Chori Chori   Producer: Om Shakti Combines Director: Milan Luthria Starring: Ajay Devgan, Rani Mukherjee, and Sonali Bendre Music: Sajid-Wajid Lyrics: Anand Bakshi Genre: Romantic Recommended Audience: General Film Released on: 01 August 2003 Reviewed by: Aakash Gandhi  - Rating: 6.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review

It’s finally out! Milan Luthria’s Chori Chori has finally seen the light of day.  The producer’s death, the distributor’s strike, and not getting decent theatres are all reasons for the delay. This is Luthria’s second film, his first film, Kachche Daage, released about four years ago and had a decent box office report. Could Chori Chori be his second success as a director?

With Ajay Devgan’s Bhoot and Qayamat doing some good at the Box Office, and with Rani’s latest successes, Saathiya and Chalte Chalte, you would guess that if you put these two streaking stars together, you’re sure to get a hit, right? Let’s see if that’s the case…

Ranbir Malhotra (Ajay Devgan), an architect, and Khushi (Rani Mukherjee), a bartender, meet each other at an illustrious banquet hall. What sets this story apart from the rest is that there was no “love at first sight,” phew! Khushi, an orphan living by herself, loses her job and her room. She goes to Ranbir for help. Ranbir Malhotra is a well-known man, and she begins to take the name of “Mrs. Ranbir Malhotra” to help herself get settled. One day she meets a family and introduces herself as Mrs. Ranbir Malhotra, but little did she know that this family was Ranbir’s own family. After Ranbir finds out and gets over his anger, they decide to pretend to be married. What caused this alliance? Why are they playing this "game"? Nevertheless, this “game” that Ranbir and Khushi were playing turned into more than just a game. Was it some kind of twisted fate or coincidence? Watch Chori Chori to find out the outcome.

The plot of Chori Chori has been done to death. Didn’t we just see the exact same story in Deepa Mehta’s Bollywood Hollywood? On a lighter note, the arguments brought up between Ranbir and Khushi are very legitimate and valid. Rani Mukherjee, even with the lack of a good script, was able to breath some life into her happy-go-lucky character, Khushi. Unfortunately, Ajay Devgan seemed a bit distracted throughout the film. He was never able to completely focus on his character, and therefore, looking disinterested the entire way. Ah, the catalyst of the story, the gorgeous Sonali Bendre. Sonali did an excellent job in support and did true justice to her character, Pooja.

The first half of the movie is quite interesting. The comic relief provided by the main characters is pleasant. Unfortunately, the second half of the film becomes too long and starts to drag on and on. The second half is filled with songs, making the viewer restless and anxious. Another sour point in the film was its climax, which is not developed properly at all.

Sajid-Wajid’s music gives this film its color and brightness, without it, I don’t think the movie will have ever had a chance to succeed. Director Milan Luthria’s directorial capabilities were severely crippled by the poor script of the film.

Overall, I don’t think Chori Chori was worth the wait it put us through. Ladies and Gentlemen, you can afford to give this one a miss…