Aloo Chaat (2009)

Director:

Robby Grewal

Writers:

Robby Grewal (screenplay)
Divy Nidhi Sharma (story)

Release Date:

20 March 2009 (India)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Story focuses on a US return guy Nikhil who is in love with a Muslim girl Aamna (Aamna Shariff). To...

Cast

Aftab Shivdasani	...	Nikhil
Aamna Shariff	...	Aamna
Linda Arsenio	...	Nikki Abbot
Sanjay Mishra	...	Chhadami
Manoj Pahwa	...	Hakeem Tarachand
Kulbhushan Kharbanda	...	Purshottam - Nikhil's Father
Dolly Ahluwalia	...	Purshotam's mom
Meenakshi	...	Seeto - Nikhil's Mother
Chandan Anand	...	Sukkha
Lalit Parashar	...	Pandit
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brijendra Kala

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Company:

Mavrick Productions

DDLJ - The Other Way Around

For starters, one fails to understand the logic behind the title "Aloo Chat". Except for the two blokes mouthing inane dialogues far and between there is absolutely no connection to the plot whatsoever. Perhaps "DDLJ - The Other Way Around" would have been more appropriate title. Reason: the second half of DDLJ plot forms the baseline for the movie. The only difference is the ver 2.0 the girl gate-crashes into the house with the sole-intent of wooing the family. How she passes the litmus test and wins over the heart is Aloo Chaat. Well then why the first-part of DDLJ given a skip? Answer: Budget constraints on overseas shoot. Instead, the romance makes a shift-base to "economical cutting-chai apna desh" in the by-lanes of Delhi on a tonga. Howzzat!!!

Verdict:: Sorry, doesn't connect especially with the Detective hot on heels.

Let us draw parallels with DDLJ::

1. Hatching the plan of dropping in the middle of enemy's terrain.

2. Father is the pillar of opposition (boy's father ie, and ver 2.0 the opposition is not "beer" but religion!).

3. Wedding dates are pre-poned owing to health reason.

4. Punjabi song (the girl reprises the "Doli Saja Ke Rakhna" version).

In all honesty, its difficult to judge if Aloo Chaat is a reality-check or a humorous take on DDLJ.

* The spirit of Delhi is neatly blended into the storyline.

* The format of narrative deserves a special mention

* A few comic moments are done well

Performances::

* Khulbushan Kharbanda:: The veteran proves that is at ease in comedy too. Indeed versatile.

* Aftab:: No comments though had immense potential to showcase his talent.

* Aamna Sharief:: It difficult to comment on her performance as most of the time you are besotted with her infectious smile.

* Manoj Pahwa:: Passable

* Sanjay Mishra:: Irritating. The movie would have lot better should his role was put on leash.

* Linda Arsenio:: Good job there.

Verdict:: Passable for a one-time watch.

PS: Do pay attention to scene where ver 1.0 is referenced (read that "paid homage").