Ingredients- Salt, Pepper, Sugar, Spice, Lemon, Rain and Rice!
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Zohra Sehgal
Direction: R Balakrishnan
Genre:
Rating: *** ½
Official Website: http://www.erosentertainment.com/cheenikum/
Cheeni Kum falls in a different genre of movies, not like any Hindi Movie. It’s a mature romance with out bells and whistles or song and dance. The humor is subtle; the dialogs are caustic and straight forward; the cast is perfect, each actor has an outstanding performance; the music and songs are very pleasant; script is crisp and movie entertaining.
64 year old acidic bachelor, chef and owner of London Restaurant meets his match in the 34 year old strong minded quick witted unmarried tourist and patron at his restaurant.
Passionate & perfectionist in his art of cooking, but himself a simple vegetarian; arrogant and self assured, but sensitive of older mother and neighborhood kid; He is Bhuddhadev or fondly called ‘Ghass Phus’! The spirited, confident woman who hadn’t yet found the man to match her rational, straight forward attitude and wit is Neena also dotingly called by Bhuddhadev as ‘Tangdi Kabab’!
Zafrani Palao helps make their acquaintance, and London rains and one dear umbrella helps their relationship blossom. Their romance is matter of fact but their chemistry is amazing. Another interesting part is broaching and convincing the 58 year old retired, food and cricket lover and part time Gandhian, Neenas dad, Mr Verma about accepting their marriage!
Cheeni Kum makes a very interesting unconventional movie to watch. Good script and direction by Balakrishnan, who beautifully and positively handled an odd subject among Hindi audiences. Beautiful songs by Illayaraja- Cheeeni Kum, Sooni Sooni, Bathein mein, Jaane do, all are good to hear and hum. Amitabh and Tabu make an extraordinary pair with amazing performances as the pony tailed brattish old man Bhudhadev and brilliant acting by Tabu in a role perfectly carved for her. Good performances include Paresh Rawal’s, Zohra Sehgal’s and child artist Swini Khara’s. The Ironic romance and an urbane setting make it a delightful sugar free treat!
