For all its intentions, Barah Anna finally is dull, listless fare. Not even Vijay Raaz's fine act or the presence of Naseeruddin Shah in the cast can lift the film from being an extremely tedious experience. The weak script and the obviously low budget of the film let down the film and let it down badly.

Though the premise had potential, the film, unfortunately, fails to take off at all. The screenplay hardly moves in the first half and though things do pick up a bit in the second half, you are too far gone by then to really care. The approach is much too simplistic and superficial and at times you actually think this could have made an ok Star Bestseller at best on television but no more. You don't know why Naseer's character stays mute almost throughout the film. Even an actor of Naseer's calibre cannot do much with the role and it appears that he is unable to speak rather than actually keeping quiet out of choice. The flow of the narrative is flat and the slow pace of the film doesn't help. It fails to pick up even in the second half when it should have with the trio taking to crime and to make things worse, none of the sequences are imaginatively handled either.

The performances are unable to lift the film though one has to concede that Vijay Raaz is in fine form. His changeover once he starts making money from the kidnappings is done well and he excels in the scenes as he starts to throw his weight around. Of course, it helps that his is the most fleshed out character in the film. Naseeruddin Shah is strangely subdued and efficient but we expect more from him. In that sense he disappoints as anything short of brilliance from Naseer is a let down. Arjun Mathur is strictly ok at best. Violante Placido is fine while Tannishtha Chatterjee has the makings of a fine actress but unfortunately has limited scope.

Technically, not much to write about with the background music in particular a big no-no. The aim might have been to use it as sparingly as possible but then it should have been all the more effective when it is used. Unfortunately it sounds like bad TV music most of the time.

All in all, a disappointing watch.