DIL JO BHI KAHEY (cert PG, 143mins) in Hindi with English subtitles.

After enduring almost two and a half hours of intense boredom, I left the cinema auditorium eager to get to my computer and release my anger and aggravation on the innocent keyboard.

As I am sadistically tapping away on the keyboard writing this review, I simply cannot understand why some people decide to become film-makers. Do they genuinely believe that they are good at their craft? Or do they make films simply for financial rewards?

In debutante director Romesh Sharma's case, he should not for one minute believe that film-making is his craft as Dil Jo Bhi Kahey is such a lame effort that will without doubt bomb at the box office.

Sharma to his credit, has introduced his son Karan in the lead opposite the bright actress Bhoomika Chawla and veteran thespian Amitabh Bachchan.

Jai (Karan Sharma), a Mauritian of Indian origin, falls in love with Sophie (Annabelle Wallace) while studying in Stockholm. The pair find themselves at a crossroads since their parents don't agree to the match. Jai's father Shankar (Amitabh Bachchan) gives his consent but his mother Sandhya (Revathi) vehemently opposes his son's choice.

As the family is gripped in a stranglehold of tension, Jai decides to marry an Indian girl, Gayatri (Bhoomika Chawla) to please his parents. But when Gayatri realises that Jai is still in love with Sophie, she backs out.

As you can tell by the synopsis, Dil Jo Bhi Kahey has nothing new to offer. The plot is outdated by three decades and the screenplay is lethargic.

Sharma has failed dramatically with his first attempt at making a mark in Bollywood. In the process he has killed any chance his son had of becoming a lead actor.

One cannot understand why Amitabh Bachchan would be a part of this diabolical production. The actor, who is regarded as a living legend, comes across as average at best in his role as the father.

Karan Sharma shows his capability as an actor but has been let down by his father. The baby-faced Sharma is reminiscent to current throb Shahid Kapoor in looks and demeanour but lacks the screen presence and delivery of dialogue.

Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is also a major disappointment as is the overall background score.

On the whole, Dil Jo Bhi Kahey (What The Heart Says. . ) is a disaster. There are no other words to describe the film. The heart should tell you to keep well away!