Great Expectations: Dashed in China Town. Review on 36 China Town

Something seems to be going horribly wrong for Subhash Ghai! For every hit that Mukta Arts produces, there are two disappointments, even if they have been directed by very talented and experienced directors! So after an average 'Aitraaz' we had super dud 'Kisna' and after 'Iqbal' there is 'Shaadi Se Pahle' by Satish Kaushik (his first flop 'Badhai Ho Badhai' was also with Subhash Ghai only!).

Now the question is : Will '36 China Town' directed by Abbas-Mustan hit the jackpot? The mood and taste of Indian audiences are as unpredictable as Indian monsoon, but still I think that Mr. Ghai should be a worried man!

The movie is a true-blue Bollywood masala stuff! A potpourri of suspense and comedy garnished with a little bit romance. But it is the story that lets down completely, at least the who-dunnit aspect. There is no on-the-edge-of-seat suspense, even in the climax. More on this later.

This is a murder mystry and though all the characters are found roaming around the murder-scene at some point of time that night, no one seems to have a plausible motive of crime. Half the suspense goes on this point only!!

Then why everyone lies, even though most of them will be saved if they speak truth, is not clear to me. The seriousness of investigation which really makes such a film watchable, is lacking.

Dialogues are full of cliches. Sample these : 'Sir mujhe lagta hai ki yeh case bahut complex hai' and 'Case jitna complex hota hai, solve karne mein utna hi maza aata hai'! There are many such 'gems' around!

And whoever wrote the screenplay, I was shocked to see characters talking to themselves, as in a matter of thinking! This is not even funny, guys.

Coming to acting department. Akshaye Khanna underplays the role of the investigating inspector with élan and sophistication, but this gives his character certain coldness. Vivek Shauq plays his assistant, trying to light his cigarette throughout the movie (Notable in the last sequence, you have a caption on bottom of screen: Smoking is injurious to health!)

The personal life chemistry of Shaahid and Kareena comes very well onscreen and exudes charming warmth. Both these actors have performed very well, and though Shaahid's character has been marred by some sloppy writing in some sequences, he manages well. Kareena is looking stunning!

Paresh Rawal is such a wonderful actor, so I don't understand why he does such mindless characters. Johny Lever is better but only because he has done worse roles in many previous movies. Tanaaz Lal does well. Payal Rohtagi as usual in skimpy outfits in most of the movie and looks good! Isha Koppikar has a guest appearance (in which she sleepily acts and looks to be fresh from beauty parlor even though we are told she is very upset and taking sleeping pills) and thankfully she dies in first 5 minutes, but not before dancing in the hottest track of movie!

Am I leaving someone? No. Upen Patel deserves a separate mention. As a debutant you can't ask for more. He has been given enough exposure (pun intended as he shows-off his shaved bare chest) and he makes good use of this opportunity, playing a Casanova and play-boy. He acts well and looks his part.

Cinematography by Ravi Yadav is good. Music by Himesh Reshamiya is ok. 'Aa aa aashiqui' is good but all others are timepass. Background music by Saleem-Sulaiman is absolutely unimpressive!

All in all, this film raised great hopes, but doesn't match them. You can go to this movie only if you have nothing else to do, and ticket is cheap :)

My rating 2/5.