Not exactly in China!
It might be called Chandi Chowk to China, but this Nikhil Advani flick hasn't really been fully filmed in China. Actually, it so happened that after a major part of the shooting, the director and his entire crew had to hastily leave China and look for an alternative place to shoot the rest of the film. So the remaining portions were shot in Bangkok, which, according to the director, has a topography similar to China and is a very Bollywood-friendly country.
Nikhil explained why. He said, "It was the year of the Olympics in China and it became impossible beyond a point to shoot in the country where our film is based. Maybe a quieter less flamboyant film could have been shot, but not the kind of action that Akshay has shot."
Akshay Kumar has been pitted against the likes of Gordon Lieu who was in The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin and Roger Yuan, the main villain in the Jackie Chan-starrer Shanghai Noon. Interestingly, Mithun Chakraborty, an action star during his heydays, is also performing stunts in Chandni Chowk To China.
The director thinks action is the backbone of his film. While other films have item songs, Chandni Chowk To China has item-action and the action scenes move the plot forward.
Bappi Lahiri has redone his 'Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost' which, according to the director, is another high point.
Well, we'll have to wait and watch to see whether Mr. Advani's enthusiasm pays off or not!
