He is shocked to hear that his son's health is in a critical state and he is in need of a heart transplant.

But before the operation can take place he must first pay a large sum as a deposit.

Rajput is a factory shop floor manager who does not earn a high salary. He decides to ask his employers for a loan but even that is not enough for the medical costs.

He decides to cash up on a policy but because he missed out on a payment, the policy becomes invalidated.

With nowhere to turn to for help, Rajput joins his wife Saroj (Amisha Patel) at the hospital. As a mother, she wants her child to live. Seeing her in that state, Rajput takes matters in his own hands.

He holds around 25 people hostage in the hospital's waiting room. His demands are that his son be given a heart.

But as usual there are twists and turns. There is one heart available and two patients who are in need of it includings Rajput's son and a politician.

So tension mounts in this thriller as the police and hospital managers are forced to decide who should go ahead with the operstion. . . .

The film seems to drag in the beginning and only picks up speed in the second half.

Sanjay Dutt does not seem to have given his best but then this is the fault of the director. The helplessness of a father is not portrayed very convincingly. Infact he behaves more like a character of a gangster from past movies like Kaante.

Amisha Patel needs to practice on getting her emotions right. As a mother whose son is about to die, she does not appear to convince the audience that she is well and truly heartbroken.

Jaya Prada in a brief role leaves an impact.

Overall, Tathastu is a slow film which drags in parts. The director could have done better provided he spent more time on the screenplay.

But having said this, the film is worth watching if you are looking for a Bollywood thriller to get your teeth into.