Director: Rohit Shetty
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Mukesh Tiwari
‘A Fun Blockbuster’
Few actresses in Bollywood are as beloved as Deepika Padukone. Ever since her rise towards stardom in the 2000’s, Padukone has become one of the best actresses in the Indian industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, teenagers or women facing marriage disaster, Padukone has proven that she has the ability to portray many bold characters. Padukone’s finest strength as an actress is versatility. Through strong ability to portray characters in a variety of genres, Padukone has proven to be an iconic actress in India. She is one of those actresses that has the ability to command every scene through her strong presence. An actress with undeniable charisma, Padukone has become an icon in India. Throughout her career, Padukone has produced several unforgettable movies that are certainly worth watching.
I’m a big fan of Padukone and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “Chennai Express” definitely stands out as her funniest movie. Released in 2013, Rohit Shetty’s movie offered a comedic portrait of doomed Chennai trains. Packed with strong musical sequences, engrossing storytelling and astonishing acting, it’s a breathtaking Bollywood action comedy. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Deepika Padukone, who embodies a woman seeking to embark upon a train expedition. Although “Chennai Express” is a captivating comedy, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing which often tests viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it offers fun entertainment for fans of Deepika Padukone.
Set in Chennai, “Chennai Express” tells the story of a young man embarking upon train journeys that terrify. Shah Rukh Khan plays Rahul, a young Indian man that has a strong devotion towards his family. After the tragic death of his grandfather, Rahul embarks on a journey to immerse his ashes into the Holy Water. Boarding the Chennai Express train, Rahul embarks on journeys to ease his pain. However, Rahul’s life forever changes when he falls in love with a South Indian woman. Meenamma (Deepika Padukone) is a fierce woman with strong connections towards a gangster family. As Rahul is hunted down by gangsters causing danger, he questions if he would ever be able to truly fulfill the last wishes of his grandfather.
Rohit Shetty has always been fascinated by the comedy genre. A brilliant Indian director, Shetty has often made engaging comedies evoking laughter. His iconic film “Golmaal” offered a hilarious glimpse at runaway cons facing a downfall. With “Chennai Express”, however, Shetty crated his first ever trains blockbuster. It was the filmmaker’s attempt capturing doomed trains facing adversity, but he succeeded. Evoking Aditya Chopra’s “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, Shetty uses stunning montages to capture lovers aboard trains. For instance, montages enhance the trains boarding scene. During this hilarious scene, Rahul reaches out his hands to assist Meenamma in catching the speeding train. Using stunning montages, Shetty creates a portrait of trains that’s engaging. Montages are complex techniques. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” demonstrated, montages elevate Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Shetty captures the tensions which doomed trains are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Chennai Express” that deserves recognition is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood comedies you will ever see. Emulating Imtiaz Ali’s “Jab We Met”, Shetty effectively uses the production of trains to capture lovers facing tension. Throughout the movie, the production of trains plays a crucial role. For instance, the production of the trains enhances the Titli Chennai song. During this heartwarming scene, Rahul and Meenamma form a strong bond together by bonding on a train. Using strong production, Shetty constructs music sequences that are engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the terrifying burden individuals on trains bear. Through stunning production, Shetty captures trains facing destruction.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Deepika Padukone delivers one of her best career performances as Meena. Padukone achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroines in classic Bollywood movies. With “Chennai Express”, however, she took upon her most comedic role. It isn’t easy to play a runaway bride that embarks upon a perilous journey but she succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in the past: intense, charismatic and funny in her most iconic role. With bold expressions, she captures the angst, bravery and grief of a runaway bride that embarks upon a train expedition. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actresses working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Deepika Padukone, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular, capturing a nature of a man embarking on a journey to fulfill last wishes of his grandfather. Mukesh Tiwari is magnificent, bringing menace to a corrupt cop that seeks to care for a doomed city. Lastly, Nikitin Dheer merits praise. As a villainous gangster, he brings menace to the movie.
Despite its powerful performances, however, “Chennai Express” can’t quite capture trains that face stress. If there’s a shortcoming to the film, it lacks truly engaging storytelling. Shetty’s decisions to focus solely on action sequences leaves no time for any character development. For instance, Rahul is a paper thin character that lacks a strong backstory. We’re barely given strong reasons if any to care about Rahul beyond the fact that he is portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan. Furthermore, the movie lacks a compelling ending. It’s an over-the top ending that lacks a satisfying resolution. At worst, it perpetrates a false message about trains that isn’t true toward reality. Therefore, “Chennai Express” can’t quite capture trains with success.
Nevertheless, fans of Deepika Padukone will absolutely enjoy “Chennai Express” and so will audiences that seek taut entertainment. A spellbinding Bollywood comedy, it honours a legendary actress with lasting legacy.
Nearly 25 years following the release of an iconic film about criminals embarking upon a journey on a doomed train, it’s a riveting reminder of a celebrated Indian actress that has managed to gain a huge fan following by her ability to portray strong characters in unforgettable movies which have never lost capacities to entertain.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 