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Goa may be India's hedonist retreat, but in Reema Kagti's debut vehicle it's not hippies but honeymooners who are trying to find themselves by the sun and sea. Six oddball couples set off on a personal journey which has less to say about the state of sub-continental modern marriage and more about the new wave of small independent films daring to veer away from the Bollywood formula. While it may not inspire you to tie the knot, you'll be happy you took a ride with Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd.

Having taken the plunge, an assortment of newlyweds go on a package honeymoon from Mumbai to Goa, courtesy of the eponymous tour company. They may have vowed to love and obey, but trouble lurkz beneath the romantic surface. A couple clashing over the concept of nuclear families, a groom hiding his homosexuality from his blushing bride and a perfect pair with suspiciously superhuman qualities are just some of the stories that unfold humorously during their bumpy expedition. While the youngsters are having a hard time, it's the charismatic second time rounders played by Shabana Azmi and Boman Irani who actually recognize the true meaning of love and marriage.

"NO SHORTAGE OF PEP"

Kagti's peppy screenplay and direction may not win awards for originality, but it's a decent effort from a young female filmmaker just starting out. Her likeable characters playing out quirky scenarios hold your attention. However, it's a select number of good individual performances, such as Kay Kay Menon's uptight spouse who lets loose thanks to some magic mushrooms, rather than a collective ensemble effort, that stops Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd from being a bigger success.

Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd is released in UK cinemas on Friday 23rd February 2007.