Treading the line between love and pretence
Sep 04, 2003
Film: Chori Chori<br>Starring: Ajay Devgan, Rani Mukerji<br>Director/screenplay: Milan Luthria<br>Producers: Lalit Kapoor, Raju Narula <br>Music: Sajid-Wajid <br>Preview: <b>Sebidde Kiryowa</b><br>Showing At: Plaza Cinema
There is something awfully familiar about the Indian romantic comedy Chori Chori. That non of the Indian critics mentions anything about it being some kind of remake is truly amazing.
It is likely that the script writer of this movie has not only seen but also drawn some inspiration from the American teen flick Drive Me Crazy. Whereas everybody agrees that the plot of Chori Chori is familiar, no one makes a mention of Chori Chori.
The difference with Chori Chori is that it takes a disputable yet interesting twist: It makes the implausible look plausible – It is the Cinderella kind of stuff. Like many feel-good romances, Chori Chori is about letting the heart rule the head.
The film opens in the bustling markets of Delhi’s Connaught Place with Khushi (Rani Mukerji) introducing herself and her constant companion, Jonathan, a scruffy-looking stuffed monkey.
Brought up by a bunch of traditional wedding singers from North Indian, Khushi works as a hostess in the banquet section of a hotel. Good-natured, helpful and bubbly, she is the proverbial Cinderella who dreams of her Prince Charming.
Then there is Ranbir (Ajay Devgan), a reserved architect who finds it hard to express his feelings. Ranbir is feeling rather frustrated at the moment. He hates his job and has just been rejected by Pooja (Sonali Bendre), his childhood crush from Shimla.
Ranbir, who is quite desperate, runs into Khushi, who has been sacked by her employer. He realises she could help him win Pooja back. So, they make a deal- to pretend to be engaged in order to make Pooja jealous.
But as Ranbir and Khushi spend more and more time together, they discover that there could be more to their relationship than just the deal.
Chori Chori apparently delayed about a year before its release, a thing critics say affected its performance at the box office over there. However, Indian movie-goers in Kampala should have no problem was that.
As expected, critics were concerned about the cliched plotline: “Although Chori Chori has an interesting storyline, it suffers on account of a hackneyed screenplay,†one critic wrote.
“Director Milan Luthria has handled a few sequences with flourish. But he is let down by a script that looks implausible and far-fetched at most times. Moreover, due to the sluggish pace the film moves at, boredom sets in at a point of time.
The biggest culprit is its screenplay, which does not boast of moments that would keep the audience interest alive. In fact, it’s a screenplay of convenience,†is Taran Adarsh’s take on the movie.
It is likely that the script writer of this movie has not only seen but also drawn some inspiration from the American teen flick Drive Me Crazy. Whereas everybody agrees that the plot of Chori Chori is familiar, no one makes a mention of Chori Chori.
The difference with Chori Chori is that it takes a disputable yet interesting twist: It makes the implausible look plausible – It is the Cinderella kind of stuff. Like many feel-good romances, Chori Chori is about letting the heart rule the head.
The film opens in the bustling markets of Delhi’s Connaught Place with Khushi (Rani Mukerji) introducing herself and her constant companion, Jonathan, a scruffy-looking stuffed monkey.
Brought up by a bunch of traditional wedding singers from North Indian, Khushi works as a hostess in the banquet section of a hotel. Good-natured, helpful and bubbly, she is the proverbial Cinderella who dreams of her Prince Charming.
Then there is Ranbir (Ajay Devgan), a reserved architect who finds it hard to express his feelings. Ranbir is feeling rather frustrated at the moment. He hates his job and has just been rejected by Pooja (Sonali Bendre), his childhood crush from Shimla.
Ranbir, who is quite desperate, runs into Khushi, who has been sacked by her employer. He realises she could help him win Pooja back. So, they make a deal- to pretend to be engaged in order to make Pooja jealous.
But as Ranbir and Khushi spend more and more time together, they discover that there could be more to their relationship than just the deal.
Chori Chori apparently delayed about a year before its release, a thing critics say affected its performance at the box office over there. However, Indian movie-goers in Kampala should have no problem was that.
As expected, critics were concerned about the cliched plotline: “Although Chori Chori has an interesting storyline, it suffers on account of a hackneyed screenplay,†one critic wrote.
“Director Milan Luthria has handled a few sequences with flourish. But he is let down by a script that looks implausible and far-fetched at most times. Moreover, due to the sluggish pace the film moves at, boredom sets in at a point of time.
The biggest culprit is its screenplay, which does not boast of moments that would keep the audience interest alive. In fact, it’s a screenplay of convenience,†is Taran Adarsh’s take on the movie.