Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam directed by Sanjay Chel who previously directed films like Khoobsurat (1999) and Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa (2002) is supposedly a laugh riot. Starring Mallika Sherawat and Rahul Bose, the lead pair of the hilarious ‘Pyaar Ke Side Effects’.

Dialogue comedies could be effective entertains. But the setback with this one is that while writer-director Sanjay Chhel takes extra efforts in adding a punch to every single line in the movie, he doesn't prove the same zeal in sketching steady scenes.

‘Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam’ is set in the backdrop of the year 1993, when the devastation of Babri Masjid shook the roots of India. The communal riots that were a result of the demolition caused great damage to the country and its secular image. During this time, we are taken to a small town near Goa, known by the name of St. Louise. The coastal town is being used for smuggling in things like RDX and Arms and has been put on high alert, with Police, CBI and raw officers being stationed there.

Shabnam (Malllika Sherawat) is the lead actress of a drama company in Goa who plays Madhubala's part in staged Mughal-e-Azam shows and hopes to fill the vacuum in Bollywood post the retirement of Jaya Bachchan?

Her husband Mazumdar (Paresh Rawal) is old enough to play her father-in-law Akbar in the drama. Arjun (Rahul Bose), a daily spectator of the show and mesmerized by Madhubala character. The director wishes to waste no time in creating their love story and what better way in Bollywood than opting for an unsuited item song.

Soon it turns out that Arjun is an undercover cop on a mission, though he seems to indulge in duty only by coincidence. Enter Haldi Hassan (Kay Kay Menon) an ISI agent in the garb of a ghazal singer ala Naseeruddin Shah from Sarfarosh. Arjun seeks the drama company's help to expose the terrorist's plans. Shabnam seduces the singer while Mazumdar poses as a gangland don. What follows is only confusion and anarchy till the climax.

Additional efforts have been employed to match the rhymes in lines but comparatively such continuity is not reflected in the screenplay. Paresh Rawal, though pretty loud, serves as the only saving grace of the film. Moving on to Mallika Sherawat, she hardly knew acting before also, but this time even her cleavage failed to create any ripples. Kay Kay Menon was completely miscast in the movie, while Pavan Malhotra was wasted. However, what we were left wondering is how could the much-talented Rahul Bose be in such a movie. By the way, why was Tanaaz Currim trying to pull off a Punjabi accent?

Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam could have been better if it had a more fine-tuned story, less jumbled screenplay, fewer song distractions, reserved performances, crisper editing, proficient direction... In other words they would need to rework the entire film to make it acceptable.

At last, the film shows how the drama company prevents the 93 bomb blasts through their teamwork. But historic facts have a different story to tell. Unfortunately, Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam miscarries in its attempt.