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The pioneers of puppy love stories team up once again after three decades to deliver another that is mind twister. This cherubic pair of 70's (Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia) is geared up for another adventurous journey in 'Pyar Mein Twist' after 'Bobby' (1973). The stupendous success of 'Bobby' has been the inspiration for this mature love story. The year 2005 belongs to path-breaking films like 'Black', 'Page 3', 'Sarkar' and 'Iqbal'. If films like 'Black' and 'Iqbal' have come out with the spirit of treating "disability with dignity" then 'Page 3' and 'Sarkar' have been microscopic studies of lifestyles of the rich and the famous. Exhibitors, distributors and producers were encouraged to shift from conventional formula films to "realistic cinema". 'Pyar Mein Twist' falls in this marquee with the senior citizens developing chemistry between them. The headstrong love chemistry between age-old couple forms the crux of the story. Love bug bites and creates a psychological melodrama that seems to turn uncontrollable.

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Bollywood is awakening to the call of mature cinema for the generation that seems to be well versed with such concepts. Director Hriday Shetty makes an innovative move that caters mainly to city-centric audiences. Shetty's first directorial venture 'Plan' failed to catch the attention of the masses and the critics due to its insipid treatment and cadaverous script and narration. Hriday's tryst with realistic cinema 'Pyar Mein Twist' has been an inspiration from Hollywood's hit 'The Bridges of Madison County' (1996). The mind-blowing success of Ravi Chopra's 'Bagbaan' (Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini) appears to be a seedling for this project. Recently 'Viruddh' caught the attention because of Amitabh Bachchan and Sharmila Tagore pairing in the lead roles. After Amitabh, Rishi Kapoor is the second senior actor to be glorified in commercial mainstream cinema. Like 'Pyar Mein Twist', another situational comedy 'Ramji Londonwaley' is making dent at the box office this week. In fact, there is a three-cornered contest from the new crop of directors - Hriday Shetty ('Pyar Mein Twist'), Sanjay Dayma (Ramji Londonwaley) and Aaditya Dutt ('Aashiq Banaya Aapne').

Ironically, all the three were assistants to renowned and established directors of film industry. 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' is the strongest contender for its high profile media hype, frolicking youthful theme music and stylish star cast. 'Ramji Londonwaley' is cut, copy, paste from Tamil hit 'Nala Damyanthi' while 'Pyar Mein Twist' is inspirational lift from Hollywood's 'The Bridges of Madison County' and 'One Fine Day'. In terms of formulation and conception it coordinates with Clint Eastwood's 'The Bridges of Madison County'. This fun loving comedy encapsulates the love chemistry between Clint Eastwood and Meryl Street that encores with Rishi and Dimple's character in the film. Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood), professional photographer of sixty plus is besotted by the vulnerability and charm of Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep), widow and mother of three children.

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Both are parents of adolescent boys and girls and get the acrimonious opposition from their families and friends. Immortal love wins the battle in the end. The characterizations of Yash Khurana (Rishi Kapoor) and Sheetal Arya (Dimple Kapadia) are similar to that of Eastwood and Meryl Streep in 'The Bridges of Madison County'. The concept of veterans falling in love in Bollywood goes back to the days of Basu Chatterjee's 'Khatta Meetha'. In an era of action films it failed to create any sensation and the concept was alienated for decades. Despite the fact 'Pyar Mein Twist' has the most happening talents of today - Soha Ali Khan and Samir Dattani, the USP of the film is the pairing of Rishi and Dimple. 'Bobby', 'Sagar' and now 'Pyar Mein Twist' make them sizzle on the silver screen once again. Dimple and Rishi were supposed to be paired in 'Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi' and 'Hum Tum', but it couldn't materialize.

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'Pyar Mein Twist' is the love saga of Yash Khurana (Rishi Kapoor) and Sheetal Arya with the backdrop of cosmopolitan city. Yash heads an automobile business empire and after spending his golden years in office plans to retire. Rajiv (Vikas Bhalla), son of Yash, becomes the chairman of his empire. Rajiv has lovable and understanding wife Parul (Deepshikha) but has antipathy towards his father. On the other side of the story there is Sheetal Arya (Dimple Kapadia) with her grown up children - Ria (Soha Ali Khan) and Sameer. Ria loves Sanju (Samir Dattani) and they are engaged. Sanju's mother (Kishori Shahane) shows her resentment with this relationship but his father (Harish Patel) is excited and overjoyed. One fine day, Yash confronts Sheetal on road. Destiny makes them meet again and again, thus turning them into friends. Yash' loneliness strikes chord with Sheetal's vulnerability, and their friendship culminates into love. Yash proposes to Sheetal for candlelight dinner in a posh restaurant.

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Sparks fly between them and they start dancing ecstatically. Sanju's parents and Sheetal's children's feel embarrassed over this and a problem arises when the marriage of Ria and Sanju is on the rock. Sheetal decides to end her relationship with Yash. Toshi (Farida Jalal) consoles Sheetal and advises her to continue her relationship. Things turn from bad to worse when both the families confront each other with verbal abuses. Toshi decides to elope so that their sons and daughter feel their pain. Yash and Sheetal elope and take shelter in Yash's friend (Satish Shah's) farmhouse. The aged couple spends some nostalgic moments as they discover new person in each other. Yash correlates his forgetful past as how he supported his family and business after the death of his elder brother. Rajiv is actually son of Yash's elder brother and to support the family he was forced to sacrifice his love and marry his sister- in- law. Rajiv confronts the truth and repents for his unruly behavior. Both families unite and decide to support they Yash and Sheetal relationship. The lighthearted comedy ends on a winning note with smiling faces.

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Despite its innovative script and different concept it has some loose ends. How can the chemistry of adults work as that of teenagers? Confrontation, resentment, friendship and then love! The concept might strike chord with the western culture, but it becomes hard to digest in India. The sequence between ACP and Yash on beach looks insipid and fails to connect with the script. Why do Sanju's parents resent when Ria's mother elopes with her lover? The acceptance by both the families even after hot discussions looks ridiculous. Hriday Shetty has matured, as a director but still needs to have better treatment for his future projects. Cinematography is competent and the beach shots are enticing. Jatin-Lalit's music is ordinary with just a couple of tracks like "Pal Tham Gaya" and club DJ remix of "Khullam Khulla Pyar Karenge" being more acceptable. The rest of the songs impede the flow of the film.

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Rishi Kapoor's performance in 'Hum Tum' (estranged husband) and in 'Yeh Hai Jalwa' (estranged father) encores to great extent with his present performance in the film as he faces resentment with his family. Dimple's career got resurrected with the character of Tara Jaiswal in Farhan Akhtar's 'Dil Chahta Hai'. This seems to be a boon as she plays yet another character that goes with her age and style. Dimple flaunts her urbanized clothing with flair and elegance. Rishi shows his prowess as vivacious aging father who visualizes new horizons in life. After 'Hum Tum' the actor has once again shown his versatility and deserves all accolades. Soha Ali Khan shows freshness in her appearance and delivers fine performance. After the failure of 'Dil Maange More' she looks more promising here but one expects better from her in future. Samir Dattani comes out in his second screen appearance after the dismal debut in Barjatya's 'Uff Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai'. Vikas Bhalla tries to impress after a row of flops in the role of disgruntled son of business tycoon. Deepshikha and Delnaz Paul live up to the expectations of the script. Farida Jalal is more promising as a caring sister- in- law.

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'Pyar Mein Twist' may be an innovative step in the field of modern cinema but still its future is uncertain. The audiences that have welcomed different subjects with new treatments might appreciate it. If it succeeds it will open doors to many similar projects.