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Estranged marital relationships have always been at the centre of attraction of family dramas in Bollywood. Such family dramas have witnessed growth and there have been films that have portrayed the mindset of society. But if they come with perplexed narration and amateurish directorial skills, it has hardly any chance of survival. No wonder "feel good factors" and family dramas have been triumph card for many production houses but it requires loads of aesthetics to make it feel on screen. Despite all this, if any film strikes with zero impact and unpolished star cast then it is bound to meet its predictable failure. 'Unns' is one such film that never grips audience despite its thought- provoking theme and neither it convinces one in favor of cordial marital relationship. The inefficient screenplay and weird characterization never gives any scope to the film to swim against the tide.

Low hype, unknown and sub-standard face value and finally delayed release narrate the plight of 'Unns'. Finally, the film sees the light of the day after a long delay of years and months with negligible acceptance from masses and classes. It has arrived at the time when big releases are showing their might and supremacy at the box office. There were small budgets surprises like 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' and 'Pyar Ke Side Effects' this year, thanks to innovative narration and high comical quotient, but 'Unns' disappoints on all fronts and measures.

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'Unns' works on the beaten to death formula of love triangle where a protagonist is torn between her real love and her better half. The old fashion formula has been through decades on silver screen but now it has lost novelty. Karan Johar tried out with high profile star cast in 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna', but it proved difficult for an average viewer to digest it despite its bumper opening at the box office. 'Unns' is conceived on thin plotline where the fidelity of institution of marriage is stressed over one affair temptation. It's a noble idea to be revisited at a time when extra-marital relationships, live-in-relationships and one night stands have taken modern society by storm. It forays into the purity and piousness of marital relationship against the emotional turbulence of love struck emotions. If Karan Johar's 'KANK' was about discovering soul-mate after marriage, then 'Unns' is mesmerizing with nostalgic memories of first love after marriage. Unfortunately, the large screen entertainment demands relevant or creative ideas to make things work on screen. These stale concepts have been refurbished and revamped in "saas-bahu" soap operas and can never be first choice of multiplex audiences. Multiplexe viewing might have opened gates for all genres of films but there seems to be little scope for semi-baked concepts.

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'Unns' is Arabic word meaning love or affection. This is the story where self guilt and infatuation of protagonist (Rituparno Sengupta) overrules the sanctity of her marital relationship. It may strike a debate or adds one more sensitive topic to socially relevant discussion. But its lackluster treatment spoils the show and reduces it to unnoticed affair by all standards. The film is a dragged family drama that shows different facades of disturbed family thrown into legal conflict. 'Unns' is narrated through the mindset of Natasha (Juhi Babbar), who pens down the painful story of her friend Ria in her first novel "Unns". The story unfolds through Ria's arranged marriage to Rahul (Sanjay Kapoor). He is suave socialite and holds an established post in an export company owned by Chatterjee (Vivek Shaque). Ria has distasteful past of broken love affair with Rishi (Sudhanshu Pandey), a rich business tycoon of the advertising world. Ria is perturbed with her memories and shows her hatred and resentment towards Rahul. Their marriage culminates into motherhood for Ria but still she is dissatisfied as she suffers from guilt. Ria deliberately picks fight with Rahul but still he shows his love and affection towards her. The confrontation between Ria and Rahul reaches to an extreme and consequently enters into a legal battle of divorce. Natasha, Ria's best friend and noted lawyer comes to her rescue to patch up her family matters. Sameer (Aman Verma) is Natasha's love interest and has good track record as a competent lawyer. Ria hires Sameer as her lawyer and files divorce in the court. Natasha cajoles Ria but she is adamant for divorce and finally the dispute takes its final plunge into court room. Natasha defends Rahul whereas Sameer fights for Ria's divorce in the court. The judgment saves Rahul's marriage but Ria is still not ready to accept her marriage. Finally, Ria accepts her fault and lands up in Rahul's place and lives happily.

It has exaggerated phases of boredom and unaccepted soundtracks that kill the interest of the audiences. The characterizations are semi-baked and the court room sequences never build up the tempo for the film. The climax begins on a promising note where the importance of marriage is glorified but later on it collapses with big thud. It shows poor script work from Bhupendra Gupta and Farouqe Bralevi. Sujit Shetty's music is completely avoidable with lackluster musical numbers retarding the pace of the film.

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Bong beauty Rituparno Sengupta makes her prominent appearance as leading lady after her deglamourized and unnoticed performance in 'Main Meri Patni Aur Woh'. Her Bollywood journey may not have been promising but she shows promise in this underrated film. She has couple of impressive scenes where she has emoted well but it is limited due to poor characterizations. Juhi Babbar shows signs of a good actor but her Urdu diction is faulty. She tries to overact at many stages and many times it seems that she is delivering stage drama. Juhi's voyage in Bollywood has been disappointing with flops like 'Kash Aap Hamare Hote' opposite Sonu Nigam and has never been on the main stream in Bollywood. Despite all this she stands brightest among the actors with her effective court room sequences and couple of competent scenes with Rituparno. Sudhanshu Pandey is strictly ordinary and works mechanically. Vivek Shaque is completely wasted in this poorly narrated show.

Debutante Director proves to be the weakest link of the film with below average direction and poor narration. He has selected relevant topic but his treatment is completely weird and uncanny. There are numerous occasions where boredom prevails. It shows amateurish approach of the director and the film will go unnoticed from all aspects.

'Unns' will be a non-starter at the box office and will be huge disappointment for its producers and distributors. The film is a tribute to legendary Sunil Dutt but even his lovable blessing and magnanimous magnitude won't be able to bail this out from a predictable failure.

Overall, it's a disappointing show!