Jun 14, 2003 11:52 PM
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(Updated Jun 14, 2003 11:52 PM)
There was a lot of buzz around this film since it was Shah Rukh’s first release after the much-hyped Devdas. Although the makers of this film did not hype this film much and promoted it as a simple film. A typical Aziz Mirza film.
Aziz Mirza who has earlier on made films like Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Yes Boss and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani is known for his realistic themes and relatable characters and of course the one-liners or the punch in the dialogues.
This film has a relatable theme and the characters to some extent but lacks the punch in the dialogues. Shah Rukh after having played legendary characters is back to playing a Raj. Yeah, same old… same old. Raj falls in love with Priya at the first sight (this always happens in films) and bumps into her twice in a day. Priya who sees him as a driver does like him but chooses to be indifferent about it. Raj offers to give Priya a lift in his truck, but of course, and she accepts. The first downfall of the film: a song enroute – which is neither hummable nor melodious nor is picturised well.
Destination arrived. Raj wants to ask Priya for her telephone number. A forced entry of a character of the traffic police hardly manages to tickle your rib. The number is gained and the number is lost – thanks to another unwanted characte r- the dhobi.
So the heroine is gumshuda – time for another song. The only credible thing about this song is the fact that Shah Rukh shot for a portion of the song (the one on carter road) two hours before his flight to London for his back surgery.
He eventually finds her just before the song can end – great timing – well but not so great otherwise. Priya is flying off to greece to get engaged to a childhood friend of hers. Tsk tsk tsk
Yet another unwanted character makes his entry – Johny Lever. He makes our hero realize that he can’t give up on the love of his life. So the hero flies to Greece. Not defying common sense there is a mention of his friend fetching the visa for him. After all since our heroes travel abroad so often for shows – least they should know about the procedures.
Destiny again plays its part and the flight is detoured and they are stuck for a day together. Raj tries hard to make Priya fall in love with him. But fails. Taking a girl to a amusement park was no way of making her fall in love with you…. Wake up …..
But guess what .. she does fall in love with him … and they get married and a year later they can’t stop fighting with one another.
Hey did I mention the irritating characters who are cast as Shah Rukh’s friends? Guess not. They don’t even deserve mention.
Two people who live together do have problems and sometimes the problems are blown out of proportion. Does one make a film out of it? Well, this is what Chalte Chalte is all about in the second half of the film. Priya doesn’t like the fact that Raj doesn’t keep his shoes in the place slotted for the shoes. Doesn’t know where the pillow should be. And of course has self respect.
What happens next is for you to watch. But there are two drunk scenes of Shah Rukh in the film in which his performance comes as a surprise. For once he does not act like he has umpteen number of times in the umpteen number of films. It is refreshing to watch Shah Rukh act.
Rani Mukerji is consistent with her performance but does not even have half a scene to create that impact. Satish Shah, Suresh Menon and the rest of the camp is a total irritating lot.
The only saving grace in the film is its music.
