Rating: **

Cast: Shreyas Talpade (Shankar), Lena (Jasmine), Naseeruddin Shah

Director: Nagesh Kukunoor

Nagesh Kukunoor is back. But not with a bang.

And the problem begins with the basics – the script. It loses taste with time. Kukunoor may have added loads of chaos, confusion and goof-ups to create the cartoon caper, but the screenplay seems wobbly.

Cinematography is good but then Kukunoor has always had it so slick, that it gets difficult to accept just a ‘good’ from him.

And the biggest damage? The director’s art of story-telling, which has always set him apart, is at a complete loss.

Shankar is a small-time cook in Mumbai. But with tough situations around, he is in desperate need of money. Lots of money. And the only way to get it – easily – is by stealing it from the local Don.

But that’s only the beginning. Shankar now needs to ensure his safety. And that’s exactly what he does. Impersonating as a doctor, he leaves with a team of doctors heading for Thailand for a relief work.

But amidst great chaos and confusion, he ends up losing his moneybag.

And if that was not enough, life takes another turn. He comes across the lovely Jasmine, a Thai girl working in a night club. And along comes another problem. Shankar and Jasmine cannot talk, courtesy language barrier.

But as luck would have it, Jasmine comes to his hotel, looking for a doctor. And thus begins the new episode.

But apart from treading on the lover’s track, Shankar also has to escape the local don’s son Jam K, who is on his trail.

With several ups and downs and twists and turns, the journey from ‘Bombay to Bangkok’ continues.

And all’s not bad about this journey, performances specifically.

Shreyas Talpade is a true talent and he once again establishes that. His work is effortless, allowing him to drift easily with his role. Lena too does a great job.

Naseeruddin Shah’s presence is hardly felt.

The songs get you ticking, ‘Same Same But Different’ in particular.

But if good performances and a couple of foot-tapping song number was the formula for a good film, sitting on the director’s chair wouldn’t be that tough.