'CHUP CHUP KE' SAVES SHAAHID, KAREENA By Pankaj Shukla - Eye TV India Bureau
Critic's I-view
Do you remember the day when two films were released the same day and both had drawn the attention of audience and had also raked in moolah for thier producers and distributors? Yes, it was in this month only but five years back when Aamir Khan's 'Lagaan' and Sunny Deol's 'Gadar -- Ek Prem Katha' were released simultaneously and both went on to become super duper hits in the history of Hindi Cinema. This Friday witnesses almost the same kind of fanfare among moviegoers and if the film industry is lucky, the dual success may finally revisit Bollywood.
The clash of titans also witnesses the same genre of two films fighting for the upper slot and it will be interesting to note that director of 'Chup Chup Ke', Priyadarshan has done his best to get it released along with 'Phir Hera Pheri'. This is to recall that 'Phir Hera Pheri' too was to be directed by Priyan as he had won accolades for its prequel 'Hera Pheri' but his differences with producer Sajid Nadiadwala cost him the film.
So, Priyan even declared that he is ready to forget his fee, if producers of 'Chup Chup Ke' have to bear any loss by releasing it along with 'Phir Hera Pheri'. Priyan has won the initial battle by drawing major crowds for his film on the first day and has also added another successful comedy in his earlier list of 'Hera Pheri', 'Hulchul', 'Hungama', 'Garam Masala' and 'Malamaal Weekly'. Like his many other films, 'Chup Chup Ke' is also a remake of a Malayalam film.
'Chup Chup Ke' works on the famous comedy of errors formula of the genre and the story is woven around a good for nothing boy Jeetu. Shaahid Kapoor plays Jeetu in 'Chup Chup Ke'; he is son of a retired master and has the responsibility to run his household. But he fails to get any job and decides to sacrifice his life for his family so that they can pay thier debts by getting the insurance money. He is also heartbroken as he is an unemployed youth but wants to marry with a beautiful girl named Puja (Sushma Reddy).
Jeetu jumps into the ocean to commit suicide and finds himself on the banks of a new city where he is saved by two fishermen -- Bandya (Paresh Rawal) and Gundya (Raj Pal Yadav). These two persons mistakenly believe Jeetu to be a millionaire. Since they owe heavily to Prabhat Singh (Om Puri), they try to pay thier debt with the help of Jeetu. So, Jeetu is kept in Prabhat's house but to save his skin he pretends to be deaf and dumb. Here he meets a cute girl Shruti (Kareena Kapoor) and he is shocked to learn that she is really dumb.
Shruti's brother Mangal (Suniel Shetty) is trying to fix her marriage in a rich family contrary to her wishes. One fine night Shruti and her cousin Meenakshi (Neha Dhupia) discover that Jeetu isn't dumb. Now, he has to play according to these girls' plans and his new act makes Mangal feel that he is in love with Shruti. Now he starts planning Jeetu and Shruti's marriage and before it could happen, Jeetu's family comes to know about his being alive. They rush in and so does his fiance too. Jeetu is entangled between two families, two girls and two destinies.
Shaahid Kapoor as Jeetu plays one of the best roles in his career so far. Being desperately in need of a hit, he gets it in 'Chup Chup Ke' . Besides, this movie helps both - Shaahid and Kareena to save their faces from being tagged as an unlucky pair after their failure of 'Fida' and '36 China Town'. Shaahid and Kareena finally make a good pair and thier chemistry for the first time looks comfortable. But, it is the working equations with others in film where Shaahid shines more. Thrown among veterans he could have found himself lost in the happenings as had happened with him in 'Deewane Hue Paagal', but this time he does his best. His scenes with the seniors like Paresh Rawal or Om Puri have gone well.
Kareena has also proved her mettle after long. The film has given a push to her as well. As a dumb girl, Kareena has acted well with her gestures, and it is her eyes that have helped her a lot in this forte. Priyan's time tested actors Paresh Rawal, Om Puri and Suniel Shetty are at their best. Icing on the cake is a balanced performance by Neha Dhupia. And, if you think that I have missed Raj Pal Yadav by mistake, I have done it purposely because slowly but steadily Rajpal Yadav is carving a niche for himself and 'Chup Chup Ke' adds one more feather to his cap. Manoj Joshi and Anupam Kher aptly support the film too.
Technically speaking, 'Chup Chup Ke' is one of the best comedies in recent times. Priyadarshan has managed to assemble a crew that has worked wonders for the film's well-thought out plot. Thiru has again proven his value behind the camera and his shot taking only adds to the glamour of the film. It is interesting to note that none other than Neeraj Vora (Director of 'Phir Hera Pheri') has written the dialogues of 'Chup Chup Ke' and his naughty and punchy lines have worked as a catalyst for the narration of the story. Himesh Reshammiya helps the film with his hit number 'Dil Vich Lagaya Ve' where one also happens to listen to the voice of debutant Akriti Kakkar. On the whole, 'Chup Chup Ke' is another feather in its maker's cap and after 'Rang De Basanti', UTV must be on the cloud seven with another success in the same season.
