This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

With "Jazbaa," Aishwarya Rai Bachchan makes a comeback in movies as a criminal lawyer, who defends a case of a rapist and murderer as a ransom to flee her kidnapped daughter. The film is said to be based on a Korean crime thriller "Seven Days" (haven't watched the movie). The pace is fast and the events succeeds before you have a time to think. Aishwarya Rai's voice has been kept loud and fast, and it appears less that she's a lawyer who is defending a case. Aishwarya Rai is a fabulous actress but she appears a bit miscast for the role. Others like Irfan Khan, Shabana Azmi, Jackie Shroff, all brilliant actors, do little to make an impression though Irfan Khan gets a higher footage and plays well. Though the film is fast paced, gets you with adrenaline rush and surprises, by the end the film just doesn't touch you. Neither the film claims any relevance to the social reform or touches the emotions for which the audiences find it mere a watchable time waster.Rating: 1 star out of 4

The Director Sanjay Gupta stays true to his mediocre staple of movies. Lot of pretension of being stylish in presentation and zero in screenplay, editing and overall content. By using fancy filters presenting Mumbai in green, dark shades throughout the movie, he may think he has delivered a great visual movie, but it is just plain distracting and repetitive. And all the weird camera angles like an amateur toying with cinematography. As usual, he also copies from a foreign movie, since he is no original. No problem. At least, he could have made a decent copy, since the story despite its inherent flaws had potential to be a decent suspense drama. But, he makes total mess of it. It is very poorly made, lacking any pull. The first half especially is boring, which is a shaming indictment for a suspense thriller.Another big let down is Aishwarya Rai. Her screeching acting makes one go for the FF button or flee from the theater. A better actress could have probably made this bad movie tolerable, but not so with Aishwarya. And her role is the heart of the movie. The only saving grace is Irfan Khan, who makes the proceeding bearable. Even Irfran something seems to be wondering what the hell he is doing in this crap movie with his dazed look. Another Stalwart, Shabana Azmi also finds herself in this sorry apology of movie, mouthing inane lines. Even she cannot redeem her poorly etched character. Despite its flaws,being partial to the Suspense thriller genre, i give this three stars.

It is heartening and encouraging to see that Bollywood is churning out so many women centric films over the recent years - Kahaani, English Vinglish, Queen, Mardaani and now Jazbaa which marks the comeback of the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan after a gap of six years. Jazbaa had solid plot and well-executed scenes but messy screenplay and wafer thin direction spoils the mood.The film tells the story of a strong independent lawyer Anuradha Verma (played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) and the struggle she goes through after her daughter is kidnapped and she has to race against time to reunite with her daughter.From the director of Kaante, Musafir and Shootout At Wadala, Sanjay Gupta brings you the stylish hardcore-action film which is interesting to watch but is saddened by loose screenplay and left you wanting for more. The movie begins with a bang depicting the events that changes Anuradha's life from an independent lawyer to a struggling mother trying best to keep her daughter alive against all odds. Plus the introduction of Irrfan Khan as cop is welcomed with punching dialogues and humour. However, it is the 2nd half which goes haywire and you feel the impact is missing. Based on the Korean thriller Seven Days, Gupta tries hard but falls flat on face with his direction as he puts into too much of melodrama and emotions that might difficult to digest. The screenplay is average. Background score by Amar Mohile is repetitive and irritating. Action scenes are superb and stylish with Cinematography is eye- catching.Dialogues are punchingComing to the performances, Aishwarya Rai misses the mark here. She was over-the-top with her expressions and could not convince much with dialogues and acting. Maybe we have to wait for another film from her for a good comeback. Irrfan Khan as usual is dependable with brilliant acting. Shabana Azmi surprises you with her small yet outstanding performance.Overall, Jazbaa could have been a taut, speedy and what-will-happen- next thriller but fizzed out with useless melodrama. Below average 1.5/5Ketan Gupta

A remake of the 2007 South Korean film Seven Days, 'Jazbaa' Directed by Sanjay Gupta, is a stylish thriller, but sadly, its soulless! Though not without its share of moments & a cast that willingly delivers, this visually striking film, lacks depth.'Jazbaa' Synopsis: After her daughter is kidnapped, An idealistic lawyer has to defend & bail out a heinous criminal, in order to get her child back. She's accompanied by a disgraced cop, who realizes there is much more to what's happening, than what it appears to be.'Jazbaa' begins tepidly & remains dull for its most of its first-hour, but it gathers tremendous momentum in its second-hour. The pace is fast & the visual appeal holds. But, Gupta's Adapted Screenplay appeals in bits & pieces. The Protagonist's struggle to win back her daughter, with many twists & turns, sometimes arrest, but are predictable otherwise. Though the climax, is well-done. The corny dialogue, however, seem too filmy for a thriller such as this. Gupta's Writing needed to have more force! Gupta's Direction, on the other-hand, is stylized. Sameer Arya's Cinematography is stark. Editing is decently done. Background Score is a bit too loud. Action-Sequences are ordinary.Performance-Wise: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan returns on-screen after a hiatus & the actress is very sincere in her portrayal of a desperate mother. But its Irrfan Khan who steals the show. Despite being given the most filmy lines, the fantastic actor has a ball playing the cop. Shabana Azmi is quite effective, while Chandon Roy Sanyal hams it up as the convict. Atul Kulkarni is first-rate, as always. Siddhanth Kapoor & Jackie Shorff are wasted.On the whole, 'Jazbaa' isn't a bad watch, but it could've been sharper nonetheless!