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Chennai Express backdrop
8 August 2013Hindi141 min

Chennai Express

5.321 reviews
CriticsMixed

Bayesian avg · 21 critic reviews

7.5+ Exceptional · 6.5 Recommended · 5.0 Mixed

6.925 ratings
UsersMixed

User Score · avg of 25 ratings

8.0+ Exceptional · 7.0 Recommended · 5.5 Mixed

Robin Bhatt ScreenplayK. Subash StoryRohit Shetty DirectorYunus Sajawal ScreenplayVishal–Shekhar Music

Rahul embarks on a journey to a small town in Tamil Nadu to fulfill the last wish of his grandfather: to have his ashes immersed in the Holy water of Rameshwaram. En route, he meets a woman hailing from a unique family down South. As they find love through this journey in the exuberant lands of South India, an unanticipated drive awaits them.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Chennai Express was mixed-to-average, with most reviewers acknowledging it as an unambitious but periodically entertaining masala entertainer. Deepika Padukone was the most consistently praised element, with several critics singling her out as more watchable than Shah Rukh Khan, whose performance was frequently described as overacted, repetitive, and reliant on old mannerisms. Common criticisms included a thin and predictable script, an over-reliance on DDLJ references, and a second half that loses momentum. A number of reviewers noted the film delivers on its modest entertainment goals for fans of the genre, while being of little appeal to anyone outside that audience.

21 reviews · 10 positive · 6 mixed · 2 negative

Praised: Deepika Padukone's performanceCriticised: Shah Rukh Khan's overacting

AI-generated summary of 21 critic reviews · may contain errors

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Critic Reviews (21)

Shubhra GuptaTop Critic· Indian Express
5.0
"The laughs came intermittently through the first half, and I was still sitting in my seat at the interval. And then it turned into the same old story : the plot, which was thinner than a self-respecting wafer to start with, just gives up and dies, and the lead pair, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone stop talking to each other and begin posturing. They have no competition from anything else : the trademark Shetty bang bang –car chases, jeeps blowing up, large groups of people charging at each other—is by now more eye glaze than ever."
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Khalid MohamedTop Critic· Deccan Chronicle
5.0
"He's on a high, jumping-jackflashin', jibing and jousting, picking up a sickle as if it was bottled pickle, all in a desperate bid to tickle your funny bone. Sorry, except for a few stray laugh-out-loudish moments, here's a bad trip. Shah Rukh Khan springs no surprises, re-rendering every old trick in the acting book. Indeed, it's disheartening to see him overact. Gratifyingly, Deepika Padukone sparkles: consistently radiant and restrained in the mayhem."
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Rajeev MasandTop Critic· IBNLive
4.0
"How to put this politely? It's a big, fat bore. A bloated vanity project for an actor capable of so much more."
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Anupama ChopraTop Critic· Hindustan Times
4.0
"So it breaks my heart to tell you that Chennai Express left me cold. This hyper, eager-to-please Rahul sorely tested my patience. And after a while, the innumerable references to DDLJ seemed like a lazy shot at siphoning some of the enduring affection we have for that film."
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Raja SenTop Critic· Rediff
2.0
"Chennai Express is, in a way, full circle for Deepika Padukone as she — enervated by box-office success and increasingly self-aware as an actress — holds up her end of the film far better, and more consistently than her leading man. She makes an effort; he makes faces. And he's never seemed more at sea."
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Taran Adarsh· Bollywood Hungama
8.0
"CHENNAI EXPRESS has the trademark Rohit Shetty stamp all over. You seek entertainment, entertainment and entertainment in a film like CHENNAI EXPRESS and the movie lives up to the hype and hoopla surrounding it. The tremendous craze surrounding the film, the Rohit Shetty - SRK - Deepika combo, the Eid release, besides the extensive release strategy by UTV, should ensure a record-breaking start for this biggie. Right from the paid previews to the opening weekend to Week 1, CHENNAI EXPRESS should be on a glorious march in days to come, setting new records in India and also in the international markets. All you lovers of masala movies, board this Express pronto!"
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7.0
"Well, if you leave logic and some of your education behind, Chennai Express manages to get some chuckles out of you, keeps you entertained for part of it and also makes you sheepishly want to be silly and dance to the Lungi song. That's most of the battle won in this country, isn't it? Frontbenchers, rejoice."
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7.0
"The sole purpose of Chennai Express is to entertain. And that it does. So grab a bucket of popcorn, sit back and enjoy the ride."
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"In an ode to his own cinema—read Golmaal series, Bol Bachchan, Rohit Shetty ishstyle, the director, who has grossers in Bollywood's 100-crore club, ups the scale for his Eid offering. Note: You may not like the film if Bollywood potboilers leave you cold"
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Bodrul Chaudhury· Bollyspice
7.0
"On the whole, Chennai Express has a masala of comedy, action, romance and drama which will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Though it is by no means perfect, Rohit Shetty does handle the majority of this film quite well; which may be of some inspiration for future filmmakers seeking to produce and direct a fresh Bollywood comedy. In addition, it can be safely said that Chennai Express ends Shah Rukh Khan's lean phase, given that he starred in some less appreciated films in recent years. With Chennai Express, you will see the King of Bollywood back at his best and proving that he still has the talent and determination needed to keep audiences entertained. Thus, make the time to get on this train and witness a delightful story unfolds before your eyes!"
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Rummana Ahmed· Yahoo! India
6.0
"If you are a die-hard Shah Rukh fan and if you can overlook the many indulgences of the Rohit Shetty-style of filmmaking there is no reason for you not to love this movie."
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Resham Sengar· Zee News
6.0
"If you ignore the few clichés (the repetition of 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' scenes and the lines that we have heard SRK speaking in his popular films), the lack of punch in the script and even the high predictability factor, then you are onboard for a fun ride with 'Chennai Express'!"
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Mohar Basu· KoiMoi
6.0
"Chennai Express is another average fare which stars King Khan. He will make you laugh with his flawless comic timing, romance with Deepika with a flattering charm and Rohit Shetty helps him absorb some superhero powers as well by which he beats to pulp a man twice his size. Yes, the last part doesn't quite make sense but then Chennai Express comes with an unwritten statutory warning – it isn't supposed to embody logic but it is, nevertheless, quite fun! I am going with a 3/5. Go with your family and have a good time!"
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"Chennai Express is a full-on masala film that is completely unapologetic about its intentions. And that is its USP."
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Vinayak Chakravorty· India Today
6.0
"He always had the lung power. This time Shah Rukh Khan, in a bid to prove he still remains at the top of his game, is out gunning to score with lungi power. Chennai Express is a loud and crazy experience, so what if you might just forget all of it even as you hit the exit door after the show. It's got the lungi power while it lasts."
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Karan Anshuman· Mumbai Mirror
4.0
"An individual opinion in such critic-proof films is like a smashed up secondary car in a Rohit Shetty convoy: it amuses momentarily. Deepika Padukone is perhaps the best reason to watch this movie and her absurd accent only adds to her charm. Of course it only works when the dialogue is comical. Imagine how everything derails when she talks like that in emotional scenes. As for Shah Rukh Khan, one hopes he smashes all box office records so that he may take a moment and consider doing a film along the lines of a Kabhi Haan, Kabhi Naa, Swades, or a Chak De. Films that were not about the math."
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Sachin Chatte· The Navhind Times
4.0
"The fault is not so much with the director Rohit Shetty as it is with the writer Yunus Sajawal. If you see Sajawal saab's filmography, it will boggle your mind – Rascals, Do Knot Disturb, Tom, Dick, Harry, God Tussi Great ho and many other travesties are credited to him."
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Mayank Shekhar· Daily Bhaskar
2.0
"Given the trailer, viewers in the theatre will probably look out for two things: lots of crackerjack humour, equal amounts of earth-shaking, gravity-defying assault on human bodies, cars, jeeps, and even the train. Throughout, at least I couldn't spot a single moment that had me even mildly chuckling. The stunts and car-nage is limited to two sequences, which is a small fraction for a film that clocks over 140 minutes. So should you feel cheated, sitting in this loud, chugging train to Chennai? Perhaps."
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Sneha May Francis· Emirates247
"It's endearing at times, but the jokes are repeated so often that they lose shine. Rohit's carnival-like comedy coaxes some laughs, but can leave you exhausted. Make no mistake, 'Chennai Express' is fun, but the kind that Rohit endorses."
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IANS· Deccan Herald
"The good news first. "Chennai Express" is a pleasant and likable film in parts. The bad news is, it does nothing for Shah Rukh Khan's imdomitable star power except to tell us he can still play a 40-year Rahul without faltering. That we already know."
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Rachit Gupta· Filmfare
"Any attempt to intellectualise Chennai Express is futile. This film is unabashedly juvenile in its sense of humour and entertainment. Shah Rukh Khan is in full-on self deprecation mode. Deepika Padukone speaks in a caricature-ish Tamil accent. More than half the film's dialogue is in Tamil. The story arc is so simple that you can fit it in a single tweet. Despite all its shortcomings, this is still a funny film. Rohit Shetty makes chettinad-style masala movies. And that's the perfect description of this film."
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Cast & Crew

Cast

Details

Release Date
8 August 2013
Runtime
141 min
Language
Hindi

User Ratings & Reviews

Users6.925 ratings

25 ratings from the community

Community Reviews (16)

SOAug 2013

Chennai Express is the 21st Hindi film to enter the (now stale/yawn) Rs 100 cr+ club. Taaliyan!!! (or should I say Gaaliyan). And there ends the objective for this documentary on Tamilnadu Tourism. When the occasion is festive (Eid), the hundi is ready to be filled up with eager ever-willing / spending fans, there is a blitzkrieg of non-stop media, marketing and money spent like water, crass promotion spree with games releases etc, an entire week's free-run, competition trounced (Marathi Duniyadari and Tamil Thalaiva), mammoth release (3500) with countless shows daily in multiplexes alone and single screens counting, with ticket prices raised, the stage has been set by the big daddies (financiers) to rip the gullible apart. And to hell with the movie and the story. A documentary would do. Welcome aboard the Tamil Express. Were Ramaiya Vastavaiya released on Eid day, it too'd've done 100+ cr business. So it'd make sense only if CE ends up dong 300-500+ cr business. Let's see the star power. Let's see if this docu can survive a week and meet the next biggie the next week. Manmohan Desai-Amitabh Bachchan, David Dhawan-Govinda and now RoHIT SHITty-Ajay Devgan was/is a sure-fire hit combo. Most of the time these combos rode on luck but at times their movies didn't succeed. Shitty is purely riding on luck and he extended the olive branch to the over-the-hill, unsure and faded SRK, who lapped it up like there was no tomorrow. And believe me, this is so true. CE has entered the club but where has it taken SRK? SRK has nothing new to offer. He has no more new milestones to cross or any records to set. The movie cannot add anything to him except fan his ego. It's time for SRK to reflect and re-invent himself. In a couple of years he'll be 50 and... Let me leave this here as we've to discuss something very important- the (non-existent) story. The lucky letter K is abundant here in the train journey from Kalyan-Karjat-Kambam (Theni) to Rameshwaram. Forget Kashmir to Kanyakumari. A 40+ virgin hero, who is unsure whether he is Michael Jackson, Jim Carrey or Rahul of yore (I mean 20+ RAHUL) or whatever and makes faces to pass it off for acting (I guess, SRK has done better in his ads and photo shoots). The hero doesn't understand Tamil (so how did the director presume the viewer could follow this 60% Tamil padam. Wouldn't it be better for us to watch a genuine Tamil film Thalaiva?). The heroine does the translation but otherwise there is no mandatory sub-titling. Never mind as most of the viewers are doing what the hero is doing - NODDING yes and no. (Wonderful pastime). The heroine speaks Hindi in a funny accent and Tamil even more so but she sings songs in PERFECT Hindi! The toy train journeys through cardboard scenery. Wonder of wonders, a 35k cellphone thrown out of the train lands intact on STONES and is still functioning (phone/internet/text) like it is in

UBAug 2013

Utter rubbish. Tasteless and Overacting. Not sure if this is a Hindi movie or a Tamil as 80% dialogues are in Tamil. SRK at his stupid best. No suprises if this also makes it to the 100 Cr club and Rohith Shetty come up with another sequel called Howra Express or Nizamudhin - Kachiguda Express. I would rate it 1 out of 5. 1 for the Music & the Lungi dance. Keep away if possible.

POAug 2013

A total entertaining movie with no story n menaing to the movie, just a laugh thru out....SRK as always good n looked better than his previous movie Jab Thak Hai Jaan with less make up....Deepika superb acting n looked toooo good in a typical south indian dresses....Rohith shetty pictured beautifully and a good prmotion for the tourism too.....the songs lungi dance, Titli n kashmir tu was very good....over all again entertaining movie.......

I would say if anyone looking for meaning and logic in a movie.. u r better of buying 'BLACK' movie CD or wait for upcoming 'SATYAGRAHA'starring Amitabh rather than watching Chennai Express. This is total wacko comedy made for PJ viewers. Knowing its a Rohit shetty direction one should know what to expect.... Its time SRK hang his boots.. Its Deepika's all the way.

SANov 2013

Chennai Express. Given the fact that I watched it finally on TV with low expectations so I cannot say that I was disappointed. Of course, it is a brainless comic flick but it is charming in its own ways. It is said that comedy does not lie in actions, it lies in reactions. So it is not hard to observe that Shahrukh Khan plays the victim act quite up to the mark in most of the comic scenes. But movie belongs to Deepika Padukone who plays the bridge between Hindi and Tamil language dialogs and charms you with her subtle expressions and thick south Indian accent done quite right. Movie works in comic scenes but derails in last half an hour by putting extra song like Kashmir to Kanyakumari, out of context speech by hero and long DDLJ type fighting scene. All in all, SRK fans can easily survive the movie and it makes a good family entertainer when watching at home.

Finally Eid is upon us & unlike the previous years, we have a SRK movie hitting the screens rather than Salman's. After the disappointing "Jab Tak Hai Jaan", SRK join hands with Rohit Shetty in the company of Deepika Padukone for "Chennai Express". The expectations are nigh high after all Rohit Shetty is the king of "no brainer entertainers" with an enviable track record. With the film already having an unprecedented wide release in 3500 screens in 10 different languages, it should have the records toppling left & right. Being not a great fan of Rohit's no brainers, I just hope it isnt the same old stuff. Hmm...let's see... Rahul (Oh SRK, back to his favourite screen name for the umpteenth time) is entrusted to fulfill the last wishes of his grandfather to have his ashes immersed in Rameshwaram. Though he embarks on this journey with an alternate plan in mind, it all goes topsy turvy thanks to Meenamma (Deepika) who is being escorted back to her village in Tamil Nadu against her wishes for marriage by her cousin brothers. Meenamma hatches a get away plan with Rahul, but will they manage to escape from the clutches of her father??? Frankly speaking, I have never been a fan of Rohit Shetty films except for "Singham" which I enjoyed even more than the original. It's common knowledge that his brand of film making involves gravity defying stunts & brainless comedies...in short, a complete masala entertainer, which has a lot of takers as evidenced by the number of blockbusters he has to his name. Over here as well, the story isn't much different except that it's far more sensible than his other ventures. There are some genuinely hilarious scenes but quite a few were repeated which gets irritating after a point like the conversation conveyed through songs or the oft repeated "Dont underestimate..." dialogue. SRK has done an impressive job especially in the parts he makes mockery of himself, though there are quite a couple of scenes where he overacts. Deepika has done total justice to her role & stays toe to toe with the superstar. As opposed to Rohit's other films, the action sequences are quite minimal with the climax stunt being well choreographed. Vishal Shekhar's music rocked with "Titli" &"1234" being my personal favourites while Dudley's visuals were breathtaking at times. Verdict: Pre-release hype, catchy music & unprecedented number of release centres will ensure that the film takes an earth shattering initial. In all probability, it will break all existing records & will be marching its way towards 200C in the long run. From a personal point of view, it's just about average but definitely better than the usual buffonery of Rohit's films!!! Rating: 2.25/5 Regards...Ben

Finally its time to Get on The Train Babby and this train made me difficult to sit in my seat with out laughing(actually burst out of happiness). Completely laughing from the SRK's 1st line in movie "Let me start form the starting". I really wonder how SRK accepted such a kind of story, where deepika has more scope than him and she proved it to metal core. Whole 1st half is completely carry by her, only after that SRK's flavor(LOVE & DRAMA) comes into the plot and all the time he lived in his simple, stylish, most funny dialogue "Dont under estimate the power of a common man". Rohit Shetty has his mark on each and every frame. Though many part of the movie are lifted from some Telugu films, they are placed in a right place to make the film more attractive. On whole its SRK's funny romantic action Love Story in Rohit Shetty Istyleee

RANov 2016

First thing, I am gonna talk about myself very honestly.. I am a movie addict and a big fan of Shah Rukh Khan. I truly don't see a greater star than him in the Bollywood industry (though some International magazines state he is the biggest star in the globe. - I disagree with that.). As I already said, I am a movie buff (I watch both Hollywood & Bollywood movies), I have seen almost all the movies this year that has been well received by critics, and I must say, this movie is the best at comedy and action. It can compared to some Hollywood biggies like Hot Fuzz or The World's End. Now let's talk about the various aspects of the movie. Plot: The plot goes like this... a 40-year-old Punjabi man is on a mission to immerse his grandfather's ashes down South. Enroute he meets a young Tamilian girl who has eloped. Their lives entwine and his journey takes an altogether different route. In reality, the is plot is as adventurous as you find reading it, but the humor is even greater. And the plot take (with a few plot holes I have to say) many dramatic turns towards the end. Though some are likely to make you think "Why?". Of course, it being a Rohit Shetty film, expect some illogical humor that still manages to crack up the audiences in laughter. Direction: Rohit Shetty, well, I am not a fan, but I must admit... he does well. At least better than his previous movies. I found no glitches in the direction. Superb work by him and his team. Cast Performances: First & foremost, lets talk about the man under the spotlight, Shah Rukh Khan, who leads the cast. Man, he rocks. I salute this guy. The definition of acting may have been written by someone else but he (Shah Rukh Khan) defines it. The most important thing about him (and what makes him the greatest star in Bollywood) is that he knows what he has to do and how to do it. He does everything with perfection. Rohit Shetty once mentioned this in an interview, and right he is. Deepika Padukone is even better and more vivid and honest essaying her role. Her accent in the movie is so funny. Will crack you up time to time. Nikitin Dheer had a considerably small role to play. But even still, he was awesome. He was perfect for the role. A good future he has in front of him (no sarcasm intended)... Music/Songs: Songs are just above average. I, honestly, didn't find anything special in the music. Editing/Camera Work/Choreography & Other Aspects: Brilliant. 10/10 just for awesome acting and directio

JONov 2016

There's always something interesting in watching Shahrukh Khan do his usual "common man" antics in his films. In Chennai Express, he proves yet again why he is called as King Khan in Bollywood. Teaming up with Rohit Shetty for the first-time, the film's success was guaranteed since its inception maybe, for the film has all the elements of it being an entertainer, with the scenes so well-performed that it won't bore you even for a split second. Truly, it is 142 minutes of sheer refreshment for the mind if not anything else. Deepika Padukone is a wonder to watch every time 'cause she proves her undiscovered mettle with every different character she portrays. While some may have complained that she had overdone her 'wild-child' roles, Chennai Express is that breath of fresh air to see her donning only traditional attires – mostly Dhaavani's and Kanjivaram sarees matched with beautifully-designed gold jewelry. What started as a promise Rahul (SRK) made to his grandmother, turned out to be an adventure he hadn't fathomed. On this adventure, he fights for a holiday, then fights for love, and finally gets married after having waited for so long. The film captures the raw beauty of Tamil Nadu in most frames and it shall be a treat for all those watching it. However, the dialect may become a tad-bit difficult to gauge easily since there is a lot of use of Tamil in the film, you would still know what is going on. An unintended adventure taught Rahul how to converse in the language fluently too. Nonetheless, Deepika as Meena is fabulous. She seems to have worked quite hard on her Tamil-infused Hindi for the film and she doesn't disappoint. There are references to many famous films, dialogues and songs in Chennai Express, besides the comic-timing is so well-placed that at no point it would seem as buffoonery. Despite the notion of a film only teasing the taste buds of the masses, this is one that both the classes and the masses are sure to enjoy. So it's an entertaining film, a travelogue, a love story, Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and a lot of elements of Rohit Shetty. You don't need more reason to go and watch the film.

KIDec 2016

Seeing Shah Rukh Khan in this kind of typical bollywood entertainer film is kinda surprising but let me tell you guys - he has done it ! Rohit Shetty, the director, did a great job. He has always been known of this special genre of films in bollywood if I am not wrong and has lived up to the expectations in a 'better' way I would say. Music overall is a bit let down in the sense that bollywood audience love the singers' voice and flow of the song, not exactly the 'music' part of the songs. But technically this is really another best part of the movie and people will realize it while watching the movie. Songs fit with the situation and flow of the story. Nikiten, Sathyaraj and other supporting actors did lend a good support to the film and script. Deepika is just 'outstanding'. This is one movie where I would say that an actress went ahead of a male actor in overall performance. South Indian language, accent, expressions, confidence and of course the chemistry with Shah Rukh Khan - everything brilliant ! I would go with 4.5/5

MYDec 2016

Best masla movie ever made

RAJan 2017

‎ChennaiExpress‬ - The movie delivered what promised and that is sheer ENTERTAINMENT. Since it was a Rohit Shetty movie, I entered the theater having a mindset of seeing those illogical stunts and gravity defying action, but I was really surprised to see a "toned" down Rohit Shetty in this movie. Yes there were few action scenes here and there, but it was not very "over the top" as was synonymous with a Shetty movie. For me, I will not tag it as a complete "no brainer mindless masala flick", as it surely isn't. Coming to acting, SRK's comic timing was impeccable even when he was hamming through the scenes, it was done with a purpose, but finally it was Deepika Padukone who stole the hearts with her endearing performance. And did I mention it was funny, rather hilarious at times. A complete Family Entertainer. Those who don't feel laughing their hearts out won't hurt their intellect, will surely love this movie

REJan 2017

very good adventure movie with content and entertiment

JOFeb 2017

entertiment entertiment entertiment with new idea and clean masla

AJJul 2017

shahrukh performance is excellent ,different kind of movie in recent times

'Chennai Express' comes with its own contrivances. There is an over-dragged plot which is nothing but a bundle of clichés all aimed against the South Indians and multiple overlong jokes. If this was a seventies flick, it would well have been called 'Uttar aur Dakshin' (I over-imagine terribly). But it is also guilty pleasure, because its jokes are funny and the romance between Rahul and Meenamma is breezy. Shahrukh Khan has been overpowered by Deepika Padukone who also delivers constantly, especially in the second half. Its emotional bits, somewhere, though largely never, do get where they want to. The use of accented, well-done Tamil is what I found great. It's a fun mass movie which goes in exciting directions, even when it finds comfort in the familiar and overstays its welcome.

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