Conceptually alas, this globe-trotting enterprise is a non-non, bereft of a substantial storyline, and so excessively dedicated to its producer-cum-heroine showing off a range of casual chic costumes, that it ends up looking like an extended photo-session.

It was almost as if Preity Zinta had made the film in her heydays – the last decade – and brought it out of cold storage only now.

The borrowed plot (from ‘Before Sunrise’) is cooked with a generous dosage of Bollywood spices. So you must suffer clichés like a Paris full of French people who speak Hindi and a heroine whose jackets are heavy but hemlines ridiculously short.

Ishkq In Paris that begins as a believable tale of modern day love culminates into shaky misguided climax. Priety Zinta who is back on silver screen does a pleasing job but her film fails to match up to her bygone colossal stature. Unable to find anything heartwarming in the film, I am settling for 2 on 5 for this one. With a couple of commendable elements like smoothness of its narrative, the movie does not work for most part because of its constant attempt at being melodramatic and the lack of an effortless script! Priety fans can gear up for it, the rest can re-watch Hum Tum.

Fresh, frothy feel good and, yes, look good, and with a solid undercurrent of emotional frisson to guide the love story to its heart-warming culmination Ishkq In Paris makes you thankful for that thing called love. The tone of narration is unmistakably European.

Watch Ishkq if you are a die-hard PZ fan. Otherwise rent the Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy starrer Before Sunrise and experience the true essence of an European setting for a romantic film.

Sadly, Ishkq In Paris comes off mostly derivative, and wholly predictable.

“This is a rubbish love story,” Zinta says in the film’s most honest, self-aware moment. “I need a drink.”

Ditto, miss. And you best be buying.

Preity Zinta’s maiden production has its aesthetics in place. Paris is enchanting. The actress is good but there ends the show.

On the whole, ISHKQ IN PARIS is a decent fare, but its fate depends on word of mouth completely, for the film to carve a niche for itself. The delay in release [the promos had been on air for quite some time] coupled with lack of strong face-value might mar its prospects!

‘Ishkq in Paris’ is a misguided, overwrought affair that feels way longer than its 96 minutes. I’m going with one-and-a-half out of five. Watch it if you can muster the courage.