By: Smitha Nambiar

Monday, November 08, 2004

Director: Ajai Sinha
Cast: Rocky Bhatia, Tejaswini Kolhapure, Ishita Arun, Gauri Karnik, Dia Mirza
Producer: Laxman Bhatia
Music: Vishal Shekar

 It was Dil Chahta Hai that set the trend of films that looked at the lives of youth, their friends, the highs and lows and how each one part ways to discover their own path.

Stop! is the story of four friends - Om (Rocky Bhatia), Tina (Tejaswini Kolhapure), Sonia (Ishita Arun) and Pooja (Gauri Karnik) who share an apartment in Dubai. They are great pals having a 'blast' together until...

Om is a software consultant who is absolutely satisfied with his work and life. His ex-girlfriend Shama (Dia Mirza), now married to someone else, arrives in Dubai for work. Shama is going through a rough patch in her married life and starts depending on Om for support. Gradually, Om begins to get closer to her.

Tina's father Anand Mehra (Om Puri) is a talented actor who has messed up his life because of a drinking habit, a fact that makes Tina despise him. Problem begins when he returns into her life, thus aggravating her problems.

Rahul (Ali Asgar) loves Tina, a stage actress who thinks her communal lifestyle is a dream come true. Her father, Anand Mehra (Om Puri), is a talented actor who has frittered his life because of a drinking habit, a fact that doesn't endear him to Tina.

Sonia, a fashion designer is in love with Rohit (Kiran Jhanjhani). Rohit, who works in Om's office, is an incorrigible flirt. But a smitten Sonia ignores Om's warnings.

Then there is Pooja, a small-town girl who is an ambitious radio jockey. Her boss, Vivek Malhotra (Harsh Chhaya) makes an 'indecent proposal' if she wants a show of her own. Now, this can make or break her career.

Conflicting opinions and temperaments create a rift amongst friends...

Om Puri, even in a special appearance, is wonderful and his portrayal of an alcoholic father is outstanding. Rocky Bhatia enacts his part with sincerity and does a good job. He had earlier featured in the Sindhi film Paarivari and seems kind of comfortable in his first Hindi film. Ali Asgar does a commendable job of keeping you in good spirits by cracking some witty jokes. Tejaswini is average, except that she falters when she plays an actress on-stage. Ishita Arun (If you noticed her in the music video "Aika Dajiba") and Gauri Karnik have given an appreciable perfomance. Dia Mirza, in a small but significant role seems to be maturing as an actress with every film.

Vishal-Shekhar's music is just about okay. 'Meri Kahani' filmed on Rocky and Dia is an impressive song. Cinematography is the only saviour of the enterprise. The locales of Dubai are visually striking. Stop! is a light-hearted film which is quite enjoyable except that Director Ajai Sinha should have paid more attention on the script of the film.

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