Ronjita Kulkarni

In a recent interview, Karisma had said, "In HMBPK, I am clear and sharp about what I want."

I have just watched the film. I wonder whether she knew what she was talking about.

For that dazed look she wears throughout the film is not my imagination. Maybe she wasn't convinced about the story. Certainly the audience wasn't. Which brings me to the story. You have seen it in Taal. Director Dharmesh Darshan takes it a step further here.

Pooja (Karisma) bumps into Shiv Kapoor (Abhishek) at a job interview. Both have applied for the executive manager's post. Pooja fools Shiv into thinking that she is the boss' daughter. Shiv falls for it and leaves after giving her his resume. Pooja lands the job.

Shiv follows her all over Delhi, urging her to charm her 'father' into giving him a job. And then he spots an advertisement placed by the same company for general manager. He gets the job.

He realises Pooja had been playing him along. What does he do? He only asks her to marry him. (Huh?)

Their happiness is short-lived. The couple fly off to Switzerland. At the hotel, Shiv bumps into an old college friend (Simone Singh). Circumstances force the two to spend the night in the same room. The two indulge in a one-night stand.

Shiv and Pooja divorce.

Enter Akshay Kumar. Famous movie star Raj Malhotra does not have a secretary. And Pooja conveniently steps in. In no time, Raj falls in love with her.

One of the shoots requires them to go to Naini Hills. And the manager of their hotel is none other than Shiv.

So who gets her? Raj, Mr Goody-two-shoes, who has never harmed a fly, or Shiv, the only man Pooja has ever loved?

Don't know if this one needs guessing.

It has been a long time since Karisma delivered a hit, though her performances have won critical acclaim (Fiza, Zubeidaa, Ek Rishtaa). But her performance in Haan… Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya leaves much to be desired. I, for one, would have liked to see more than that dazed look and teary eyes.

Abhishek has turned in a sincere performance. But he really must change his wardrobe. Strange, in an office where everyone is wearing a tie, the general manager walks in, in a denim jacket and polo neck.

Akshay Kumar, in his brief role, tries his best to act like a movie star. Ironic that in a role that should come naturally to him, he disappoints. I have yet to see an actor who lets three assistants dominate him. What's more, Raj confides in a hotel manager (Shiv), an acquaintance, about his love life.

To its credit, the film is fast-paced. Though some scenes hold no significance to the story. Like when Pooja wants to buy a big toy house in Switzerland. Or even the scene between Shiv and the milkwoman.

The music is average with no song to boast about.

Mohnish Behl, as Pooja's brother, hams. Raj's three assistants, Kadar Khan, Shakti Kapoor and Himani Shivpuri jar till you can't take it anymore. All of them are loud, over-friendly and loving. You wonder why.

I don't need to say whether this film deserves a watch or not. I could, however, tell you that for a first day second show, I did not have to buy tickets in black. Also, at the film's climax, people just packed up and left.

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