The Khiladi of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar's latest offering to his fans was Chandni Chowk to China, that got released today. The film that released worldwide with about 1400 prints was directed by Nikhil Advani and produced by Warner Bros in association with Ramesh Sippy. The first big budget film of 2009 will feature Deepika Padukone in the lead with two different style of roles.The film is nothing less than a coward transcending into a hero, and an estranged family getting unified. The film is promoted as First Ever Bollywood Kung Fu comedy but unfortunately there is not even that much of comedy and Kung Fu in the film that a normal film will possess. Other thing that was highlighted in the movie was the stunts choreographed by Huen Chiu-Ku. Everyone expected a mind blowing stunt sequences but nothing is there to be noted in the film.
In this film, Akshay Kumar plays dumber than dumb Sidhu, a vegetable cutter in Chandni Chowk who was adopted by his loving employer Dada (Mithun Chakraborty). Tired of working a lot and gaining little, Sidhu is keen on changing his destiny, which he believes can happen by listening to the local quack baba Chopstick (Ranvir Shorey), named thus for his knowledge of Indian and Chinese astrology. So when Sidhu finds a potato on which he finds Lord Ganesha has been carved, he adopts the vegetable as a lucky charm calling it `bappa’. For reasons that need not be questioned, two Chinese gentlemen – Indian tourists – insist that Sidhu is a reincarnation of their slain hero and can save their village from the evil Hojo (Gordon Liu).
Chopstick translates them wrongly and lands in China with an unknowing Sidhu. They keep running into Sakhi (Deepika Padukone) who models cheesy ads for products like a learn-how-to-dance ankle gadget, or a bullet-proof umbrella that’s also a parachute (James Bond’s spy gadgets seem washed out, yes?). She’s there to pay tribute to her Chinese father and sister, she believes were killed. Strangely, she transforms into an alter ego, Kung Fu expert called Meow Meow who the police are after. All roads lead to dreaded villain Hojo who has a connect with both Sidhu and Sakhi. In getting the bad guy, we have lots of bends in the story with a normal type of narration.
Akshay Kumar getting back to pavilion with action-hero is over the top and comedy sense is a splendid show. But, he gets stripped out with an inadequate script. Technically, the film is impressive but too many turns and twists, make this film a bit of a knot, and rather tiresome in the second half. The recurring flashbacks with ear-splitting background music could have easily been avoided.
When it comes to the artists, Deepika Padukone on dual role steals the show, especially on the characterization of Meow-Meow and her action scenes in the film are simply stunning. Also Akshay is awesome with his idiotic character Sidhu, making it a descent one. Gordon Liu strikes with a mind blowing performance in the role of Hojo, villian of the movie. Roger Yuan, who plays Deepika’s father is just marvelous. Mithun Chakraborthy with his minimal role makes a good impression and Ranvir Shorey with his clichéd acting wins appreciations.
On the technical part, rich cinematography by Himman Dhamija (Heyy Babyy, Bluffmaster) brings each frame alive. Nikhil Advani is in form after the debacle of Salaam-E-Ishq. The archaic way of storytelling, using the voice-over to move to the next chapter, is dull. By the way, the team is all set to come back with a new story in a new country…a sequel is in waiting. The songs are all fun and wonderfully choreographed.
Some acts in the film are way too exaggerated to have an effect and are more like unintentional comedy bits. But the ending portion atop the Great Wall of China (one of the 7 Wonders of the World, as we know) is an unbelievable treat. This is the first time a film has shot on this historic site.
All in all, Chandni Chowk To China is nothing but an ordinary film with a timeworn script. The film is a must see one with superb performance by it's lead artists Akshay and Deepika. But the film would have been better if the director( writer also) had penned a substantial screenplay that could have got our attentions from getting scattered.
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Chandni Chowk to China : Stills
Tags :- Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Ranvir Shorey, Mithun Chakraborty, Gordon Liu, Bollywood, Reviews, New Hindi films, New Hindi film stills, Chandni Chowk To China, Big Releases, News.
rubbish movie......
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