Chintu Ji

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.