Chintu Ji

First thing first, Chintuji is not another run-of-the-mill entertainer nor is it a great artistic exuberance. Most of the things would just look average to a casual cine goer. But if you understand cinema a bit closely, the film makers vision truly comes alive. Though the social satire in Chintuji is not easily palpable, but given the long association of Ranjit as a dialogue writer of films on social and political milieu (Jaane bhi.., Lajja, Bandit queen, Halla bol etc.) his vision to bring some of those issues in such simplistic manner is appreciable.

Chintuji has an excellent script, and had it been by a directed better versed with such movies it could have been a masterpiece. But Ranjit failed on this front. The movie seems more like a theatre drama, and the unbelievable honesty of 'Hadbahedi wale' making it all the more cheezy. Probably to make it a commercially viable movie, Ranjit has put some undesirable stuffs including a couple of songs which in fact did not go down well with the viewers. (Though I personally liked the Akira Kurosawa song which named a lot of big directors from all over the globe. Whosoever wrote that lyrics, did a good job.) Also, some of the scenes should really have been done in a much better way (like the one where Kulraj chases away the inspector).

Acting is a major saving grace of Chintuji. Rishi Kapor, Priyanshu, Kulraj... all are in top form. I wonder when will some one re-exploit Priyanshu's full potential like Anubhav did in Tum Bin. Kseniya's special appearance after 40 long years is a big surprise.

Over all, a good movie to watch for its honest storytelling.

I wonder why such beautiful and fresh films are made in such a few numbers in Bollywood. It is a beautiful script with power packed performance by Chintu ji aka Rishi Kapoor. Set in the small village .... err.... town... Hathbahedi, a place where there is still "Ram Rajya". They call the only famous person ever born in their town... Rishi Kapoor ... and treat him like god. They change their lifestyle because of him, even put their religion at stake and the "big filmstar" is just using them. In the end however good wins over evil and he changes. A good movie which I can watch again for its comic timing and Rishi Kapoor's acting. Kulraj Randhawa looks stunning and has acted well as well. She will go a long way in the film industry if she chooses her films wisely and does not opts for a skin show. Priyanshu Chatterjee is one of the best newcomers in the industry and it breaks my heart to see that he gets so few films. He is a powerhouse of talent but still I get to see him in so few movies.

Overall a very good movie, well made too. These kind of movies should be promoted more and should be made more often.

You may not have seen its posters on the hoardings or any promos running on the major T.V. channels, but "Chintu Ji"surprisingly manages to get released in a decent way among the other big banner flicks hitting the theaters this Friday. Coming from Bobby Bedi, the man behind movies like, "Bandit Queen", "Mangal Pandey" & more, it was expected to be something fresh and out of the routine. Inspired from "The Man Who Came To Dinner" (1942), the plot is surely novel and interesting, but the treatment is too simple as compared to the current trends, lacking the essential entertaining comic punches required by the subject.

The story revolves around "Chintu Ji" the real life name of Rishi Kapoor, as he is fondly called by his family and friends in the industry. He plays himself in the movie as the superstar of yesterday now willing to try his luck in Politics. The residents of a small village called "Hadbahedi", discover that it was their village, where Chintu ji was born and also named "Chintu" by an old lady of the village still alive. So, in view of drawing attention to the backward state of their village, all the residents invite Chintu Ji to visit his birthplace once again. Taking it as a good opportunity for launching his political career, Rishi Kapoor accepts the invitation and visits the village in his chartered plane. And then it's all about how he manages to live in the tough conditions of the village, striving hard for his favorite liquor and non-veg dishes.

The plot had the capability to win over its viewers, but the execution makes it a little drag after a few initial absorbing moments. Performance wise, the film entirely belongs to Rishi Kapoor and his effortless act where he shows the other side of the famous public figures, not known to their numerous innocent fans. He carries the whole film on his shoulders getting ample support from Priyanshu Chatterjeeand Kulraj Randhawa. Priyanshu, undoubtedly stands tall among the most under-rated actors of the new generation, who are sadly not being offered the right kind of projects to prove themselves. And also there was no need for the extra story angle related to his character in the movie. Kulraj Randhawa moves ahead from her punjabi projects and impresses to a great extent.

Music needed to be much better, thinking about the wacky song calling the names of all the world famous directors, included in the movie without any purpose. So this is one major department where the film lacks a lot. Cinematography is competent capturing the earthy locations in a fine way. Director Ranjit Kapoor had a good vision for his project but the end result could not emerge as a clear winner. In my opinion use of more quality comedy sequences related to the Bollywood Film Industry could have helped the movie a lot.

Actually the project belongs to the genre of "Welcome To Sajjanpur" released last year, which also talked about the life of different people living in a small village. But the finesse we witnessed in the Shyam Benegal movie is completely missing in Kaleidoscope's "Chintu Ji". Still you can watch it for a pleasant change from the regular stuff being offered to us every new Friday.

Had Ranjit Kapoor drawn sensibilities from Shyam Benegal and Priyadarshan, Chintuji could have been a perfect feel-good movie of the year. Lets be honest, the plot of famous personality visiting the small- town is "Billu Barber" and the simplicity of the characters is "Welcome to Sajjanpur". Only difference is the reality check on the super-star who is big-bad-wold reincarnate. Technically the movie is perfect, the screenplay should have been tempered a bit more on the edges to arrive at a golden finish. At the end, it leaves the audience desiring for more.

Rishi Kapoor: In all honesty, only Rishi Kapoor could have carried off this role. A perfect blend of fact with fiction for his characterisation.

Priyanshu:: Carried his role quite well actually.

Neha Kaul:: Its nice to see the small-screen Preiti Zinta migrate to big screen. Her choice of costumes deserve a special mention and sadly not the same can be said about her makeup. The romantic track seemed jumping the gun a bit too quickly.

Kseniya Ryabinkina:: I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the "Mera Naam Joker" lady making a very-very special appearance in this one.

Sophiya:: Had a few more lines in addition to the so-called item number.

Grusha Kapoor:: OMG - I didn't believe that it was Devyani from Tara.

Annu Kapoor & Saurabh Shukla were passable.

A lot of actors seem to have been under-utilised.

Special mention is deserved for an honest portrayal of the village, one actually feels being in there.

If one has liked the books like Raag Darbari and has liked films like Jaane bhee do yaron and Welcome to Sajjanpur then Chintu ji is a film to be watched. Chintu ji is a simple tale about a Utopian small city and is shown without using any kind of gimmicks. It is shown in a simple manner. Like Raag Darbari and Welcome to Sajjanpur it is also a social satire and there is a full dose of situational comedy. Dialogues are crispy. Music is good and especially a song Akira Kurosawa...Cappola may titillate the funny bone in the audience. At the time when comedy films are turning fast into sex comedies, this small budget film brings a neat entertainment to the audience. Plot is original and except few weak things which could be improved, Chintu ji is a nice watch. Film is dependent completely on the shoulders of Rishi Kapoor and he has done his job successfully. It is good to see that Rishi Kapoor has got such a role and he has done full justice to the role. In fact most of the actors have played their roles very well. Saurabh Shukla, Annu Kapoor, Grusha Kapoor, Priyanshu Chaterjee, Kulraj Randhawa and many other actors have done well. Sophie Chaudhary was used effectively for a song. Some audience may like the references to an old film of Raj Kapoor and may like to see a Russian actress again after so many years in Chintu ji. Film could have been better if last 20-25 minutes were improved more. To watch with family it is a good entertaining film. This is a debut film of the renowned theatre director Ranjit Kapoor and that way it is a good attempt. Hope he delivers many good films in future.