Every
third
Hindi
film
either
borrows
or
is
inspired
from
a
Hollywood
film.
Sometimes,
the
rehashed
version
works.
Most
of
the
times,
it
doesn't!
Also,
it's
important
to
choose
a
story
that
would
strike
a
chord
with
Indian
moviegoers.
Ru-Ba-Ru
borrows
from
the
Hollywood
film
IF
ONLY
[2004;
Jennifer
Love
Hewitt
and
Paul
Nicholls],
a
subject
that
would
work
on
the
DVD
circuit
in
India
more
than
at
plexes.
Reason:
The
storyline
is
too
hypothetical.
Debutante
director
Arjun
Bali's
choice
of
the
subject
may
be
debatable,
but
you
can't
shut
your
eyes
to
the
fact
that
he
has
handled
the
subject
with
dexterity.
In
fact,
a
theme
like
this
would've
blown
into
smithereens
had
the
captain
of
the
shop
been
an
incompetent
storyteller.
Tara
[Shahana
Goswami]
and
Nikhil
[Randeep
Hooda]
are
in
love.
Tara
wants
to
cement
the
relationship
by
seeking
commitment
in
marriage.
But
Nikhil,
a
workaholic,
is
always
pre-occupied
with
work.
The
trouble
in
paradise
starts
with
Nikhil
constantly
forgetting
small
little
things
that
make
a
relationship
work.
He
starts
taking
his
girlfriend
for
granted.
And
the
day
comes
when
Tara
cannot
take
it
anymore.
She
walks
out
on
him,
but
something
drastic
happens...
For
any
love
story
to
click,
it
ought
to
be
embellished
with
moments
that
touch
your
heart.
Ru-Ba-Ru
has
some
moments
that
live
in
your
memory.
Note
this
sequence:
Shahana
meets
with
an
accident
in
the
first
hour
and
Randeep's
cry/scream
for
help
subsequently.
Now
recall
this:
Randeep
experiencing
dejÀ
vu
in
the
second
hour.
On
the
flip
side,
Ru-Ba-Ru
unravels
at
a
lethargic
pace.
Also,
the
second
hour
should've
been
shorter.
The
song
in
the
pre-climax
should've
been
deleted.
Even
otherwise,
music
[Satyadev
Burman,
Sameeruddin]
is
strictly
okay.
Andre
Menezes'
cinematography
captures
the
beauty
of
Bangkok
with
finesse.
That
Randeep
Hooda
is
a
fine
actor
is
reaffirmed
yet
again
as
he
plays
his
part
without
overdoing
it
one
bit.
It's
a
complete
departure
from
his
violence-laden
roles
[D,
RISK]
and
must
add,
he's
adept
at
romantic
roles
as
well.
Shahana
Goswami
is
incredible.
A
complete
natural.
ROCK
ON!!
and
Ru-Ba-Ru
should
only
cement
her
status.
Rati
Agnihotri
and
Jayant
Kripalani
are
perfect
for
their
parts.
Kulbhushan
Kharbanda's
calm
look
is
worth
noting.
The
actress
enacting
the
role
of
Shahana's
friend
is
passable.
On
the
whole,
Ru-Ba-Ru
is
a
decent
fare,
but
in
view
of
the
fact
that
there's
no
buzz
for
the
film
and
also
scant
awareness,
it
will
meet
with
a
disastrous
fate.