Movie Review –Radio (2009)

Radio: Completely out of tune

Rating: 1.5* out of 5*

Starring: Himesh Reshammiya, Shenaz Treasurywala and Sonal Sehgal

Director: Ishan Trivedi

Hotshot RJ (Himesh) gets divorced with his wife Pooja (Sonal) on her insistence because she feels they lacked compatibility. However, they continue to remain friends. This leaves him utterly confused in his daily life. He encounters Shanaya Dhingra (Shenaz) in a misunderstood situation and ends up insulting her. But more chance meetings later, they end up becoming good friends. Shanaya ends up being a ray of sunshine in Vivan’s dull personal life. But Shanaya and Vivan’s friendship leads to Pooja getting extremely jealous. Situation becomes more complicated for Vivan as Shanaya’s parents mistake him for being their daughter’s boyfriend. Then there is also a reality show on Vivan’s radio channel which has Shanaya posing as his lover. What all further complicated confusions it all leads forms the rest of this utterly confused film!

The thing that you keep realizing while watching Radio is that, more than its characters, it’s the makers who are more confused and complicated! Structuring the narrative in chapter format ala Tarantino doesn’t quiet work with this one. All those, ‘3 weeks later’, ‘few hours later’ make it unintentionally hilarious. There is however a decent attempt at trying to convey an identifiable situation of many an urban couple’s lives. But then again unwanted songs and situations that over stay their time limit, bungle it all up. Director Ishan Trivedi delivered a light hearted satirical comedy with his debut directorial venture 7 ½ Phere and was quiet entertaining. But alas, same can’t be said about Radio. The film attempts to be too cool in every department and ends up getting all messed up. The climax too is extra stretched and you actually lose interest as to who is going to end up with what! Then again Paresh Rawal’s character, doesn’t really evoke the expected laughter that it should.

Himesh tries and succeeds in putting up a better act than his last two acting ventures. Shenaz is very good. Sonal despite a good screen presence fails to impress but the fault lies with her confused characterization. Zakir Hussain playing Shenaz’s father has his funny moments. Rajesh Khattar as Himesh’s boss is nice.

Paresh Rawal in a special appearance is a let down.

The only one department which leaves you mighty impressed is Himesh’s music. Mann Ka Radio, Teri Meri Dosti Ka and Zindagi Jaise Ek Radio being the pick of the lot.

Radio is only for die hard Himesh fans, so if you are not one, don’t even dare to try it.

Tags:  Himesh Reshammiya, Shenaz Treasurywala, Sonal Sehgal