Family entertainers and mushy love stories are rare commodity these days as majority of films are heavily fed on strong dosage of sex, sleaze, deceit and obsession. 'Chand Sa Roshan Chehra' (CSRC) stands out shoulder to shoulder with another debutant director and actor release 'Socha Na Tha'. Veteran filmmaker Salim along with new director Shahab Shamsi tries his cinematic skills in churning out a teenage entertainer but hardly creates any ripple. The film is old in thoughts and predictable in terms of treatment.
The film explores the love saga of budding lovebirds as Salim launches his nephew Salim Aftab along with newcomer Tamanna. The film is embellished with beautiful western locations and couple of melodious romantic solo tracks. In 1980's Mansoor Khan's 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' and in 1990's Rakesh Roshan's 'Kaho Na Pyar Hai' proved successful launchpads for the debutantes as all such formulas have been applied in this film to give it a refreshing look. Salim's last recognized offering 'Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat' was the debut of Rani Mukherjee that bombed at the box office. So no big claims can be made for this project too.
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'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' and 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' triggered the passion for love stories and marriage videos made in the name of cinema as lately 'Murder' has set the trend for extra-marital affairs. This film seems to be inspirational lifts of formula love story that is fed on syrupy romantic concept. The film seems to be one of the poor clones of these 90's hit as it offers average performances in a predictable plot with some average numbers. Salim Aftab along with Abhay Deol makes his first screen appearance as both newcomers lack the panache of promising stars. Salim has impressive looks but lacks screen presence to grip the audience.
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Tamanna, her co-star, seems to be the weakest link as her naivety is exposed in dramatic and emotional scenes. The film has a predictable love story of childhood love opposed by parents culminating into a conflict. When there is a rat race for copying Hollywood flicks and skin friendly shows this seems to be an outdated concept. Debutante director Shahab Shamsi has tried hard to give it 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' looks as Udit Narayan sings all the numbers with family enmity. 'Woh Din Yaad Karo' seems to be the only acceptable track as the rest of them irritate or misfit in the situation. 'Doli Leke Aaye Hain' seems to be a situational copy of 'Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna'. The film has been shot on the beautiful locations of Switzerland that are worth viewing. It's another film of a beautiful body minus soul as the film fails on narration and execution despite its rich look.
Salim Aftab along with Abhay Deol ('Socha Na Tha') seems to be the weakest contender for the promising faces of the year. Tamanna needs some grooming on looks and tips on acting as she disappoints. Bollywood still craves for bright talent, as this seems to be a wasted attempt. Himani Shivpuri is impressive in the role of blonde teacher Miss Smith. Kiran Kumar is at its villainous best, as the opposing father but the surprise element seems to be ghazal singer-turned -actor Talat Aziz. Kishore Shahane and Vijayendra justify their characters.
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New director Shahab Shamsi has handled some emotional scenes well, but outdated selection of the subject seems to be the major flaw. Writer Jalees Sherwani's screenplay is interesting in the first half but slackens in the second half. Cinematography by Karim Khatri is remarkable as he captures Switzerland brilliantly in solo tracks. Jatin-Lalit music shines in bits and parts as only solo songs ("Woh Din Yaad Karo" and "Aaage Aage Chahat Chali") are impressive. The eight minute long music competition bores, as it seems to be a complete lift from 'Hum Kissise Kum Nahin'.
'Chand Sa Roshan Chehra' is old wine in not so a new bottle as it accentuates the age old formula of love- hate relationship. Once again, Salim's film has failed to raise hopes for debutantes as Rani and Shadab (Amjad Khan's son) failed in 'Raja Ki Aayegi Barat'.
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'Socha Na Tha' and 'Chand Sa Roshan Chehraa' fall in the same cadre as both the film have low expectation with even lower results. If you have a passion for watching squashy love story with age-old formula then this film can be the right choice but for the rest it's a sheer disappointment. It can be easily termed as "average love story" aimed at teenage crowd. The weak promotion and the cadaverous subject make it weaker. Audiences expect better entertainment from veterans like Salim as this seems to be a losing preposition.
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