A light-hearted comedy that mixes Bollywood dance sequences and melodrama with kung fu action, Chandni Chowk to China is a film that somehow manages to work despite its sometimes uncomfortable melding of international flavours.
Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone Star in Chandni Chowk to China
Sidhu (Kumar) is a lowly cook from Chandni Chowk who naively puts his faith in everything from astrology to a deformed potato, which he thinks is an incarnation of the Indian god Ghanesh. In short, he believes in everything but himself.
His life changes when two Chinese peasants claim – through an unscrupulous translator named Chopstick (Ranvir Shorey) – that Sidhu's the reincarnation of legendary warrior Liu Sheng. What Chopstick fails to mention is that these peasants need Sidhu to deal with a very real threat: a vicious gangster named Hojo (Gordon Liu).
On this journey, Sidhu also meets a TV model named Sakhi (Deepika Padukone), who is going to China to mourn her long-lost policeman father (Roger Yuan) and twin sister (Padukone again). Sakhi doesn't know that her sister (now called Meow Meow) has become Hojo's most valuable assassin.
Keep in mind that plot originality isn't a common feature in either Bollywood or kung fu films, so don't be surprised if this sounds like <insert name of movie here>.
Of course, these are just the two main stories: Bollywood films are notorious for many interlocking plots, and Chandni Chowk to China is actually pretty streamlined when it comes to the storyline.
Funny Comedy, Decent Kung Fu
The comedy works most of the time. Kumar's enthusiasm for making himself look foolish on camera is infectious. The rest of the cast gamely mixes comedy with kung fu, along with a side helping of melodrama. The regular dance sequences are a hoot, there's a touch of fantasy (especially in one sequence featuring an umbrella), and you have to respect a flick that breathes new life into the hoary slipping-on-a-banana-peel gag.
Stunt director Huen Chiu Ku apprenticed under legendary martial arts choreographer Yuen Wo Ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Kung Fu Hustle) and it shows. The fight scenes are thrilling and tightly choreographed, and director Nikhil Advani is smart enough to ensure the viewer sees every punch, kick and flip.
Akshay Kumar is the weakest link during the action sequences. He's charismatic and enthusiastic enough, but he's no Stephen Chow. The appallingly beautiful Deepika Padukone does a better job of convincing the audience that she's a trained martial arts warrior. Both chop socky vets Gordon Liu (The Master Killer, Kill Bill) and Roger Yuan (Batman Begins) kick serious butt in their respective roles, and Conan Stevens makes a memorable turn as an albino hit man.
The Final Analysis
Chandni Chowk to China actually feels shorter than its 2.5 hour length would suggest, which highlights some great pacing. Despite the plethora of side plots and secondary stories, other viewers observed that the plot is actually very focused for Indian cinema. It's also much less of a fashion show than 90% of all Bollywood films.
There's no denying this flick's an acquired taste: anyone unfamiliar with either Indian or Chinese movies will need an open mind when viewing this film. But it's silly fun, and what more do you want from a comedy? 6/10
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
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