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Pulp fiction---No, Not again! After the painstaking experience of mindless fictionalized "pulp fiction" ('Shiva') by the pioneer of realistic commercial cinema Ram Gopal Verma has come with another old fashioned thriller. In a year that saw the appreciation for meaningful cinema in finely crafted comedies ('Lage Raho Munna Bhai'), there are few films that try to recreate the fossil subjects that are extinct and outdated.

It's a noble idea to portray "one man army" fighting against the atrocities of the influential and mighty outlaws. But such a concept needs to be groomed by creative genius of narrative skills and immaculately profound acting talents. The concept earned success for yesteryear's filmmakers but it sounds like a stale dish served in a new vessel, now . The upbeat urbanized protagonist "Rocky" poised with latest gizmos and bike romance bevies of beauties faces the predictable plots and confronts similar hiccups that remind us of 70's and 80's action thrillers. So, attempts to present these in a new package fail to deliver. Rocky (Zayed Khan), rogue reformer rescues an innocent girl from lecherous policeman.

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Rocky, the estranged son conflicts with obstinate father over social issues but succeeds in getting his motherly pamper. Rocky, the love struck boy gets slapped accidentally whenever he meets his lady love (Isha Isharvani). Rocky, the outlaw punches villain Anthony's (Rajat Bedi) henchmen mercilessly but gets thrashed by his might. Rocky, the street fighter fights out again with Anthony "goonda elements" to savior traffic policeman's dignity. Rocky, the "one man army" is penalized for being "daring" the city's biggest criminal Anthony and pays through his lady love life. Rocky, the shattered lover is sheltered by "girl next door" (Minisha Lamba). The girl lands in trouble.

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Rocky, the fighting lover awakens from the traumatizing experience of "girl next door" and settles score with powerful and authoritative Anthony and his goons. How many times we have viewed such preposterous fictionalized stories? The subject could have been a rage in 80's when Sanjay Dutt made his debut with 'Rocky' but things have completely changed since then. Even Sanjay Dutt would not welcome the worn out subject that metaphors "pulp fiction" entertainment in today's multiplex oriented entertainment world. It brings out the dead and buried series of events of 70's and 80's cinema such as larger than life hero's caricature, needlessly romancing with beauties, confronting with strongest villain and finally beating him and winning all hands down. Secondly, it is no inspiration lift from Hollywood mega hit 'Rocky' featuring Sylvester Stallone.

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'Rocky' starts off with title track with Zayed singing and dancing to the inspired choreographed dancing steps of Michael Jackson's 'Beat it'. The film starts off showing Rocky (Zayed Khan) rescuing innocent college girl from drunkard policeman. Rocky baffles with police force and lands himself in jail. Rocky's conservative father (Sharat Babu) confronts him and orders him to be a silent spectator for such unwanted events. Rocky rebels but is consoled by his loving mother (Smita Jaykar). The unemployed Rocky plans to float a Cyber Café and seeks funding from his father's bank. His father's senior agrees to the loan and Rocky's ambitious project is underway. Neha (Isha Sharvani) tussles with eve teasers and shelters in Rocky's Café. Accidentally, she slaps him in disguise but later it culminates into relationship. Rocky fights out with them but lands himself in trouble. Bhimsen Krantikari (Suresh Menon), a funny professor, rescues Anthony aide from roadside brawl. The helpful professor who tries to frame Rocky in police case comes out to Neha's brother.

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The lecherous eve teasers are the musclemen of city's biggest criminal Anthony (Rajat Bedi) who are out to settle score with Rocky. The battle between them continues in streets, malls and on roads ending in Neha's murder. Rocky's parents are threatened to death and decide to shift their whereabouts to London. Now, Rocky is a shattered lover trying to forget his past. Priya (Minisha Lamba), the girl next door, nurses love for Rocky but he resents to her call. During one incident Rocky's parents realize it's better to fight evil than to suffer it for life. Rocky returns to India and avenges Neha's murder with deadly Anthony. It may sound strange that high profile star son like Zayed Khan chooses to rejuvenate his sullen career with such a low intellect entertainer at a time when only meaningful cinema is appreciated. Like Mohit Ahlawat, Zayed Khan seems to be unraveling through the path that proved beneficial for yesteryear's stars but haven't inspired present genre of stars. The old style concepts will hardly make any positive moves as the competition is heated up with multiple releases every week.

Hot (or humid) and not so happening Zayed Khan makes second solo performance after mediocre success in second leads in films like 'Main Hoon Na' and 'Dus'. The actor disappoints completely as he hams throughout the film and laughs absurdly after every romantic vibe . The "bandana wearing" get-up hardly metaphors with "tapori" style caricature that Zayed Khan imbibes. It's disappointing that neither Zayed nor the film lives up to its promise.

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Isha Sharvani, the beautiful and attractive talent in tinsel town, started off disastrously with 'Kisna' but disasters seem to be following her. After lackluster 'Darwaza Bandh Rakho', this comes as another disappointment for her despite the fact that she is the only saving grace from the acting department. Isha's image make over from village belle from urbanized style beauty icon is astonishing, thanks to impressive cinematography and excellent make-up. The actress may not have been through appreciable projects but she seems to possess amicable promise in her talent. Minisha Lamba, another promising good looking star, is completely underplayed after her impressive show in this year mediocre grosser 'Anthony Kaun Hai'. Minisha got the right launching pad but the selection of films seems to be going against her. Both Isha and Minisha are reduced to glam dolls, doing hip-gyrating dream sequences with average Sufi pop numbers by Himesh Reshammiya.

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Rajat Bedi overacts in villainous attire. He comes out with intimidating background music and makes ridiculous grimaces showing his black side. The strongly built actor might have the physique of a model but is a miscast in the role. Suresh Menon's comical endeavors provide brief entertainment but loosely packed screenplay hardly gives him any scope. Like Ranvir Shorey, Suresh Menon has the potential to rise above mediocrity but the actor deserves better opportunities. Sharat Babu and Smita Jaykar's performances are tailo-made to the film and situation.

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Himesh Reshammiya's mediocre Sufi pop is another disappointing aspect that fails to lift the spirits. The soundtracks like "Junoon" and "My Love for You" are average but they are choreographed in "music video" style. None of the songs leaves any long lasting impact and it seems that Reshammiya is losing grip on the chartbusters. Now, the highly promoted "Lagi Chhute Na' comes as the finale of the film with pretty damsels dancing with Zayed Khan. Once again the soundtracks are completely misplaced in the script and apologetically retard the flow of the film.

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Allan Amin's fight sequences are apt to the situations. The final fight between Zayed Khan and Rajat Bedi is well executed. The costumes (Vikram Phadnis, Millionaire) are aesthetically planned for the characters. K Raj Kumar's cinematography is brilliant in capturing the natural delights of London in soundtrack "My Love for You". Remo's glossy choreography is like "MTV" style music video that works better in promos than in films.

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Director Suresh Krishna proves to be the weakest link by supplying the credentials to the film with fractured screenplay and underplayed direction. The director who has unimpressive line up of dismal flops like 'Love' (1991), 'Jagruti' (1992) and 'Abhay' (2001) fails miserably. Initially, it's the selection of subject and then its shoddy treatment that leads to the debacle of this under-promoted film. The script has many cracks and dents that the proposed entertainment package proves to be unbearable torture for two and half hours. The poorly scripted characterizations, loosely conceived events, mishandling of climax and finally the misplacement of soundtracks narrate the sorry tale. The character of "Rocky" is completely half-baked and "run of the mill". Second, every soundtrack comes as a dream sequence since the director has failed to create any relevant situation for placing these numbers appropriately in the script. The first half has some relieving and exciting moments but the second half is a complete downer.

Overall, it's a complete disappointment and will fail to swim against the successful comical tide ruling the box office. The film will be a major displeasure for filmmakers and will have poor opening due to its poor promotion. The mediocre music, average performance and poor direction will prove to be major villain. It will score maximum in multiplexes but will have poor response at single screen theatres.

In nutshell, the low promoted and unimpressive 'Rocky' fails to rock.