There is no other contemporary Indian actor I can think of, who you can perhaps design a whole mainstream movie around, and pretty much get away with it - because he will simply take it from there. That's Ranveer Singh for you, not just in this film, but almost his entire filmography so far, which for a fair part, comprises movies with the 'biggest' directors in Bombay - Zoya Akhtar (Dil Dhadakne Do), Vikramaditya Motwane (Lootera), Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Ram Leela, Bajirao Mastani).

Aditya Chopra's fourth feature as a director BEFIKRE is certainly 'garam' (read hot and sexy) thanks to Ranveer Singh and Vani Kapoor's smoking hot presence and those kisses every now and then. But in the end BEFIKRE is a karam (piece of work) that adds nothing innovative to Bollywood's rom-com genre in its plot and just fulfills the dharma (duty) of a rom-com to please its 25 and less aged target audience who are not that demanding as far as their cinema (read movie outing) is concerned.

If the idea of one night stands, partying till dawn and traveling to exotic locations excites you, then Befikre is definitely for you! Director Aditya Chopra, who is back after eight long years, will take you on a free holiday to snow-laden exotic locales at the cost of just a movie ticket price. A tale of clich romance, Befikre has everything that will leave you scratching your head.

A flash of derriere on screen is no big deal in some parts of the world, but in India where the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has so far deemed the display of certain desi body parts a non-desi, un-kosher activity, here is a surprise. Singh gives us clear look at his wonderfully firm backside as he runs into a hotel room to make love to his girlfriend.

From the day the trailer of Aditya Chopra's Befikre was released, everyone knew what the story would be like. Two youngsters, Dharam (Ranveer) and Shyra (Vaani). The gorgeous Paris as the third lead in the story. With such a setting, a story is hardly anyone's primary requirement. Where Befikre wins is establishing that very ride of carefree love, err... lust, and how well does Chopra do that!

Aditya Chopra, who had made his directorial debut with the cult classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge, is known for making intense love stories which touch your heart and so, when we heard that his next film Befikre starring Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor is a light-hearted fun film, we were certainly curious as Adi has never explored a love story in such a manner.

Dharam (Ranveer Singh) is a stand-up comedian at a club in Paris. On his first tour in Paris, he meets Shyra (Vaani Kapoor), her electrical energy and carefree nature, draw Dharam towards her and within no time the two hit it off. What starts as 'I dare you' romance, soon turns into a year old relationship that becomes a baggage. The two part ways, only to meet again and this time, try their hands at being "just friends".

A not-so-shudh desi romance, Befikre is posited as an extravagant ode to the adventures of unfettered youth. The film plays out mostly on touristy locations in the French capital and on sundry dance floors and nightclubs. But are its pretty frames and foot-tapping songs worth the price of a multiplex ticket? Well, depends entirely on what one is seeking from a weekend watch.

Aditya Chopra made hearts bleed and lovers cry with his debut film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge 21 years ago. In between DDLJ and Befikre, he directed only two films: Mohabbatein (2000) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). It's interesting given his status as a top-billed filmmaker. Though his production house Yash Raj Films has been releasing similar films year after year, the director in him remained in pursuit of stories that could strike a balance between uninhibited millennials and the generations that savoured Yash Chopra brand of romance.

BEFIKRE, which celebrates being carefree in love, is a story about a couple's ups and downs and their ultimate realization of love. The film starts off with a stereotyped break up scene between Dharam (Ranveer Singh) and Shyra (Vaani Kapoor) which ends up with Dharam calling Shyra a 'slut', which hurts her the most. This is followed by a flashback of events which mirrors their yesterday and connects it with their today.

Aditya Chopra's fourth feature as a director -- Befikre is a hot and sexy film. Despite its thin plot (what plot, a journalist friend asked me after the film's premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival), the film holds its attention with the good looking stars, their energy, songs, dances and many lovely day and night scenes in Paris. Chopra's film reminds us that a well-shot Bollywood romantic film can be so entertaining even when it does not necessarily offer anything new.

Dharam (Ranveer Singh) and Shyra (Vaani Kapoor) have recently broken up and can't see eye-to-eye. In song-filled flashbacks, we see their meet cute, how they dared each other to do crazy things and got into a live-in relationship, only to realize that they were incompatible. They soon come to terms with their break-up but decide to remain friends. When their individual love lives restart, the friendship gets tested.

Befikre ticks practically every single box which constitutes the Yashraj canon. You can't do better than Paris, gorgeous location-wise. Ranveer Singh oozes that certain irrepressible X factor, and he is paired with Vaani Kapoor who added zing to the previous Yashraj 'prem kahani' she featured in. It's all there, and yet, Befikre never quite rises above its shiny surface. In its best moments, it has sparkle, but those few and far between; in the rest, it stays bland and familiar.