Thisisleicestershire
Nagesh Kukunoor, director of the acclaimed Iqbal and less-feted Bombay to Bangkok, returns to his forte of simple and stirring drama in Aashayein, writes Badri Ahmed.
The leading star is John Abraham, who will wish to put paid to the memories of his box office dud No Smoking.
He stars alongside TV actress Sonal Sehgal (pictured alongside Abraham) who makes her big-screen debut.
Aashayein is the tale of a compulsive gambler whose life takes a dramatic twist, forcing him to revaluate his ways.
John plays the role of the gambler who holds a party to celebrate a big win. At the party, he proposes to his girlfriend, but later collapses.
John is diagnosed as being terminally ill and the focus changes to his interaction with people in a hospice and the various characters he meets.
The film provides a touching depiction of John's own journey from darkness to light.
Unfortunately, Aashayein has been dogged by delays which will not do its box-office fortunes any favours.
It was initially set to open on June 20, but was postponed ostensibly because John had to help organise his brother Allan's wedding in Romania.
July 4 was the next date for the scheduled release, but with other big films being launched on the same day, it was put back to July 25.
But in a crowded market place, the film found itself squeezed out again and the release date of September 12 was announced.
Now, it is rumoured that the film may not even make this release date and that it is likely to surface in November.
With an influx of newer stars, such as Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, making their mark in Bollywood, John Abraham cannot afford too many more delays. He may find himself squeezed out of the running, too.