The Zoya Factor review: Sonam, Dulquer bat for love and luck in this underwhelming rom com

Zoya Solanki, born on the day that India won its first cricket World Cup in 1983, may bring good luck on the cricket field but can't do so in her own life. Sonam Kapoor Ahuja is Zoya, a junior copywriter with a disastrous love life who just needs a win in her life. When her path collides with that of the Indian cricket team, her whole life is upended.

The Zoya Factor, based on Anuja Chauhan's novel of the same name, presents a love story of two opposites. Zoya, who believes her luck can aid the Indian cricket team, and Nikhil Khoda (Dulquer Salmaan), the captain, who is certain his team's hard work and his belief can take it all the way at the World Cup.

In the first half, the chemistry between the stars leads the way, but when the focus moves to cricket and the World Cup, that's when the film begins to falter and becomes less convincing. Abhishek Sharma's film struggles to find its footing and its cricket sequences are less than thrilling. This film is the third of the year to bring up the glory of the 1983 win after Bharat (2019) and Mission Mangal (2019).

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja's Zoya is bubbly and more than a little smitten with the dashing team captain, so when he begins to notice her in earnest, she falls hard. However, the actress's performance isn't consistent as she veers between goofy and assured from the first to the second half.

There are certain characteristics of Zoya that also remain contrary in the film; Zoya breaks the fourth wall early on, talking directly to the camera à la Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag, but forgets the audience when she becomes the nation's lucky charm.

Dulquer Salmaan, though, is all charm as captain Nikhil. His debut Karwaan (2018) showed a more demure side, while here, in a more commercial film, the actor is both sincere and likeable as the popular cricketer. His captaincy is under pressure both from the public, who want more wins, and from his teammate, former captain Robin (Angad Bedi), who is out to sabotage him and Zoya.

The rest of the cast doesn't have much to do as the other members of the cricket team don't get as much footage as the leads. Any similarities to real-life personalities should be purely coincidental but are entirely plausible. Additionally, those meta references aren't explored much.

Sanjay Kapoor and Sikander Kher as Zoya's father and her brother Zorawar are natural and their family bonding scenes feel real. The Solanki house, too, looks warm and inviting, although way too spacious, thanks to the production design by Rajat Poddar.

Sonam's father Anil Kapoor makes a funny cameo as himself. The film is narrated by Shah Rukh Khan who introduces us to Zoya's world.

While the cricket scenes had none of the actual excitement of the recent ICC World Cup and that ridiculous super over, the Hindi commentary absolutely kills it with the random but on point references to films and pop culture. The credit of which goes to writer Anant Singh.

The music of the film by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is a bit of a letdown as no song stands out after you have left the hall. That seems to be the problem with Abhishek Sharma's film overall. It has a few cute moments between the leads and a couple of funny one-liners, but those aren't enough to carry the film through.

One thing is for sure. Dulquer Salmaan needs to take on some more roles in Hindi.