Chandni Chowk To China Hindi Movie
Nikhil Advani's Chandni Chowk to China is Bollywood's first ever comedy martial art movie. Co-produced by Ramesh Sippy Entertainment, People Tree Films and Hollywood studio Warner Bros, the movie stars Bollywood's action king Akshay Kumar, the hottest diva Deepika Padukone along with Hong Kong veteran Gordon Liu in the lead role. Expectations from an Akshay Kumar movie undoubtedly are high and stunts from Crouching Tiger maven Dee Dee Ku adds to the excitement. But do Nikhil and Akshay deliver the right dish with mixed flavors? Will this quirky Chinese-Indian collaboration workout?
Well, now let's figure out the (non-existent) story of Chandni Chowk to China.
Chandni Chowk to China is about Sidhu, a clumsy looser who counts his success and growth on luck. In attempts to become something big in life and not remain a vegetable cutter throughout his life, he visits astrologers, tarot readers and baba's in search of anything that possibly could bring him some luck. Despite all the efforts from his dada (Mithun Chakroborty), Sidhu continues to believe the conmen in the disguise of saints. Meanwhile, two Chinese men come in search of Sidhu claiming him to be the reincarnation of their long dead war idol asking for help to save their village from the clutches of Hojo (Gordon Liu). Falling to the words of swindler Chopstick (Ranvir Shorey), Sidhu delightfully sets forth to China without having a slightest idea of the danger that's awaiting him. Throughout his journey, Sidhu dreams of his royal life with his love interest (Deepika Padukone). What happens to Sidhu when reality strikes him? Will he be able to stand against evil?
Nikhil, in attempts to mix kung fu with comedy without abandoning the masala conventions of Bollywood cinema, ends up delivering a rather absurd mess with Chandni Chowk to China.
First of all, the story is tacky to make any sense out of it. Secondly with the constant shift over from comedy to the colorful musical to kung fu action to cheesy melodrama, it gets slightly over the top to understand and connect with the movie. There are few moments of laughter but again the cheap gag over and over again makes it tedious to take pleasure in.
The first half of the movie is sluggish in pace, while the second half is overtly dragged. After the puffed up sequences post interval, an action packed climax that is high on thump is ideal but, the comical culmination is a huge let down. Except for the kung fu sequences, nothing else stays back in the mind.
Music by a host of composers is satisfactory. Tere Naina and Naam hai Sidhu track stand out. Dialogues are witty and interesting at times.
Akshay Kumar in the stereotypical role of clownery act fails to strike the right cord. He needs to reinvent himself to amaze the audience. But he lives up to the name of action king with his notable fight and aerobatics. Deepika Padukone in a double role is good. She stands out in the combating role as Meow.
Veteran Mithun Chakroborthy in his cameo role is excellent. The Chinese kung fu stars Gordon Liu and Roger Yuan are commendable. Ranvir Shorey irritates in a wacky role.
To sum up, Chandni Chowk to China is a kitchen disaster garnished heavier than necessary. Except for few moments of laughter, the film has nothing much to offer. For others who are not die hard Akshay Kumar fans, wait for the DVD.
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