By Ankur Karan Singh
Star Cast: Kunal Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Vinod Nagpal, Rajesh Sharma, Rajinder Sethi, Seema Kaushal, Rahul Bagga
Directed By: Sameer Sharma
Written By : Sameer and Sumit Bhateja
Music: Sumit Dwiedi
Duration: 2 Hrs 15 Mins
Rating: * * * 1/2
It looks like in 2012, Anurag Kashyap's production house AKFPL is
blessed with a boon of unveiling some of the memorable flick one after
the other. Be it " Ganga of Wasseypur I and II", "Chittagong" or the
newest delight on Anurag's entertainment salver i. e. Luv Shuv Tey
Chicken Khurana.
This
"Slice of Life" directed by Sameer Sharma (who has also made his
directional debut with Luv Shuv Tey Chicvken Khurana), featuring a
brigade of talented artists like Kunal Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Rajesh
Sharma et al opened with an occupancy of around 28% at the multiplexes.
"Slice of Life" is one such budding genre of Bollywood, which is seen
decorated with cine flicks, which at times inspite of being commercial
let downs, succeed in leaving their impact and escalate in to the elite
category of lovable cine cantatas. And because of its magnificently
well brewed ingredients Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana deserves to be in
that league of movies.
Synopsis:
In ancient India (and in some cases even today), some of the skilled
communities use to prefer trickling down their trade skills, only to
their descendants, in order to keep it confidential to the family.
So
with its roots embedded in quite a similar tradition, Luv Shuv Tey
Chicken Khurana is a perfect cine cantata which showcases the tale of a
UK returned free spirited grandson, an elderly patriarch grandfather
and his yummilicious cooking recipe which he never shared with anyone
and their rendezvous with life.
Story:
With in no time from start, Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana gets down to
business and as the story takes off it showcases a free spirited guy,
Omi (Kunal Kapoor) residing in London, who owes a debt of 50,000 pounds
to a mafia goon Shenty (Munish Makhija), who imposes a compulsive
return to India on Omi in order to manage the money that he owes to
him. Clad in the blanket of hopes, of managing money from his
patriarchal Dhaba which own a good repute all across Punjab, Omi
returns to his native village Lalton, Punjab.
But on reaching there he realises that, as compared to the time when he
absconded from his home at a very young age, after sacking a hefty
amount, things have deteriorated now and his lovable Darji (Vinod
Nagpal), too have slipped into dementia but inspite of that has a
fixation to his Dhaba and its much adored dish "Chicken Khurana".
On his return Omi comes across a warm and emotional reception by his
cousin Jeet (Rahul Bagga), Aunty (Seema Kaushal) a suspecting Uncle
(Rajinder Sethi) and also meets a highly eccentric character, Titu Mama
(Rajesh Sharma), who reside in his grandfather's house. As the frames
move ahead, steps in Omi's childhood love Harman (Huma Qureshi), whom
Omi left behind while absconding during his adulthood.
As the story rolls ahead comes in a flurry of humor, emotions and
commitments ultimately leading to a touching climax. So did Omi
succeeds in regaining the lost glory of Chicken Khuran and pays back
the debt that he owes or returns back to UK.
Script:
Unlike the script of those hang bang cine flicks, which have a premise
rooted in the Punjabi culture and showcases the same in the shades of
larger than life colors. Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana has got a simple
and near to life premise, which very well portrays the Punjabi legacy
through the lenses of reality and simplicity.
Script of Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana is so well knitted that it
leaves no scope for any kind of melodrama or inflated expression of
emotions. And it's because of the neat and uncomplicated drafting of
the script, that every artist comfortably slips under the skin of its
character with quite an ease and thoroughly succeeds in delivering an
outstanding performances.
There are very few stories which inspite of being highly predictable,
succeeds in keeping audience attention glued to the screen, and
undoubtedly, Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana is surely one of those
stories which keeps on tickling your curiosity instinct.
As far as dialogues are concerned then onscreen loquaciousness of
characters also compels you to associate with them, because of their
simplicity. Even the quick witted and spontaneous humor sans gaucherie
is good enough to bring smiles on your face.
Screenplay:
Though at times flow of the narration of Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana
seems slowing down, but otherwise, since frame one the movie thoroughly
keeps you captivated within the confines of its mesmerising charm.
About Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, it won't be wrong to say that, it's
simply the marvellous execution of the script, which keeps on pampering
the entertainment hungry bud of the masses.
In the second half, for a while one may find onscreen proceedings to be
dragging, but inspite of that it nowhere mar the over all flow of the
narration.
As far as the direction of Sameer Sharma is concerned then there is
just one word to describe it and i. e. Outstanding. After seeing the
excellence with which Sameer has brewed the common man humor, familial
legacy and culture, one thing is for sure that he masters the art of
making an entertaining cine cantata.
Music:
Inspite of the absence of those obtruded peppy Punjabi tracks (as it is
seen in various cine flicks having Punabi legacy at their roots), the
music and lyrics of Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana are soothing aural
delights. Just like other components, even the the music and lyrics of
the movie elegantly carries the soul of the movie.
Performances:
It won't be wrong to say that while performing their characters in Luv
Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana each and every member of the cast was at his
best. Be it the main lead or the supporting cast, each and every
protagonist has thoroughly proved his or her acting adroitness with
utmost excellence, hence making it a tough choice to pick any one as
the best.
Though Kunal carried his character with utmost dexterity, but inspite
of that this can't one can't be counted as one of the best performance
of this otherwise highly talented actor.
Just like her GOW stint Huma again is an absolute delight to watch in a
Punjabi Kudi avatar. In Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, Huma once again
proved that she owns the potential to do justice to any and every kind
of character offered to her.
Inspite of having nothing much to say, Vinod Nagpal thoroughly succeeds
in tickling your ribs by his cute acts of senile innocence. But the man
who thoroughly steals the show is Rajesh Sharma who is seen playing an
eccentric character.
Infact
it won't be wrong to say that despite being part of supporting cast,
Rajesh's mere appearance on the celluloid and his spontaneous and quick
witted comedy punches overshadowed everything else.
Dolly
Ahluwalia in dhongi bua avatar is too good. And besides this Rajinder
Sethi, Seema Kaushal and Rahul Bagga too succeeds in doing a thorough
justice to their respective roles.
BO Potential:
Because of the absence of glittery star cast Luv Shuv Tey Chicken
Khurana may not succeed in emerging as a Commercial miracle but,
inspite of that the movie is expected to recover its cost of production
at BO and will be widely liked by the audience of all age groups.
Verdict:
To sum up, Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana is an exquisite dish which will deliciously quell your entertainment hunger.
