You could also call ‘Hello’ a case of six characters in search of a zingy script. Bhagat's novel is not literature, but manages to capture some of the hurly-hurly of New India's preoccupation with instant money, getting ahead and greenbacks. The film's canvas is largely empty, so the good turn by Sharman Joshi gets lost. As does some genuinely funny banter, and the Khan family's full turn-out (Salman with his shirt off, girl-friend Kat in a cameo, `chota bhai' Arbaaz in a walk on) on account of Agnihotri being the Khans' brother-in-law.

Even that thing that call centre types are allegedly indulging in all the time—making out on down-time in the back of convenient SUVs —pictured here on Sharman and Gul, lacks fire. It's tepid, just like the movie.