LifeStyle

Duke Chawla, played by Bobby Deol, is leading a gratifying life, professionally as well as personally. He is a successful doctor, a loyal lover and a parent to dog-Junior. He loves Nalini, who is an ambitious girl like him and both of them are planning to get married in the future. He has even signed a deal for his dream apartment where he plans to shift after marriage.

Duke's study on cancer has currently been approved by the American Medical Association. Every time his associates asks him on how he convert difficult surgeries into easy tasks, his answer is always HOPE. He simply clings on Hope and aspire his patients to hold on to HOPE.

The twist in the tale comes when he meets with an accident and his perfect world is turned topsy-turvy. He is paralyzed neck down. Bed becomes his life boat and hospital room his world. His love, Nalini leaves him and so does his friends. Duke starts hating himself and wishes that he would have died instead of living life miserably. A man, who was a source of hope to many, loses all hope himself.

Enters Roshan, a young, naughty and stubborn boy. Duke hates him in initial few meetings but gradually starts liking him. Roshan wins over Duke's heart and what the latter enjoys about Roshan is the description of the view he narrated to Duke everyday. Roshan always described incidents about people who rise against all odds because they hold on to hope. The experience of listening to the tales of courageous men everyday motivates Duke.

One day Roshan narrates his wish to save his sister Roshni from succumbing to cancer. Duke offers his help and finishes his research to cure Roshni. He commences his study and in every low phase Roshan appears to ignite the dim inspiration in him.

Gradually, Duke feels sensation in his hands and then in his legs. The doctor helps him to walk with the help of crutches. He makes a feeble attempt to walk to the window. He draws the curtains to look beyond and shockingly he finds that the world which gave him hope and self assurance does not exist. Instead there is a boundary wall which the doctor confirms is for many years. Duke asks about Roshan's sister and the medico informs him that it is Roshan who suffers from cancer, not his sister.

Roshan enligthens Duke and lights a candle to erode all darkness from his life. He gives him all the self assurance to finish his research and save many other Roshans, suffering from the deadly disease. He gives back to Duke what he had lost in the low phase of his life - HOPE.

The soundtracks of Vaada Raha..I Promise does sprinkle a surprise with three tracks - 'Vaada Raha', 'Kubul' and 'Rab Na Kare', making an impression. 'Kubul' is a love song, a melodious number by Monty Sharma which remains Indian throughout its five minutes duration. While Rab Na Kare' is a fusion track that witnesses the consolidation of Sufi and Western rhythms. It is more of a sad song where the lead protagonist is hoping for the well being of everyone in spite of being hurt in love. There is a 'slow version' of the song.

Vaada Raha... I Promise seems to offer a different concept and heart wrenching storyline... where hope, which is the establishment of any acquisition, plays the lead role.