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{{Short description|2009 film by Nikkhil Advani}}
{{Infobox Film
| name = Chandni Chowk to China
{{Other uses|Chandni Chowk (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
| image = Chandnichowktochina.jpg
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
| caption = Promotional movie poster
{{Infobox film
| writer = Sridhar Raghavan (screenplay)
| name = Chandni Chowk to China
| starring = [[Akshay Kumar]]<br>[[Deepika Padukone]]<br>[[Mithun Chakraborty]]<br>[[Ranvir Shorey]]
| director = [[Nikhil Advani]]
| image = Chandni Chowk to China.jpg
| producer = [[Rohan Sippy]]
| alt = <!-- see WP:ALT -->
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| cinematography =
| editing =
| director = [[Nikkhil Advani]]
| producer = {{plainlist|
| distributor = [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] <br> Ramesh Sippy Entertainment
*[[Rohan Sippy]]
| released = 16 January, 2009
*[[Ramesh Sippy]]
| runtime =
*Mukesh Talreja
| language = [[Hindi]]
| country = {{IND}}
| budget = 510,000,000 INR
| music = [[Shankar Mahadevan]] <br>[[Ehsaan Noorani]] <br>[[Loy Mendonsa]] <br>[[Kailash Kher]] <br>[[Bappi Lahiri]]<br> [[Bohemia (musician)|Bohemia]]
| awards =
| budget = $12 million (51 Crores INR)<ref name="budget">{{cite web|title=radiosargam.com|film=Made In China has had a name change|url=http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archives/9069/made-in-china-has-had-a-name-change.html|accessdaymonth=2 December|accessyear=2007}}</ref>
| budget =
| gross = 448,648,679 INR <br> (as of 19 January,2009)
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| imdb_id = 1091229
| website = http://www.cc2c-thefilm.com
}}
}}
| writer =
'''''Chandni Chowk to China''''' ({{lang-hi|चाँदनी चौक टू चाईना }}, {{lang-ur|چاندنی چوک ٹوُ چائنا }}) is a [[Hindi]] film which released on 16th January 2009. It is directed by [[Nikhil Advani]] and stars [[Akshay Kumar]] and [[Deepika Padukone]] in the lead roles, with Hindi cinema veteran [[Mithun Chakraborty]] and [[Hong Kong action cinema]] veteran [[Gordon Liu]] among the co-stars. The film is the first Hindi film shot in China.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} However, many parts of the film were shot in [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]],<ref>[http://www.bollywoodmovies.us/blog/2008/03/deepika-padukone-in-bangkok.html BollywoodMovies.US: "Deepika Padukone in Bangkok"], March 24, 2008]</ref><ref name="news" /> although some of the China scenes were shot in sets in the [[Shanghai Film Studio]].<ref name="news">[http://www.newsline365.com/20083459/chandni-chowk-to-china-shot-mostly-in-bangkok/ NewsLine365.com: "Chandni Chowk to China shot mostly in Bangkok"], no date</ref> This is [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]' first Hindi film.<ref name="news">[http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2009/jan/100109-CC2C-ChandniChowktoChina-Bollywood-splash-US-AkshayKumar-DeepikaPaukone.htm CC2C Warner Bros. First Hindi Movie]</ref> The film is the first Bollywood movie to get a North American release from a major studio.<ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090114/REVIEWS/901149997 Chandni Chowk to China]. [[Roger Ebert]]. ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''</ref>
| screenplay = {{plainlist|
*[[Rajat Arora]]
*[[Shridhar Raghavan]]
}}
| story = {{plainlist|
*Rajat Arora
*Shridhar Raghavan
}}
| based_on =
| starring = {{plainlist|
*[[Akshay Kumar]]
*[[Deepika Padukone]]
*[[Mithun Chakraborty]]
*[[Ranvir Shorey]]
*[[Roger Yuan]]
*[[Gordon Liu]]
}}
| music = {{plainlist|
*'''Songs:'''
*[[Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy]]
*[[Kailasa (band)|Kailasa]]
*[[Kailash Kher]]
*Naresh
*Paresh
*[[Bappi Lahiri]]
*[[Bohemia (musician)|Bohemia]]
*'''Background Score:'''
*Daniel B. George
}}
| narrator =
| cinematography = Himman Dhamija
| editing = Aarif Shaikh
| studio = Ramesh Sippy Entertainment<br>People Tree Entertainment<ref name="afi">{{cite web|title=Chandni Chowk to China (2009)|work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|access-date=24 February 2021|url=http://catalog.afi.com/Film/64852-CHANDNI-CHOWKTOCHINA?sid=f7f76fdc-3d51-45c1-a374-cf8a911e6682&sr=16.354998&cp=1&pos=0}}</ref>
| distributor = [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2009|1|16|}}
| runtime = 154 minutes
| country = India
| language = {{plainlist|
*Hindi
*Mandarin
}}
| budget = {{INRConvert|800|m}}<ref name=ECON/>
| gross = {{INRConvert|1.2|b}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU|title=Box Office India.com: Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide (IND Rs)|publisher=boxofficeindia}}</ref>
}}

'''''Chandni Chowk to China''''' (shortened to '''''CC2C''''') is a 2009 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[martial arts]] [[action comedy film]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/ramesh-sippys-chandni-chowk-to-china-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mty0ndu|title=Ramesh Sippy's Chandni Chowk To China|website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref> directed by [[Nikkhil Advani]] and stars [[Akshay Kumar]] and [[Deepika Padukone]], with [[Mithun Chakraborty]] and [[Hong Kong action cinema]] actor [[Gordon Liu]] among the co-stars. In addition to being shot in China, many parts of the film were shot in [[Bangkok]], Thailand,<ref>[http://www.bollywoodmovies.us/blog/2008/03/deepika-padukone-in-bangkok.html BollywoodMovies.US: "Deepika Padukone in Bangkok"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129095424/http://www.bollywoodmovies.us/blog/2008/03/deepika-padukone-in-bangkok.html |date=29 January 2009 }}, 24 March 2008.</ref><ref name="news" /> although some of the China scenes were shot in sets on the [[Shanghai Film Studio]].<ref name="news">[http://www.newsline365.com/20083459/chandni-chowk-to-china-shot-mostly-in-bangkok/ NewsLine365.com: "Chandni Chowk to China shot mostly in Bangkok"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206011318/http://www.newsline365.com/20083459/chandni-chowk-to-china-shot-mostly-in-bangkok/ |date=6 December 2008 }}, no date.</ref> The film revolves around a vegetable cutter from [[Chandni Chowk]] in [[Delhi]] who finds himself on an adventure in China after the residents of an oppressed village deem him to be the [[reincarnation]] of a slain Chinese revolutionary.


Distributed in the U.S. and co-produced by [[Warner Bros.]], it is the third [[Bollywood]] movie made and distributed in partnership with a major Hollywood studio, following [[Sony]]'s ''[[Saawariya]]'' (2007) and [[Walt Disney Pictures]]' [[animated feature]] ''[[Roadside Romeo]]'' (2008).<ref>[http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/news-and-features/features/movies/e3ib2281aad370d31feaaf4da3296c4068b Chhabra, Aseem, "From Bollywood to Chinatown: Warner Bros. teams with India for 'Chandni Chowk' martial-arts musical"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022083947/http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/news-and-features/features/movies/e3ib2281aad370d31feaaf4da3296c4068b |date=22 October 2014 }}, ''[[Film Journal International]]'', 14 January 2009.</ref> It is [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]' first Hindi film.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Indo-Asian News Service|location=Washington/New York |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2009/jan/100109-CC2C-ChandniChowktoChina-Bollywood-splash-US-AkshayKumar-DeepikaPaukone.htm |title=CC2C's Bollywood splash in US |publisher=Mid-day.com |date=2009-01-10 |access-date=2014-03-28}}</ref> Released on 16 January 2009.<ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/india/yearly/?yr=2009&p=.htm India Yearly Box Office – 2009]. ''boxofficemojo.com''.</ref> [[Indiagames]] had also released a [[mobile video game]] based on the film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chandni Chowk To China |url=https://phoneky.com/games/?id=j3j93824 |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=phoneky.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Cast ==
* [[Akshay Kumar]] ... Sidhu
* [[Deepika Padukone]] ... Sakhi (a.k.a. Ms.TSM) / Suzy (a.k.a. Meow Meow)
* [[Mithun Chakraborty]] ... Dada
* [[Gordon Liu]] ... Hojo
* [[Ranvir Shorey]] ... Chopstick
* [[Roger Yuan]] ... Chiang Kohung


==Plot==
==Plot==
The film begins with the story of [[Great Wall of China|the Great Wall of China]] and the brave warrior [[Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan|Liu Sheng]]. It then shows the evil smuggler Hojo's tyranny in the village of Zhange in the present.
Sidhu (Akshay Kumar) is a lowly vegetable cutter at a roadside food stall in the [[Chandni Chowk]] section of [[Delhi]]. He longs to escape his dreary existence and looks for shortcuts with [[astrologer]]s, [[tarot card]] readers, and fake [[fakir]]s, refusing to believe in himself despite his foster father Dada's (Mithun Chakravorty) best efforts. When two strangers from China claim him as a reincarnation of a war hero in the past and take him to China, Sidhu, thanks to devious translations by his con-man buddy Chopstick (Ranvir Shorey), believes he will be taken to an exotic land and feted as a hero. In actuality, the Chinese men want him to rid their Chinese village of the vicious smuggler Hojo (Gordon Liu).


Sidhesh Sharma, aka Sidhu, is a simple vegetable cutter at a roadside food stall in the [[Chandni Chowk]] section of [[Delhi]]. He consults [[astrologer]]s, [[tarot card]] readers, and fake [[fakir]]s to turn around his destiny despite his foster father, Dada, pushing him to believe in himself instead. When two Zhange villagers from [[China]] claim him as a [[reincarnation]] of 'Liu Sheng,' Sidhu, encouraged by trickster Chopstick, believes he will be feted as a hero and travels to China with them, unaware of his recruitment to assassinate Hojo and free the village.
Sidhu blissfully sets forth to China with Chopstick. Along the way he meets Sakhi (Deepika Padukone), the Indian-Chinese spokesmodel known as Ms. Tele Shoppers Media, or Ms. TSM, who is traveling to the land of her birth and of her presumed-dead father and her twin sister, Suzy. Suzy, also known as the [[femme fatale]] Meow Meow (also played by Padukone), works for Hojo, not knowing Hojo tried to kill her father. Sidhu, through a series of lucky coincidences, initially manages to sidestep being beaten by Hojo's men, but Hojo eventually catches up with him and exposes him as the buffoon he really is. Hojo kills Dada, and a disgraced Sidhu, left for dead himself, vows revenge. He encounters an [[amnesia]]c vagrant who turns out to be former Police Chief Chiang, the father of Sakhi and Suzy. Chiang recovers his memory, with his Kung Fu skills still intact. He takes Sidhu on as his apprentice, and after months of training, Sidhu sets off to defeat Hojo, free the village, reunite the sisters, and win Sakhi's love.


On the way to China, Sidhu meets Sakhi, an Indian-Chinese spokesmodel. Her twin sister Suzy, known as the [[femme fatale]] Meow Meow, works for Hojo, not knowing the truth: that Hojo tried to kill her father, Inspector Chiang, and stole her from him as a baby. Chiang is now an [[amnesia]]c vagrant living around the Great Wall tourist area. Sidhu realizes the truth about why he was brought to the village. Scared, he apologizes to Hojo, exposing himself as a loser to the village. Dada arrives and starts beating Hojo's men, yelling at Sidhu to stand and fight. Hojo kills Dada and dumps Sidhu over the Great Wall. Injured and disgraced, Sidhu is saved by the amnesiac Chiang from falling to his death and spends three months healing. Upon waking up, he is devastated at losing Dada and vows revenge. Meanwhile, Chopstick, similarly devastated at being responsible for what happened to Sidhu, has infiltrated Hojo's gang to help reunite Sakhi with Suzy.
== Production ==
The film, earlier known as ''Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo'' and also ''Made in China'',<ref name="namechange">[http://www.naachgaana.com/2007/12/08/mithun-in-chandni-chowk-to-china/ Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network, "Mithun in Chandni Chowk to China?"] via Naachgaana.com, December 8, 2007</ref> is written by Sridhar Raghavan. Distributed in the U.S. and co-produced by [[Warner Bros.]], it is the third Bollywood movie made and distributed in partnership with a major Hollywood studio, following [[Sony]]'s ''[[Saawariya]]'' (2007) and [[Walt Disney Pictures]]' [[animated feature]] ''[[Roadside Romeo]]'' (2008).<ref>[http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/news-and-features/features/movies/e3ib2281aad370d31feaaf4da3296c4068b Chhabra, Aseem, "From Bollywood to Chinatown: Warner Bros. teams with India for 'Chandni Chowk' martial-arts musical"], ''[[Film Journal International]]'', January 14, 2009</ref>


During Sidhu's first attempt at attacking Hojo, Sakhi, and Chopstick see him and realize with joy that he is alive. Chiang recovers his memory after seeing Sidhu and Sakhi together and is reunited with his daughter. He trains Sidhu in [[kung fu]] so he can go up against Hojo. Hojo lies to Suzy that Chiang killed her real father; she stabs Chiang in retaliation but realizes that Hojo lied to her when she sees her twin, Sakhi. She then betrays Hojo and returns to her family. Sidhu fights Hojo in single combat, eventually using his own vegetable-cutting technique to overpower him and finally kill him.
Shooting began in January 2008 and included a schedule in [[China]].<ref name="Film info">[http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k7/aug/aug307.php Indiantelevision.com, "Warner Bros to distribute Nikhil Advani's 'Made in China'"], August 21, 2007</ref>


In the aftermath, Sidhu opens a vegetable stand in China and is recruited to help African Pygmies.{{efn|The [[end credits]] of the film contain a teaser for a sequel titled ''Chandni Chowk to Africa'' and a sequel was planned by [[Warner Bros India]] but did not materialize.<ref>[https://businessofcinema.com/bollywood-news/after-cc2c-warner-bros-eyes-chandni-chowk-to-africa/26561 After CC2C, Warner Bros eyes Chandni Chowk To Africa]. ''[[Business of Cinema]]''. 16 January 2009.</ref>}}
The music is by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. The film also features music by Kailash Kher, Bappi Lahiri-Bappa Lahiri and a rap song sung by Akshay Kumar and composed by Punjabi rapper [[Bohemia (musician)|Bohemia]]. The soundtrack album was released December 2, 2008.


==Cast==
The film was rated PG-13 by the MPAA, for violence and martial arts action.
* [[Akshay Kumar]] as Sidhesh "Sidhu" Sharma / [[Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan|Liu Sheng]] (dual role)
*[[Deepika Padukone]] as Sakhi / Miss TSM and Suzy / Meow Meow (dual Role)
* [[Ranvir Shorey]] as Chopstick
* [[Mithun Chakraborty]] as Dada / Mr. Sharma (extended appearance)
* [[Anushka Sharma]] as a singer in the bar at [[Africa]] (cameo appearance)
* [[Roger Yuan]] as Police Inspector Chiang Kohung
* [[Gordon Liu]] as Hojo
* [[Kiran Juneja]] as Chiang's wife
* [[Kevin Wu]] as Frankie
* [[Conan Stevens]] as Joey

== Production ==
The film, earlier known as ''Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo'' and also ''Made in China'',<ref name="namechange">[http://www.naachgaana.com/2007/12/08/mithun-in-chandni-chowk-to-china/ Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network, "Mithun in Chandni Chowk to China?"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213161030/http://www.naachgaana.com/2007/12/08/mithun-in-chandni-chowk-to-china/ |date=13 December 2007 }} via Naachgaana.com, 8 December 2007</ref> is written by Sridhar Raghavan.

Shooting began in January 2008 and included a schedule in China.<ref name="Film info">[http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k7/aug/aug307.php Indiantelevision.com, "Warner Bros to distribute Nikhil Advani's 'Made in China'"], 21 August 2007</ref>


==Release==
==Release==

===Box office reception===
===Box office reception===
''Chandni Chowk to China'' earned {{INRConvert|330|m}} in its opening weekend.<ref name=ECON>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Media__Entertainment_/Chandni_Chowk_to_China_crosses_Rs_33_cr_at_local_box_office/articleshow/4004243.cms Chandni Chowk to China crosses Rs 33 cr at local box office], ''[[The Economic Times]]'', 20 January 2009</ref> It went on to earn a total of {{INRConvert|407|m}} in India.<ref name=BOI>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/Movies/movie_detail/chandni_chowk_to_china |title=Chandni Chowk To China |website=Box Office India |accessdate=2014-03-28}}{{Subscription required|date=March 2014}}</ref> The film's total North American box office in the four weeks of running was $921,738, and total worldwide gross was $13,439,480.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=chandnichowktochina.htm |title=Chandni Chowk to China |publisher=BoxOfficeMojo.com |date=2009-02-12 |accessdate=2014-03-28}}</ref><ref name=BOI/>
''Chandni Chowk to China'' earned INR 330 million (210 million net) in its opening weekend.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-great-fall-of-chandni-chowk-to-china/413436/1 The great fall of 'Chandni Chowk To China'],[[The Indian Express]], January 20, 2009</ref><ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Media__Entertainment_/Chandni_Chowk_to_China_crosses_Rs_33_cr_at_local_box_office/articleshow/4004243.cms Chandni Chowk to China crosses Rs 33 cr at local box office], ''[[The Economic Times]]'', January 20, 2009</ref>
<ref>[http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=739&nCat=news&PHPSESSID=fc0909234a468478277eb2a13473eb26 Chandni Chowk To China Grosses 8.50 Crore Overseas],www.boxofficeindia.com, January 20, 2009</ref> The overseas collection for the first weekend was approximately INR 85 million.<ref>[http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=743&nCat=news&PHPSESSID=fc0909234a468478277eb2a13473eb26 CC2C Grosses 21 Crore Nett Over First Weekend ],www.boxofficeindia.com, January 20, 2009</ref> The film's North American box office was $685,798 as of January 19, 2009.<ref>[http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=chandnichowktochina.htm BoxOfficeMojo.com: ''Chandni Chowk to China'']</ref>
===Reception===
The movie received 48% positive ratings on the film-critics aggregate site [[Rotten Tomatoes]] <ref>[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chandni_chowk_to_china/ RottenTomatoes.com: ''Chandni Chowk to China'']</ref> and a 44 out of 100 score from [[Metacritic]].<ref>[http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/chandnichowktochina Chandni Chowk to China. Metacritic]</ref> [[Claudia Puig]] of ''[[USA Today]]'' said, "This Indian/Chinese cinematic hybrid is likable and entertaining but overlong and occasionally hokey", and that star Akshay Kumar's "physical humor brings to mind [[Jim Carrey]]".<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-01-15-chandni_N.htm Puig, Claudia, "'Chandni Chowk' takes meandering journey across Asia"], ''[[USA Today]]'', January 16, 2009</ref> John Anderson of ''[[Variety]]'' wrote, "If "Chandni Chowk to China" were a person, it would need Valium", and found that "everything is fast and furious, hilarious, hysterical and frantic. Some of the sequences ... are quite beautiful and, in the case of the dance numbers featuring Padukone, stunning. But it's the fight scenes ... that truly take off".<ref>[http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939339.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 Anderson, John. ''Chandni Chowk to China'' (review)], ''[[Variety]]'', January 15, 2009</ref> [[Frank Lovece]] of ''[[Newsday]]'' wrote, "Less a Bollywood bonbon than a pan-Asian fusion dish, this combination of Indian musical and Chinese chopsocky is, nonetheless, delicious fun".<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/ny-etcc5998902jan16a,0,5220071.story Lovece, Frank. ''Chandni Chowk to China'' (review)], ''[[Newsday]]'', January 16, 2009</ref>


===Critical reception===
Among negative critics, Steven Rae of ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' stated that, "''Chandni Chowk'' is entertainingly goofy for about 30 minutes. And then, for the next two hours-plus, it's agony."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/steven_rea/20090116_A__Slumdog__this_one_surely_is_not.html|title= A 'Slumdog' this one surely is not|author=Rae, Steven | publisher=''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]''|date=2009-01-16}}</ref> Scott Tobias of ''[[The Onion]]'' described the film as "crass, schizophrenic, culturally insensitive, horribly paced, and shameless in its pandering to the lowest common denominator",<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.avclub.com/articles/chandni-chowk-to-china,22420/ |title= Chandni Chowk To China |publisher = ''[[The Onion]]''|author=Tobias, Scott |date=2009-01-15}}</ref> while [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' said, "This galumphing 
elephant of a chopsocky revenge-of-the-[[nerd]] quasi-musical lacks the lyrical [[choreography|choreographic]] beauty that has marked such Stateside Bollywood releases as the gorgeous ''[[Lagaan]]''".<ref>[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20252601,00.html Gleiberman, Owen. ''Chandni Chowk to China'' (review)], ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' January 14, 2009</ref> [[Michael Phillips (critic)|Michael Philips]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' called the film "a massive and rather tiring showcase for Bollywood action hero Akshay Kumar".<ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-chandni-review-0116jan16,0,1174162.story Philips, Michael. "'Chandni Chowk to China': Bollywood hybrid fails to fly"], ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', January 21, 2009</ref> Indian critic [[Taran Adarsh]] gave the movie 1.5/5 stars, calling it "a big, big, big letdown"<ref>[http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/136http://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Chandni_Chowk_to_China&action=edit50/index.html Adarsh, Taran, ''Chandni Chowk To China'' (review)], BollywoodHungama.com</ref>. [[Rajeev Masand]] of [[IBN]] termed it a tiring watch, while praising Kumar's performance.<ref>[http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-movie-reviewchandni-chowka-misadventure/82944-8.html Masand, Rajeev. "Masand's Movie Review: ''Chandni Chowk''...a misadventure] IBNLive.com</ref>.
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=42|count=59|average=5.2|consensus=A thin plot is disguised by high octane dancing and action in this Bollywood crossover comedy.|ref=yes |access-date=July 16, 2022}} {{Metacritic film prose| score=44 |count=22 |ref=yes |access-date=}} Claudia Puig of ''[[USA Today]]'' said, "This Indian/Chinese cinematic hybrid is likable and entertaining but overlong and occasionally hokey", and that Kumar's "physical humor brings to mind [[Jim Carrey]]".<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-01-15-chandni_N.htm Puig, Claudia, "'Chandni Chowk' takes meandering journey across Asia"], ''[[USA Today]]'', 16 January 2009</ref> John Anderson of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote, "If ''Chandni Chowk to China'' were a person, it would need [[Valium]]", and found that "everything is fast and furious, hilarious, hysterical and frantic. Some of the sequences as are quite beautiful and, in the case of the dance numbers featuring Padukone, stunning. But it's the fight scenes as that truly take off".<ref>[https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939339.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 Anderson, John. ''Chandni Chowk to China'' (review)], ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', 15 January 2009</ref> [[Frank Lovece]] of ''[[Newsday]]'' wrote, "Less a Bollywood bonbon than a pan-Asian fusion dish, this combination of Indian musical and Chinese chopsocky is, nonetheless, delicious fun".<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/ny-etcc5998902jan16a,0,5220071.story Lovece, Frank. ''Chandni Chowk to China'' (review)], ''[[Newsday]]'', 16 January 2009</ref>

Steven Rae of ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' stated that, "''Chandni Chowk'' is entertainingly goofy for about 30 minutes. And then, for the next two hours-plus, it's agony."<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/steven_rea/20090116_A__Slumdog__this_one_surely_is_not.html|title= A 'Slumdog' this one surely is not|author=Rae, Steven | newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=16 January 2009}}</ref> Scott Tobias of ''[[The Onion]]'' described the film as "crass, schizophrenic, culturally insensitive, horribly paced, and shameless in its pandering to the lowest common denominator",<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.avclub.com/chandni-chowk-to-china-1798205502 |title= Chandni Chowk To China |publisher = [[The Onion]]|author=Tobias, Scott |date=15 January 2009}}</ref> while [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' said, "This galumphing elephant of a chopsocky revenge-of-the-[[nerd]] quasi-musical lacks the lyrical [[choreography|choreographic]] beauty that has marked such Stateside Bollywood releases as the gorgeous ''[[Lagaan]]''".<ref>[https://ew.com/article/2009/01/14/chandni-chowk-china/ Gleiberman, Owen. ''Chandni Chowk to China'' (review)], ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' 14 January 2009</ref> [[Michael Phillips (critic)|Michael Philips]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' called the film "a massive and rather tiring showcase for Bollywood action hero Akshay Kumar".<ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-chandni-review-0116jan16,0,1174162.story Philips, Michael. "'Chandni Chowk to China': Bollywood hybrid fails to fly"], ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', 21 January 2009</ref> Indian critic [[Taran Adarsh]] gave the movie 1.5/5 stars, calling it "a big, big, big letdown".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080415002923/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/13650/index.html Adarsh, Taran, ''Chandni Chowk To China'' (review)], BollywoodHungama.com</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] of [[CNN-IBN|IBN]] termed it a tiring watch, while praising Kumar's performance.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090119235211/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-movie-reviewchandni-chowka-misadventure/82944-8.html Masand, Rajeev. "Masand's Movie Review: ''Chandni Chowk''asa misadventure] IBNLive.com</ref>

The film has received one award nomination, with [[Deepika Padukone]] being nominated for Best Actress at the [[3rd Asian Film Awards]] held in March 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nominees for the third Asian Film Awards|newspaper=[[The Jakarta Post]]|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/22/nominees-third-asian-film-awards.html|accessdate=6 February 2016|date=22 March 2009|author=The Associated Press, Hong Kong|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309130733/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/22/nominees-third-asian-film-awards.html|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Controversy==
==Controversy==
In [[Nepal]], there were protests against the film due to a passing claim that Buddha was born in India; [[Lumbini]], which according to Buddhist tradition is the birthplace of Buddha, is located in modern-day Nepal. Several shows were cancelled due to heavy protests from students and youth groups. <ref name="DNAINDIA">[http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1222726 India is Buddha's birthplace in Chandni..., Nepal fumes], [[DNA (newspaper)|Daily News and Analysis]], retrieved on Jan 20, 2009</ref> Protests included threats by Buddhists to burn movie theaters that screened the film, and [[Indophobic]] racial slurs hurled at the Indian embassy in Katmandu<ref name="DNAINDIA"/>.
In [[Nepal]], there were protests against the film due to a passing claim that [[Buddha]] was born in India; [[Lumbini]], which is the birthplace of Buddha, is located in [[Nepal]].


Several shows were cancelled in [[Nepal]] due to the protests.<ref name="DNAINDIA">[http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1222726 India is Buddha’s birthplace in 'Chandni...', Nepal fumes], [[DNA (newspaper)|Daily News and Analysis]], retrieved on 20 January 2009</ref> Protestors threatened to burn cinemas that screened the film, and racial slurs like "[[Dhoti]]" were hurled against Indians online.<ref name="DNAINDIA"/>
The protests continued for several days, despite the Nepali distributor editing out the piece of narration that mentioned Buddha in the copies of the film shown in Nepal. On Thursday, January 22, Nepali cinemas stopped screening ''Chandni Chowk to China''.<ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Chandni_Chowk_to_China_banned_in_Nepal/rssarticleshow/4016801.cms Chandni Chowk to China 'banned' in Nepal], [[The Economic Times]], retrieved on Jan 23, 2009</ref>In terms of historicity, [[Gautam Buddha]] was born in Lumbini, in modern day Nepal. However, the entire region of [[South Asia]] was called India in ancient times by Greek historian [[Herodotus]] in [[400 B.C.]]<ref>The Indian Empire The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 2, p. 272.</ref>. The Greek historian [[Megasthenes]], mentions Buddha's birthplace as being in India.<ref>Megasthenes and Indian Religion
By Allan Dahlaquist, Motilal Banarsidass, (January 1, 1996) ISBN-10: 8120813235, ISBN-13: 978-8120813236</ref> This semantic confusion arises because the territories of [[ancient India]] are different from the modern day [[Republic of India]]


The protests continued for several days, despite the Nepali distributor deleting the piece of narration that mentioned Buddha in the copies of the film shown in Nepal. On 22 January, Nepali cinemas stopped and banned screening ''Chandni Chowk to China''.<ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Chandni_Chowk_to_China_banned_in_Nepal/rssarticleshow/4016801.cms Chandni Chowk to China 'banned' in Nepal], [[The Economic Times]], retrieved on 23 January 2009</ref>
== Music ==
The music of ''Chandni Chowk to China'' was released on December 2, 2008. The album features composers as diverse as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Kailash-Paresh-Naresh, Bappi Lahiri-Bappa Lahiri and Bohemia (musician). Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama.com rated it 3.5/5, claiming, "''Chandni Chowk to China'' is clearly the next musical hit in the making."<ref name="music review"> {{cite web|title=bollywoodhungama.com|film=Music Review|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/13650/index.html|accessdaymonth=6 December|accessyear=2008}} </ref>


In the aftermath of the Nepal controversy, actor [[Shekhar Suman]] criticised the film with some derogatory and rude comments. He also stated the movie is an amateurish attempt by Nikhil Advani, terming it as a "worst" film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/Shekhar-Suman-blasts-Akki-and-CC2C-28517|title=Shekhar Suman blasts Akki and CC2C|work=MidDay|publisher=Upala KBR|date=19 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422073737/https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/Shekhar-Suman-blasts-Akki-and-CC2C-28517|archive-date=22 April 2023}}</ref> Mostly, supporters of Kumar, especially Nikhil Advani stated that it was a publicity stunt to bring Suman's son [[Adhyayan Suman|Adhyayan]] in limelight for release of his film ''[[Raaz: The Mystery Continues]]''. Suman replied to the claim that it was not a publicity act and the latter apologized to Kumar for it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/shekhar-suman-apologises-to-akshay-for-chandni-chowk-comments_21581.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305001633/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/shekhar-suman-apologises-to-akshay-for-chandni-chowk-comments_21581.html|title=Shekhar Suman apologises to Akshay for 'Chandni Chowk...' comments|publisher=[[Zee News]]|work=[[Zee Entertainment Enterprises]]|archivedate=5 March 2017|access-date=8 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Big-mouth Shekhar apologises to Akshay |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/big-mouth-shekhar-apologises-to-akshay-38444-2009-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422074338/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/big-mouth-shekhar-apologises-to-akshay-38444-2009-01-30 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |publisher=[[India Today]] |date=30 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=K. Jha |first=Subhash |date=26 January 2009 |title=Shekhar Suman apologises to Akshay |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid/shekhar-suman-apologises-to-akshay/story-G4csczQAb1HbRN5QjTSAsK.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422074622/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid/shekhar-suman-apologises-to-akshay/story-G4csczQAb1HbRN5QjTSAsK.html |archive-date=22 April 2023 |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>
The album consists of the following eight tracks:

{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
== Music ==
| Name = Chandni Chowk to China
{{Infobox album
| Type = [[Album]]
| Artist = [[Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy]]
| name = Chandni Chowk to China
| Cover =
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy]], [[Bappi Lahiri]], Bappa Lahiri, [[Kailasa (band)|Kailasa]], [[Kailash Kher]], Paresh, Naresh and [[Bohemia (rapper)|Bohemia]]
| Released = December 2, 2008
| Recorded =
| cover =
| alt =
| Genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| Length =
| released = 4 December 2008
| Label =
| recorded = 2008
| Producer =
| venue =
| Reviews =
| studio =
| Last album = ''[[Rock On!! (2008 film)|Rock on!!]]''
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 37:43
| This album = ''Chandni Chowk to China''
| Next album = ''[[Luck by Chance]]''
| label = [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]
| producer = [[Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy]]
| chronology = [[Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy]]
| prev_title = [[Konchem Istam Konchem Kastam]]
| prev_year = 2008
| next_title = [[Luck by Chance (soundtrack)|Luck by Chance]]
| next_year = 2008
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Bappi Lahiri]]
| type = Soundtrack
| prev_title = [[Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (2007 film)|Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron]]
| prev_year = 2007
| title = Chandni Chowk to China
| year = 2008
| next_title = My Love
| next_year = 2009
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Kailasa (band)|Kailasa]]
| type = Soundtrack
| prev_title = [[Dasvidaniya]]
| prev_year = 2008
| title = Chandni Chowk to China
| year = 2008
| next_title = [[Chaandan Mein]]
| next_year = 2009
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Bohemia (rapper)|Bohemia]]
| type = Soundtrack
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| title = Chandni Chowk to China
| year = 2008
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
}}
}}
The music of ''Chandni Chowk to China'' was released on 4 December 2008. The album features composers as diverse as Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Kailash-Paresh-Naresh, [[Bappi Lahiri]]-Bappa Lahiri and [[Bohemia (musician)|Bohemia]].


{{track listing
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
| headline = Track-List
|-
| extra_column = Singer(s)
! Song
| title1 = S.I.D.H.U
! Singer(s)
| extra1 = [[Kailash Kher]]
! Duration
| music1 = [[Kailasa (band)|Kailasa]]
! Notes
| lyrics1 = Kailash Kher
|-
| length1 = 5:04
| S.I.D.H.U

| [[Kailash Kher]]
| title2 = Chandni Chowk To China
| 5:04
| lyrics2 = [[Rajat Arora]]
|
| extra2 = [[Neeraj Shridhar]], [[Anushka Manchanda]], [[Shankar Mahadevan]]
|-
| music2 = [[Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy]]
| Chandni Chowk to China
| length2 = 4:26
| [[Neeraj Shridhar]], [[Anushka Manchanda]], [[Shankar Mahadevan]]

| 4:26
| title3 = India Se Aaya Tera Dost (Aap Ki Khatir)
|
| extra3 = [[Bappi Lahiri]], Ravi K Tripathi
|-
| lyrics3 = Rajat Arora, Shaily Shailendra
| India Se Aaya Tera Dost (Aap Ki Khatir)
| [[Bappi Lahiri]], Ravi K Tripathi
| music3 = [[Bappi Lahiri]]
| 6:29
| length3 = 6:29

|
| title4 = Tera Naina
|-
| extra4 = Shankar Mahadevan, [[Shreya Ghoshal]]
| Tere Naina
| music4 = Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
| [[Shankar Mahadevan]], [[Shreya Ghoshal]]
| lyrics4 = Rajat Arora
| 6:18
| length4 = 4:18
|

|-
| Chak Lein De
| title5 = Chak Lein De
| [[Kailash Kher]]
| lyrics5 = Kailash Kher
| extra5 = Kailash Kher
| 4:25
| music5 = Kailash Kher, Naresh, Paresh
|
| length5 = 4:25
|-

| Chandni Chowk to China (CC2C)
| title6 = Chandni Chowk To China (CC2C)
| [[Akshay Kumar]], [[Bohemia (musician)|Bohemia]]
| extra6 = [[Bohemia (rapper)|Bohemia]], [[Akshay Kumar]], [[Aastha Gill]]
| 3:44
| music6 = Bohemia
|
| lyrics6 = Bohemia
|-
| length6 = 3:44
| Chandni Chowk to China

| Remix by Dj Amyth
| title7 = Chandni Chowk To China
| 4:41
| note7 = Remix
|
| extra7 = Dj A-Myth
|-
| music7 = [[Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy]]
| Chak Lein De
| lyrics7 = Rajat Arora
| Remix by Dj Amyth
| length7 = 4:41
|4:36

|
| title8 = Chak Lein De
|}
| note8 = Remix
| extra8 = Dj A-Myth
| music8 = Kailash Kher, Naresh, Paresh
| length8 = 4:36
| lyrics8 = Kailash Kher
|total_length=37:43|all_writing=|title9=|length9=|title10=|length10=|title11=|length11=|title12=|length12=|title13=|length13=|title14=|length14=|title15=|length15=|title16=|length16=|title17=|length17=|title18=|length18=|title19=|length19=|title20=|length20=}}

===Reception===
Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama.com rated it 3.5/5, claiming, "''Chandni Chowk to China'' is clearly the next musical hit in the making."<ref name="music review">{{cite web|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|title=Music Review|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/13650/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415002801/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/13650/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 April 2008|accessdate=6 December 2008}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=April 2014}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist | 2}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|1091229}}
* [http://www.cc2c-thefilm.com Official website]
{{Nikkhil Advani}}
* {{imdb title|1091229}}

{{Bollywood}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Chandni Chowk To China}}
[[Category:2009 films]]
[[Category:2009 films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2000s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Bohemia (rapper)]]

[[Category:Films scored by Kailash Kher]]
[[zh:從印度到中國 (印度電影)]]
[[Category:Films scored by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy]]
[[Category:Kung fu films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Bappi Lahiri]]
[[Category:Films about reincarnation]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Indian action comedy films]]
[[Category:Films set in Shanghai]]
[[Category:2000s martial arts comedy films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Nikkhil Advani]]
[[Category:2009 martial arts films]]
[[Category:2009 action comedy films]]
[[Category:2009 comedy films]]
[[Category:Films banned in Nepal]]
[[Category:Indian martial arts films]]
[[Category:Art works that caused riots]]
[[Category:Films set in Delhi]]
[[Category:Works about the Great Wall of China]]
[[Category:Films set in the Western Han dynasty]]
[[Category:Films set in Beijing]]
[[Category:Films shot in Beijing]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hebei]]
[[Category:Films shot in Shanghai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Thailand]]
[[Category:Films shot in Bangkok]]
[[Category:Films shot in Delhi]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Religious controversies in film]]
[[Category:Religious controversies in India]]
[[Category:Buddhism-related controversies]]
[[Category:Films set in Africa]]
[[Category:Films adapted for other media]]
[[Category:2009 controversies]]
[[Category:Films set in Hebei]]

Latest revision as of 18:54, 12 December 2024

For other uses, see Chandni Chowk (disambiguation).

Chandni Chowk to China
Theatrical release poster
Directed byNikkhil Advani
Screenplay by
Story by
  • Rajat Arora
  • Shridhar Raghavan
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyHimman Dhamija
Edited byAarif Shaikh
Music by
Production
companies
Ramesh Sippy Entertainment
People Tree Entertainment[1]
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • 16 January 2009 (2009-01-16)
Running time
154 minutes
CountryIndia
Languages
  • Hindi
  • Mandarin
Budget₹800 million (US$9.4 million)[2]
Box office₹1.2 billion (US$14 million)[3]

Chandni Chowk to China (shortened to CC2C) is a 2009 Indian Hindi-language martial arts action comedy film[4] directed by Nikkhil Advani and stars Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone, with Mithun Chakraborty and Hong Kong action cinema actor Gordon Liu among the co-stars. In addition to being shot in China, many parts of the film were shot in Bangkok, Thailand,[5][6] although some of the China scenes were shot in sets on the Shanghai Film Studio.[6] The film revolves around a vegetable cutter from Chandni Chowk in Delhi who finds himself on an adventure in China after the residents of an oppressed village deem him to be the reincarnation of a slain Chinese revolutionary.

Distributed in the U.S. and co-produced by Warner Bros., it is the third Bollywood movie made and distributed in partnership with a major Hollywood studio, following Sony's Saawariya (2007) and Walt Disney Pictures' animated feature Roadside Romeo (2008).[7] It is Warner Bros. Pictures' first Hindi film.[8] Released on 16 January 2009.[9] Indiagames had also released a mobile video game based on the film.[10]

Plot

[edit]

The film begins with the story of the Great Wall of China and the brave warrior Liu Sheng. It then shows the evil smuggler Hojo's tyranny in the village of Zhange in the present.

Sidhesh Sharma, aka Sidhu, is a simple vegetable cutter at a roadside food stall in the Chandni Chowk section of Delhi. He consults astrologers, tarot card readers, and fake fakirs to turn around his destiny despite his foster father, Dada, pushing him to believe in himself instead. When two Zhange villagers from China claim him as a reincarnation of 'Liu Sheng,' Sidhu, encouraged by trickster Chopstick, believes he will be feted as a hero and travels to China with them, unaware of his recruitment to assassinate Hojo and free the village.

On the way to China, Sidhu meets Sakhi, an Indian-Chinese spokesmodel. Her twin sister Suzy, known as the femme fatale Meow Meow, works for Hojo, not knowing the truth: that Hojo tried to kill her father, Inspector Chiang, and stole her from him as a baby. Chiang is now an amnesiac vagrant living around the Great Wall tourist area. Sidhu realizes the truth about why he was brought to the village. Scared, he apologizes to Hojo, exposing himself as a loser to the village. Dada arrives and starts beating Hojo's men, yelling at Sidhu to stand and fight. Hojo kills Dada and dumps Sidhu over the Great Wall. Injured and disgraced, Sidhu is saved by the amnesiac Chiang from falling to his death and spends three months healing. Upon waking up, he is devastated at losing Dada and vows revenge. Meanwhile, Chopstick, similarly devastated at being responsible for what happened to Sidhu, has infiltrated Hojo's gang to help reunite Sakhi with Suzy.

During Sidhu's first attempt at attacking Hojo, Sakhi, and Chopstick see him and realize with joy that he is alive. Chiang recovers his memory after seeing Sidhu and Sakhi together and is reunited with his daughter. He trains Sidhu in kung fu so he can go up against Hojo. Hojo lies to Suzy that Chiang killed her real father; she stabs Chiang in retaliation but realizes that Hojo lied to her when she sees her twin, Sakhi. She then betrays Hojo and returns to her family. Sidhu fights Hojo in single combat, eventually using his own vegetable-cutting technique to overpower him and finally kill him.

In the aftermath, Sidhu opens a vegetable stand in China and is recruited to help African Pygmies.[a]

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film, earlier known as Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo and also Made in China,[12] is written by Sridhar Raghavan.

Shooting began in January 2008 and included a schedule in China.[13]

Release

[edit]

Box office reception

[edit]

Chandni Chowk to China earned ₹330 million (US$3.9 million) in its opening weekend.[2] It went on to earn a total of ₹407 million (US$4.8 million) in India.[14] The film's total North American box office in the four weeks of running was $921,738, and total worldwide gross was $13,439,480.[15][14]

Critical reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 42% of 59 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.2/10. The website's consensus reads: "A thin plot is disguised by high octane dancing and action in this Bollywood crossover comedy."[16] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 44 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[17] Claudia Puig of USA Today said, "This Indian/Chinese cinematic hybrid is likable and entertaining but overlong and occasionally hokey", and that Kumar's "physical humor brings to mind Jim Carrey".[18] John Anderson of Variety wrote, "If Chandni Chowk to China were a person, it would need Valium", and found that "everything is fast and furious, hilarious, hysterical and frantic. Some of the sequences as are quite beautiful and, in the case of the dance numbers featuring Padukone, stunning. But it's the fight scenes as that truly take off".[19] Frank Lovece of Newsday wrote, "Less a Bollywood bonbon than a pan-Asian fusion dish, this combination of Indian musical and Chinese chopsocky is, nonetheless, delicious fun".[20]

Steven Rae of The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that, "Chandni Chowk is entertainingly goofy for about 30 minutes. And then, for the next two hours-plus, it's agony."[21] Scott Tobias of The Onion described the film as "crass, schizophrenic, culturally insensitive, horribly paced, and shameless in its pandering to the lowest common denominator",[22] while Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly said, "This galumphing elephant of a chopsocky revenge-of-the-nerd quasi-musical lacks the lyrical choreographic beauty that has marked such Stateside Bollywood releases as the gorgeous Lagaan".[23] Michael Philips of the Chicago Tribune called the film "a massive and rather tiring showcase for Bollywood action hero Akshay Kumar".[24] Indian critic Taran Adarsh gave the movie 1.5/5 stars, calling it "a big, big, big letdown".[25] Rajeev Masand of IBN termed it a tiring watch, while praising Kumar's performance.[26]

The film has received one award nomination, with Deepika Padukone being nominated for Best Actress at the 3rd Asian Film Awards held in March 2009.[27]

Controversy

[edit]

In Nepal, there were protests against the film due to a passing claim that Buddha was born in India; Lumbini, which is the birthplace of Buddha, is located in Nepal.

Several shows were cancelled in Nepal due to the protests.[28] Protestors threatened to burn cinemas that screened the film, and racial slurs like "Dhoti" were hurled against Indians online.[28]

The protests continued for several days, despite the Nepali distributor deleting the piece of narration that mentioned Buddha in the copies of the film shown in Nepal. On 22 January, Nepali cinemas stopped and banned screening Chandni Chowk to China.[29]

In the aftermath of the Nepal controversy, actor Shekhar Suman criticised the film with some derogatory and rude comments. He also stated the movie is an amateurish attempt by Nikhil Advani, terming it as a "worst" film.[30] Mostly, supporters of Kumar, especially Nikhil Advani stated that it was a publicity stunt to bring Suman's son Adhyayan in limelight for release of his film Raaz: The Mystery Continues. Suman replied to the claim that it was not a publicity act and the latter apologized to Kumar for it.[31][32][33]

Music

[edit]
Chandni Chowk to China
Soundtrack album by
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Bappi Lahiri, Bappa Lahiri, Kailasa, Kailash Kher, Paresh, Naresh and Bohemia
Released4 December 2008
Recorded2008
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length37:43
LabelT-Series
ProducerShankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy chronology
Konchem Istam Konchem Kastam
(2008) 		Chandni Chowk to China
(2008) 		Luck by Chance
(2008)
Bappi Lahiri chronology
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron
(2007) 		Chandni Chowk to China
(2008) 		My Love
(2009)
Kailasa chronology
Dasvidaniya
(2008) 		Chandni Chowk to China
(2008) 		Chaandan Mein
(2009)
Bohemia chronology
Chandni Chowk to China
(2008)

The music of Chandni Chowk to China was released on 4 December 2008. The album features composers as diverse as Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Kailash-Paresh-Naresh, Bappi Lahiri-Bappa Lahiri and Bohemia.

Track-List
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."S.I.D.H.U"Kailash KherKailasaKailash Kher5:04
2."Chandni Chowk To China"Rajat AroraShankar–Ehsaan–LoyNeeraj Shridhar, Anushka Manchanda, Shankar Mahadevan4:26
3."India Se Aaya Tera Dost (Aap Ki Khatir)"Rajat Arora, Shaily ShailendraBappi LahiriBappi Lahiri, Ravi K Tripathi6:29
4."Tera Naina"Rajat AroraShankar–Ehsaan–LoyShankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal4:18
5."Chak Lein De"Kailash KherKailash Kher, Naresh, PareshKailash Kher4:25
6."Chandni Chowk To China (CC2C)"BohemiaBohemiaBohemia, Akshay Kumar, Aastha Gill3:44
7."Chandni Chowk To China" (Remix)Rajat AroraShankar–Ehsaan–LoyDj A-Myth4:41
8."Chak Lein De" (Remix)Kailash KherKailash Kher, Naresh, PareshDj A-Myth4:36
Total length:37:43

Reception

[edit]

Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama.com rated it 3.5/5, claiming, "Chandni Chowk to China is clearly the next musical hit in the making."[34][failed verification]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The end credits of the film contain a teaser for a sequel titled Chandni Chowk to Africa and a sequel was planned by Warner Bros India but did not materialize.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chandni Chowk to China (2009)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b Chandni Chowk to China crosses Rs 33 cr at local box office, The Economic Times, 20 January 2009
  3. ^ "Box Office India.com: Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide (IND Rs)". boxofficeindia.
  4. ^ "Ramesh Sippy's Chandni Chowk To China". British Board of Film Classification.
  5. ^ BollywoodMovies.US: "Deepika Padukone in Bangkok" Archived 29 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine, 24 March 2008.
  6. ^ a b NewsLine365.com: "Chandni Chowk to China shot mostly in Bangkok" Archived 6 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine, no date.
  7. ^ Chhabra, Aseem, "From Bollywood to Chinatown: Warner Bros. teams with India for 'Chandni Chowk' martial-arts musical" Archived 22 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Film Journal International, 14 January 2009.
  8. ^ "CC2C's Bollywood splash in US". Washington/New York: Mid-day.com. Indo-Asian News Service. 10 January 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  9. ^ India Yearly Box Office – 2009. boxofficemojo.com.
  10. ^ "Chandni Chowk To China". phoneky.com. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  11. ^ After CC2C, Warner Bros eyes Chandni Chowk To Africa. Business of Cinema. 16 January 2009.
  12. ^ Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network, "Mithun in Chandni Chowk to China?" Archived 13 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine via Naachgaana.com, 8 December 2007
  13. ^ Indiantelevision.com, "Warner Bros to distribute Nikhil Advani's 'Made in China'", 21 August 2007
  14. ^ a b "Chandni Chowk To China". Box Office India. Retrieved 28 March 2014.(subscription required)
  15. ^ "Chandni Chowk to China". BoxOfficeMojo.com. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  16. ^ "Chandni Chowk to China". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 16 July 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  17. ^ "Chandni Chowk to China". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc.
  18. ^ Puig, Claudia, "'Chandni Chowk' takes meandering journey across Asia", USA Today, 16 January 2009
  19. ^ Anderson, John. Chandni Chowk to China (review), Variety, 15 January 2009
  20. ^ Lovece, Frank. Chandni Chowk to China (review), Newsday, 16 January 2009
  21. ^ Rae, Steven (16 January 2009). "A 'Slumdog' this one surely is not". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  22. ^ Tobias, Scott (15 January 2009). "Chandni Chowk To China". The Onion.
  23. ^ Gleiberman, Owen. Chandni Chowk to China (review), Entertainment Weekly 14 January 2009
  24. ^ Philips, Michael. "'Chandni Chowk to China': Bollywood hybrid fails to fly", Chicago Tribune, 21 January 2009
  25. ^ Adarsh, Taran, Chandni Chowk To China (review), BollywoodHungama.com
  26. ^ Masand, Rajeev. "Masand's Movie Review: Chandni Chowkasa misadventure IBNLive.com
  27. ^ The Associated Press, Hong Kong (22 March 2009). "Nominees for the third Asian Film Awards". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  28. ^ a b India is Buddha’s birthplace in 'Chandni...', Nepal fumes, Daily News and Analysis, retrieved on 20 January 2009
  29. ^ Chandni Chowk to China 'banned' in Nepal, The Economic Times, retrieved on 23 January 2009
  30. ^ "Shekhar Suman blasts Akki and CC2C". MidDay. Upala KBR. 19 January 2009. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023.
  31. ^ "Shekhar Suman apologises to Akshay for 'Chandni Chowk...' comments". Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Zee News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  32. ^ "Big-mouth Shekhar apologises to Akshay". India Today. 30 January 2009. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023.
  33. ^ K. Jha, Subhash (26 January 2009). "Shekhar Suman apologises to Akshay". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Music Review". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 15 April 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
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