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After producing two turkeys in a row, Bollywood showman Subhash Ghai has a lot riding on his latest film Kisna - The Warrior Poet. Billed as an epic cross-cultural romance between a British Commissioner's daughter (Anthonia Bernath) and her family's Indian servant boy (Vivek Oberoi), this period piece is the producer/director's last attempt at resurrecting his once great career by creating an entertaining film with 'crossover' potential.

Set during the time of India's struggle for independence from British control in the 1940s, we see trouble and strife brewing as the empire get ready to leave their Jewel In The Crown. Caught in the middle are childhood friends Kisna (Oberoi) and Katherine Beckett (Bernath), who are forced to flee their homes when local yobs begin attacking their former masters. Before you know it their Anglo-Indian friendship turns into gooey-eyed love, when Katherine falls under the spell of her flute-playing turned sword-wielding saviour.

"GOOD INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES"

One camp Indian prince (Rajat Kapoor), jealous fiancé (Isha Sharwani), rescued mother (Caroline Langrishe), psychotic brother (Yashpal Sharma) and six colourful songs later, the star-crossed lovers are left to decide whether they should stay together or part forever. Sadly, after nearly three hours of hum drum events and cross-country chases you don't really care what happens to them. Despite the two leads putting in good individual performances, particularly Bernath with her commendable attempt at Hindi dialogue, their lack of chemistry lets them down. However, the fault lies not in them but Ghai's poor direction and weak script, both of which lack energy and consistency.