I wonder if the Indian film ritual of intermission also functions as a creative road-block. Because so many fine films derail exactly there; I call it the curse of the second half. Ishaqzaade is one of these.Faisal sets up the story with great precision. Kapoor and Chopra are terrific as the explosive twosome. The music, composed by Amit Trivedi, works well.Which is why it’s so disappointing to see it unravel. Still, Ishaqzaade does provide half a good time. How many films can you say that for?

It’s the war of the roses. And it’s as (t)horny as it can get. Splattered with bandooks and badmaashi, goondas and gaalis – starts this ajab prem kahani. Firebrands Parma (Arjun Kapoor) and Zoya (Parineeti Chopra) are childhood hate-mates, born into politically warring families who’ve avowed to hate unto death.

On the whole, Ishaqzaade is an entertaining fare which works on the strength of its first half and the performances.

On the whole, ISHAQZAADE, a volatile and intense story with ample doses of fanatical romance, should appeal to a pan-India audience. This broadly engaging love story has a winsome pair who deliver dexterous performances, besides popular music and several poignant moments, which should appeal to fans of mainstream films. Go for it!

When watching a youngster from the film fraternity make his debut, you cannot but draw comparisons with LOVE STORY and QAYAMAT SE QAYAMAT TAK. While both had a similar story line with family as the opposition, the storyline of ISHAQZAADE pushes the envelope further with a cunning twist in the lover’s tale.