Heroine: **

Albert Einstein's theory of relativity says that time is relevant and it seems to flow differently (slow or fast) for different people based on the nature of events they experience. Madhur Bhandarkar's latest flick Heroine proves it effectively and its 3 hrs feels like never ending event.

Monotony in any form sets tedium. Heroine is no exception to it. Madhur's obsession with dark side of the world of glamour, corporate, bollywood and stories of rise and fall (mainly of female protagonists) are getting exceedingly repetitive and predictable. Page 3, Corporate, Fashion and now Heroine, they all seems like “to be continued” versions or episodes of a common drama.

Heroine starts with Mahi Arora (Kareena Kapoor), an erstwhile super actress being thrown out of a car. Emotionally drained, humiliated and devastated Mahi goes to police station to file a police complain but her secretary Rasheed bhai (played by Govind Namdeo) arrives and takes her home. Movie then goes into flash back when Mahi Arora is a successful heroine and in love with superstar Aryan (Arjun Rampal). Aryan's married life is one the verge of breakdown and he is awaiting divorce from her greedy wife. Mahi is excessively insecure about her relationship with Aryan and they observe frequent tussles over the future of their relationship. Mahi suffers from bipolar disorder and undergoing a psychiatrist treatment. Her emotional imbalance and outrageous behavior takes a tall on her work and relationships and Aryan breaks up with her. Going through a lean phase, Mahi hires a PR agent Pallavi (Divya Dutta) who drafts a plan to revamp the brand Mahi. Her strategy pays up and Mahi starts getting publicity and fame with work. During this phase Angad, Indian cricket team's vice captain (Randeep Hooda) comes into her life and both gets into a steady relationship. However, Mahi's professional insecurity suffocates their relationship and Aangad too leaves Mahi. Turbulent personal relationships and professional failures takes a toll on Mahi and she goes once again to Pallavi for help whom she had humiliated earlier. Only 2 days to go for a small budget release of her come back movie, Mahi pleads to Pallavi to do anything to make the movie a hit. In desperation she hands over a tape of her intimate moments with Aryan to garner publicity right before the release. It pays off and the movie opens up with a bumper opening. Mahi again gets the much needed fame she longed for but realizes that it has come at a cost of lot many important things of her life. In the end we see Mahi living a lonesome life somewhere in Europe with no connection with her past life.

Confusing, isn't it? Despite of a potentially strong plot, Heroine fails to live up to the expectations due to its aforementioned repetitive nature. Seemingly similar characters of gossip hungry media people, ruthless film fraternity, frustrated star wives, back biting friends, homosexual fashion designers and journalists (What is Bhandarkar's fetish with these gay characters?), people with glass of wine and fake smiles in parties etc which we have been seeing since ages are repeated and it is a big turn off. Madhur's direction is unfortunately very mediocre and unwanted complex nature of the movie works against it. His characters look very artificial and cosmetic. Movie stretches infinitely and last 30 minutes seems harrowingly slow with an abrupt end.

Kareen Kapoor looks good in expensive designer dresses and heavy make up. However, her overacting and overdose of emotionally devastated behavior makes it look ridiculously painful. Her portrayal of Mahi as a success hungry star with frequent mood swings and tendency to create complications is hard to believe. Arjun Rampal and Randeep Hooda does their bit in their insignificant roles. Divya Dutta plays a small but an effective role and impresses. Ranveer Shorey, Shahana Goswami, Sanjay Sood etc are good in their roles.

Madhur Bhandarkar may have spent (rather wasted) 2 years in research for this movie but in my advice you spare 3 hours only if you have absolutely nothing to do!!