Bollywood is no stranger to movies about the physically and mentally challenged. movies like 'Khilona' and 'Sadma' are considered classics because of the way they deal with the subject. More recently, 'Black', 'Paa' and last year's 'My Name Is Khan' and 'Guzaarish' have also earned praise for their interpretation of such conditions. 'Angel', also dealing with a similar subject, is in a league of its own, however, with choreographer turned director Ganesh Acharya displaying all the sensitivity of a bull in a china store.

Acharya's tale revolves around the protagonists, Abhay and Sonal. While Abhay is a content go lucky, almost brattish fellow, fresh from a stint in jail following a road crash that killed a person, Sonal is the paraplegic daughter of Abhay's victim. Following a chance meeting between the two, a friendship develops, that matures into love, as Abhay attempts to help Sonal re-establish herself. But just as the love story between the two is taking shape, Abhay is accused of raping Sonal, leading to a completely baffling and hasty climax.

Ganesh, who earned quite some honor with his last directorial outing in 'Swami', is in bad form here. The problems start with writer Muazzam Beg's story and the screenplay itself, riddled with huge plot holes.

For example, it is never quite made clear what condition Sonal is afflicted by, except for simply terming it 'brain trauma' in a sequence that seems like a product placement spot for Dr.Ali Irani, the noted physiotherapist. Also unexplained are things like how Abhay manages to take Sonal out of a crowded chawl each day without anyone noticing, how he manges to escape from the police station in a second, or how he is convicted and sentenced without Sonal being heard. It's approximately like Acharya was looking to rush into the corny and predictable climax of his choice.

On the acting side of things, Nilesh Sahay displays none of the acting process that he would hope his 'maama' Sanjay Dutt's pedigree would leave unto him. Madalsa Sharma is O.K. With hardly any dialogues, limited to whimpering quietly, Sonal's role is quite out of Sharma's range. Madalsa's idea of acting out Sonal's condition is limited to making painful facial expressions and distending her palms in an odd way. Madalsa's Sonal is not relatable and quite seriously, unbearable at times.

In the company of the two leads, better actors also lose their minds. While Manoj Joshi as Abhay's raging elder brother shows no finesse. Aruna Irani is limited to bouts of weeping and looking uncomfortable.

Ganesh Acharya also seems to be losing his melodic touch, as he drops in songs at the most random moments in the movie, taking the setting to Switzerland and back in a second. While he is able to wriggle out some dancing from Madalsa, Nilesh is a tough cookie for the choreographer director and looks like quite a stump footed dancer.

Overall, it is an average film.