Reviewed by Mohammad Ali Ikram
ali@indolink.com

"Ten Men... One Mission"

China Gate is the first commercial Hindi action film in ages one looks forward to watching.  I mean, how much more utopian thought and goody-goody romance can the audience stomach?  Putting some of India's best character actors in lead roles is a major risk, but I know that at least the male audience is looking forward to it.  Rajkumar Santoshi knows it.  Keeping the target audience in mind, Santoshi has added an Urmila Matonkar song and dance sequence to this originally songless film.  Will it work in attracting the audiences to the theatres?  Judging by the songs, I would say YES.

Urmila's guest appearance song, "Chamma Chamma", may have nonsense-laden lyrics, but the infectious tune is sure to get the testerone flowing.  Now, wonder whether the film will feature the song in either Alka Yagnik's sweet and soulful version, or in the rustic appeal of Sapna Awasthi.  Either way, both ladies shine in their respective renditions.  They literally eclipse the (hard-to-notice) male voices of Vinod Rathod, Shankar Mahadevan and Anu Malik.   I heard another unbilled female voice in the song, but have no clue as to who the lady is?  Guesses anyone?

"Humko To Rahna Hai" and its sad version, "Is Mitti Ka Karz Hai", prove that there is no composer to beat an inspired Anu Malik. A very cool army march, with an omnipresent thumping beat.  Quite impressive for a composer to get this non-Indian to appreciate an obviously patriotic, Bharat song. Bahaut dhamaal ka gaana hai.  I should not forget to recognize the perfect renditions by Hariharan, Sonu Nigam and Vinod Rathod.

The "Theme of China Gate" is a purely intrumental musical piece, likely meant to complement the action in the movie.  We will probably need to see the movie to understand and/or appreciate its significance.

The target audience will throng the theatres thanks to the songs additions in China Gate, Mr. Santoshi.  Thank Urmila Matondkar and Anu Malik.  Now all you need to do is prove that the movie is worthy of apun ka paisa, (hopefully unlike the nonsense in Ghatak and parts of Barsaat).  I wonder if we males can drag the ladies in our lives to watch China Gate, the way they force us to see each and every monotonous love story which is released?  I doubt women are going to be too excited about a movie who's biggest star is a female in a guest appearance.   How many ladies swoon over an Amrish Puri, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Tinnu Anand or Asrani?  Heck if Mamta Kulkarni were the only (non-)actress in the movie, even most guys would not be eager to see it!