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... |
