Writer/Director: Aziz Mirza
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji and Juhi Chawla
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his rise toward recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangsters or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to the theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood the test of time as a great icon in Indian Cinema. Despite reaching the ages of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and admire all the films he has made in his career. However, “Chalte Chalte” definitely stands out as his most underrated work. Released in 2003. Aziz Mirza’s film offered a strong portrait of broken marriage. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and bold acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood films ever made. At the centre of it all is a terrific role by Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies a tormented husband in a broken marriage. Ultimately, what makes “Chalte Chalte” a romantic classic is universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, there’s many reasons why “Chalte Chalte” is a film that’s worth watching.
“Chalte Chalte” chronicles a story of a pair of lovers that face broken marriages which are cast away. Shah Rukh Khan embodies Raj Mathur, a street-smart businessman in search of success. Raj has always excelled at managing his life on his own without any need for love. However, Raj’s life drastically changes when he falls in love with a woman under pressure. Priya Chopra (Rani Mukerji) is a ferocious woman that has a contrasting personality. Despite their initial attraction to one another, Raj and Priya struggle to find love together. As all the odds become very stacked against his favour, Raj wonders if it is possible to find love. Faced with a broken marriage, Raj questions whether he could overcome damage.
Aziz Mirza is fascinated with the themes of doomed love in India. A terrific Bollywood filmmaker, Mirza has often made engaging movies about lovers that face disaster. His iconic movie “Yes Boss” offered a powerful portrait of couples torn apart in competitive jobs by a strict boss. With “Chalte Chalte”, however, the filmmaker made his first ever romantic drama. It was the director’s first attempt to capture marriages that are torn apart by tragedy but he succeeded. Evoking Robert Benton’s “Kramer vs. Kramer”, the filmmakers successfully use montages to capture couples torn apart by disaster. For instance, montages elevate the argument scene. During this memorable scene, Raj has an intense argument with Priya about their marriage. Through stunning montages, Mirza creates a portrait of broken marriage that’s compelling. Montages are complex techniques to use in most movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” did prove clearly, montages elevate Bollywood movies about broken marriages. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using bold visuals, Mirza captures tensions unhappily married couples are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Chalte Chalte” that merits recognition is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s truly one of the best Bollywood movies you will ever see. Evoking Yash Chopra’s “Silsila”, Mirza effectively uses cross-cutting to construct musical sequences that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Tobah Tumare Ishare song. During this memorable scene, Raj has a melodious song expressing his love for Priya. Using cross-cutting, Mirza creates a portrait of broken marriages that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the film an atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that lovers that are in broken marriages bear. Using strong production, Mirza captures marriages that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Chalte Chalte” is a romantic drama that’s engaging. The film is exceptionally written, and effectively uses silence to capture the tensions that couples in broken marriages experience. For instance, silence enhances the breakup scene. During this sad scene, Raj faces heartache when Priya makes the decision to leave him alone. Through use of silence, Mirza creates a portrait of a broken marriage audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” suggested, silence enhances movies about doomed love. Karan Johar’s “My Name is Khan” proved silence enhances Bollywood films about terrorism. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Mirza captures couples in broken marriages that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his finest career performances as Raj Mathur. Khan earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Chalte Chalte”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a tormented husband in a broken marriage which face adversities, but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of a husband in a broken marriage facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors in Bollywood today.
Rani Mukerji is remarkable as a woman that is trapped in a broken marriage which faces adversity. Mukerji has commonly excelled at playing emotional women which face stress, and “Chalte Chalte” proved her strengths as an actress. With breathtaking expressions, she captures the angst, grief and trauma of a woman that faces marriage tensions. It’s a great character which gave the actress a chance to showcase her powerful presence. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most talented actresses working in India today.
Finally, “Chalte Chalte” would earn praise of everyone do capturing complex marriages in India today. Unlike most Bollywood films created in the early 2000’s which are often outdated, it has aged beautifully. The film discusses strong themes including career, marriage and poverty which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Indian culture to appreciate it. Therefore, “Chalte Chalte” is one of those rare Indian films that everyone will definitely adore.
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan would absolutely enjoy “Chalte Chalte” and so would movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment. A riveting romantic drama, it celebrates an actor with charisma.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a couple that face a broken marriage, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a fantastic actor that has made memorable films throughout his long-lasting career which have never lost their abilities to engage.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 