Karthik Calling Karthik

Mumbai lad Karthik (Akhtar) is a geeky virgin. He lives alone, and his demanding boss treats him like dirt. Further, his dream-girl colleague Sohali (Padukone) ignores him. One morning, his home phone rings and it’s … (see title). These daily calls transform his humdrum existence; he’s even offered drunken sex. But, is it possible to receive a call from oneself? Or is something more sinister happening? This Bollywood delve into psychological thriller territory works best when it focuses on the credible romance between the adorable, competent leads. It suffers due its inability to free itself totally from the ‘formula’: an inordinate length, numerous ‘Hinglish’ songs and a refusal to address Karthik’s condition in depth. Akhtar’s little-boy-lost vulnerable charm holds it all together. Intriguing.