Yasraj Films’ Salaam Namate, directed by Siddharth Anand is like a roller coaster ride that suddenly stops at the loop and then moves back and forth to build up speed but is unsuccessful.

The entire film is set in Melbourne though the main characters are Indian all in Melbourne because of some hassle with the family or the other. Preity is fed up of being shown around to prospective grooms and has come here to become a doctor. She earns her tuition by working as a Radio Jockey. Saif is an architect who has fought with everyone at home to come here to pursue his dream to be a chef. Preity’s classmate Jugal Hansraj has also escaped sitting at his father’s shop. Arshad Warsi is Saif’s friend. Preity and Saif have a run in but there is also a mutual attraction. They decide to test the attraction out by living together. Soon they are involved, and blissfully happy, each adjusting to the other’s times and jobs. The first jolt comes when Preity gets pregnant and though Saif wants her to abort the child she wants to keep it.

Nikhil aka Nick [Saif Ali Khan] has moved from India to Melbourne. He is a chef by profession. It lets him lead exactly the kind of commitment-free, laidback lifestyle that he has always wanted. Nick's sleeping habit leads him to get on the wrong side of an RJ, whose show he doesn't turn up for. Enter Ambar [Preity Zinta], the peppy and vivacious host of a show at the 'Salaam Namaste' radio station.

SALAAM | NAMASTE is similar to the successful SAATHIYA and HUM TUM in the sense that it looks at the delicate bonding between two youngsters, starting with inkaar, leading to ikraar.

Vishal-Shekhar's music is soulful and easy on the ears. The title track as well as 'My Heart Goes Mmmmm' stands out, you can't stop humming the tunes when Nick and Ambar dance on screen. The emotional 'Tu Jahan Main Wahan' depicts the emotional turmoil beautifully. The choreography of the first two tracks [Ahmed Khan] is very trendy. Cinematography [Sunil Patel] is fantastic.

On the whole, some excellent performances by Saif, Preity and Jafferi, and a well-shot tour of Melbourne, you can't go wrong with Salaam Namaste.