Two years after winning a Booker Prize, famed Indian novelist Shaukat Vashisht (Sanjay Dutt) is suffering from writer's block. But instead of retreating to a log cabin high in the mountains or drowning his sorrows in alcohol like any normal writer, he decides to use his beautiful young wife, Antara (Aishwarya Rai), as inspiration. So begins the story of Shabd, a steamy Bollywood drama written and directed by debutante Leena Yadav.

"Go on Antara, let go for once," says Shaukat, urging his faithful partner to reciprocate the amorous feelings of college professor Yash (Zayed Khan) so he can use them as a source of new material. While Shaukat taps away at his typewriter pleased as punch at his emotional puppetry, the reluctant but obedient Antara is left confused by her developing feelings for her unsuspecting admirer. Before long neither husband, wife nor wannabe lover are in full control of their real and fictional worlds, and the new book's ending seems to have a surprise climax in store for them all.

"SHABD ISN'T DEVELOPED ENOUGH TO IMPRESS"

It's a rare thing in Hindi cinema to find a big commercial film and A-list cast headed by a female writer/director, but Yadav's admirable attempt at tackling the often neglected subject of extra-marital relations doesn't quite pay off. Although Bollywood fans will appreciate the film for doing something different, Shabd isn't developed enough to impress those looking for literary depth, or exciting enough to fulfil the appetite of the masala-guzzling mass Indian audience. Instead, the ravishing Rai and dangerous Dutt are left dangling somewhere in between.

In Hindi with English subtitles.

Music is by Vishal-Shekhar.