First the good points - Luck by Chance is a sincere debut by Zoya Akhtar. The film shows a certain sensibility and maturity in its treatment as it tackles the insides of the Hindi film industry. Knowing the way the industry functions, there is a very thin line between being realistic and being spoofy and the film manages to avoid this pitfall as it gives a human face to the people in the Mumbai glamour world. However, weak writing, a storyline that is by and large predictable, stereotypical characters, an insipid lead pair overshadowed by other characters, uneven soundtrack and a lack of any fresh insight finally hampers the film as it falls short of being there.

Zoya appears to keep a firm hand on the proceedings and one feels that given the right subject, she could be a director to watch out for. There is restraint and as mentioned earlier, a maturity in her take on the story and an ability to avoid unnecessary melodrama that gives the film restraint and sensitivity. Some scenes like the one when Farhan comes back repentant to Konkana and she refuses to accept him are extremely well handled and you can feel the woman touch here. The various star cameos help in the creation of the film industry atmosphere and special mention must be made of the opening titles of the film.

However, the script needed to be stronger and far more insightful. At the end of the film you do feel that treatment aside, it lacks freshness, content wise and there's nothing in the film you did not know. The predictable nature of the screenplay almost throughout and its slow pace tell on the second half of the film as it drags on and on before suddenly trying to resolve as much as it can towards the end – all making for a choppy narrative flow. Also the film gets too pat here, for example, Farhan’s self-realization following one speech by SRK.

The performances help lift the film a notch or two. Rishi Kapoor is undoubtedly the life of the film. He is getting better and better as an artiste with age. His comic timing is spot on as he manages to create a believable character that could have otherwise been spoofy and a caricature. He expertly manages the comic and emotional shades of his character and gives a well-rounded performance. Clearly no one can play the loveable roly poly Punjabi better than him. Dimple as a diva of the 1970s and a star mother looking after daughter Isha’s career is also in good form having her moments although she overplays her big scene when she tells her daughter all that she had to go through to be a star. Sanjay Kapoor springs a surprise while Hrithik is delightful as the actor who ditches Rishi Kapoor when he gets a role in a Karan Johar film, thus paving the way for Farhan’s big break. However, Isha is weak when compared to rest of the cast and Juhi Chawla too is obviously ‘acting.’ The actors playing Farhan’s friends, one an assistant with Vishesh Films and the other, a struggling actor are fine but sadly, the lead pair is disappointing. Farhan was cast correctly in Rock On!! And though here he gives the role his all, he lacks screen presence to carry a film on his shoulders and is found wanting in some of the more complex moments his character goes through. Konkana Sen Sharma is becoming dangerously repetitive in her performances now and otherwise a fine artiste in her own right, one always expects that something extra from her. This performance doesn’t have it. It’s efficient enough but that’s about it.

Technically, the film is adequately shot, has an evocative enough background score that gels well with the film without crying for attention and while the songs are fine, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have clearly given better music in the past. Also Javed Akhtar the lyricist is in better form than Javed Akhtar the dialogue writer as the writing here is a little dated and often too self explanatory barring a few witty one-liners.

All in all, watchable for its treatment and Rishi Kapoor but otherwise an average film that had the potential to be there.