FILM REVIEW : Raju Chacha 

Producer: Ajay Devgan
Director: Anil Devgan
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kajol, Rishi Kapoor, Saakshi, Harsh, Kinshuk, Johnny Lever, Tikku Talsania, Govind Namdev, Pramod Moutho, Mayur, Smita Jaykar, Sanjay Dutt (special appearance)
Music: Jatin-Lalit

Here's a slick flick that at least kids must not miss. It is worth watching just for the very different way in which familiar cinematic goodies have been served. The adroit use of animation in songs and special effects make this film stand apart from regular fare.From the outside, the package, i.e. the plot, looks familiar enough. Widower Sidhant Rai (Rishi Kapoor), a well-known architect, lives in a palatial bungalow along with his three children - Rohit, Rahul and Rani, his dog Casper and man Friday named Butler Baanke Bihari Chaturvedi(BBC) (Tikku Talsania). Sidhant decides to hire Anna from an orphanage as a governess for his boisterous, mischievous kids.

En route to Sidhant’s house, Anna (Kajol) is spotted by Shekhar, a small-time thief, who is escaping having robbed a bank along with his friend Jadoo (Johnny Lever). Shekhar takes an instant fancy to Anna and follows her to Sidhant Rai's palace. Anna meets Sidhant's children and assures their father of being able to deal with them. The trio try to make things difficult for Anna, employing ploys from horror stories, however they are not successful. But Anna feels hurt when they send a false telegram about her parents’ death in an accident. She decides to go back to her orphanage. The kids realise their mistake, apologise and accept Anna as their elder sister.Meanwhile, Shekhar pursues Anna and convinces her that she is the love of his life and he cannot live without her. Anna reciprocates his feelings. When Sidhant finds out about the romance, he decides to get them married. But on the day of the wedding, Shekhar is arrested for robbing a gold ring. The marriage is called off. Anna returns to the orphanage.

The plot thickens with Sidhant's relatives hatching a plan to kill him in order to usurp his property. Sidhant is killed in a car accident. His relatives take over the house and torture his children both mentally and physically. To their rescue comes Raju Chacha, who is none other than Shekhar. On his return from jail, Shekhar poses to be Sidhant’s brother Raju who had run away from home as a child. He now lays legal claim on Sidhant’s property and convinces Sidhant's relatives that he is the asli Raju.Raju Chacha’s story does bear heavy influences of The Sound of Music and Home Alone and just a touch of Lion King, but the execution of scenes and special effects give it a different flavour altogether.Cinematographer Nirmal Jani has exploited the locales in Australia and Ooty to the fullest. Agreed, producer Ajay Devgan and the director Anil Devgan have focused more on technique than on screenplay, but the end result, a fantasy called Raju Chacha still remains one of the better films of 2000.

Rishi Kapoor makes a pleasant comeback with this film and puts up a good performance. The three kids in the film are natural, camera-friendly stars. Saakshi as Rani specially appeals; your heart goes out to her. Both Ajay and Kajol impress with their performances.
If anything bothers, then it is the stretched climax of Raju Chacha and the total length of the film. It could do with a trim. The romance between Anna and Shekhar seems to deter from the smooth flow of the main script.

However, on the whole, this is definitely a commendable job from first-time director Anil Devgan. Raju Chacha has been termed as the highest budget movie of 2000. And the massive production value comes across on the screen. Ajay Devgan has spent a fortune and made a film that can be enjoyed by one and all, both badas and chhotas… hai ke naa... Raju Chacha!

Synopsis: Raju Chacha

Sidhant Rai (Rishi Kapoor) is a leading architect who lives in a huge palatial bungalow along with his three children Rohit, Rahul and Rani (Harsh, Kinshuk and Saakshi). Also living in his house are Casper (their pet dog), and an old family butler Baanke Bihari Chaturvedi, lovingly called BBC. Sidhant's maternal uncles Vikram and Prabhakar, and his brother-in-law Prince are also a part of the Rai household, and they are clearly disliked by the kids.

The motherless children are naughty and mischievous. Every time Sidhant Rai arranges for a governess for them, they frighten the poor teacher away. Sidhant promises them of no more governesses, but soon gets one for them. The kids accuse him of being a promise breaker but he silences them.

Somewhere else, a small co-operative bank is being robbed by a small time thief Shekhar (Ajay Devgan) and his friend Jaadu. In a traffic jam, Shekhar sees Anna (Kajol), an orphan, who is now on her way to Sidhant Rai's house to look after the three children as the new governess. It is love at first sight for Shekhar who tries to convince her that he knows her, and even tells her that he is in love with her.

As Anna moves towards Rai's palace, she is being watched by Shekhar and Jaadu from a distance. Anna meets Sidhant Rai, and the children are introduced to her. A very crude prank is played on Anna by the kids when they send her a telegram announcing her parents' death. Anna is hurt and decides to leave. The kids realise their mistake and accept Anna as their elder sister and apologise to her.

Shekhar convinces Anna of his love and Anna too falls in love with him. On the day of the marriage Shekhar is arrested by the police for being a conman convicted of many crimes. Anna is heart broken, betrayed and absolutely devastated. She decides to go back to the orphanage again. Anna leaves and soon after this the entire Rai family – Sidhant, the three kids with Casper leave to get Anna back.

Misfortune strikes with Sidhant's untimely death. The three uncles claim their right over the property. However their plans come to a halt when another adult heir is discovered - Sidhant's younger brother, Rajit Rai, who had left home when he was only twelve years old.

Who is this Rajit Rai? Will the uncles be successful in their plans? Devgan Films' Raju Chacha has all the answers.