…another delectable tale about a superchor who transforms stealing into a fine art. Cineastes may have problems with the morally ambiguous tenor of the story which transforms Lucky, a lad who lives on the wild side of the law, into a lovable character.

The promise that Ranbir Kapoor displayed in Saawariya, his debut venture, has been duly fulfilled in this breezy, urbane tale of love and longing, set against a come-of-age backdrop of 21st century twenty-something Indians. Here is a crackling bunch of gals and guys who mirror the mores and manners of modern India, even as they re-live the traditional Bollywood fable of ishq-vishq, pyar-mohabbat.

Great performances by a bunch of unknowns, a gritty pace and a marvellous restraint make Chakde India an unbridled ode to patriotism without any hysterical chest-beating. And yes, for all you SRK fans and bashers, this time the verdict gotta be unanimous: Chakde Shah Rukh! Can you better this?

The pace is relentless, the performances are memorable (Tusshar too finds his groove), the tenor is dramatic, yet realistic and the violence hits hard and proper. Go, get your thrills.

Apart from the unusual plot, it is the performances which leave you breathless. Shreyas proves that Iqbal was no accident and Gul gives one of the most convincing portrayals of her career. But it is Ayesha Takia who simply blows your breath away. Her journey from joyous subjugation — where she is content to dance before her husband and be at the beck and call of her in-laws — to silent emancipation is absolutely endearing.