Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

2009 has been one of the most prolific years for Rishi Kapoor a.k.a CHINTU JI in real life. He started off the year with a brilliant performance in LUCK BY CHANCE which many believe has been Rishi Kapoor's best role and performance in last 5 years at least. This was followed by DELHI 6 where he was good but had to contend with those two and a half scenes that Rakesyh Omprkash Mehra decided to feature him in.

KAL KISNE DEKHA saw him experimenting with not just his characterization but also a wig but unfortunately, his villainy act got him quite a lot of flak. There were interesting moments though in LOVE AAJ KAL where he was good again but audiences were left asking for more.

Well, audiences don't have much to complain though in case of CHINTU JI since it features the actor from start till the end of the film. A film, where Rishi Kapoor not just plays a central protagonist but also lives an 'I, me and myself' role, all with a smile on his face, CHINTU JI is satirical and also very contemporary.

What also makes CHINTU JI special is the fact that it at least doesn't make mockery of one of the most senior most and active actors around. In the past there have been number of actors who have attempted a comeback on the big screen but have failed miserably. Rajesh Khanna is the recent example of that while Manoj Kumar, in his last few movies after which he finally hung up his boots, was simply disastrous.

The only few actors who are still managing a gracious outing are Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, who is good only when he wants (APNE). Meanwhile, Jeetendra and Shatrughan Sinha have quietly allowed themselves a backseat. In this aspect, Rishi Kapoor coming out trumps in a film where he had to actually walk a thin rope is commendable.

CHINTU JI truly boasts of some good entertainment value and in this respect wins over quite some competition that it is facing at theaters. One hopes that exhibitors show their faith in the film and retain its shows next week which would again be showcasing as many as six new releases.