Hum Tum Aur Ghost
Directed by: Kabeer Kaushik
Producer by: Arshad Warsi, Maria Goretti
Starring: Arshad Warsi, Dia Mirza, Sandhya Mridul, Boman Irani, Zehra Naqvi, Shernaz Patel, Tinu Anand
Music Dir: Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonca

Speaking to the dead isn't just a theory but documented in Indian mythology. So, 'Hum, Tum Aur Ghost', releasing March 26, 2010, in India represents a concept Bollywood borrowed from history and of course Hollywood. The West started this trend 20 years ago, but in India the 'Vikram aur Betal' saga has lived forever.

The fascination with ghosts/ spirits continues in Bollywood. Arshad Warsi, who had shot to fame in his 'Ishqiya', conceived the movie's idea and wrote the script along with director Kabeer Kaushik. Both are known for their entertaining styles.

Kaushik (of the 'Saher' and 'Champu' fame) is a good comedy director and had worked with Warsi, who is mainly credited with the story of 'Hum, Tum Aur Ghost'. Though, the story smells of Hollywood's 'Ghost Town', Warsi denies getting such inspiration, dismissing it the similarities as coincidental.

The story depicts Armaan's (Arshad Warsi) life is picture perfect. Yet, a loving girlfriend and a great job as a fashion photographer hasn't made life altogether perfect as it may seem. Armaan is a chronic insomniac but for some reason he isn't suffering a medical sleeping disorder. As it goes, he hears voices that torture him, don't let him have his peace - voices that nobody else can hear. His friends sympathize with him, but girlfriend, Gehna (Dia Mirza), is irritated with his weird behavior and her father constantly berates him for his fondness for the bottle.

There's no explaining Armaan's behavior. Making it worse is the fact that he talks to himself, or, to people, no one can see! Well, Armaan begins to believe that he possesses a special ability to connect with the souls that haven't crossed over. And, he sets out on a mission to help three souls - a child, an old man, and a young woman. An exciting and fun journey that follows makes Armaan discover the lives of his three special companions and get closer to them, inevitably frustrating Gehna even more. Though, this helps him sort of find himself - the crux of the plot.

Hum, Tum Aur Ghost' is a compilation of skilled performances by Arshad who we now feel has learned the art of becoming likable and believable on screen! A complete natural, this is perhaps his best delivery of art. Dia is completely fresh with a performance in which she looks ethereal yet exceptional. Boman is the tremendous himself. Sandhya Mridul does not have much of a role. Zehra Naqvi is convincing. Shernaz Patel is wasted and so also Tinnu Anand. Javed Sheikh is the usual. Asawari Joshi is perfect for her part. Music from Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's trio is well done. Ashok Mehta's cinematography is excellent.

The movie's hallmark is certainly the performances of its cast. Though, the flick falls short of convincing the audience on a murky subject. Screenplay is weak and sets don't just make it. A good try, Warsi! But, 'Hum, Tum Aur Ghost' is a terrible waste of what could have been pulled off as a terrific idea. Don't waste your time watching this flick unless you have nothing else to do!