CC2C (2009) User Reviews

Its like a chowmien gone bad...

[anagpal · 3/10 · 16 January 2009]

This is a great movie for those who've had 6 beers (or an equivalent amount of alcohol), or for kids (and those similarly intellectually inclined) or those who are fans of the mindless timepass genre, where you leave your brains at home, land up for the movie and then giggle aimlessly for the next three hours.

All others, like me, will find this movie a disaster. And the sad thing is that they had an interesting premise – a Chinese village, suffering from a tyrant, finds out that they can be freed by an ancient warrior who has been reborn in India. But then its almost as if the 'brains' behind the film decided to see how much they could dumb it down, how much unnecessary slapstick & nautanki they could throw in, how complicated (actually that's too soft a word, convoluted is probably better) they could make the plot. How many films could they 'borrow' from – there are shades of Mr Natwarlal, Goldfinger and most old Hindi movies, with the whole twins separated at birth, amnesiac father et all. And in general, how far away from reality could they go… If it weren't for Akshay, who still comes through with at least his acting reputation intact, if not his judgement, the rating would be even lower. Deepika is OK, looks good as always. Most others, well actually I'm being unfair on the actors as they were probably doing what they were told. And the songs were in keeping with the rest of the film. Effects, scenery and cinematography is decent. Fight sequences are OK OK - again too far away from reality for me to enjoy, they've almost created a real-life version of Kungfu Panda.

I actually had high expectations from this one (because the premise was interesting) and maybe that's why I'm so disappointed. I laughed only once or twice throughout the film, most other times I was cringing, or holding my head in my hands. The audience was 50-50, a few walking out in the interval, despite having paid Rs 260 per ticket and some others laughing every time the director intended them to. They're actually planning a sequel to this, but despite being set in Africa, a herd of wildebeest couldn't drag me to that one

Big disappointment from Akshay Kumar

[shreyansh-nsit · 3/10 · 16 January 2009]

I am a great fan of Akshay Kumar. I booked the tickets for the 1st paid premier show for this movie. But I was seriously disappointed.

Comedy scenes wont make you laugh, by the time action scenes come u wont be interested. The movie doesn't excite you much and doesn't do anything to keep the audience glued to their seats. Their is no suspense, Deepika Padukone doesn't help either. Spoils the excitement as and when she appears on the screen. Their was so much fuss about the action scenes involving her, but those scenes has already been shown in all the trailers. The movie is very predictable. Very stupid at times.

I will recommend this movie only if u don't have to pay for it and you have a lot of spare time.

They are already planing a sequel. God bless the producers.

Highly recommended! not to go watch this movie!

[madankumarse · 3/10 · 15 January 2009]

Akshay has reached a super stardom. But he has become over confident of his stature today. He's taking his fans for granted! This movie like Tashan is an utter disappointment! High time Akshay gives his fans movies that are memorable, spectacular and remarkable rather than these mindless ones!

There are couple of scenes in the movie which surely tickles your funny bone to the core! But, the way the story drags and too many coincidences gets you on your nerves.

Initially the movie picks up alright. But, gradually you begin to start looking at your watch or at least start yawning!

Although Akshay delivers his usual best, it feels he's wasting his talent in such mindless movies. All other actors are acted okay, but finally the storyline, humor or the narration doesn't give that punch.

Today's audiences need some realistic movies & not stupid ones like this!

Same formula, but a lot worse this time !!

[feziz · 1/10 · 16 January 2009]

When I was going to watch this movie, I was just hoping that Akshay Kumar has not used the same formula again which he has been using in his recent movies - where he is a stupid, thick, ill fated guy who everyone hates, but still he makes the audience laugh due to the comical nature of the character. And then something completely unexpected happens which changes his life and he becomes a real Indian movie hero. This movie has also got the same old formula, but this time, the comedy in the beginning is by far the worst in his last few movies. Specially, the constant use of vulgar jokes (like breaking his balls or eggs, threatening to put a wooden stick into someone from behind, etc) don't help at all. Deepika has looked stunning in both the roles she has played. But apart from that, its all the same as "Welcome" and "Singh is King". The makers have tried to show some senseless and boring comedy. For example, Akshay gets away from the attack of about 25-30 enemies, completely unaware of them during dancing in one of the songs. Also, too many fighting sequences are just over the top. In short, the movie is a complete disappointment!!

Enjoyable if you can suspend disbelief

[Jag85 · 21 April 2009]

This is probably the first attempt at combining a kung-fu movie with a musical. Although it's a bizarre combination, it could actually work if done right, but this movie however fails in many ways. The plot was silly and incoherent, the melodrama and comedy was over-the-top, and the movie was too long to top it off.

However, I did find some of the comedy scenes quite hilarious and the action scenes were also quite good in an over-the-top kind of way (like "Kung-Fu Hustle"). I would have given this movie a lower score, but it does at least have a few saving graces in its action and comedy, and it can be quite enjoyable if one is willing to suspend all disbelief. However, I would only recommend this movie if you are a fan of both Bollywood musicals and Kung-Fu movies.

5/10

Thumbs down!

[venkatachalamiyer · 2/10 · 16 January 2009]

In the initial years of his career, Ramesh Sippy made two gems that we remember (and cherish) to this date -- SEETA AUR GEETA and SHOLAY. SEETA AUR GEETA was about twin-sisters -- the docile and the aggressive. SHOLAY, of course, needs no introduction. Yet, to update the unacquainted, Ramgarh is gripped by a terror called Gabbar. Resultantly, Thakur recruits two men to put an end to Gabbar's tyranny.

Nikhil Advani pays homage to Ramesh Sippy's movies by merging SHOLAY and SEETA AUR GEETA. But this concoction called CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA is very very bland.

Come to think of it, Nikhil Advani had everything going for him. It's a dream project, what with heavyweights such as Warner Bros., Ramesh Sippy, Akhay Kumar and Gordon Liu agreeing to be a part of this mammoth project. But Nikhil slips and trips, falling flat on his face.

A mas-ala film is always welcome. In fact, two Desi films (RAB NE BANA DI JODI and GHAJINI) have been lapped up by the junta in a big way, but CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA is an unbearable mas-ala fare that insults the intelligence of the moviegoer.

The problem with CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA is that it lacks a watertight screenplay to keep you glued for those 2.45 hours. Agreed, you don't look for logic and reason in hardcore potboilers, but the least the director and his team of writers could do is provide loads of entertainment. Sadly, writers Shridhar Raghavan and Rajat Aroraa make mincemeat of a plot that had the potential to woo viewers from Chandni Chowk to China to Chicago to Cape Town.

So, what's the verdict then? Enjoy Chinese food instead. This one's a big, big, big letdown! Sidhu (Akshay Kumar) cuts vegetables at a roadside food stall in Chandni Chowk in Delhi. He longs to escape his dreary existence and looks for shortcuts -- with astrologers, tarot readers and fake fakirs -- believing anything except himself, despite his father figure Dada's (Mithun Chakraborty) best efforts.

The story takes a turn when two strangers from China claim he's a reincarnation of a war hero and take him to China. Thanks to the devious translator, a conman by the name Chopstick (Ranvir Shorey), little does he know that he is being taken to the Chinese village of vicious smuggler Hojo (Gordon Liu).

Therefore, Sidhu blissfully sets forth to China with Chopstick, who instigates dreams of a delicious future and forgets to reveal the perils, which await him. Along the way, he meets Sakhi (Deepika Padukone), who has embarked on a journey to pay homage to the land of her birth and her dead father and twin.

Hojo catches up with Sidhu and eliminates Dada right in front of everyone. Sidhu seeks revenge and finds the one man who will make him a Kungfu expert and set the village free from Hojo's tyranny.

On face-value, what do you expect from CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA? Laughter unlimited, great martial arts, a glimpse of China. But what's served on the platter is so insipid, so lame, so senseless that you wonder if there was a script in the first place. The comic scenes (that make you laugh) are few and far between. The scenes depicting martial arts are hardly exciting. Also, barring the Great Wall of China, don't expect China country tour here! There are big holes in the script. Sample these... * How and why do the two oppressed Chinese men suddenly land up in Chandni Chowk in Delhi? Also, how do they zero on Ranvir Shorey? No explanations offered. * Deepika's track of visiting China is trite. Wasn't the twin-sister, an infant, thrown off the Great Wall of China? How did Gordon Liu suddenly decide to bring her up? * Similarly, Deepika's father was also pushed from the Great Wall, but he survives. Akshay too is beaten black and blue and thrown off (coincidentally, from the same place -- Great Wall), but is rescued mid-air by Deepika's father. Miracles never cease to occur, must add.

Post interval, Akshay undergoes a grueling training session, but not once does the preparation give an impression that Akshay is seething with anger and vengeance. That's because the director has injected humor in these scenes and that takes away the seriousness from the plot. The climax is equally contrived and hence, makes no impact whatsoever.

Although the year 2009 has just begun, this film is sure to be a strong contender in Razzies in two departments mainly -- direction and writing. Nikhil Advani goes horribly wrong this time. As for the writers, well, they ought to take a crash course in film writing pronto. The songs are okay, with the title track and 'Naam Hai Sidhu' being the pick of the lot. The stunts (Dee Dee Ku) are plain mediocre. Even the dated martial arts' movies produced in the East offered better stuff. Himman Dhamija's cinematography lacks the picture perfect look.

Akshay Kumar is the sole saving grace, but the director hasn't tapped his potential to the fullest. Deepika Padukone is passable. Gordon Liu is decent. Ranvir Shorey is functional. Mithun Chakraborty is bland. Roger Yuan, Deepika's father in the film, is fair.

On the whole, CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA is a brilliant opportunity gone appallingly wrong. The film falls way below expectations and is a major disappointment in all respects. At the box-office, the hype might translate into a bountiful weekend, that's it. Thumbs down!

Strange !

[staindoutside · 2/10 · 17 January 2009]

well i just came back from a good house full show of Chandni Chowk To China, well before watching this movie there was one thin clear in my mind that i'm going to watch Akshay Kumar's movie so i kept all the senses back home ! and i expected this one to be senseless, meaning less, stupid, idiotic, funny , and lacking all the cinematic skills also as i'm not a fan of Nikhil's work at all including Kal Ho Na Ho which was a little fair deal coz Karan Johar was at his back. Movie : no story, no screen play, nothing to be looked forward to, in some scenes yeah Akshay Kumar and thats what 3 stars are for... Music : its slow... its picturised awfully... composed even more awfully... which sales have already shown Direction : well there are no minuses in here less i will give it -10, nikhil go back to Karan's camp and learn direction first before threatening him, you had all the biggies with you and you have wasted your chance awfully

Few comedy scenes enacted by Akshay Kumar as he is very good in it are worth watching other than that if you want to go and waste your money your welcome !!

A MUST MISS !!!!

CC2C : Disappointing to the Core!

[raghavramaiah-1 · 4/10 · 17 January 2009]

The curtains finally rose on the all hyped Chandni Chowk to China which released yesterday the 16Th January worldwide. CC2C is an movie with an sincere and desperate attempt to tickle the funny bone, but... it fails miserably. This movie Directed by Nikhil Advani goes impact less on the audience like his previous directorial venture Salaam-E-Ishq in 2005. Now at that point you can actually feel a lot better after watching Salaam-E-Ishq because of its music unlike CC2C whose music is pretty much ordinary. CC2C's protagonist Siddhu(Akshaye Kumar) is a petty vegetable cutter at a food stall at Chandni Chowk owned by Dada(Mithun Chakraborthy) who's more like a father figure to Siddhu, who was brought up by him after being abandoned as a baby . Siddhu is innocent yet dumb,desperate to earn money and become rich, attempts some really weird things right from buying Lottery Tickets to seeking the help of astrologers and Palm readers to try change his luck. Fortunately or Unfortunately for him, he's recognized as an reincarnated Chinese warrior and taken to China to fight for the people against Hojo (Gordon Liu). And how circumstances lead to one another transforming him into a fighter is something to watch out for. In this very country he comes across the twin sisters Sakhi and Suzy(Both played by Deepika Padukone) who have their own story recipe to be added into the already screwed up CC2C story dish.

2009 for Bollywood has definitely started off on a real bad note with CC2C totally disappointing the audience and not even living up to half the level of its expectations. CC2C is clearly dumb, illogical and funny is parts. What were the Sippy's Production House thinking when he approved of such a crap script from Nikhil Advani. After this movie, it really makes you wonder on the fact - did Nikhil Advani actually make KHNH. To top off such a bad movie is that "Warner Bros" are the distributors for this movie, that too first time in Bollywood. Don't think they'll come back again. For once, The promos of CC2C are far better than the full length movie. Music of the movie again going unnoticed and has a reason for it. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, extremely disappointing music which is not even close to Rock On!!.

But you cannot really take this off from Akshaye Kumar, he's extremely hilarious but only in parts. And watching only these parts of the movie, you actually feel like sitting through the complete movie. Deepika Padukone does justice to her role completely,acting out well both as Sakhi and Suzy. What can an actor or an actress probably do.. when the script itself is filled with such flaws. Can't believe Shriram Raghavan has written the screenplay of CC2C after the movie like Jhonny Gaddar which was an absolute perfection in the screenplay section.

I heard Akshaye Kumar saying in one of his interview's- "Leave your brains at home when you come watch CC2C". After watching CC2C, i seriously wished "I should have left everything at home before watching, or even probably stayed back at home totally".

I'll go with 4 out of 10 for Nikhil Advani's CC2C. Ten Thumbs down for all the unnecessary hype.

Possibly the stupidest movie ever!

[sashank_kini-1 · 3/10 · 16 January 2009]

Watching the promos of CCTC, I wondered how it would succeed in competing with mighty Kung Fu movies? After watching the movie, I wondered how it would compete with C-grade movies.

This is possibly the most annoying, silliest movie I have ever seen. It is a magnificent as C-grade film but doesn't even manage to reach B-grade movies. I feel that Akshay would be the clown after this film for promoting this weird, dumb film all over the world.

It is supposed to be very expensive but due to the movie itself, the action and stuff goes unnoticed. I and my two friends went for this for the first day, first show. There were students wearing uniforms bunking their schools for this movie. I just wanted to accompany my pals as they had come from America. During the movie, we and the others were laughing at the most serious scenes where the characters were weeping their guts out.

The movie is so silly that there is absolutely no point watching it. It has grating performance by Akshay who does the same thing that he does in other movies. But here, he overdoes it to a point that it is hard to watch. In fact, he was so annoying that I ignored the scenes in which he was good.

Deepika was perfectly cast as she has the body and looks. She acts well in some of the scenes and its fun to watch a tall woman kicking butts but sometimes, she too falters in her dialogue delivery. Ranvir Shoerey too does a good job but when the film itself is bad, performances are overlooked unless they are excellent.

Mithun looked funny when he tried his best in the worst of scenes. If the scenes were better, I would've liked his acting more. The Chinese good man is annoying while the bad one is okay. The effects are very silly sometimes. The action is good when it looks unrealistic yet believable. For example, I liked the scene where they fight with objects but not the scenes where everyone begins to fly high up in the air.

I'll have to say that this is one of the worst movies I have seen. 3 out of 10.

A fun film to watch!

[mksandhu52 · 7/10 · 16 November 2010]

I think Chandi Chowk to China is a great film and it is fun to watch. I don't understand why most people don't like it but for me, the film was great! Akshay Kumar is just funny as hell in this film, playing his character Sidhu is just lol. I think he acted very well.

Deepika Padukone is lovely as ever! Playing a double role again (First being (Om Shanti Om) she was great. I liked her character Meow Meow, i think that it is a cool name and a very cool character. Her action scenes at the airport was fantastic. She looked great in all her costumes and her hair/ make-up was very beautiful! Her other character was also funny Ms. TSM.

Dada was great same as the other star cast in the film.

The songs in CC2C was funny. I love the title track Chandi Chowkt to China and Tere Naine (The sky song)...

Overall this film is a great watch! My rating for Chandi Chowk to China: 7/10

Fantastic entertainment was what i expected.

[Li_85 · 1/10 · 15 January 2009]

I got to see this film in the London Premier and i am the first person on IMDb to review this. Well what can i say apart from the fact that this is a non stop entertainment movie for little kids. Akshay Kumar is fantastic in many movies and is possibly his biggest disaster. First she made Om shanti om and then Bachna ae Haseeno, Deepika looks beautiful and is making good films. Mithun is back, the veteran was always loved in bollywood and does a good job in this film. Gordon Lui was great and its amazing to see both Indian and Chinese stars together in one film. This movie has some action and comedy but is a disaster. Do not watch this movie as it is a big bore and is a complete awful

Chandni Chowk to China- great entertainer!

[Achyut_Prashast_Singh · 8/10 · 10 December 2014]

CCTC is the first Indian martial arts movie that is very entertaining. Director Nikhil Advani and Akshay Kumar are the real stars that have made it a pleasant and interesting movie. It's really a great entertainer.

Akshay Kumar who not only performs Martial arts, also emotes well throughout the entire movie. The film is full of thunderous performances. The film has excellent emotional chain between all characters. The stunts are the best ones I have ever seen. Other aspects like music,comedy,locations,cinematography and story with screenplay are also perfect. The Chinese actors are also good.

On the whole,CCTC is a great entertainer all the way. Go,watch it and visit China with our desi stars!

Full mind review: Chandni Chowk to China - Underrated

[pearlsreya · 6/10 · 14 January 2012]

Its way past the box office time, so this review is for buying DVD and watching it on TV.

Okay everyone, people say this film was bad but my friend said it wasn't. I didn't listen to her and didn't watch the film, but realized my mistake after watching it on TV.

I don't need to type the synopsis, I'll just write my opinion to it. Here's what my point of view says:- Their work - FIRST Indian martial arts film. I say it was well presented and a fresh idea. They shoot in China, used REAL Chinese (not stupid fake characters like in some movies) and good actors. Very impressive action scenes.

Story idea - As said, fresh idea. I really liked the theme. The reason why this film have flopped might be that the story is not very new and some things aren't too. BUT the only overused Martial arts theme typically are of some cop who fights a drug dealer or gangster as revenge for his family or something, this is similar too but not completely. Slapstick comedies, some hard parts and few might look meaningless, but as long its entertainment. But do blend together well and is fine as long you cut stupid things.

Acting - Akshay is good and maintains his comedy like always. I really liked Deepika in this film. She has a double roll (not a spoiler), and I personally liked the 2nd character she played. There's Ranvir Shorey who's fine and some unknown Chinese actors who're actually good.

Music - Minimal songs but catchy enough. Songs "From Chandi Chowk to China", "Tere Naina", "Sidhu theme" and "Fatte Chak Lende" are energetic and probably the only used songs and have good timings.

Direction - I don't know this director, but I don't find him bad. I don't why this film completely flopped. If 'Dhamaal' was a hit, then I supposed it to be at least an average grosser.

Verdict - 6 out of 10. Why? Because this isn't a serious film and 7+ ratings are for really meaningful ones. 6 is just fine and its good.

My opinion - I have seen this film like 5-6 times on TV and I always think what was that bad. If you're a fan of Akshay, Deepika, Martial Arts or just want a time-pass film, this is good for Home Video or even watching on internet. But AT LEAST watchable.

Useless Action Movie ....! To say the least

[rahilkhan1231 · 1/10 · 15 January 2009]

A Bollywood confection making a rare appearance on American shores, "Chandni Chowk to China" is an excellent reason why many of these productions fail to breakout beyond India. A deafening, slapstick-drenched, exaggerated bit of hokum, "Chandni" is an endurance test for the Bollywood uninitiated: a curry-flavored Three Stooges comedy via The Shaw Brothers play book, with a healthy serving of Stephen Chow thrown in for taste. It's an attractive bundle, but ultimately a punishing mess of a movie.

Sidhu (Akshay Kumar) is a lowly vegetable chopper looking to change his miserable fortunes on the streets of Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Fate comes calling when Sidhu is mistaken for an ancient Eastern warrior, asked to travel to China to help stop a deadly crime boss named Hojo (Gordon Liu) from ruling the land. Frightened, Sidhu accepts the journey, finding the mythical terrain does nothing to boost his pathetic kung-fu abilities. Caught in the middle of Hojo's grip, attempting to decipher the mystery between near-identical sisters named Sakhi and Meow Meow (Deepika Padukone), and roughed up under the tutelage of Chiang (Roger Yuan), Sidhu goes from boob to brawler as he begins to accept his destiny and learn the way of the fist.

Touted as the first Bollywood film to shoot in China, "Chandni" takes full advantage of the phenomenal location, arranging finger-snap-tight fight sequences on the hallowed brick of the Great Wall, and taking an interest in classic martial art cinema revenge mechanics to lend this comedy an unusual edge. At the very least, "Chandni" looks magnificent; director Nikhil Advani soaks up the opportunities handed to him to create a larger-than-life feature bursting with expansive locations, diverse special effects, and a cast littered with genre legends.

It's a crime "Chandni" doesn't jump off the screen with the same electricity the production is aching to convey. Part of the problem lies in the film's 155 minute running time, which feels like an entire year once trapped in the thick of the fantasy. Nothing this slight should be allowed by law to pass 80 minutes, but it wouldn't be lovable Bollywood if it showed concern for pace and hindquarter comfort. Instead, the film spends most of the time drawing out every scene past its expiration date, absurdly stalling to permit "Chandni" an unwelcome epic length. With Kumar tearing around the frame mugging like a lunatic, slipping on banana peels and hoofing it up in the film's few dance numbers, "Chandni" could pass as a goofball excursion with specific appeal. It comes as a shock when the laughs in the film are smothered at the midway point, when "Chandni" suddenly asks the audience for acceptance as a genuine drama.

Did I miss the point where I was supposed to care about these relentlessly cartoonish characters?

As "Chandni" flails around for what feels like an eternity, indulging Bollywood and martial art staples with gale farce sincerity, the production's generous spirit is readily available, just not properly timed. "Chandni" is certainly not a disastrous stab at cross-culture entertainment value, but it's hopelessly bloated to a point of screaming paralysis.

Do I smell a Kung-Fu Panda here!?

[prasaneleven · 2/10 · 17 January 2009]

Wow..How did warner brothers even consider making this crappy movie in the first place!. This is movie is nothing but a blatantly cheap rip-off the animated classic Kung Fu Panda!!.How low can anyone stoop as to copy an animated movie!.Po the Panda(who's adopted) works at his father's noodle shop and accidentally is mistaken for the dragon warrior.He's ultimately chosen to fight the tyrant 'tai lung' the snow leopard.Tai lung once wreaked havoc in the valley of peace.Master Oogway the turtle has a premonition that Tai Lung will return and once again disrupt the peace in the valley.Even though this is a clichéd concept done to death in a million Chinese martial-art movies you can't deny the similarities between the two movies.Nikhil Advani.. go get a script.get a life

Time pass

[ranjitzulu · 5/10 · 18 January 2009]

I'll say its a 50-50 entertainer. Deepeika Padukone - the gorgeous beauty totally wasted. No clue why she was there and that to twice (double role). The film has a considerable amount of humor. Expecting more from a Akshay Kumar movie. Its not a great movie but a time-pass, I would say. Poor direction and screenplay. The story is weak and a lot of lop holes. Only the actors carry the film . Mithunda was great but should have given more screen space. As per the name the content does not contain anything about Chandni Chowk and nothing about China except a few scenes on the Great Wall. As an Akshay Kumar fan you can go and watch the movie but don't expect much.

Incoherent, disjointed and overlong. Chandni Chowk to China is a failed attempt at a kung-fu comedy, with only a couple of redeemable moments.

[Faisal-Hashmi · 3/10 · 15 January 2009]

I caught Chandni Chowk to China in my local theater today, and went in with medium expectations (I was wary of an Akshay Kumar tent-pole after Singh is Kingh)

But this movie is an all time low for commercial movies, and a career ruining highlight for Akshay Kumar. Chandni Chowk to China is riddled with a highly disjointed and nonsensical plot, mostly awful and unfunny gags, and unbelievable decisions that makes this the first disaster of 2009.

The highly pretentious and over-complex plot goes something like this - Years ago, there was a Chinese warrior named Liu Sheng, who was killed by an evil ruler called Hojo. Prophecy says that he would be reborn in a different state and country years later.

Cut to present day, and we have Sidhu (Akshay Kumar), a failed cook who tries hard at being lucky but is conned by people. One day, through a string of convoluted sequences, a group of Chinese people in India recognize him as Liu Sheng. A conman, friend to Sidhu, scams him and tells him that he is the reborn ruler of China, which makes him happy and excited to go to China and change his luck. But when he realizes his true identity, the fate of China's rule depends on him.

From here on, the plot turns into something out of four completely different stories jammed into one, with half the pages missing. I dare you to make sense out of this highly convoluted storyline (SPOILERS FOLLOW)- A TV ad girl called Sikhi (Deepika) fools Sidhu at the route to China, and visits there instead. When Sidhu finally reaches China, he finds a revamped Sikhi, who's called Meow Meow, a twin sister of Sikhi. Turns out their parents were killed by Hojo at some point, and Sikhi escaped to India and Meow wants to avenge their death. But wait, halfway through the movie, we find out their father is alive, but has lost his memory of being a policeman, and now is an old beggar. When Meow finds out Sidhu is Liu Sheng, she tries to kill him (WHY she would do that is never explained, and instead of simply stabbing/shooting him, she decides to put acid on her lips and try kissing him.) But wait, she fails, and through more convoluted events, Sikhi sees Meow whom she presumed died ages ago. And wait, Hojo realizes Liu Sheng is here as Sidhu, so he publicly slaughters Sidhu's guardian who happens to be in China at that moment in front of Sidhu (why he didn't kill Sidhu himself, we'll never know). Defeated, Sidhu meets the FATHER of the twins who then REGAINS his memory of being a POLICE OFFICER through unfunny comic events, and decides to TRAIN Sidhu with Kungfu. I could go on with numerous huge plot holes and laughable action sequences for the sake of them, but to cut short, more nonsensical events follow, leading to the overblown and imbalanced climax of this mess.

Akshay Kumar's antics, unfortunately, do not save the movie this time. The only two redeemable moments of the movie are his final training sequence (that manages to be hilarious), and a few scenes on his way to China. The rest of the movie tries hard at being a slapstick comedy as well as a action drama, but falls flat on both levels. There are moments where the characters are supposed to be serious, but they act comic (such as after the death of his guardian and the final fight). Deepika gives one of the worst female acting I have seen anywhere. Her twin persona falls flat, but the blame is entirely on the disastrous script.

It's as if the filmmakers didn't even try. At all. First it is shown to be a fist-fight kung-fu movie, then in the middle of it, it turns into Akshay Kumar and Hojo having magical powers, including one where they LIFT WATER OFF THE SEA. These moments, supposedly trailer shots for the sake of showing the budget and CGI, instead end up being laughable and amateur. Dozens of huge problems in believability aren't explained, and the movie sags along to it's finale, hoping the audience won't notice.

Overall, Chandni Chowk to China should be avoided by almost anyone looking for even a mindless entertainer, except for die hard Akshay Kumar fans. Even then, you will end up feeling cheated and disappointed throughout the movie, and wonder how so many problems were overlooked during this rushed production.

3 out of 10.

a disappointment

[harshvardhan_hv · 5/10 · 16 January 2009]

this seems to be another addition to the list of senseless movies made in bollywood in the past few months along with tashan, love story 2050, singh is king, Drona, kidnap and ghajini.

the only reason you would want to see this movie is akshay kumar, apart from that its pretty ordinary movie, it was of course expected to be a senseless comedy, but it just runs short of comic sequences, and whatever scenes are there would have been digestible had this been an animated movie - for instance mithun da kicking akshays butt and making him fly over and over again.

overall another bollywood letdown in the past few months

Not up to the expectations

[kat_777 · 5/10 · 23 August 2009]

I waited for the release of this film because of two reasons. 1) Deepika Padukonewho is one of my most favorite actresses and i wanted to see her in a different role. 2) Nikhil Advani. He is not my favorite but i loved his previous film Kal ho na ho and i expected almost same standard and quality in chandni chowk to china.

I was surprised to hear that this film is not doing well at box office in spite of having a different theme and so many advertisements. I heard many reviews saying that it is a crap film. After seeing it i thought no wonder it got that much negative reviews.

It's like the crew didn't put that effort in each and every aspect. Screenplay is poor and sometimes the music is totally different from that of the scene. But the Action is excellent. Kung fu movements of Deepika padukone looked fluent and realistic. She did her part well. The make up was also equally good. Sakhi and Suzy looked different. Akshay Kumar's action was good but his comedy was less impressive. He was good in movies like bhool bhulaiyaa but in this film he didn't pull it off that easily.

The theme and the concept were good. The movie could have been better with improvement in screenplay and direction.

5/10

I don't know why but I liked it!

[kanwar27 · 7/10 · 17 January 2009]

I went to watch this movie with my friends...all of us didn't know how or why we were enjoying....the story....was nothing.....the acting great! except for Deepika she did not make her presence felt even being in double role....but Mithun Chakrobaty sure did....but the movie belongs to Akshay Kumar.....in the first half all of us were holding our heads....but the second half is the real treat...it is correct revenge is a dish best served cold!.....the songs are definitely attractive but not blockbusters the picturiztion surely ruined some fun exceptions chak lein de the picturization in that song made the song even better..... All in all, A mindless comedy/action film including Jackie Chan spice except it's an Akshay Kumar movie!

One of worst films ever made!

[snigdha_nigam · 1/10 · 19 January 2009]

This is by the far, one of the..no let me correct it, THE worst film in history of cinema.. not just Indian but world cinema. It has no story, no script and an excruciatingly painful background music that makes the hamming of actors even more unbearable. There is no consistency in story, script and absolutely no correlation between one scene and another. The humour is so pathetic it makes you want to cry. One scene we have Akshay Kumar's painful histrionics attempting to make the viewers laugh and the very next second we get a melodramatic scene with Akshay and Mithun crying bucketful tears accompanied with a pathetic background music that is oh - so meant to make the viewer cry!

Nikhil Advani certainly needs a crash course in film making as even a rookie handling a camera for the first time would be able to pull of a better film. For someone to have tremendous actors like Akshay, Ranvir and Mithun and backing of a Hollywood production house, you must really be awful at making films to not be able to pull off even a decent fare. Me and my friends walked out in the middle of film we couldn't take it any more. And so did a lot of other people.

People, save yourself a headache, do NOT watch this film!

Awesome cheesy fun!

[LaFeeChartreuse · 8/10 · 16 February 2011]

I can't believe the low ratings this movie has gotten! My girlfriend and I just watched it and we loved it. Sure, it's incredibly cheesy and silly and over-the-top, but you can pretty much tell that from the cover and the entire basic premise of it, so anyone who isn't looking for something completely ridiculous should have known better than to watch it in the first place. I mean, come on. Bollywood martial arts movie! Was anyone really expecting high art? For what it was - a completely silly, campy, somewhat insane piece of fluff - it was really pretty awesome. Tremendously entertaining, with some great comedy, cool fight scenes (though it took a while to get to them - my only real complaint is that it was longer than it really needed to be), enjoyable music and dance scenes, and even something resembling an actual plot. Maybe you have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it, but if you are, it's a ton of fun and I'd highly recommend it.

Some good family entertainment

[superman-51 · 7/10 · 27 July 2009]

I just saw the movie and i was surprised to read the reviews here. I don't know what the problem was, when i go to the movies, i want to be entertained, and I was. Even though the story wasn't believable, even though the action sequence weren't realistic. If that is the standard nowadays, most of the movies made can go straight to the trashcan (Superhero movies, horrors etc.)

What did the movie have for me. Some really good laughs (hey, give me some candy and call me a kid, if the jokes were to childish), I love Akshay Kumar and his humor. A beautiful girl, Deepika Padukone and some nice action scenes. Nearing the end, I didn't like some of the emotional scenes.

If you liked movies like Namastey London, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Singh Is Kinng then you'll like this one as well, and I encourage you to go and watch this one. If you are one of the other people who want a believable story, realistic action scenes, sophisticated humor etc. I suggest you don't watch movies at all!

Completely Paisa Vasool ( fully worth the Euro 10.50 !!)

[mbh690 · 3/10 · 16 January 2009]

Read the really bad reviews all over the news from indiafm etc etc. But come on, this is a Akshay Kumar movie. Over the last couple of years from the Khiladi movies to the Heera Pheeri movies to the Singh is King ( urban myth has it that the producer came up with the title first off a truck bumper sticker and then the story!) to this and we have all watched those and loved them, and this movie fits exactly into all of those.

Akshay Kumar is the true successor to the Bachchan of the 80s and 70s ( the Namak Halal, the AAA days!).

As everyone knows AK plays a chef who is mistaken for the reincarnation of Leing Shung ( famous Chinese legend who protected China on the Great Wall of China) and is taken off to China to save a village from Hujo.

Along the way he runs into Deepika who plays twin sisters ( and after a while an Indian actress has a substantial role in a time pass movie!, been a while since movies have had twin sisters, amnesia etc etc), falls in love, loses a family member and finally defeats the villain.

Go and watch this movie, it is well worth the time being spent.

( the caveat being : if you are in a mood for A Wednesday, Mumbai Meri Jaan , KKKG , KKHH, go watch Che Part 1 or Twilight or the Reader instead. If not go watch this , its a great 2.5 hours ).

Mad in China

[springsunnywinter · 1/10 · 15 January 2009]

It is the first Hindi film to be shot in China and is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Chandni Chowk to China is said to be a semi-autobiographical film portraying Akshay Kumar's life before he was an actor. He himself agreed that about 50% of the film is based on his life. The story is about a chef who is mistaken to be a reincarnated martial arts expert. While Deepika Padukone is essaying a double role in the film, a Chinese woman and an Indian woman. The action comedy is heavily inspired by the Jackie Chan movies.

Although I like Akshay Kumar & Deepika Padukone but I didn't really intend to see the film because I was put off by the dopey promos, dry music and I didn't like Akshay's previous two movies Tashan & Singh is Kinng. But my friend intended to see it and he wanted me to accompany him so I went to see it and anyway you can't judge a book by its cover and it was worse than I thought.

The whole movie especially the first 15 minutes was sooooooo daft that tried to be funny but it was laughably bad. When Akshay's dad kept on kicking his bum and he flew right up to the sky was so bad that I looked around to see if there was any excuse that I can find to walk away from the screen. The movie was really daft and insults your intelligence right from start to end and Akshay Kumar's reasonable performance and Deepika Padukone's Chinese look couldn't even save this turkey.

Chandni Chowk to China is supposed to be an action comedy but didn't have any action or comedy. The other downside is that the songs were not good and the only catchy tune is the rap song CC2C sung by Akshay Kumar and composed by Punjabi rapper Bohemia. Overall me and my friend regretted watching it and the movie made our day (sarcasm). Overall Akshay Kumar has a really bad habit of choosing bad and really bad films. If this continues as it was indicated in the end then there is no other choice to throw eggs and tomatoes at the director before the shooting begins.