Chup Chup Ke (चुप चुप के)(Hindi, 2006)

To begin with, let me make it straight. Chup Chup Ke is not a great movie. It will not be counted as one of the memorable events in the history of Indian cinema. As a comedy, as a drama, as a romance. Simple.

Having said that, if you are able to control your laughter in the first half of the movie, if you are able to hold on to your sides and not fall over the aisles in fits of laughter, you must be German (Though the last German I met was quite funny). The movie belongs to Rajpal Yadav. His comic timing is unparalleled. In a film with stalwarts like Om Puri and Paresh Rawal, with stars like Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav steals the show. His every dialogue involves you in the film and you are always left wanting for more.

The movie starts crumbling in the first 5 minutes of Rajpal Yadav being off the scene. Decent enough performances by all other actors are unable to save a movie which has no story, no presentation and a concept of love as antiquated as the crumbling walls of Purana Qila. Here's how the script was written, most probably. Begin with a hero. A nice sweet and naive hero (Shahid Kapur). Lets put him in some problems. Debts from failed business initiatives. What to do now. Let him jumps in sea so his family can claim insurance. Can't kill the hero, of course. Introduces a fisherman (Paresh Rawal) and his sidekick (Rajpal Yadav). Introduce more characters. So the fisherman is in debt of local businessman, Om Puri. Add some family drama. Om Puri has a big family, which of course includes the heroine, Kareena Kapoor. Some more drama. Kareena Kapoor is mute. Introduce hero to heroine's household. Add some gags on perceived identities, handicapped people, fake handicaps etc. So far so good. What to do now? Develop love interest. Twist. The ex-love interest is waiting back at home. Twist. Heroine has a brother who will kill if anyone cheats her sister. Twist. Heroine sacrifices for ex-love interest. Twist. Ex-love interest realises heroine is mute and sacrifices saying "आप उसके जीवन में उजाला ला रहे हो मैं बीच में नहीं आऊंगी" (You are bringing hope to a handicapped person, I will not come in your way). Sick!!! Audience is almost puking by now, thankfully movie ends.

Recommendation : See it on DVD, and please shut it off just before the interval.
Rating - First Half ✔✔✔, Second Half ✘✘✘✘