China Gate is a 1998 Indian Hindi-language Western action film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. It was released on 27 November 1998. China Gate follows the basic storyline of the classic Seven Samurai. The film was critically acclaimed for Santoshi's writing and direction.[2] The song "Chamma Chamma" picturised on Urmila Matondkar became a chart buster and was used in Baz Luhrmann's film Moulin Rouge!.
China Gate | |
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Directed by | Rajkumar Santoshi |
Screenplay by |
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Story by | Rajkumar Santoshi |
Produced by | Rajkumar Santoshi |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Piyush Shah |
Edited by | V. N. Mayekar |
Music by | Songs: Anu Malik Score: Vanraj Bhatia |
Production company | Santoshi Productions |
Release date |
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Running time | 175 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Hindi |
Budget | ₹20 crore (US$2.5 million)[1] |
The story begins with Col. Krishnakant Puri and his ten men who were dishonorably discharged from the Indian Army for failing in the China Gate mission. They belong to the "Ghatak" platoon of an infantry regiment. Krishnakant lives an alienated life after the Court-martial. Frustrated, one day he is about to commit suicide when a young lady named Sandhya knocks on his door. Having witnessed the brutal slaying of her Forest Officer father, Sunder Rajan, at the hands of dreaded dacoit Jageera, Sandhya goes to the Col. and asks for his assistance in bringing an end to Jageera's rule in the Devdurg region. Col. Krishnakant agrees to assist her and summons ten of his fellow officers and subordinates to assist him in this mission. They assemble at Devdurg with the necessary ammunition and arms to combat Jageera, not realizing that Jageera has influence over the local police detachment, who will prevent Krishnakant and his men to possess any guns and weapons. This does not deter the men, and they continue to stay on in Devdurg. They gain the confidence of the villagers too.
The villagers do not know that Krishnakant and his men had been dishonorably discharged from the army for cowardice. At the time of the first encounter with the gang of Jageera, the team of Krishnakant realised that they are out of shape and have lost instincts and fighting capabilities due to age. With the permission of Col. Krishnakant, Major Gurung starts to train them again.
One day, Jageera captures them with the help of corrupt police officer Barot, but they escape finally and in turn capture Jageera. Col Krishan Puri and few officers intend to kill him, but leader Col. Puri hands him over to the police inspector Barot. As a result, Jageera is again set free and kills Maj. Sarfaraj.
Now the full team of Col. Krishnakant along with the villagers chase Jageera to take final revenge. They Teach Inspector Baarot an Ultimate lesson. Krishnakant gets to know that Sandhya and rest of the residents are held hostage by Jageera. Udit is able to save her. After the Deadly fight, The Five soldiers including Kewal kills Jageera only to avenge Sarfaraz's death.
The film ends with the full team setting out for next adventure to accomplish the new Mission afterwards Udit becomes Sandhya's husband.
The film was conceived as a tribute to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. The film was made on the budget of ₹20 crores, the most expensive Bollywood production at that point of time.[1]
The music for this movie was composed by Anu Malik and the item song "Chamma Chamma" became extremely popular, which was later used in Hollywood film Moulin Rouge! and was recreated for the film, Fraud Saiyyan.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
All lyrics are written by Sameer.
No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Hum Ko To Rahna Hai" | Sonu Nigam, Hariharan, Vinod Rathod | 7:11 |
2. | "Chamma Chamma" | Anu Malik, Sapna Awasthi | 5:53 |
3. | "Chamma Chamma, Pt. 2" | Vinod Rathod, Shankar Mahadevan, Alka Yagnik | 5:54 |
4. | "Is Mitti Ka Karz Tha Mujhpe" | Sonu Nigam | 3:14 |
5. | "Theme of China Gate (Instrumental)" | 1:02 |
Films of Rajkumar Santoshi | |
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