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29 March 2024

Shah Rukh Khan back with a bang: 'Chennai Express' already a hit

(L-R) Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjian, Shah Rukh Khan, and Deepika Padukone perform during a preview for the forthcoming Hindi film Chennai Express. (AFP)

Published
By Noel Singh Dias

One of the most anticipated films this year is ‘Chennai Express’ starring Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan and directed by Rohit Shetty.

The trailer of the film has been released and we aren’t surprised with it being a visual delight. As this is Rohit and Shah Rukh’s first time together so when Rohit was asked about working with SRK, he said, “It feels great; he is a lovely actor and a superb friend.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Even Shah Rukh had a take on this as he replied saying, “Rohit’s hallmark is his vision for a film, the way he writes it and how his team works to get it on the celluloid. Genres whether it is comedy or action, his works speak volumes.”
 
Regarding the action in the film he also credits Rohit saying, “It’s easier to do action with the team that Rohit plans and organises than to do a love song in any film. It’s completely harmless, safe and gentle. I can now be an action hero but only with Rohit Shetty.”
 
As for Deepika and Shah Rukh coming back together on screen, Deepika feels, “This had to be as special as ‘Om Shanthi Om’ and I’m glad Rohit made ‘Chennai Express’ happen for both of us.”
 
Regarding her onscreen chemistry with Shah Rukh she feels, “I didn’t really have to fight with him; there are lot of arguments like lover’s tiffs and it was fun to do that because I haven’t had the opportunity to do so onscreen.”
 
Deepika also puts some light on her character saying, “This is the first time I am playing a South Indian character with the accent, look and costumes. The environment and the experience of working with Rohit was also new to me. I have always been associated with the urbane rom-com love stories.”
 
King Khan on the other hand talks about Deepika’s excellence as an actress saying, “She has grown as an actor and whatever we wrote for her character I think she has surpassed that. It’s fantastic to see her like that.”
 
The trailer starts with some similar scenes from King Khan’s movies and his name stays constant with ‘Rahul’.
 
In the second scene Deepika is seen running in traditional attire to catch a train and SRK holds out his hand to her, reminding us of ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’.
 
Till that point you assume the film is about a romantic tale until there are these characters popping out of the nowhere with knives and guns threatening Shah Rukh.
 
It turns out that Deepika’s dad is a Don (ironically it’s not Shah Rukh) of an area and Shah Rukh is dragged into it somehow followed by a lot of action and drama keeping you glued to the screen. The movie is set to release this Eid and we wonder whether it will replace the chocolaty lover-boy image of SRK with that of an action hero.