Imran Khan is intelligent and well read. Going by Kidnap and Luck, both brain-dead films, we seriously doubt his intelligence. He says he is choosy about his scripts but if this is what he chooses, he needs to alter his choice of scripts.

The promos of Luck were reminiscent of films like Dus, Cash and Dhoom. You know, the glossy, slick, action thriller types. Luck is glossy and glamourous but lacks in content.

Most of the characters in the film are lucky. That is why Don Sanjay Dutt chooses them to play a game based on luck. His associate Tamaang (Danny) picks Raghav (Ravi Kissen), Major Jabbar Singh (Mithun), Ram (Imran), Ayesha/Natasha (Shruti) and Shortcut (Chitrashi). They have to play a series of dangerous games. Gamblers from all over the world have put a bet on them. Based on their luck, they will survive or die.

The dialogues are the epitome of cheesy and childish. Here are a few samples: “Do bandook, ek goli, sir pe taani, khopdi khaali”, “Insaan ki taqdeer aur luck nahi badalta, insaan ka waqt badalta hai”, “Hum luck kharidte ya bechte nahi, sirf bhaade pe lete hai”, “You are very lucky” and “Tumhare paas waqt kam hai, mere paas luck kam hai”.

What is all this?

Most English movies use the f-word a lot but Luck uses the l-word a lot, like duh, as if we don't get it. Luck becomes a sort of inside joke, a morse code even.

The opening game scene where the characters stand in a circle in the desert and aim at the person next to them is a straight lift of 13 Tzameti. That movie was black and white with no picturesque locales and the scene was shot in a crowded room yet it had more impact than the glossy scene in Luck.

The actors have been let down by the poor direction. Imran is wooden and mechanical. In a few scenes, he reminds you of Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Na and that’s when he is good. He should stick to romantic roles. Shruti Haasan has a gorgeous face, body and hair thanks to her mother Sarika but none of her parents’ acting prowess. Her dialogue delivery is deadpan. Even children recite poetry with more expression and emotion.

Chitrashi Rawat gets into the skin of her over-confident character. She should try something new soon otherwise she will get typecast. You loathe Ravi Kissen. He is a lecherous serial killer with an annoying laugh that makes you frown. He is good at being bad. Danny and Mithun have not been wasted, their characters don’t do justice to their talent. Why did they agree to do this movie? You think some of them are dead but they come back to life, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

The pace isn’t fast enough for a thriller. In the first hour, the characters are established. The twists in the end (about Shruti and Imran) are laughable and unnecessary. The climax scene on the train reminds you of video games like Contra and Mario where the hero has to overcome innumerable obstacles to reach his destination. Some scenes are disconnected thanks to sloppy editing.

Sanjay Dutt is the best of the lot. There are some things only he can do. I don’t know anyone else who can carry off the punked up costumes in the title track. He is overweight yet handsome. He wows you with his impressive screen presence and personality. There is a smile on your face each time he walks his walk making you wish he had more screen time.

The music is catchy. The locales, especially the South African landscape is gorgeous. The scenes where Danny gambles on Imran’s luck are interesting, especially the cigarette lighter one. The background score is impressive at times.

All in all, you don’t feel very lucky after watching Luck.

Janhvi Patel/Hill Road Media