I know it should be spelled as LSTCK, if at all I wish to use the
abbreviated form, but somehow I like to refer this one as Chicken Khurana only.
No matter as to what remains the abbreviated form, but the reference is evident
towards the first food flick of Bollywood, Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana.
Since the day I watched its rushes, I wanted to get my eyes on to it. Why
would not I? It is the first Indian movie based on food, and it is a story set
in a Punjabi mood in a small village
of Punjab.
I got the chance to see this movie on my karva chauth day (what an irony I
tell you) . Surprisingly, the theater that I had shortlisted was not running
the show due to lack of sale of tickets, in fact I was the only one who had
come to see the movie. I was surprised because the www.bookmyshow.com had no
such information on their website. Anyway, it was like a skyfall situation for
me when I heard this news from the lady at the ticket window. I then had no
other option but to watch another one; the only one worth watching then was the
Bond movie - co-incidentally "Skyfall".
I had handed over my current favourite Axis bank credit card to them; but I
hurriedly snatched it back from her when she informed me that it was the
translated one.
I was already a bhuka pyasa (hungry and thirsty) and sari, bindi, sindoor,
managal sutra clad Indian woman that day, and this failure in getting to watch
the film made me more bichari (unfortunate). Though, the only good thing that
happened at that ticket booking session was that 2 men who were ahead of me in
the queue opted out of the queue and rather asked me to take the tickets
first. May be I indeed looked a real bichari or probably they were indeed
gentlemen. I swear I did think of my friend Dhara while I was about to buy
the tickets for Skyfall in my few seconds of despair; but I shrugged those
thoughts aside thinking that I would again see the movie with her. Of course we
both had planned to watch it together today.
In times like these I really feel those age old adages like -
Whatever
happens, happens for the best are so true. Luckily within time it struck me that in another 10 minutes, the movie was showing at
Inox multiplex, so I gathered myself along with my messed up sari in an auto
rickshaw and hurried to get there. More to my luck, the movie was being
showcased there, so I bought a ticket had rushed in to theater with the
knowledge of the fact that all prying eyes were on me.
As I had expected, the movie hall was almost empty, so I sat at the first
seat of the row where my actual seat was supposed to be. As per my experience,
the ushers at Inox have always been nice and accommodating, unlike the ones at
Fame. So finally the lights of the theater dimmed and the rushes to the other
forthcoming movies started playing on the screen when 2 seemingly college goers
disturbed me because supposedly I was occupying their seat. I was indeed
surprised at their behaviour, because they could have effortlessly made
themselves comfortable at any other seat, but they did not do that. I was in no
intention to get into a conflict, so I shifted to 6 seats away from them in the
same row and started to re-enjoy my movie experience.
I already had my share of hint of the uncultured and misbehaviour on the
part of those kids, but I had enough of it when they made an ostensible remark
on me.
"What exactly is an aunty doing in the movie hall alone"?
"She must be a desperate one looking for a man here".
And that was it; I verbally lashed back at them in my trade mark insults
"If your parents have not taught you enough of anything, at least learn
to be vocally soft. And by the way I am married, not desperate and I am here to
watch a movie."
And that was it; both of them
stood up and shifted to a row above. I took it as a good sign and concentrated
on the screen ahead of me, because the movie had finally started.
Kunal Kapoor in the leading role was apt to the T. He beautifully depicted
the grey shades that were required in his character of Omi Khurana; the astray
lad who has come back from London to his native
Lalton village in Punjab to fetch some dough
to give back to his creditors, a local mafia. By the way, the head of the pack
of mafia happens to be a surprise package of the movie - the long lost
UdhamSingh of Channel V days. In real life the man is better known as Pooja Bhatt's
only husband.
Omi has his own share of embarrassment and reluctance in reaching his old
haveli(house) and facing his family due to the last interaction he had with
them a decade back. Down the memory lane he recalls that in order to run away
to London, he
had looted his grandfather's safe by rendering the old man numb with
chloroform. Of course, due to this he had null hopes of being accepted by his
grandfather and other members of his family viz. his uncle and his family. But
he was taken aback when his aunt and his cousin hugged him and showered love on
him as if they had always been waiting for him to return to them.
His aunt and her son had always loved him and had treated him as their own
since Omi's parents had died. But his Uncle had reserved showering his love on
him because of the unpleasant memories of the past. That was fine with Omi, but
what made him uncomfortable were the coldness of his loving grandfather towards
him; and the presence of a certain Titu mama in the house.
Though the story revolves around the beautiful Lalton village of Punjab
and the household of Khuranas; but the central character of the story remains
the highway side dhabha (small food joint) named "Chicken Khurana",
named so after the delicious item in the menu by the same name. The dish was so
popular that people from all over were mesmerized by its taste, aroma and the
mere mention of its name.
So, the young Omi Khurana had led his eyes on borrowing/stealing money from
his grandfather who runs that ever popular Chicken Khurana, in order to give
back to his rowdy lenders. But his hopes went shattered when he realizes
that since his grandfather went senile, the dhaba also went into shambles.
From then on starts the actual journey of Omi into realizing his true genes
and getting in the form to fit his DNA well into it. In the process of self
realization, he is helped by his childhood sweet heart who shares a
bitter-sweet relationship with him. The role is played by
Huma
Qureshi, who has already proved her mettle with the
Gangs
of Wasseypur series, and with Chicken Khurana she has firmly cast her spell
on all.
This tale of self-discovery is beautifully merged with the old school charm
of story telling which is beautifully presented as a collage comprising of old
folk lore. Nothing and I repeat nothing in the movie is something that would
seem a drag. Well, the word drag reminds me of
Dolly
Alhuwalia's character in the movie enjoying deep drags of local
hallucinogenic. By the way she does a cameo in the movie as a fluke ascetic.
Though her role is hardly of 10 minutes in the movie; but it is her
character that brings the major twist to the movie's plot.
All in all I enjoyed the movie thoroughly, and also the quasi item number
that comes at the end credits.
That day I tried not to think of the delicious Chicken Khurana too much; and all but 2 senses
of mine could not enjoy it, but the movie was deliciously enjoyed by all my
senses.
Wish we get to see more of such beautiful ones.
Bravo
Sammer
Sharma, you have indeed come a long way.....
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| The as crazy poster... |
