Delhi 6 (Dilli CHHE) - Aage Nahin PEECHHE

There was much riding on Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra especially after Rang De Basanti, which took the cinema goers by storm with its novelty of theme. Of course that theme has worn thin in his latest offering Deihi 6 (chhe).

Old Delhi is the most magnificent part of India with its historical buildings and even more historic past. It holds the most precious memories that can never be erased.

It is to relive that past that I viewed this movie. It was not a comeback for me but a huge let down.

Rakesh may have lived there but his heart is certainly not in the movie. He has just put together sequences, which do not connect. Forget connecting with the audience, it made me think of what a wastage of my time and money. I could have gone shopping and had more fun.

But first thing first. The Story: It is similar to Swades but not a patch on it. The grandson Roshan (Abhishek), an NRI, obliges his granny (Waheeda Rehman) and brings her to Old Delhi (walled City). Of course it has to be Chandni Chowk. But what is this? Rakesh filmed Chandni Chowk in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The artificiality of the sets comes through.

The story breathes its last here. It then progresses in episodes – monkey man, Hindu Muslim tensions (unity), the narrow lanes (!?), the traffic, Ramlila, etc. etc. But the spirit of Purani Dilli is missing. Its spirit lies in the hearts of its people. Sadly, filmi actors cannot even come close to it. They are just actors getting over their role rather than living it.

Strangely the chemistry between hero Roshan and heroine Bittu is sadly missing. They need to learn acting. Star kids have only bloated egos and this film is the apparent result.

About the actors: Waheeda is passable. She does make efforts but that’s it. Om Puri, Pawan Malhotra, Vijay Raaz and Rishi Kapoor are worth mentioning. They bring alive their parts. Divya Dutta is simply superb although she has a small part. She shines through. Other characters too do a commendable job.

It should rightly be called “Dilli Chhe� because that is what Purani Dilli (Walled City) is fondly called and not ‘Delhi’ 6.

AR Rahman is rightly this film's hero (body) for sure and his music its heroine (soul). Wishing him all the best at the Oscars.

Now coming to the main characters:

Neither can Abhishek portray a New Yorker convincingly nor a Dilliwala. He is fakeness personified. In fact, his accent was jarring on the nerves. And his dance – he has two left feet. He has a lot to learn if he wishes to carry a film solo on his shoulders. Till now he is a big failure in this regard.

Sonam Kapoor must ‘LEARN’ acting if she can. Throwing tantrums in the film is not acting. She should forget she is a star kid if she wishes to get any new films. ‘Sawariya’ can be forgotten and now this dud. Audiences won’t be tolerating a third bomber. She should look out for alternative career. Sadly, she is no patch on Kareena Kapoor or her first hero Ranbir Kapoor.

Last but not the least. Amitabh Bachchan. He lands up last in this film. Had he not been there, it would have made more sense. His entry is actually an intrusion. Not needed and mostly not required at all.

Forget acting, Bachchans currently at most can be called socialites. Or the best non-actors. They are resting on their past laurels. Even Shahid Kapur has given more hits and entertained us more. We are the paying public. We cannot be bought like bought previews or bought critics. Audience won't lap any trash doled out to them.

CAVEAT to Audience: Watch it at your own risk. Is there a wedding or shopping or an outing you have to attend. Head there and ENJOY!