doesn't take a day for love to blossom in their hearts, but their unexpected separation at Hyderabad Airport comes with a dramatic interval bang.  Priya's brother, Shiva (Ajay) and Nitin, along with his sister Sindhu Tholani have a flashback, a bit terrifying and bloody at that.

So, our hero should face Shiva, who harbours ill-will towards him and whose sadism dormant in the subconscious threatens to re-emerge after three years, before he can hope to marry his girl.  Quite surprisingly, the route he chooses is that of comedy, not action.

For all the lack of strength, let alone intelligence and freshness, in the story, Ishq looks modish, thanks in no mean measure to PC Sreeram.  Nitha Menen cackles up the screen, striking good chemistry with Nitin.  One feels that she falls for our hero too early in the day though.  Nitin was gleaming; he imitated Pawan Kalyan in more places than he ever did.

The songs seem discordant with the pace, but the background score was engaging.  The simplistic comedy was a major misfit in a film that sees a blood-curdling Ajay wanting to become brutal with the hero and bestial with Sindhu Tholani.  The intensity suffers.

That said, Ishq offers entertainment to the youngsters.

Released on: 24th Feb, 2012