Cheeni Kum – Movie review

Jul 21, 2015

Balki’s Cheeni Kum is not a typical Bollywood film. It’s a May-December love story. It shows the love between two mature people. Buddhadev, who is in autumn of his years, falls in love with Delhi based Nina Varma who is in her 30’s.
Buddha is 60 years old man and is the owner of restaurant Spice 6 that is specialized in Indian food in London. He is uptight, pompous and egoistic. He lives with her widower 85 years old mother. Buddha is a top chef and his restaurant is London’s best Indian restaurant. He prides himself with the fact that not once his dish was returned by a customer. The dishes were garnished with finesse. His food is scrumptious, mouthwatering and full of flavors’. His customers loved it. He believed that other restaurants offer food that is attracted to eyes but his restaurant offers food that is not only attractive to eye but nose and tongue also. He believed that food is about feelings and emotions. About his restaurant, the interior was sheen and beautiful, all decorated in black and white. It offered a peaceful and modern dining experience. It was an Indian restaurant but the designing and environment was opposite to their tradition. Candle lit tables with black and white setting gave an eastern look to the restaurant and the environment was quiet and customer friendly. The taste of the food was spot on. Flavors burst into the mouth with every bite. Every ingredient enhanced the taste of the dish and every dish that was cooked to perfection, took the customers to a journey of vast delicious flavors.

One day a customer (Nina), sends back Hyderabadi Zafrani pulao complaining that it is sweet. Buddha, who is confident that his chefs can never make such a mistake, does not take this criticism well. He confronts the customer and her friend resulting in them leaving the restaurant. Buddha comes to know that the Zafrani pulao was indeed sweet and Nina was right so he decides to make amendment by lending her his umbrella on one rainy day in London. This leads to their friendship and subsequently they fall in love. They decide to get married.

Nina cuts short her visit and goes back to India as her father is hospitalized. Buddha also goes to Delhi to ask for Nina’s hand in marriage from her now fully recovered father. After a great deal of hesitation Buddha asks her father Om Prakash, who is several years younger than Buddha. Om Prakash abruptly refuses the proposal and when Nina pushes him to say yes, he goes on a hunger strike until Nina will leave his lover.

The performances of both Amitabh (Buddha) and Tabu (Nina) are of the highest quality. Both lead actors impresses the audience with their comical timings. Some dialogues were unnecessary and the other sarcastic repartees now and then made the flavor of the movie. Cheeni Kum should be watched specially by the people who are young at heart and love fine dining.