China Gate

"China gate" has nothing to do with China or the great wall. It's simply a mission led by an exiled army officer with his court-martialed team comprising of old officers to free a village from the tyranny of a dreaded dacoit. Sounds like "Sholay" or Akira Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai." Well, the direction is by a prominent film-maker with an eminent cast in the lead. But the things don't work. The film fails to grip through its hackneyed narrative full of cliches and improbabilities. The acting is good and direction tries to impart some qualities; but still the film is muddled and distasteful which is hard to stay with. Anything, you will remember in the movie is the item song "Chamma Chamma," which gets a greater coverage in the film than its plot.

Rating: 1 out of 4 stars.

This is another WONDERFUL movie by RajKumar Santoshi, the creator of Ghayal, Ghatak, Damini. Though the movie is inspired by blockbusters like Sholay (Hindi), Seven Samurai but has somehow prints its own identity. This movie has more than 12 actors but the director has beautifully characterize their roles. You would remember each and everybody even after leaving the theatre. I think this is the first Hindi movie which has no young actors in it and typical love story. The other highlights of the movie are excellent cinematography, live sets and superb acting. If you prefer technicially brilliant movie, this is one, you must see.

-Anupam

This film works as an overlong homage to 'Sholay'. Here a bunch of squabbling, overweight and dishonored former army men fight to capture a notorious bandit and reclaim their pride. Om Puri and Danny Denzongappa are good but Amrish Puri steals the show. The sparks between Amrish and Naseer are worth watching. Urmila has an item number and it's a foot-tapping one! The villain is suitably hammy, though not very tough. The film does tend to drag and could have been at least a half hour shorter. Still, it's watchable for the most part at least on television/DVD.

Overall 6/10

I love this movie.

No great names but amazing actors like Om Puri, Amrish Puri, Danny to name a few.

Mukesh Tiwari made a remarkable debut and impressed all. "Chamma Chamma" was a craze at that time. Reminds me of the my child hood days when i never missed a new release!

N story is not dissimilar to grt sholay..!!

China gate is inspired from hollywood film seven samurai. Usp of the film is its cast. All veteran actors from theatre background form the team. Script is strong and tight. Debutant villain mukesh tiwari as jageera is brilliant. All actors deliver stellar performances. Amrish puri and naseeruddin shah's scene during rock falling scene is brilliant and sensitive. Direction by rajkumar santoshi is first rate. Each scene has to say something or the other. Each scene delivers a message. Each character is well connected to each other. It's just not an adventure film rather it's a movie with various dimensions and human emotions.