‘Namaste London’ worked because Shah waved the patriotic flag with some fervour, and both Akshay and Katrina looked interested, really interested, in each other. He wore a deep fuschia lungi, and carried himself and the attire with verve. And she had the time of her life, getting him where she wanted. This time around Akki’s Lucky—fancy turban, skinny jeans, and embroidered jackets— is more interested in building himself up, rather than the character. The pink paisley kurtis , the juvenile lines (he gets to describe Katrina as — “Bahar se bhola, andar se bambola’) and the occasional drollery which makes you laugh, are not enough. With this one, Akshay’s started down the dreaded same old, same old path Kat feels fresh when she first comes on, but quickly rolls over and gives up. Poor Ranvir Shorey looks uncomfortable with all the sneering and growling he’s made to do : it’s so not his thing. Om Puri is making a bad habit of playing the sadsack sidekick : he gets to call everyone kanjar, and dangar. And a song, right in the beginning, frontlines another beloved Punjabi phrase — bhootni de.

Line up, all ye fans of Akki. And maa ki daal. Oye, oye.