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Pooja Bhatt is back again as a director. It was two years back when this darling of the Bhatt camp decided to call shots and made her directorial debut in 'Paap'. Pooja continued the tradition of his father (Mahesh Bhatt) to give break to new artists in her films too. If Udita Goswami got her big break in 'Paap', this time she has placed Ongelle Nair in the limelight. She also gives erstwhile composer Ranjit Barot his first chance as an independent music director. The film that we are talking about is this Friday's release 'Holiday'.

Though the movie was planned to release last year, it went on being deferred at least three times. And, finally when the film has seen the daylight, there is not much anticipation left among viewers. Having turned producer before her last film as an actor in 'Zakhm', Pooja's credentials need applause for the fact that in a short span of nine years as film producer she has delivered nine films, including much-talked about films like 'Dushman', 'Sangharsh' and 'Sur'. In 'Holiday', she delves on relationships. She tries to transform her characters from subtlety to uniqueness. A theme that she has tried to weave in all her films, no matter whether she directed it or some one else.

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Papa Mahesh Bhatt once again writes poetry in the form of story for his daughter's directorial venture. As has been the case with most of Mahesh Bhatt written films, 'Holiday' takes inspiration from western flicks too. Many may find resemblance in Dino Morea and Ongelle Nair's characters with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in 1987's hit 'Dirty Dancing'. Not a big deal though as Bollywood hardly finds a fresh story to make a film these days. So, you can call that Pooja Bhatt's latest venture is 'inspired' by this western film.

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This is the season of love and cupid; and Pooja has presented 'Holiday' to her fans. The movie could have been a perfect outing for a weekend, but a loose script and not so happening music has marred its prospects. Moreover, there is no oomph or ooze imbibed under the shadow of story demand. Hence, we watch a film from the Bhatt bastion with a 'U' (Universal) certificate by Censor Board. Isn't it strange?

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In terms of story, 'Holiday' sails along with its main character - Muskaan (Ongelle Nair). Muskaan is in Goa for a month long vacation with her family comprising sister Samara (Nauheed Cyrusi), mother Nandini (Anahita) and father Dr Daksh Suri (Gulshan Grover). Samara is an out and out spoilt brat kind of girl and she enjoys every heck of her life. Though being real sister of Samara, Muskaan is poles apart from her as far as living life is concerned. An introvert Muskaan prefers to live in solace by choice.

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During these vacations, Muskaan finds herself in the company of a group of dancers and comes to know that a tragedy is facing them. Before she finds any solution to the problem, she is dragged therein; she has to stand for a dancer who is not able to perform for being pregnant. The dancer in question has an affair with the hotelier's son (Sanjit Bedi) who is now flirting with Samara. Muskaan learns new lessons in dance and life too while being in the company of this dance troupe. It is during this training of music and dance that Muskaan finds out her inner powers and also a new feeling that she has never felt in her life before. Is it love or just a feel for the person who cares for her? Questions and clashes surface one after another.

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While the story is unfolding on the screen, there is a lot of inputs from here and there. Once you see some dashes of a famous soap opera, next you feel the fragrance of a Mills and Boon kind of story and before you could settle to find what the real theme of the film is, you bump in another tricky situation. Kashmira Shah arrives from nowhere and though she does give some shots of exotica in the narration, she also works as a catalyst for the main character of the film.

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As a writer, Mahesh Bhatt has tried to weave in more and more emotions in the story but he fails to keep a grip on the main track. So, the movie moves on a linear track, a must for these kinds of films. Pooja who has showed immense maturity in her debut 'Paap', once again shows capabilities of her grip on the medium. However, she ought to learn that she must not get in love with locations. She also needs to be selective in her stories. It will be better for her, if she chooses stories that are more attached to commoners in society.

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Technically, the film is not weak at all except for its music part. Though Ranjit Barot has tried his best to leave an impact on narration and succeeds in composing some very good melodious tunes, his music does not elevate the film. The slow pace of songs causes hindrance in progression of the story. As for performances of the actors, Ongelle is a winner. Facing the camera in a debut that too without make-up is not an easy task.

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A trained Kathak dancer, Ongelle shows comfort in western steps too. Dino is still where he started from in 'Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi'. He is learning but not at pace demanded by the time. Gulshan Grover is apt in his role whereas Nauheed sparks in a brief role. On the whole, 'Holiday' is just an average film, no big deal, no big stakes and no big initial at box office, maybe the film picks up with word of mouth publicity but that is not an easy task for a film with no stars.