Bollywood Review: Befuddling 'Chandni Chowk' more than Bollywood bound

'CHANDNI CHOWK to China" is more important for what it represents than what it is. Warner Bros.' first mass-marketed Bollywood film was shot in India, China and Thailand; is being released nearly simultaneously around the world; stars Akshay Kumar, who's being marketed as India's Jackie Chan; and ends with a plug for a sequel, "Chandni Chowk to Africa." Globalization, thy name is Chandni Chowk.

But "Chandni" is remarkable, too, although it may prove flummoxing and, at just past 2½ hours, taxing for most U.S. audiences. Beginning with painfully broad, slapstick comedy, it soon morphs into a dizzying mix of martial-arts mayhem, music-video dance sequences, soapy evil-twin intrigue, weepy

romance, three languages, and a Hindu-meets-Buddhism, East-meets-East-meets-West culture clash that's so energetic and cheesy it's hard not to be charmed by it.

"Chandni Chowk," named after an area of outdoor vendors in old Delhi, stars Kumar as Sidhu, a down-on-his-luck vegetable cutter in a street stall who's mistaken for the reincarnation of a mighty, ancient Chinese warrior. Villagers from a small Chinese town living under the boot-heel of evil industrialist Hojo (Gordon Liu) implore Sidhu to come save them. But Sidhu has about as much kung-fu skill as a newborn. Something approaching hilarity ensues.

"Chandni Chowk" won't appeal to those not already entertained by Bollywood and kung-fu movie clichés. But it could turn

Comments

Rani Mukherjee's sexy in her bikini

Bollywood Actress Rani Mukherjee's sexy in her bikini In Dil Bole Hadippa Believe it or not, but the whole ‘bikini top ‘n’ skimpy shorts’ avatar in short — flaunting Rani Mukerji’s hot new bod wasn’t her idea. Not even the producer or director had anything to do with it. After she realised how much she had toned up (to play a male cricketer in Dil Bole Hadippa!), Rani just happened to discuss this idea with her designer friend Manish Malhotra. And from there on it was Manish’s game plan, after all, he’s transformed many a Bollywood girl in to glam queens. He suggested that it would be a pity to waste such a well-toned body by not showing it off. That’s how the idea of a special song was born. And is she looking hot? Talk about her ‘shapely’ success, and Rani says, “Believe me, I didn’t starve at all. I love my food, especially rice and sweets. There was no way I was giving up all that. So, I just worked out harder and was occasionally allowed my ‘cheat’ meals of rice, sweets, etc.

Shahid Kapoor: I'm waiting for someone special

Bollywood’s man with lightening in his feet, Shahid Kapoor seems pretty chilled out and unfazed by controversies in real life. In town to shoot for an untitled film opposite Anushka Sharma, Shahid seems very comfortable in his skin. While he’s reluctant to discuss about his private life or his rumoured amours with Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan and Sania Mirza, the teen heartthrob says he’s “learnt to take all the rumours with a pinch of salt” and claims he’s just a “regular” young guy after pack-up. Excerpts from an exclusive interview: Kaminey and Dil Bole Hadippa... are set to hit the screens. Yeah. Their release dates are pretty close to each other. Kaminey will hit the screens this month, while Dil Bole Hadippa is slated for a September release. Both are very different films and I’m excited as well as a little nervous. The levels of expectations increase after your previous films have done well at the BO. Jab We Met was a turning point in my career. After Vivaah, I sat home for six

Aamir Khan: I love Sachin Tendulkar's intensity

What is amazing about Sachin Tendulkar is that for 20 years he has been able to maintain a level. There has been no dip in his abilities, his application or his passion for the game. I would say very few people could last this long. I've played cricket and believe me, you can't get out of bed for one week after one gruelling match. I saw him for the first time in 1988 when I was shooting at the Brabourne Stadium and he wasn't playing for the Indian team yet. The team was practising at the nets and I was chatting with Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar and a few others. At a distance I could see this kid batting. I was surprised to see that he was middling the ball; he looked so small, and so young. I was zapped. I wondered who this little boy was, who was being allowed to practise at the nets with the Indian cricket team. So I asked Kapil and Vengsarkar, “Who's he? How come I don't know?” They told me he was a new guy called Sachin Tendulkar, who was being seriously consi

Watch Bollywood Latest Videos, Movie Trailers, Movie Reviews - Bollywood-Newz

Search This Blog