The best thing going for Toh Baat Pakki (TBP) is that not many expectations are attached to it. Yeah, that is a good thing. Its funny how these things happen because it has one of the lead actors (Sharman Joshi) of the biggest hit mankind has ever witnessed (3 Idiots...no no its Titanic, oh Avatar overtook it last week...nevermind). It also stars one of our most reliable actresses (Tabu), in her supposed comeback(?!?!) role. It's produced by the Tips guys whose last film was one of the biggest money spinners of last year (Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani), and it has music by the Blue-eyed boy of Bollywood music (Pritam). So it has got an interesting set up so to speak, but as a wise man had once told me, "the audience can smell a film to get excited about!" And TBP, in spite of staying clear of all hype or hoopla, is clearly not it.

TBP is like an amateur school play trying to be a film. It is probably aiming at the old world charm of the middle-of-the-road films in the 70's and 80's. But it has released in 2010 and that is a bit tricky as it appears terribly dated. The Hrishikesh Mukherjees and Basu Chatterjees used to do these type of films really well, but that was their time. The stories they told were probably timeless then, but when attempted today should be made far more relevant and contemporary in thought and effort. And if the film was fun and well-paced, it could have still made for entertaining if not extremely engaging viewing, but alas it does not. It is much too random in its thought and characters and just does not keep you engrossed. You could leave, come back, or take a nap and still not miss much.

The performances too really fail to lift the film. Tabu is adequate, nothing for her die hard fans here as the role makes no major demands on her. Sharman is still playing at a theatre near you in the 300 crore epic. Yuvika Chaudhury is cute but terribly off sync (dubbing artist?). Vatsal Sheth is trying hard without much to do or much to understand. The great Upasna Singh hams away yet again. I don't know why I mentioned her, only because Mrs. Rai is probably the most important character in this film. Ayub Khan as the hen pecked, but disapproving husband is sweet enough.

The music is a disaster in a supposed wedding flick and one of Pritam's most disappointing scores. The other techncialities too are nothing to write home upon.

In spite of little expectations, TBH is still likely to find the going rough.