Chennai Express

When I went to watch Chennai Express, I had in my mind that it was a Rohit Shetty movie and hence it couldn't be very good. I knew it could be highly nonsensical. I just hoped it would've a sensible plot. And I am glad to say it does have a sensible plot. It's little forced and unconvincing at times, but it's extremely entertaining. This is the story of Rahul, played by Shah Rukh Khan, who isn't satisfied with his life. His life takes a turn, when he meets Meena, played by Deepika Padukone, on Chennai Express. In following events, the movie shifts to South India of amazingly beautiful locations and significantly developed villages. The movie though keeps delivering hilarious punches, the story gets a bit stagnant. Meanwhile the two songs, "Titli" and "Tera Rasta Chodoon Na" lend movie the romantic texture. The fighting sequence was realistic and hence very unlike the Rohit Shetty films. Talking about acting, this isn't how I would like Shah Rukh Khan to act but then it is that kind of film. Deepika Padukone is amazing in her portrayal of a Tamil girl. The music by Vishal-Shekhar is quite decent. Rohit Shetty's direction seems evolved and I think this is his best film by now. He hasn't been very good with his movies' endings but this one has a fine climax that leaves us with a smile on our face. I'll go with 7 on the scale of 10.

Speed is the perfect word that describes Chennai Express. It is fun and entertaining. The film has no time for dull moments, for it does not stop anywhere. I won't tell its summary or story. However, its one scene related to DDLJ's train sequence can't simply leave my mind. It's funny as hell with the biggest twist that no one ever thought of before. There you go, I said it. The movie actually has more twists and turns that consist of full on comedy. Even the scary villains showed it perfectly well.

Now here are the things that wowed me about the movie. Srk: His comic timing was marvelous. But even more than that I was impressed by the amount of hard work he did for the action scenes. Deepika: No one could do the character of Meena better than her. She truly now is a professional actress who does not need to hide her weakness with short clothes and makeup. The goondas: They did have fewer lines to say, but their expressions were superb. Without them, this movie would have been dull. Editing: It's of highest quality and very visible with all the vfx work. It proved that Bollywood is now progressing aggressively. Story: I did not want it to end. I am glad that Rohet Shetty gave time for the love to blossom between Srk and Deepika.

I will go to watch Chennai Express again and even buy the disc once it's available. Private movie collection would be incomplete without it.

Director Mr. Rohit Shetty again proves that he can dig out humor from even very simple scenes. Story by K. Subash is very routine. Screenplay by Yunus Sajawal makes it interesting. Dialogues by Sajid - Farhad is witty and impressing. You can say dialogues are the best part of this film. After long time I watched a movie which is far better than its promos and trailer. This movie has more humor and romance than action except the climax. Movie would have been more interesting if creative team would have preferred to flex their brain muscles rather than flexing the body muscles in climax as it was in Singham. Action in climax makes the film exaggerated otherwise it always moves on a sweet pace. Shahrukh Khan can carry emotional scene better than the action one. Actually , he is incomparable and best in emotional scenes. Performance wise Deepika Padukone is brilliantly awesome. She acts with ease and makes the character believable. Shahrukh Khan is also commendable. His comedy timing is superb. In climax emotional speech, he is the one and only one, who could have emoted it so convincingly. Rest cast supports the film in fair manner. Music by Vishal and Shekhar is not so good at audio level but in film, it gels with mood and flow. After all one time must watch.

Chennai Express delivers what was expected from a commercial spicy masala entertainer. The movie has got no great story as the title tells you the one line "Express love on a journey". It's a usual SRK movie with Rohit Shetty style of execution.

Since the plot surrounds strong Tamil background I have to tell you my analysis in two views 1. As a viewer like me from Tamil Nadu 2. As a Non tamilian viewer As a viewer like me from Tamil Nadu it was like a spoof of 1980's Tamil movie and sometimes looked like humiliating Tamilians. For a non Tamil viewer like my friends they did like the Tamil base in it. Since we can see so much of Tamil influence in Bollywood industry nowadays. To start off with singers from Tamil, actors from Tamil like Dhanush directors from Tamil AR Murugadoss and choreographers from Tamil Prabhudeva. But it does promise you to stay glued to your seats by all the necessary ingredients.

SRK as usual a non serious Indian blushing types of hero and was yet again with his trade name Rahul. He does a great job and gives what was demanded for a film like this. At least this time he has come with a character with an age of 40.

Worth mention would be the lady lead Deepika Padukone she has done an excellent job by adapting the Tamil style of English and Hindi speaking. She was shown well in the movie with her beautiful makeover.

Satyaraj plays the father fits the role picture perfect. The villain has done justice to the role of Thangaballi. There are so many gigantic long haired fatty black goons you will see in the movie. Direction,Camera, Music and Editing were good as per requirements for a spicy masala.

Music was very good particularly "Titli" was a good breezy romantic number that makes us hum after we come out of the theater.

I have to say the positives were Deepika,SRK and music. Negatives were the sets and Tamil base were over colored and totally artificial.

Get in for a movie which has got something for everyone in the family to keep you entertained for 2 hours 20 mins.

-Reviewed by Sivakumar Balachandran

(bsiva84@gmail.com)

Reviewed by:Dare Devil Kid (DDK) Rating: 3.4/5 stars

Say what you want about Rohit Shetty, but the man sure does know to mindlessly entertain you, unlike many of his clones spawned over the past few years, who just numb your senses with their weak endeavors in trying to ape his brand of easygoing, risk-free cinema. "Chennai Express" is actually his best work since "All The Best" (though nothing compared to "All The Best"), and does have a semblance of plot and even some heart, which is usually not the case with most of his projects. The film exceeds expectations for the mere fact that it entertains you for most its duration.

Let's not even try and get into the other technical and creative aspects (or flaws) of the film, because if any of you'll went into a Rohit Shetty movie looking for a coherent plot narration or solid character development, then you'll need a serious reality check, or rather a surgical extraction of your prudish natures. The songs (barring the "1 2 3 4" number), editing, and production design are admittedly all over the place, but then again you should be well prepared to ignore these parameters. However, the background score and cinematography are surprisingly quite decent.

For his part, SRK necessarily hams it up delightfully to the hilt and renders a slightly tweaked and caricatured version of his now famous "Rahul" persona. And Deepika's acting is finally showing signs of real improvement. She literally shines in some scenes of the movie. What adds some required chutzpah to this potboiler, is the sizzling chemistry between the two. Their second film together gives sufficient indication that we might have the next hot jodi in Bollywood.

"Chennai Express" is melodramatic and over-the-top, but it certainly isn't tedious and long-drawn like most other wannabe masala films. You'll gladly lap it up over the disoriented "Bodyguards", "Ek Tha Tigers", "Singhams", "Himmatwalas", "Son Of Sardars" and "Rowdy Rathores" anyday. Most of the dialogues and gags are actually humorous and the action at the end at least makes the hero feel human (something that can't be said for the other staple masala heroes like Salman and Ajay). At the end of the day, if you don't analyze "Chennai Express" too much, you'll actually end up having quite an entertaining 140-minute ride.