subject: Chaalis Chaurasi Movie Review [print this page] Hriday Shettys Chaalis Chaurasi doesnt boast of a heartthrob in a hero nor does it have a hot heroine. In a day and age when a strong marketing strategy can ensure cash registers ringing, the film conveniently misses even that. Then what is it that Hriday Shetty has on offer?
He has a strong star cast including veteran Nasseruddin Shah, tried and tested Kay Kay Menon, trustworthy Atul Kulkarni and an adequate Ravi Kissen. They might not have mass appeal but they have talent on their side. And we have seen films like Udaan, Hazaron Khwashein Aisi, Pyaar Ka Panchnama getting lapped up by audiences. So, is Chaalis Chaurasi another Udaan or a Khosla Ka Ghosla?
Chaalis Chaurasi could have been one of them, but unfortunately it is not. Why? Because, Chaalis Chaurasi lacks a couple of important ingredients of the success concoction strong content and good execution, despite the fact that the protagonists churn out a yummy dish sans a sound recipe.
The script of film appears good with the required amount of twists and turns but only on the paper. When it came to execution, Hriday Shetty is found dabbling with routine with nothing out of the box. The thought of turning an English Professor into a gyrating goon or an otherwise serious Atul Kulkarni doing some kamasutra comedy - sounds like a lot of laughter and creative satisfaction, which the actors bring to the film in their own capacities. But an actor cannot be the director.
Chaalis Chaurasi is the story of four friends, Pankaj Suri (Nasseruddin Shah), Albert Pinto, the car thief (Kay Kay Menon), Bobby, a struggling singer turned into a pimp (Atul Kulkarni), Shakti Chinnappa, a drug peddler (Ravi Kissen). They plan to rob a house that shelters note vending machine. The loot amount isRs.20 crores, and the plan to loot is - no plan at all.How they do that and what all comes their way during the ordeal forms the rest of the story.
The film builds up well with the four protagonists in a police van on beat. It looks they have finished their duty but soon comes the first twist. And with that begins theflash backofpast-lives of the fantastic fourand unnecessary song and dance sequences except the remixed Hawa Hawa.By the time film hits the interval, the tempo diffuses and you desparately wait for it to move. And mind you, till now theres no mention of the title of the film. However, whenit appears, it loses significance. Reason - dragged screenplay.
Second half shows some hope and thrill as the director tries to win over audiences interest level with a twist here and wholesome comedy there. But soon the suspense loses fizz, thanks to boring situations and transforms into a poor comedy caper, which falls flat with a very bad and half cooked climax, where all that the actors are doing is hitting one another. Good thing about the film is the camaraderie between the actors, who are at ease with each other as well as their characters. And their comic timing brings severalbouts of laughter. But at times you are confused about what are you laughing at comedy or stupidity.Good dialogues and some crisp editing could have saved this sinking ship,though cinematography does its due in making the film look like a thriller...or 'comic-thriller,' if a genre like this exists.
Performance wise, Nasseruddin Shah is in his elements but we would have appreciated if he had not ridiculed himself with so much of singing and dancing. Kay Kay Menon does a cool act swinging between a cool car thief and a coward guy.Ravi Kissen tries too hard with his emotional actingand pelvic thrusts. However, it isAtul Kulkarni whostands out with his first time comic act. He is a great surprise.
On the whole, Chaalis Chaurasi is a perfect exemplar of leaving a strong star cast underutilized. Just a one time watch!
Buzz Rating: 2/5
Director: Hriday Shetty
Starring: Nasserussin Shah, Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni, Ravi Kissen
