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Raju Chacha
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'Raju Chacha'

By N K Deoshi
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

The year begins with a bang for Bollywood as "Raju Chacha", touted as the most expensive movie ever made in the history of talkie, goes 70mm.

The film marks the rite of passage for both Ajay Devgan and his dusky wife Kajol, who have been hibernating in nuptial bliss ever since they tied the knot. The film is a dream project for both and neither has spared any effort to make it a success.

Ajay

the producer has spent lavishly on the film's making. He entrusted the job of directing the film to his brother Anil who, who has done a good job, considering the fact that it’s his first shot at the turnstiles.

"Raju Chacha" is a fantasy tale that revolves around three children, a young governess and a small-time crook hoping to make an easy buck. Rishi Kapoor at last does a role that suits his age better. He grooves well as Siddhant Rai, the rich architect who lives in a swanky bungalow and leads an affluent lifestyle. Being a widower his three children Rohit, Rahul and Rani (played by child artists Harsh, Manshukh and Saakshi) are his be-all and end-all. But he is not able to give them much his time as he is busy trotting the globe on his work.

The palatial house is forever bustling with the little ones' pranks, pampered as they are from their childhood. Having never been tied to anyone's apron strings, the children act their own masters and every time Siddhant gets them a governess, they drive her away with their naughty tricks.

But Anna (Kajol) won’t be cowed down by their intimidatory tactics. Bubbly and effervescent as she herself is, she actively participates in the children's mischiefs and is soon accepted by them. Besides, being an orphan, she easily empathizes with the void in their hearts.

Shekhar (Ajay Devgan), a small-time crook who makes a living out of swindling others, has a crush on Anna. Through her, he wants to reach Siddhant's swelling fortunes.

Siddhant's uncle( Govind Namdeo) wants to get rid of him and his kids to appropriate his billions. His evil intent succeeds to some extent, after he gets Siddhant killed in a car accident and begins to ill-treat his children.

That’s when Shekhar has a change of heart. He steps in as the children's savior, impostering as Siddhant's long-lost brother Raju. Thus a chor becomes a chacha and together the quintet fights the baddies and throws them out of their house.

Ajay Devgan and Kajol, both seasoned actors, turn in superb performances once again. However, it is the three child artists Harsh, Manshukh and Saakshi who steal the show with their sprightly performances. There is also a surprise cameo by Sanjay Dutt, who steps in at the unlikely hour and claims to be the true Raju Chacha.

Made at the whopping budget of 35 crore, the film is Devgans' third production. Yet, despite the hype and hullabaloo surrounding it the film, it turns out to be a mere pot pouri of famous Hollywood flicks. Director Anil seems to have drawn a lot of inspiration from the classic musical " The Sound Of Music" and the recent ones like "Home Alone" and "the Lion King". Jatin Lalit's euphonious score is a highlight of the movie, particularly the song "Dil Dil", which has a lot of flamenco and Arpeggio style of guitar play thrown in.

Art director Nitin Desai again is at his best as he meticulously erected Rishi's over 100 feet-high fantasy castle (spread over 3 acres) at the cost of Rs. 5 crore amidst the verdant hills of Ooty.

To boot, the movie boasts of special effects that will leave the viewers astounded. The title song, for instance, features special effects involving as many as 4000 children, parachuting down or having a train ride.

Ajay describes the film as" a dream project made from heart and soul". He says there was no question of going over-budget as no upper limit was set in the first place. Yet the man has put a lot at stake--the mammoth budget apart, months of arduous work doubling as producer and actor. It remains to be seen if it will capture the imagination of the viewers and catapult Devgan into the big league.

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