Having seen disappointing movies by debutant directors over the last couple of months, I wasn't exactly over the moon about watching one more directorial debut. In fact, I searched hard for an excuse to avoid being trapped for what I thought would be three more boring hours in the theatre.

I was wrong (as you must have guessed by now, I didn't find that excuse). You can't categorise Stop as a very good film, but it isn't a total write-off either. In fact, it's decent enough and has relatively good performances from the entire cast.

Stop is the story of four friends -- Om (Rocky Bhatia), Tina (Tejaswani Kollhapure) Sonia (Ishita Arun) and Pooja (Gauri Karnik) -- who live together in Dubai.

Om, a software consultant, is quite satisfied with his job. He is protective about his friends but doesn't interfere in their lives. At one time, he was in love with Shama (Dia Mirza). But the relationship fizzles out. Om gets on with his life. Until, one day, they bump into each other in Dubai.

Shama is in the golden country for a job. She's married, but unhappy. The duo become close again.

Rahul (Ali Asgar) loves

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Tina, a stage actress who thinks her communal lifestyle, is a dream come true. Her father, Anand Mehra (Om Puri), is a talented actor who has frittered his life because of a drinking habit, a fact that doesn't endear him to Tina.

Sonia, a fashion designer, is in love with Rohit (Kiran Jhanjhani). Rohit, who works in Om's office, is an incorrigible flirt. But a smitten Sonia ignores Om's warnings.

Small-town girl Pooja is an ambitious radio jockey; her boss, Vivek Malhotra (Harsh Chhaya), can make or break her career.

The film is about the friendship between these four friends, and how small things affect it.

Om Puri, even in a special appearance, is wonderful. His portrayal of an alcoholic father hated by his daughter is outstanding.

Rocky Bhatia is not bad; he has featured in the Sindhi film Paarivari and seems comfortable in his first Hindi film.

 Ali Asgar makes you laugh.

Tejaswani is all right; she falters, though, when she plays an actress on-stage.

Ishita Arun -- you might have seen her in the music video Aika Dajiba -- is adequate, while Gauri Karnik isn't bad.

Funnily enough, it is Dia -- who has the most experience among the actresses in Stop! -- who offers the weakest performance.

The music is good; hard to predict its market value, but it fits in with the overall look of the film.

Stop! is a lighthearted film. The jokes, for a change, do not fall flat.

If you want to see a big banner production with superstars, Stop! isn't for you. But if you're in the mood for light, enjoyable fare, it is a decent one-time watch.

CREDITS
Cast: Om Puri, Rocky Bhatia, Tejaswani Kollhapure, Ishita Arun, Gauri Karnik, Diya Mirza, Ali Asgar, Harsh Chhaya, Himani Shivpuri
Director: Ajay Sinha
Producer: Laxman Bhatia
Music: Vishal Shekar