The
incandescent Tabu makes Amitabh Bachchan run across the London
fields... "Just to see if you've the energy to do anything else,"
she tells him, her tongue firmly in cheek.
"Cheeni Kum" is probably the sauciest, slickest, and most
scrumptious romantic comedy you'll see in the Hindi language in a
long time.
She's in London for a holiday. He is a cantankerous sarcastic chef
who can't take a snub even when it's served up on a platter.
"Cheeni Kum" makes you forget there's a difference of 30 years
between the woman and the man. That's the magic of pure acting. The
magic of two of the finest actors at work as they create an
ebullient alchemy.
Also in this mellow ode to love, are an 85-year-old mom (Zohra
Sehgal) living life king-sized, and a seven-year-old terminally-ill
girl called Sexy (Swini Khara) who takes the chef as an intimate
friend and watches all adult DVDs he gets her, since she won't get a
chance to do so later.
Then there is the heroine's Gandhian father who can't stop reminding
his son-in-law-to-be of his autumnal age. And last but certainly not
the least, there's the churlish chef's kitchen staff comprising some
of the most sparkling cameo-actors you've seen.
Unarguably, one of the finest directorial talents in this
millennium, Balki just sweeps that age gap under the carpet.
It's hard to decide in which capacity Balki scores higher marks - as
director or dialogue writer. Caustic and crisp, modern and
passionate, the words weave magic across this intelligent yet
spontaneous comedy of romantic errors.
The flavour of the exchanges between the surly chef in London and
the serene Indian girl from Delhi, who makes the cardinal mistake of
criticising the arrogant chef's Hyderabadi biryani, are distinctly
pungent and peppery.
Just like the dishes from the kitchen of the Indian restaurant, the
brilliant banter between Amitabh and Tabu is light on top, cooked
just right and served at the right temperature.
As the relationship between the couple grows, you sense
undercurrents of defiant and mischievous feelings trickling out of
the verbal banter.
But then Amitabh and Tabu are that kind of actors. They imbue every
encounter on the rain-slickened streets of London into an occasion
to celebrate life.
Tabu is a natural scene-stealer and there seems to be no end to the
surprises Amitabh springs on us. To imagine "Cheeni Kum" without
Amitabh is to imagine that pivotal Hyderabadi biryani that brings
the couple together without saffron.
This intimate, amusing and warm character-study of love and its
sudden appearance in lives that have accepted its non-presence
derives considerable energy from the supporting cast.
But Paresh Rawal, who as Amitabh's outraged father-in-law-to-be, is
surprisingly bland. Zohra Sehgal, as Amitabh's spunky mom, and
little Swini give life to the narrative.
There are moments in this quirky, captivating and curvaceous cinema
that touch the highest notes of drama without getting hysterical.
However, one does notice flaws in the second half.
What makes "Cheeni Kum" so unique?
While Balki's word-spin takes the romance into areas of absolutely
seductive brightness, London and Delhi have been captured by P.C.
Sreeram's articulate cinematography. Ilayaraja's talcum-fresh
melodies add to the emotions.
It could also be the magic between Amitabh and Tabu, who seem to
look into each other's eyes and souls with such warmth that you
forget their age difference completely.
But there's more to it. "Cheeni Kum" is a film where the words match
the thoughts of the characters so well that you forget someone else
wrote the dialogues for the unlikely lovers.
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The
incandescent Tabu makes Amitabh Bachchan run across the London
fields... "Just to see if you've the energy to do anything else,"
she tells him, her tongue firmly in cheek. 