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China Gate
Starring: Om Puri, Amrish Puri, Nasseruddin Shah, Urmila Matondkar, Mamta Kulkarni
Director: Raj Kumar Santoshi

Boom, crash, boom...and the script chugs along to China Gate. And you supposedly have Akira Kurosawa's, 'The Seven Samurai' to thank for it.

The film is about ten soldiers under the leadership of Major Krishankant Puri (Om Puri) who were court-martialed 17 years ago because they turned their back on the battlefield. One day Sabdhya (Mamta Kulkarni) approaches Major Puri asking him to rescue her villagers from a dreaded terrorist, Jagira (Mukesh Tiwari).
Puri calls in his soldiers - they of course rally around, glad to take a break from fighting their own mental demons. Om Puri, Amrish Puri and Danny excel in their roles. Danny especially is simply outstanding as Gurang, who is battling blood cancer and trying to make the most of his life.

The story isn't new, neither is the twist. Raj Kumar Santoshi took a big risk casting 10 character actors in lead roles. He took a bigger risk making cost run up to Rs 190 million. He took an even bigger risk making his villian as a mean, Haryanvi-speaking dacoit who forever walks in the shadow of Gabbar Singh.

But overall, the risks seem to have paid off. All action does get the adrenalin flowing and so do the tears, when the heroes bite the dust.

Walk to China Gate - its interesting!