Two out of five stars

If you are over fifty you may be able to enjoy the dharmic preoccupation of this film.

Amitabh Bhachchan plays Vijay Kapoor, a wealthy businessman who has three daughters and only one son that has just completed his studies in America. Vijay's orthodox values are in conflict with those of his 'westernised' son who then decides to leave home for good.

Rishtaa, meaning the bonds of love, ends on an idealistic note. All members of Vijay's family are reunited and the bonds of love between them deepen as a result of their experiences.

We go to see a Bollywood film not just to be entertained but perhaps to learn more about life about ourselves and our own family ties that all of us have to sustain. Therefore it is a pity that the complex issues facing adult Indians today have not been dealt with in this film.

The Indian extended family is facing possible extinction. Most married couples are either splitting up or are struggling to meet the demands of elders in order to maintain the social values of a bygone age.

Solid performances from a glittering cast that includes Akshay Kumar, Karishma Kapoor and yesterday's it girl Juhi Chawla, but this is a disappointing film with a stale and predictable story line.