When buying tickets for 36 China Town I was drawn by the impressive hoardings showing Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor, not to forget Akshaye Khanna, who is usually a good crowd puller.I was under the impression that the movie is an out and out thriller but I was mistaken because there are several different genres mixed together to give a masala appeal to the film.
I think this movie will rake in the moolah because the story is simplistic and at times somewhat predictable.
The story begins by introducing Upen Patel who is a lady’s man. Then it goes on to reveal details about the lives of Shahid Kapur who is a struggling actor (in dire need of 10 lakh rupees) and Kareena Kapoor who has been estranged from her family and double-crossed by her boyfriend.
The story is purportedly set in Goa but the film indicates otherwise. 36 China Town is the palatial mansion of a rich casino owner, played by Isha Koppikar, who has lost her infant son. She proposes a reward of 25 lac rupees for anyone who happens to find him, and Shahid and Kareena happen to find the child and travel incognito to Goa. However when they reach there they find the lady murdered and they find themselves implicated in the crime.
The other couples who happen to be there at the time of the incident are Paresh Rawal/Payal Rohatgi and Johny Lever/Tannaz Lal. Dinyar Contractor and Roshan Tirandaz play the caretakers of the mansion. Raj Zutshi also plays a role in the climax.Akshay Khanna plays the suave police inspector who finds all the above mentioned characters suspects in the crime.
The cameo played by Akshaye Khanna’s assistant adds one more dose of laughter to the comedy aspect of the film. The climax of the story also involves the landlady’s lawyer, one more suspect in an intriguing case.
The tunes in the film are catchy .The comedy is a relief. The dances are full of energy and verve. Kareena Kapoor too seems to be getting better with experience.
The movie on the whole is better than average.It is sure to keep your attention for the better part of 2 hours.