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Madhur Bhandrekar's 'Page 3' has been a ground-breaking approach this year and its later stupendous success has opened visionary platforms for many new filmmakers. Debutante director Ruchi Narain is one such director who has sketched a murder mystery in the backdrop of the socialite "Page 3" culture. High profile "Page 3" gatherings constituting of celebrities, tycoons, socialites, sportsmen etc with some rollicking and pulsating music, reflect Mumbai's urban life in the film. Modern trendy clothing filled with upbeat and hip-shaking club culture is what makes them collage into one big society. The growing numbers of multiplexes has supported such projects. After unsuccessful "historical misinterpretations" in 'Mangal Pandey' to successful frothy comical entertainment in 'No Entry' and 'Salaam Namaste', the stage is set for three-cornered contest this week. 'Kal' stands out as the weakest opponent as compared to RGV's 'James' (bouncer's action saga) and Vivek Agnihotri's 'Chocolate' (multi-starrer suspense film). Like 'Dansh', 'Hazaaaron Khwaishein Aisi' and 'My Wife's Murder' the film has been conceived to cater multiplexes' audiences.

'Kal' comes out with the tagline "yesterday and tomorrow" and the punch line "You are the news". It works on the theology that to deal with our tomorrows we need to come to terms with our yesterdays.

The film has been well received and has been respected in international film festivals. It stands out as the first truly independent Bollywood film as its budget has been raised from investors outside the industry. Ruchi Narain has trusted his mentor's favorite artistes (Chitragandha Singh, Shiny Ahuja, Smriti Mishra and Ram Kapoor) in the leading roles for his debut directorial film. The pairing of Chitragandha and Shiny caught the attention of the media in 'HKA' whereas Smriti Mishra played pivotal role in Mishra's 'Is Raat Ki Subaah Nahin'. Sarika, ex-wife of actor Kamalhasan and promising starlet of yesteryears, is making comeback with this film. Last week it was Kanika Verma's exasperating "realistic" flick 'Dansh' that made headlines for its unique subject. Despite all critical accolades it failed to impress ordinary viewers. So, 'Kal' has failed too in generating positive response from cosmopolitan city crowds.

Unlike Bhandarkar's ('Page 3') episodic treatment about vivid shades of socialite lives the film centers around one murder plot. Ruchi's perception of infusing murder mystery into the lifestyles of rich and famous has no novelty. The Bhatt camp has been mastering such concepts with "bold" treatment for past few years. Films like 'Kuch To Hai' and 'SSSSHH' were also murder mysteries that revolved around upper class youths. Audiences have not shown appetite for such a subject as candy floss entertainers have been hitting marquee with bang. To make it spicier and an engrossing suspense thriller, the success relies heavily on its pristine treatment and innovative technical craftsmanship that make it different from the others. 'Kal' fails to entice audiences with its shoddy screenplay and unimaginative perception.

Farhan Akhtar's 'Dil Chahta Hai' also forayed into the caricatures of urbanized youth in frolicking fashion. The fun-loving westernized treatment with brilliant script and effective music paved way to the film's success. 'Kal' is also about a bunch of urbanized youth who love to sing, dance and dine together. Unfortunately, 'Kal' has neither the big star cast for its promising opening nor the lavish budget and impressive music to entice the pop genre.

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The film has biopic treatment as it unravels through the eyes of investigative TV journalist Rohan Sehgal (Ram Kapoor). The film starts off with the murder and the story gets unfolded from there. 'Kal' has some shades from Hollywood murder mysteries with the perception of the "whodunit" factor. The man sacrifices his ladylove for wealth and future. He gets trapped and is tried later for his wife's murder. Hollywood hits like 'The Perfect Murder', 'Jagged Edge', 'Body Heat' and 'Unfaithful' have inspirational boon to hits like 'Kasoor', 'Jism' and 'Murder'. 'Kal' works on similar structural values where a husband is accused of his wife's murder. The "whodunit" factor is outstretched for three hours where the film journeys through bumpy rides of make and break up relationships.

'Kal' is a story of five good old friends - Tarun Haksar (Shiny Ahuja), Bhavna (Chitragandha Singh), Maya (Smriti Mishra), Sangeeta (Malaika Shenoy) and Teji (Murad Ali). Tarun is an ambitious and good-looking guy who craves of unlimited power and wealth. He enjoys urban life and loves to make merry at party "hangouts". Bhavna wants to be a successful photographer and falls for the charm of Tarun. She plays the protagonist with important links as the story gets connected through her. Maya hails from an illustrious business background, but wants to make career in the music world. She plays a pivotal role as her murder forms the crux of the film.

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Sangeeta (Malaika Shenoy) is a lawyer by profession and is also a close friend of both Maya and Bhawna. Teji (Murad Ali) is Tarun's old school friend and shows his loyalties towards his friend in his worst time. Yashwant Dayal (Boman Irani) is father of Bhawna and works as CEO for Maya's family business organization. Together they have fun and make merry most of the time. Movie starts after one year of marriage of Tarun and Maya. Maya is found brutally murdered at her place and the plot thickens thereafter. It was when Tarun stayed with Bhawna the whole night and next morning he hears the shocking news of Maya's death. The needle of suspicion points towards Tarun and thereafter he faces mental oppression from the police and the media. Renowned TV journalist Rohan Sehgal takes personal interest into it but finally it becomes the talk of the town.

The story moves, and Bhawna tries to uncover the truth. She recollects her long lost nostalgic memories that she shared with the accused and the victim. Her memory uncovers the bitter facts of her life. The movie comes into flashback...

Tarun Haksar (Shiny Ahuja) is madly in love with Bhavna (Chitragandha Singh) but marries her best friend Maya (Smriti Mishra). It remains a mystery for many as everybody speculates it as a move by Tarun to acquire Maya's wealth. Bhawna is emotionally shattered and isolates herself from the world. One fateful day she meets her ex-flame Tarun and spends one night with him. Next morning she gets the shocking news of Maya's murder and life changes for her thereafter. The murder serves enough newsworthy for the electronic media as well as a politician. Both want to exploit it for their professional interest. The truth gets unveiled in the end.

Chitragandha Singh shows a promise after her fine performance in Sudhir Mishra's 'HKA'. This Smita Patil lookalike has shown enough mettle to succeed in emotionally enriched characterization. Shiny Ahuja looks promising too after his success in 'HKA' and 'Sins'. The actor needs better roles to show his skills. Smriti Mishra has been traveling between TV and silver screen for some years and makes perfect choice for the role of Maya. Ram Kapoor, eminent TV actor, lives up to his reputation and delivers the needful. Sarika is the surprise package of the lot with her all fresh "n" up looks and poise. After Rati Agnihotri, Ayesha Jhulka and Dimple Kapadia, she is next to join the bandwagon.

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Producer Sudhir Mishra has been pioneering such innovative subjects for almost a decade and had caught the international media attention with his recently released film 'Haazaron Khwaishein Aisi'. This time his assistant Ruchi Narain provides the similar treatment to a different concept and subject. Ruchi has been creative prodigy for Mishra for her brilliant screenplay and script for 'Haazaron Khwaishein Aisi'. Like RGV assistants (Jjjy Philips, Sriram Raghvan etc), she too gets the opportunity of lifetime to lead the show. Like Sanjay Dayma ('Ramji Londonwaley') and Aditya Dutt (both were assistants to prominent directors) she has failed to impress audiences with her narrative skills. It was Sanjay Dayma's skill that won him laurels for the screenplay of 'Lagaan' but he failed as a director. The same can be said for Ruchi Narain whose story telling skills are weird and unimpressive. Cinematography by Prakash Kutty is appropriate at places. New music composer Sneha Khanwalker and Shantanu Moitra haven't done anything remarkable to recollect despite the fact the film has effective background score.

The film travels through many different tracks and it becomes difficult for audiences to coordinate the events. It's a noble idea to attempt an indifferent subject in modern times but handling of such a subject has to be fragile and competent. 'Kal' toggles between semi-baked love stories to insipid murder mystery. The love angle between the TV news journalist Rohan Sehgal and Bhawna shows no relevance as she was used to garner spicy news for the channel. Even the political angle needs strong reasoning for film's solid narration. 'Kal' looks like a losing affair at the box office and even multiplexes' audiences may not find it easy to connect. After hard hitting and politically inclined 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi' this murder mystery 'Kal' seems to be a losing preposition.