Hello Friends,
I have decided that I would do something what I always think I wanted to do, and thanks to Mukul who started it all at a time. I am writing my 1st ever full length review of any movie. This is one of my resolution of 2009. Hope all of you would take sometime out to read this review, and let me know your comments. Strictly for my friends only.
CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA –
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Deepika Padukone and Gordon Liu.
Director: Nikhil Advani
Producer: Rohan Sippy, Warner Bros., Mukesh Talreja and Nikhil Advani
Rating: 2.5/5
Before I begin with the review, let me introduce you to the director of CC2C
Nikhil Advani,
Assistant Director for Mohabbatein, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Iss Raat ki Subah Nahi \
Screenplay writer for Iss Raat ki Subah Nahi with Sudhir Mishra,
Director of Kal Ho Naa Ho and dubious Salaam-E-Ishq.
Post Kal Ho Naa Ho, Karan Johar and Nikhil Advani parted ways. There was a speculation that Karan Johar ghost directed Kal Ho Naa Ho, Nikhil Advani went all out saying that he wasn’t going to be a director whose style of working would match to Karan Johars as he felt that he doesn’t want to be associated with Candy Floss movies. Gr8!! I said, I always had a feeling that after a pathbreaking Kal ho na ho ( I say path breaking, as people would agree that while Kal ho na ho released it introduced new camera angles, the famous Kantaben and a very memorable climax of SRK & Saif). I agreed with Nikhil that directors like him should break in new avenues for Indian Cinema. Since then, I awaited a Nikhil Advani movie, be it a debacle called Salaam-E-Ishq, which made me bang my head, pop in some disprins for headache, Buy a relispray for my back which ached badly after sitting in a movie hall for 4 hours. But even then, I blamed it on the writers and actors and started a new wait for his next Chandni Chowk to China. What did I get for my wait is what we will talk about.
CC2C has everything working for it. Warner Bros. A Hollywood giant backing this project, add to this a producer like Mukesh Talreja who spends enough to make a movie big than it should, and then Rohan Sippy one of the Producer-Director who has the potential to take cinema to the next level, Akshay Kumar in his best form these days, Deepika Padukone who could be called lady luck for many and lastly an international cast. Something like Rush Hour, atleast thats what I am sure people would have expected, India meets China. Sadly, this is a disappointment for many who expected a movie with fun and action, Logic was never in contention and this I believe could be the biggest flaw for this movie.
The movie begins on a promising note, The Great China Wall and the action which begins, how the story connects from China to India and the introduction of Akshay Kumar as Siddhu, its all clapworthy. Then slowly we are introduced to the characters and the movie starts to take the beating with the introduction of Deepika’s character, its funny !!! yes. But then starts the problem, Nikhil Advani as a director has this ability to stretch things beyond a point and this is what happens. Without disclosing much, let me tell you that its a revenge saga ala any Mithun or Dharmendra movie of 80’s or even any of Akshay Kumar’s Khiladi type movies where he used to fight with the Undertakers and wrestlers from WWF. The movie is just about this and a Potato period.
As a point I made earlier, the movie starts taking itself too seriously and thats the problem with the director alone. Akshay Kumar movies are never meant to be logical, we never looked for logic in the first place. But the director tries to bring in a logical reasoning for everything that happens and wants to connect any character who comes in the movie and try to surprise you. Like, how Deepika’s father who is a Chinese knows Hindi, How the useless and superficial gadgets would help Akshay and Deepika, etc., etc..But sadly, we are not amused Sir!!. The songs are pathetic and do not connect with the movie barring ‘Naam hai Siddhu’ and too an extent ‘Chak Lein de’ none of the tracks are impressive. The comic scenes look promising in the start but again as the movie progresses to be a disaster the jokes start getting crass and Vulgar. The biggest problem with the movie is the action, if I am not going to get comedy out of Akshay, the next thing I expect is good Action and with a title like Chandni Chowk to China, you expect not only good but great action sequence, The action is a big let down to be honest, the training of Siddhu doesn’t evoke any excitement, (Honestly people Ajay Devgan’s Jigar had a better training) and the worst of all is the all important climax scene. The Movie which begins on a clap-worthy note ends in a slap-worthy note. Yes, Slap the director and slap your head in disbelief as you have been bullied on expecting the movie to be atleast entertaining.
To give the credit where its due the movie scores big on 2 departments, the Cinematography and the EFX. The visuals are appealing without any doubt.
I strongly feel that this winter, the season is of showing muscle power on the box office by the bigwigs of Indian Cinema. It started with Salman in Yuvvraj which bombed, SRK in RNBDJ which went to to be a Super Hit and then came Aamir with Ghajini which is by now MEGA Hit. Now is the turn of Akshay Kumar, to show his power. Though I feel all the above movies be it RNBDJ or Ghajini or CC2C whether they rake in big money due to the star power, what everyone needs to understand that 2008 has raised the bar, now is the time for all the actors to reinvent themselves and take Indian Cinema to next level. For me all the 3 movies are regressive cinema. Rock On!!, Aamir, A Wednesday, Mumbai meri Jaan and Oye Lucky are changing the face of Indian cinema and its sad that such movies are not the big money spinners and not even award winners. I would have loved to see Rock On or A Wednesday earn 200 crores for it makers than a movie like Ghajini.
Akshay Kumar has the weaving of a fine actor, and its sad that he is limited to such roles. But then, if the movie makes in money its only because of Akshay Kumar. I can’t imagine any other actor in current times to pull off a mediocre role and movie with such élan. He is the only reason why you sit across the painful journey of Chandni Chowk to China but then Akshay and all the Khans need to pull up their socks as actors like Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol are pushing the envelope and what should be a matter of concern for them is they are being immensely popular now. Even if Akki fails to break Ghajini’s box office record he has already broken one record and that is of Sunil Shetty, Yes, Akshay drops his saliva in almost every 4th scene of the movie. Deepika Padukone, is a waste in the movie, she has no role to talk about, She doesn’t look Chinese and the one word she utters in Chinese is ‘wuaaah’ and that makes u laugh, when it was not supposed to. The problem with Deepika is not her acting skills or her looks, but the story doesn’t needs Deepika and that too in a double role was not required at all. Ranvir Shorey, by the end is made a sidekick, someone like Rajendra Nath or Mukree. Mithun is a darling of masses but he is just for a few scenes. Of the Chinese cast, Gordon Liu is suppose to invoke terror whenever he comes on screen but you end up laughing on him at times, Roger Yuan ( playing Deepika’s father) is good specially with his Hindi i.e. if he has spoken it himself.
So now let me come to the director, Advani Sir,
I thought you could be a great director, I had immense faith in you and your abilities and thats the reason why I thought Salaam-E-Ishq could just be a mistake and I waited for your next movie. After watching CC2C I can make a speculation to rest i.e. Kal Ho Naa Ho was indeed directed by Karan Johar and Salaam-E-Ishq was purely your efforts. And yes, for the sequel which you have warned us now i.e. Chandni Chowk to Africa, Thanks for the warning sir, I will try to stay away from it.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Chennai Trip - IFMR
Hello Readers,
I am not too sure, how many readers would my blogging garner, as I am no AB, Salman or any film personality nor do I belong to politics, not even a business entrepreneur... sheh, So who am I ? Spiderman ! naaah i am just an existent of this world, working as a project manager in a software company, who is introduced to the blog world... Thanks to Neha ( a colleague and a very good friend). its about her belief in me, so Neha hope I do not disappoint you.
So once I am into the blog world, it gives me an ample of opportunity to write about what I feel and share my thoughts about everything in the world. So, over the period of time as I get chance to write I shall be sharing my views, my thoughts, my life , my experiences and most importantly my never ending stories. But one thing assured, whatever written will be straight from the heart.
So friends, let me share my experience on my trip to Chennai for a client visit.
Not that, its the first time I am at this part of India but its just that since quite some years journey in Train has been a rarity if not completely out. Thanks to Inflation, rising prices and the cost cutting by my office, on Sunday night I leave for the unforgettable journey of my Life. Though, I am very tempted to tell you the series of events that landed me in train (Chennai Mail to be precise). The excitement level was at an all time low. However, had to pack my bags and be sure that I am loaded with enough stuff so that I complete my journey without getting bored. Yes, I was aware that the journey was for 30 long hours, where the train was suppose to halt at all the stations and all the signals. So loaded my Lap top with all the movies, borrowed 2 Chetan Bhagat Novels viz. 3 Mistakes of my life and 5 point someone, bottles of water and a packet of cigarettes.
Sharp at 11:35 the train started from CST. Unbelievable, but true… Trains nowadays are always on time unlike Flights… Thank you Lalu ji u rock. As the train started I could see unknown faces in my compartment, people bidding good bye to their loved ones, people pushing to alight from the train as they feel the train is in motion, slowly the lights on the CST station start disappearing and the train catches motion.
Positive is my attitude, so whenever everyone asked me how would u manage the journey in train and I would reply them that “It’s been a long when I haven’t caught up with sleep, so for next 30 hours or so I would enjoy myself and rejuvenate myself after a sound sleep”. Easier said then done and human biology wise I don’t think any normal human can sleep for 30 hours unless under extraordinary circumstances. So a night before I had a Saturday Night and woooooh that was some night. In short, I desperately needed to sleep. I had a gentleman who was my neighbor i.e. I was given side berth which means Upper berth was for him and Lower berth was for me. So my friendly neighborhood was one of those who loves chatting on phone and for some reasons I hate people who keep talking over the phone all the time. Not that I needed his attention, but I wanted to tell him to go to his reserved berth and leave me with mine so that I can drop dead in sleep. So after 35 minutes in which I think we crossed the Mumbai border, my eyes were closing and from being assertive were slowly begging him to give me my space. Understanding my situation, he moved to his berth and giving me my space for the rest of the journey. Immediately as I got my bed arranged and stretched myself on it, I was fast into my dream world. One thing, which I have always noticed is, Whilst in train the dreams you get are very scary and weird to put it mildly. I am a person who actually loves, believes and thinks about his dreams as I always search meaning in them. Ok, so while I was in my scary dreams where I saw earthquakes and some very disturbing images, I was shaken up by a gentleman at 8:15 am in the morning requesting me to exchange seats with his wife. No Problems at all Sir!! But thanks for waking me up at Solapur and that too so early…. Hello! What will I do now….
OK! U might feel this is an exaggeration as I had movies to watch! But sorry, trains specially Mail trains do not have any charging points. Laluji… please do something about it. So, I am left with no choice but to read Novels. So, I started with 3 mistakes of my life (No options you see). But it was a good and interesting read in 5 hours flat I finished the novel. Really a good novel with a very bollywoodish end. The best part about the novel is that it blends some real life instances and their implications on a common mans life very well. All and all thumbs up to this novel. In the mean while, had my lunch (Railway ka Breakfast, lunch and dinner which is just uhhhh). So now I am all set for Chennai, with the trailer already being shown in the train journey. The day is about to get over, and we will reach Chennai at 5 a.m. IST. So I have now started reading 5 point someone and no matter how interested I am in reading it, my fellow companions in the train did not let me finish the book as everyone decided to sleep at 9 pm sharp and though I managed with faintest of light that was soon switched off as well. So Good night! I am off to sleep, even though I don’t want to.
Who says Trains are late? I just cant stop admiring Lalooji unbelievable but true I was in Chennai before time. The train reached Chennai Central at 4: 30 am sharp. Thanks to Merlin and Dave of IFMR that my accommodation was arranged even before I landed in Chennai. As I walkout on the cemented platform of Chennai Central station I feel the change and as I move out I can smell the fragrance of coffee and it was the time for me to smell the coffee literally. I was in Chennai, all alone! A place which people have always criticized and even I had a very bad experience here during my visit which was sometime in 1995 or 96. where people do not talk in any language but Tamil only. However, as I walked out I found an autowala to whom I asked to go to the place which I wasn’t aware where does it exist in Chennai. The autowala roughly looked at the address and tad comes his reply, he spoke a universal language which even the deaf can hear “ 140 Rs.” I bargained and bought him with my talks to Rs. 120. (What a bargain??). The autowala who very confidently walked with me to his auto and then he asked the next person standing in Tamil. What I could understand from their conversation was that this autowala did not know where to go. However, the brilliant understanding of the roads which the autowala had lead us searchin the place for almost 20 minutes and the last we realized was that we were roaming right at the same place all this while and couldn’t find the guest house. After much of delay and exercise of getting down and asking people at 5:30 am in the morning about the address I was at the guest house and believe me the room arranged was awesome to say the least. After 30 hours of journey the only thing you want is a place where you can sleep peacefully and comfortably. This place was everything and more than you can ask for. Located in the peaceful area of Nungambakam, a residential area in Chennai is away from the hustle bustle of the city traffic but still so near that wherever you travel in the city the charge will be Rs. 40… yes that’s been my lucky number in Chennai. Wherever, I go I am charged Rs. 40.
So, with 40 Rs. I am ending my first blog as I now need to go and catch up with some Sambhar Rice and this seems to be enough for the first blog. Ohh yes! In my next blog, I shall let you know the story of Sambhar Rice and Chennai.
Do let me know your comments!!! And remember in Chennai Rajnikant is the boss… ;)
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P.S. : as this is my first blog and as I mentioned I right straight from my heart, I have not paid any attention on punctuations or spellings and not to mention there has been no revision done as well. Sorry for that, will improve on this slowly and gradually.
*************************************************************************************
I am not too sure, how many readers would my blogging garner, as I am no AB, Salman or any film personality nor do I belong to politics, not even a business entrepreneur... sheh, So who am I ? Spiderman ! naaah i am just an existent of this world, working as a project manager in a software company, who is introduced to the blog world... Thanks to Neha ( a colleague and a very good friend). its about her belief in me, so Neha hope I do not disappoint you.
So once I am into the blog world, it gives me an ample of opportunity to write about what I feel and share my thoughts about everything in the world. So, over the period of time as I get chance to write I shall be sharing my views, my thoughts, my life , my experiences and most importantly my never ending stories. But one thing assured, whatever written will be straight from the heart.
So friends, let me share my experience on my trip to Chennai for a client visit.
Not that, its the first time I am at this part of India but its just that since quite some years journey in Train has been a rarity if not completely out. Thanks to Inflation, rising prices and the cost cutting by my office, on Sunday night I leave for the unforgettable journey of my Life. Though, I am very tempted to tell you the series of events that landed me in train (Chennai Mail to be precise). The excitement level was at an all time low. However, had to pack my bags and be sure that I am loaded with enough stuff so that I complete my journey without getting bored. Yes, I was aware that the journey was for 30 long hours, where the train was suppose to halt at all the stations and all the signals. So loaded my Lap top with all the movies, borrowed 2 Chetan Bhagat Novels viz. 3 Mistakes of my life and 5 point someone, bottles of water and a packet of cigarettes.
Sharp at 11:35 the train started from CST. Unbelievable, but true… Trains nowadays are always on time unlike Flights… Thank you Lalu ji u rock. As the train started I could see unknown faces in my compartment, people bidding good bye to their loved ones, people pushing to alight from the train as they feel the train is in motion, slowly the lights on the CST station start disappearing and the train catches motion.
Positive is my attitude, so whenever everyone asked me how would u manage the journey in train and I would reply them that “It’s been a long when I haven’t caught up with sleep, so for next 30 hours or so I would enjoy myself and rejuvenate myself after a sound sleep”. Easier said then done and human biology wise I don’t think any normal human can sleep for 30 hours unless under extraordinary circumstances. So a night before I had a Saturday Night and woooooh that was some night. In short, I desperately needed to sleep. I had a gentleman who was my neighbor i.e. I was given side berth which means Upper berth was for him and Lower berth was for me. So my friendly neighborhood was one of those who loves chatting on phone and for some reasons I hate people who keep talking over the phone all the time. Not that I needed his attention, but I wanted to tell him to go to his reserved berth and leave me with mine so that I can drop dead in sleep. So after 35 minutes in which I think we crossed the Mumbai border, my eyes were closing and from being assertive were slowly begging him to give me my space. Understanding my situation, he moved to his berth and giving me my space for the rest of the journey. Immediately as I got my bed arranged and stretched myself on it, I was fast into my dream world. One thing, which I have always noticed is, Whilst in train the dreams you get are very scary and weird to put it mildly. I am a person who actually loves, believes and thinks about his dreams as I always search meaning in them. Ok, so while I was in my scary dreams where I saw earthquakes and some very disturbing images, I was shaken up by a gentleman at 8:15 am in the morning requesting me to exchange seats with his wife. No Problems at all Sir!! But thanks for waking me up at Solapur and that too so early…. Hello! What will I do now….
OK! U might feel this is an exaggeration as I had movies to watch! But sorry, trains specially Mail trains do not have any charging points. Laluji… please do something about it. So, I am left with no choice but to read Novels. So, I started with 3 mistakes of my life (No options you see). But it was a good and interesting read in 5 hours flat I finished the novel. Really a good novel with a very bollywoodish end. The best part about the novel is that it blends some real life instances and their implications on a common mans life very well. All and all thumbs up to this novel. In the mean while, had my lunch (Railway ka Breakfast, lunch and dinner which is just uhhhh). So now I am all set for Chennai, with the trailer already being shown in the train journey. The day is about to get over, and we will reach Chennai at 5 a.m. IST. So I have now started reading 5 point someone and no matter how interested I am in reading it, my fellow companions in the train did not let me finish the book as everyone decided to sleep at 9 pm sharp and though I managed with faintest of light that was soon switched off as well. So Good night! I am off to sleep, even though I don’t want to.
Who says Trains are late? I just cant stop admiring Lalooji unbelievable but true I was in Chennai before time. The train reached Chennai Central at 4: 30 am sharp. Thanks to Merlin and Dave of IFMR that my accommodation was arranged even before I landed in Chennai. As I walkout on the cemented platform of Chennai Central station I feel the change and as I move out I can smell the fragrance of coffee and it was the time for me to smell the coffee literally. I was in Chennai, all alone! A place which people have always criticized and even I had a very bad experience here during my visit which was sometime in 1995 or 96. where people do not talk in any language but Tamil only. However, as I walked out I found an autowala to whom I asked to go to the place which I wasn’t aware where does it exist in Chennai. The autowala roughly looked at the address and tad comes his reply, he spoke a universal language which even the deaf can hear “ 140 Rs.” I bargained and bought him with my talks to Rs. 120. (What a bargain??). The autowala who very confidently walked with me to his auto and then he asked the next person standing in Tamil. What I could understand from their conversation was that this autowala did not know where to go. However, the brilliant understanding of the roads which the autowala had lead us searchin the place for almost 20 minutes and the last we realized was that we were roaming right at the same place all this while and couldn’t find the guest house. After much of delay and exercise of getting down and asking people at 5:30 am in the morning about the address I was at the guest house and believe me the room arranged was awesome to say the least. After 30 hours of journey the only thing you want is a place where you can sleep peacefully and comfortably. This place was everything and more than you can ask for. Located in the peaceful area of Nungambakam, a residential area in Chennai is away from the hustle bustle of the city traffic but still so near that wherever you travel in the city the charge will be Rs. 40… yes that’s been my lucky number in Chennai. Wherever, I go I am charged Rs. 40.
So, with 40 Rs. I am ending my first blog as I now need to go and catch up with some Sambhar Rice and this seems to be enough for the first blog. Ohh yes! In my next blog, I shall let you know the story of Sambhar Rice and Chennai.
Do let me know your comments!!! And remember in Chennai Rajnikant is the boss… ;)
*************************************************************************************
P.S. : as this is my first blog and as I mentioned I right straight from my heart, I have not paid any attention on punctuations or spellings and not to mention there has been no revision done as well. Sorry for that, will improve on this slowly and gradually.
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