There's a flip side to almost everything. If technological advancements have made life simpler and easier, there's always a possibility that someone could be misusing it to their advantage. TEESRI AANKH - THE HIDDEN CAMERA looks at the issue of hidden cameras creating havoc in people's lives.

The problem with TEESRI AANKH - THE HIDDEN CAMERA is that the moviegoers have watched a similar theme a couple of months ago, in KALYUG. Besides the concept that sounds similar, even the basic plot -- of the lead man wanting to expose those who made the blue film of his sweetheart -- bears a striking similarity to the Mohit Suri-directed Kunal Kemmu-Emraan Hashmi starrer.

That's one of the reasons why TEESRI AANKH - THE HIDDEN CAMERA doesn't entice the viewer.

Another factor that goes against the film is that the grip, so essential in a film like this, is clearly missing. After a well-told twenty minutes, TEESRI AANKH - THE HIDDEN CAMERA becomes one of those routine vendetta films that we've witnessed time and again. The path the narrative undertakes is akin to those countless masala flicks that were popular in 1980s.

In a nutshell, TEESRI AANKH - THE HIDDEN CAMERA fails to deliver!

TEESRI AANKH - THE HIDDEN CAMERA tells the story of the plight of women who are trapped, used and abused by the use of hidden cameras. It could be planted anywhere and everywhere: Girl's hostel, changing rooms of shopping malls, honeymoon bedrooms of hotels and in the hands of anyone in the form of a mobile phone.

Sudama [Mukesh Rishi], based in London, runs a racket in India, trapping innocent women. Sapna's [Neha Dhupia] fiancé Arjun Singh [Sunny Deol], a cop, is already probing into this racket and reaches London to nab him.

Dinesh [Mukesh Tiwari] and Dinesh [Murli Sharma], Sudama's trusted lieutenants, have trapped Sapna, who wants to break free. The struggle attracts the attention of Ammu [Amisha Patel], who witnesses Sapna being murdered.

The duo chases Ammu, the sole eye witness. Ashish [Aashish Chowdhry] and Aarti [Aarti Chhabria], Ammu's sister, reach to Ammu's rescue at the nick of time. Meanwhile, Arjun is looking for a clue to nab the gang and he gets to know of Ammu. Arjun saves Ammu and together the duo busts the porn film racket!

Despite a novel concept, which had scope for experimentation, TEESRI AANKH - THE HIDDEN CAMERA falters because Harry Baweja [also credited with the screenplay of the film] seeks help of outdated and clichéd situations to move the story forward.

Sample these: When Aarti Chhabria reaches the scene of crime and saves Amisha from Mukesh Tiwari's clutches, instead of calling the London police, you see an Indian cop [Ayub Khan] arriving on the scene. Why don't they call the London police in the first place? Later, when Sunny reaches Amisha's residence [how does he manage the address so fast?], he is suddenly attacked by Mukesh Rishi's henchmen [now, how do they get the address?] and what follows are bullets being sprayed like there's no tomorrow, with one man [Sunny] taking on six/seven people all by himself. The film gives an impression that there's lawlessness in the city!

Much later, when Sunny eventually saves Amisha, he gets into the flashback mode, which gets so lengthy that you often wonder whatever happened to the main plot? Also, the flashback relies on the age-old concept of politicians [in this case, it's a corporator] being responsible for the anti-social activities. Even the climax is completely hackneyed, with violence getting precedence than logic.
Harry Baweja's direction isn't faulty, but his script is. In fact, the screenplay is of absolute convenience and abounds in cinematic liberties. The script offers more scope to action than anything else, but even the stunts are the type that look so unrealistic, like Sunny kicking a car and it [the car] flying in the air or Sunny holding two speeding bikes with his hands.

There's not much scope for music in the enterprise and barring the first track ['Titliyaan'], the remaining songs look forced. Even the Jazzy B track is wrongly placed. Cinematography is inconsistent; at places fine, at times patchy.

Sunny is there from start to end [the end titles say it's a guest appearance] and the film tries to project him as an all-powerful guy, a role he has essayed time and again. Hence, when he breathes fire or venom, you aren't moved. Amisha does a fair job, although she needs to control her expressions at times. The bunch of villains -- Mukesh Rishi, Ayub Khan, Mukesh Tiwari and Murli Sharma -- are mechanical. Aashish Chowdhry and Aarti Chhabria don't get much scope. Neha Dhupia does her part well.

On the whole, TEESRI AANKH - THE HIDDEN CAMERA disappoints.

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