Chintu Ji

Ranjit Kapoor is the newest addition in the list of talented filmmakers. He's associated with films like 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro', and that says it all.

His directorial debut, 'Chintuji' which had a sorry fate at the box office, is a pleasant surprise.

I saw the film on TATA SKY {showcase section}, and the reason was obviously it had gotten good reviews... the moment I selected 'Chintuji', I was clued into the film. It's no way the best film of this year, but surely is one of the best. An earnest effort! Kapoor has written, directed & executed the film aplomb. Right from the moment we are taken to this small town, it catches your attention. Plus, The first 30 minutes are hilarious, the scene where Rishi is welcomed, the entire sequence is the most memorable sequence of the enter prise.

Performance-wise: Rishi Kapoor is excellent. The veteran plays himself, though a caricature here, shown as rude-turned likable character. He's in full from, once again. Priyanshu Chatterjee is fabulous, though his romantic angle with Kulraj Randhawa is boring and minus point in the proceedings. Saurabh Shukla, Grusha Kapoor & others give first-rate performances.

on the whole 'Chintuji' is a gem of a film. Face-Value wise, nothing. Script wise, Fab! Thumbs Up!

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.

This movie release with no publicity but i was lucky to see it. This has a very simple story but conveys very powerful message without loosing the interest of viewer. It is comedy as well as drama. Right from the start till end you are going to have light giggles.

Rishi Kapoor, aka Chintuji, is the protagonist. He is a very popular actor. His villagers invite him to visit the village, so that village gets publicity, which in turn will bear fruits in terms of better amenities at village. Rishi Kapoor wants to enter into politics, so he accepts the offer. He is idolized by every villager. But the true character of Rishi Kapoor is known by villagers when he starts living in the village following an accident. Villagers, following the principles of Atithi Devo Bhavi, cross the lines what their conscience defines right or wrong, to please Chintuji.

Till the end, Chintuji keeps on telling lies and betrays villagers for his own selfish interest. The incident after incident the love of villagers moves him to ponder over the question - am I really upto grand image that people all over adore me? Am I the right hero for the people. How can people have so much respect for me, even when I doesn't have an iota of their ideals?

Watch this for freshness of low budget creative cinema without big starcast, so uncommon in Bollywood. Rishi Kapoor wins the most brownie points, so does the story and direction. Hats off!

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.

In Hindi cinema today it is rare to find an original idea. The billboards in Bombay are awash with films that rely on very thin plots and even thinner costumes. They are mostly selling films that shamelessly "borrow" their ideas from the best and worst of Hollywood and popular World cinema. Chintuji is a breath of fresh air in that it relies on an original plot and superb performances to entertain its audience. Rishi Kapoor's brilliant performance is as brave as its is funny, poking fun at the very nature of stardom and "Bollywood Hero" worship. Maybe Ranjit Kapoor's script hit a raw nerve by lampooning the very nature of stardom in India today? It is good to see that Bobby Bedi is still taking risks with his choice of film too. At the end of the day though it is Rishi Kapoor's endearing and hilarious performance that makes this film a winner. We need to see more films like this come on the screens in India today.