Warner Bros Pictures plan sequel to `Chandni Chowk To China`

H S Rao
London, Jan 12 (PTI) Even before it has hit theaters,
Warner Bros Pictures are planning a sequel to their first
Bollywood film, the Akshay Kumar-starrer 'Chandni Chowk To
China,' which premiered here Monday.

"Warner Bros want to make a sequel to the film" enthused
by the response it has generated, its director Nikhil Advani
said, describing the US-based Warner Bros Pictures' first
Bollywood production as an "illogical, mad film".

"We have signed a three film deal with Warner Bros,"
Advani told PTI here.

The film, produced in about 100 days at an estimated cost
of USD 9 million, would be released in 80 theaters globally on
January 16.

"According to the bookings, we have got the biggest
opening and it will touch the figure reached by Aamir Khan's
Ghajini," he said.

The film, also starring Bollywood's latest heartthrob
Deepika Padukone, chronicles the lunatic adventures of a
hapless simpleton cook from Delhi who is mistaken for the
reincarnation of an ancient Chinese warrior.

As he goes to seek his destiny, he finds himself thrown
into a crazy world of megalomaniac villains, femme fatales,
crazy inventors, Chinese mysticism and outlandish kung-fu
assassins.

Akshay Kumar, who plays the lead role told PTI, "It is an
easy going film."

"In these days of recession and stress, people can enjoy
this film. My son told me, Dad you look like a cartoon
character in this film and my grandmother told me that I look
like Bhorrat, the famous comic character," Akshay Kumar said.

Boyle's film depicts the heart-warming story of an orphan
Jamaal, who goes on to win the Indian version of popular game
show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? to get his love back.

The film was adapted from Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's
novel 'Q and A' by screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, best known for
1997 hit 'The Full Monty."

The film also starred Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor and
Irrfan Khan.

Australian actor Heath Ledger was honoured posthumously
for his portrayal of the villainous character 'The Joker' in
Batman sequel 'The Dark Knight'.

British actress Kate Winslet romped home with both the
best actress and the best supporting actress awards for her
performances in 'Revolutionary Road' and 'The Reader'
respectively.

She beat Meryl Streep 'Doubt', Anne Hathaway 'Racheal
Getting Married,' Angelina Jolie 'The Changeling' and Kristin
Scott-Thomas in best actress category.

Hollywwod superstar Brad Pitt's drama 'The Curious Case
of Benjamin Button,' which had bagged five nominations along
with 'Frost/Nixon' and 'Doubt' failed to get any awards.

Kumar, who described the film as an entertainer suggested
that the audience should "leave their brain" behind when they
venture out to watch the film.

"I am requesting my audience, please leave your brain at
home. I will try my level best to entertain you," the actor
said.

Kumar, who did all the fighting sequels including the
Chinese Martial Arts and Kung-fu, in the film said before
meeting Chinese experts he believed that he knew Karate and
martial art.

"But after seeing the maestros in China, I believe have
to learn more," he said.

Pointing out to the rising budgets of films, Kumar said
while three years ago one could produce a good film in about
USD 3 million, "today, this film has cost USD 9 million".

"In the next two years, Bollywood would produce good
quality films spending upto USD 30 million," he said, adding,
"this film can create history and it will change the budgets
of films".

Asked if he would like to act in a Hollywood film, Kumar
said he would opt for it if he was offered a good role.

"Fortunately, Hollywood itself is coming to Bollywood
now," he noted.

The film's leading lady Deepika Padukone, who has
performed several stunts in the movie, admitted that initially
it was "quite painful" to perform some of the martial arts.

"But after training daily for six to eight hours for six
months, I could do all action sequences," she said.

Padukone, who made her debut opposite superstar Shah Rukh
Khan in Om Shanti Om, said she thoroughly enjoyed working both
with Khan and Akshay Kumar. "Both are extremely talented," she
said.

'Chandni Chowk to China' also stars veteran actor Mithun
Chakraborty and Chinese stars Gordon Liu of 'Kill Bill' fame
and Roger Yuan of Batman Begins fame.

The stunts for the film have been directed by Huen Chiu
Ku whose credits include the Oscar winner 'Crouching Tiger
Hidden Dragon', besides, 'The Matrix' (2 and 3), 'The
Forbidden Kingdom' and 'The Mummy'.

The film premiered in Toronto, Los Angels and New York
and according to Advani, "everybody loved the film." PTI