Director: Nikhil Advani
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Deepika Padukone
Information: Contains moderate violence
BBFC certificate: 12A
Running time: 154mins
Release date: 16 January2009 by Warner Bros Pictures
Rating: 3/5
Foolish but naïve potato peeler, Sidhu, is fed-up of living a dreary existence on Chandni Chowk’s roadside food-stall. Regularly thrashed by his surrogate father, Dada (Mithun), for his idiotic ways, Sidhu is forever seeking to improve his lifestyle.
When he accidentally stumbles across two Chinese strangers, Sidhu is mistaken as the reincarnated soul of Chinese warrior, Lui Sheng.
So, with the help of devious translator, Chopstick (Ranvir), an unfortunate Sidhu dreaming of wine and women is whisked away to the Great Wall of China. But unknown to Sidhu, he is to fight and kill evil gangster, Hojo (Gordon Liu) who is terrorising the Chinese villagers.
Along his adventurous journey, he meets Sakhi (Deepika), a stunning telemarketing model paying homage to her dead father and long lost twin Suzy.
What follows next is a bowl full of pot noodles full of chaos, confusion and mistaken identities!
Director Nikhil Advani’s action comedy is a stark reminder of Kung Fu Panda and Karate Kid sprinkled with colourful song and dance sequences, melodrama and slapstick humour.
This delicious Chow Mein marks Warner Bros Pictures entry into Hindi film production. This is evident technically in terms of lavish cinematography, state of the art special effects and realistic fight sequences.
Thanks to Warner, it is refreshing to watch a Bollywood print void of scratches and lines, so commonly witness in Hindi movies!
Singh Is Kinng, Akshay Kumar is at his comic best once again as Sidhu, the pot-bellied, goofy vegetable cutter transforming into a serious, strong, revengeful Kung Fu fighter.Ìý
Om Shanti Om, Deepika Padukone gives her best under Advani’s guidance in a contrasting double role. She gives an endearing performance as the sentimental Sakhi whilst her role as Suzy appears more action packed.
Whilst Roger Yuan as Deepika’s father shows a strong screen presence, Gordon Lui as the hateful and villainous Hojo, appears menacing throughout.
On the whole, this oriental Bollywood proves scrumptious not only for Akshay’s comic flare and Deepika’s double role but also for Warner Bros Pictures’ technical finesse showcasing the Great Wall - a first for Hindi cinema!
Reviewed by Manish Gajjar
´óÏó´«Ã½ Bollywood Correspondent
