By Abdulla Mahmood
The New Year in Bollywood has kicked off with an action-packed comic rollercoaster ride.
Chandni Chowk To China (CC2C) has been awaited for many reasons – it stars box office darling Akshay Kumar and the happening Deepika Padukone for the first-time; it is the first big-budget Bollywood kung fu comedy; it marks the Bollywood debut of legendary Chinese actor Gordon Liu (of Kill Bill fame); it is directed by Nikhil Advani of Kal Ho Na Ho fame and it is backed by Hollywood giant Warner Bros. With so many high points, it’s not surprising that CC2C is considered a major crossover film.
Kung fu ‘King’
Kumar learnt martial arts when working as a chef in Bangkok. It’s his action skills and dashing personality that made him an instant hit in Bollywood. “I’ve enjoyed watching kung fu films and always wanted to do a film based on this martial art form. I am glad that I am finally getting to work in films like CC2C that allow me to showcase my kung fu skills. In fact, I would term this as Bollywood’s first kung fu masala flick,” says Kumar.
“It wasn’t easy to do the kung fu stunts simply because I wasn’t able to match the speed of the Chinese fighters. Thankfully with sufficient training, I managed to come close to their agility.”
Chinese connection
CC2C is the first Bollywood film to shoot on the Great Wall of China. Apart from Liu, who plays the bad guy, the movie features a number of other Chinese actors.
The film tells the story of how a cook from the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi is conned into believing he is a reincarnation
of an ancient Chinese peasant warrior and asked to return to China to fight for the oppressed Chinese. Though initially titled Made In China, it was later changed to CC2C, referring to Kumar’s journey to China.
“The film isn’t Kumar’s autobiography but there are some references to his personal life. It is basically a Bollywood fun film – a masala mix of Indian and Chinese culture,” says Advani.
Double act
Padukone is among the lucky few who debuted with a double role in Om Shanti Om. She does a double act in this movie too. She plays Miss TSM and Sakhi (one of the characters being Chinese).
“I am excited about CC2C not only because I play two characters, but because I get to do some amazing action stunts,” says Padukone.
“I am lucky that Akshay is my co-star as his knowledge of action sequences is vast and he was helpful in teaching various stunt techniques.”
Strong cast and crew
CC2C will ensure that enough mirth is created with the presence of comic-talent Ranvir Shorey as the Chinese Chopstick. Since playing a key role in Kumar’s blockbuster Singh Is Kinng, Shorey has developed a good rapport with Kumar. Mithun Chakraborty essays the role of Kumar’s godfather Dada. Coincidentally Chakraborty’s cult hit track Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost from Aap Ki Khatir (1976) has been rearranged as India Se Aaya Mera by its original music director Bhappi Lahiri and his son Bappa.
With such a formidable star cast and crew, Warner Bros. will be hoping to strike gold at the box office and erase their short-lived memories of producing a box office turkey called Saas, Bahu Aur Sensex.
Courtesy: gulfnews.com
