An Unprecedented Indian movie. Never before. Hope this has opened up the floodgates. We need independent writers who are not held down by the big studios. Really sad to see Chintu ka birthday not getting a theatre release and coming out in VOD format.
130 Reviews
Capsule Review: Chintu Ka Birthday (7 Stars)
nairtejas17 October 2019
Chintu Ka Birthday (Chintu's Birthday) is a difficult film to review because although it has its heart at the right place the constant flipflopping between comedy and thriller made me slightly uncomfortable both as a viewer enjoying good cinema and a discerning entertainee trying to not describe such a proceeding therefore as contrived. The idea of a sweet, small Indian family of five trying to celebrate its youngest member's birthday in a war-torn Iraq soon after the fall of Saddam Hussein is a unique one. And I love how the film takes place within the span of a few hours and yet does not lose sight of time. I don't know who comes first in acting here when you have Vinay Pathak as the father who will remind you of your own paternal figure, or the supremely talented and film festival feature usual Tillotama Shome whose one smile is enough to make you fall in love with whatever character she is playing (and she also sings in this with Seema Bhargava), or Bisha Chaturvedi the daughter whose expressions have been shot so well you will love that particular scene when she's looking at her father, that brave man who just rolled some magic into the wind because all he wants is to celebrate the birthday. I struggled a little with the overzealous performance and slightly pretentious writing of the Iraqi character played by Khaled Masso as well as the mercuric characteristics of the two American soldiers who enter the screen sometime in the second act but when I look at the underlying message and the idea that has been used to convey that, I cannot stop singing praises of Chintu Ka Birthday, a film that is as sweet as the marvelous vertically scrolling animation snippet that takes you into itself at the beginning softly narrated by Vedant Chibber the innocent-looking young boy who plays Chintu. TN.
(Watched at a limited screening at Matterden, Mumbai.)
(Watched at a limited screening at Matterden, Mumbai.)
Brilliant story, somewhat true.
ekagrarawat1019 July 2020
10/10
ushawaghmare8 November 2019
Heartwarming and a brilliant script
rajthelucifer5 June 2020
An emotionally uplifting film that works due to solid performances! [+67%]
arungeorge135 June 2020
Chintu Ka Birthday is a heartwarming little movie that requests you not to shed your last ounce of optimism during trying times. It's an international collaboration starring Vinay Pathak, Tilottama Shome, Seema Bhargava, Nate Scholz, Reginald L. Barnes, and a few others. Written and directed by Devanshu Kumar and Satyanshu Singh, the story revolves around an Indian family living in 2004 Iraq and how they're prepping to celebrate the birthday of six-year-old Chintu, the youngest member.
While it begins as a feel-good film with all elements in place, including cute Chintu (Vedant Chibber, who never goes overboard), his sweet sister Lakshmi, their loving parents Sudha and Madan along with Nani, the story takes a turn when their Iraqi landlord Mahdi pays a visit during the occasion, followed by Chintu's Iraqi friend Waheed. You even get a little comic-book-styled backstory of Madan's family and how they ended up in Iraq. Some laughs ensue, courtesy Waheed and his great comedic timing.
However, things get serious when two American soldiers knock on the family's doors. I appreciate the filmmakers for not toning down the language or the extremities at play in the later acts. Yes, there's a certain suspension of disbelief since nearly everything takes place within the confines of the house, but the warm performances of the ensemble carry it all the way through. While I'm quite sure that a lot of viewers may perceive the optimism displayed by Madan (Pathak) as a little excessive, it works given the circumstances that we find him in. Everyone in the movie's got a conscience.
This is a film with its heart entirely in the right place, and it was indeed touching to see the Tiwaris not giving up on wanting to celebrate Chintu's birthday, no matter what. You get a scene where the family goes through a harsh interrogation, but their bigger concern is how Chintu's birthday cake gets burnt. Several moments like these light up the film. And our hearts!
While it begins as a feel-good film with all elements in place, including cute Chintu (Vedant Chibber, who never goes overboard), his sweet sister Lakshmi, their loving parents Sudha and Madan along with Nani, the story takes a turn when their Iraqi landlord Mahdi pays a visit during the occasion, followed by Chintu's Iraqi friend Waheed. You even get a little comic-book-styled backstory of Madan's family and how they ended up in Iraq. Some laughs ensue, courtesy Waheed and his great comedic timing.
However, things get serious when two American soldiers knock on the family's doors. I appreciate the filmmakers for not toning down the language or the extremities at play in the later acts. Yes, there's a certain suspension of disbelief since nearly everything takes place within the confines of the house, but the warm performances of the ensemble carry it all the way through. While I'm quite sure that a lot of viewers may perceive the optimism displayed by Madan (Pathak) as a little excessive, it works given the circumstances that we find him in. Everyone in the movie's got a conscience.
This is a film with its heart entirely in the right place, and it was indeed touching to see the Tiwaris not giving up on wanting to celebrate Chintu's birthday, no matter what. You get a scene where the family goes through a harsh interrogation, but their bigger concern is how Chintu's birthday cake gets burnt. Several moments like these light up the film. And our hearts!
Sheer joy
rabhy5 June 2020
It's chintu's birthday everything is set, only problem is chintu is in War torn Baghdad, will chintu able to celebrate his birthday?
Vinay pathak and Tillotama shome shine as a couple, Seema pahwa finds a corner in your heart, the kid who plays Chintu never looks tired on camera and other members of party are also very good with their respective roles.
touching story
aniruddhawaghmare30 November 2019
simple & beautiful.
compazhar5 June 2020
The main theme of the story is nothing new bt the premise is. we have seen movie about parents going lengths for their childrens happiness. wat stand out about this movie is the execution. it movie falls in category of bheja fry, mixed double, dasvidania. whole movie is shot one home with no outdoor shoot. acting is spot on and it have sme very simple and beautiful moments. a good too watch movie
Very Nice
yuvrajmathur-701495 June 2020
The base is not clear to appreciate icing on cake.
chandrabhanusolanki11 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The movie is good no doubt but how do you get Nepali passport and didn't even realize till you are inside Indian Embassy.
When you can speak good english in front of soldiers but can't find out about your tempered citizenship.
Why the landlord was running is other issue but how come 2 children at your door to eat the cake when soldiers are waiting for route to clear.
Overall a movie to watch because of short duration.
Why are humans so stupid?
asankabg-11 May 2021
This kind of movies getting higher ratings and appreciations, but still I do not understand the rationale behind the hiding the harsh realty of life from children. Until when can we hide the truth from them, safeguarding them completely from outside world which they must face inevitably alone in one day.
It is okay to have birthday parties or celebrations, but does it worth loosing everything over it? You should always expect the unexpected, not to be disheartened over the changes. We(humans) only just an entity belongs the nature and we do not own it. Our religions, cultures and all the conventions have been established by ourselves and nature does not give a damn about it. Let the children grow with the idea how trivial we are to the nature, not the other way around. It will heal the lot of crisis situations we have been facing right now, because of the narcissism and selfishness of we humans.
It is okay to have birthday parties or celebrations, but does it worth loosing everything over it? You should always expect the unexpected, not to be disheartened over the changes. We(humans) only just an entity belongs the nature and we do not own it. Our religions, cultures and all the conventions have been established by ourselves and nature does not give a damn about it. Let the children grow with the idea how trivial we are to the nature, not the other way around. It will heal the lot of crisis situations we have been facing right now, because of the narcissism and selfishness of we humans.
Must Watch
maskaravivek-965955 June 2020
looked like an amature script
mastimeinmohit10 June 2020
Maybe the whole thing of "keeping the family together" would be liked by lots of viewers but as a script it is not at all justifying.
lots of dots were left unfilled.
very slow pace.
just another srk type movie. Iraqi war times and Vinay pathak used as marketing stunt.
Very slow pace.
Mindblowing!
maanikroda5 June 2020
One of most interesting yet soulful Zee5 original films.
It depicts the love, care and empathy for the youngest child in the house.
Rightly so, the lead character Chintu tartly plays the role of a young yet innocent kiddo.
This is a story when The USA shot Saddam Hussein. April 2004.
I do remember that his mom, dad, gramdma and sister through a letter says "don't trouble any family member".
That was the highlight of the movie. His sister made a cake for him. But when two US soldiers come it got burnt.
The US soldiers were absolutely outstanding. They did know that seeing a Indian family tradition, one can't be a terrorist. That's how they leave Vinay Pathak.
Everyone in the movie played a key role. I wished that movie could be stretched. There should be more emotionality scene that the director could've put.
I didn't know that it was AIB who produced it. Frankly the movie was far good than Alia Bhatts movie!
Heartwarming Tale , Brilliant Acting Brings Smile on your Face..
ritesh6575 June 2020
🎬 Chintu Ka Birthday (2020) REVIEW
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📜 Plot : During US invasion of Iraq some illegal migrants are waiting to get back home to India. As one such family prepares to celebrate the 6th birthday of their youngest member Chintu, their kind-hearted Iraqi landlord lends them a helping hand.
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👨⚖️ Review : Chintu ka birthday is an heartwarming tale which is enhances the fact that how small things matter even in times of turmoil. This one melts you. You feel the emotional vibe of the characters as the performances are so genuine. The Writing is apt, the Characters shine. This one will definitely bring a smile on your faces.
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👍 Goods : Vinay Pathak makes this movie his own. A Genuine Actor. Tilotama Shone as the wife depicts the character with much conviction. The kid Chintu is so Innocent and Lovable.
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👎 Bads : Tell me if you find one.
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🔥 Final Rating : 9/10
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✅ Recommendation : Watch this with your family and do tell me how much you liked it.
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- Follow for More : @RiteshReviews
A sign of hope
bhowmicktathagata7 June 2020
Superbbb👌👌👌
anujbawa-670725 June 2020
After a long time watched a movie like this. What a Superbbb Mindblowing movie. Contents, characters, actors and story screenplay Mindblowing. I love this movie and just wanna watch it again and again. What a fantabulous acting by Vinay Pathak and all team. Kudos to all team and also thanks for team to give us such a fantabulous movie.😍😍😍
A feel heartwarming film, with some unexplained logic
cseabhi8 August 2020
Being a bihari, I loved the way the characters talked on the screen. Its like flawless native language that was being used. First 10 minutes of the movie was so much heartwarming. Things get ugly when there is a twist in the movie, when the soldiers knock on the door.
The one thing which irritated me, was there other language being used too freequently in the movie, many things were going on, heated arguments, the passport logic, soldiers interrogating the family, the director tried hard to keep the soul of the film in place but it seems he failed at many places.
If this was supposed to be targeted at the Indian audience and supposed to be a family movie, why there were so much 'f' word being used by the soldiers. Majority of the Indian audience would have loved the native touch of the movie and the regional language being used in the movie but they would not understand the english and the Iraq language in the movie.
Other than that, every frame of the family scene is very well made. A decent watch I would say. Loved the regional song in the movie.
The one thing which irritated me, was there other language being used too freequently in the movie, many things were going on, heated arguments, the passport logic, soldiers interrogating the family, the director tried hard to keep the soul of the film in place but it seems he failed at many places.
If this was supposed to be targeted at the Indian audience and supposed to be a family movie, why there were so much 'f' word being used by the soldiers. Majority of the Indian audience would have loved the native touch of the movie and the regional language being used in the movie but they would not understand the english and the Iraq language in the movie.
Other than that, every frame of the family scene is very well made. A decent watch I would say. Loved the regional song in the movie.
Average
jaytiwarial11 June 2020
No idea why there are so many people going bananas on this movie, it's a decent movie, but sooooo illogical, Yes ! I will put logic here as many people are recommending not to, and also vinay Pathaks character is very irritating
Indian Cinema At it's Best
h_mehta10005 June 2020
This is one movie which has an astonishing story that keeps the viewer interested and bonded till the last minute.
It's finely picturised, extremely well directed, narrated in the most simplest way yet clinching the curiosity of the viewer till the last second & extremely well delivered by the acting of each and very actor.
I am sure this film will be marked as a mile stone in Indian Cinema
I am sure this film will be marked as a mile stone in Indian Cinema
Heart touching story
itsbxa5 June 2020
Beautifully narrated the story even the small things like history of Iraq is also Narrated in understandable easily way so even a small kid can understand the story it lost stars as the climax i was expecting something more
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