Just another fancy thriller

"Mein Vijay hoon!" [I am Vijay] Zayed Khan asserts.

"Vijay Dinanath Chauhan!" a voice in the audience yells out, referring to Amitabh Bachchan's famous character in Agneepath. The audience bursts into laughter.

And this is the most intense and emotional part of Sangeeth Sivan's Chura Liya Hai Tumne.

Sivan may not have handled this emotional scene well but there is no doubt the film has been well directed.

Inspired from the Hollywood film Charade (Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant), Chura Liya… has an interesting plot. Tina (Esha Deol) comes to Bangkok in search of her missing uncle and learns that he died in an accident. Apparently, he was part of a gang that robbed a bank three years ago and tried to run away with the entire loot of Rs 100 million.

The other gang members -- played by Gulshan Grover, Vijay Raaz, Rakhi and a fourth mysterious person -- believe Esha has the money since she is the dead uncle's only surviving relative.

While trying to flee the gangsters Tina seeks help from two people -- the mysterious Vijay and Indian embassy official Deepak Chopra (Salil Ankola).

Tina realises Vijay may not be as innocent as he looks. Is he the fourth member of the gang out for the money? Or is he the brother of the fourth gangster seeking revenge?

Sivan tackles the mystery well. He does not insert unnecessary songs to disrupt the narrative (though Himesh Reshmiyya's music is commendable). He tells the story well, dropping shocking truths frequently. The editing is slick. While strengthening the film he also tries to build up the characters. Unfortunately, the romance between Esha and Zayed lacks conviction.

Sivan's forte is action and this was proved in his first Bollywood film, the Sunny Deol-starrer Zor. Chura Liya… does better. The action, special effects and fight sequences are excellently executed, especially in the climax.

Does Sanjay Khan's son Zayed live up to the hype surrounding him? Sadly, no. Though his role offers a wide range of emotions, most of the film sees him smirking -- whether he sees a corpse/cracks a deal with the goons/when Esha discovers his identity/when he is getting beaten up. His emotional scenes look made up but Zayed does well in the dancing and fighting department.

Chura Liya... was supposed to give Esha a makeover and re-launch her. Strangely, her role is similar to her debut, Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche. While the former had her terrified of her husband, Chura Liya... sees her terrified of three gangsters. The film gives her ample scope for histrionics, but she does not utilise it. Her dialogue delivery is good, but her performance is hyper.

Gulshan Grover and Vijay Raaz (aka P K Dubey in Monsoon Wedding) look sinister and hold the audience's attention.

The surprise package is Salil Ankola. The former cricketer does a great job in a brief role. When Zayed and Salil share screen space, it is difficult to say who is the hero of Chura Liya...