WHAT'S IT ABOUT: Move over Crime Master Gogo here comes Hojo the Shakaal (from Shaan) look-alike who chops people's heads off with his hat.

Cut to disco king Mithunda who has superpowers one kick from him sends victims into space. And forget karate school, the quickest way to become a martial arts expert just roll the belan in your kitchen for a few days.

All this and many more Szechwan surprises await you in Nikhil Advani's Chandni Chowk To China. This chopsuey consists of dhaba dude Sidhu (Kumar) who's mistaken to be a reincarnation of an ancient warrior by some Chinese villagers.

He's then taken to China to fight the evil Hojo (Liu) only Sidhu doesn't know it. It's all about Hindi-Chini-bhai-bhai until Hojo kills Sidhu's mentor Dada (Mithun). Chandni Chowk's vegetable cutter seeks revenge . Helping him learn the nuances of martial arts is a cop-turned-beggar-turned-cop (Roger Huan).

In the process, Sidhuu00a0 also romances his trainer's daughter Sakhi (Padukone) who also has a twin sister Meow Meow. How Sidhu triumphs in his battle is what the rest of the film is about. Say chow chow to that.u00a0

WHAT'S HOT: Director Nikhil Advani serves a Chinese bhel puri of Kung Fu Panda and The Karate Kid. The production values have a lavish flavour.

Nikhil adds spice into his song picturisations the title number and Sidhu's introductory song linger in the memory. The director also steals a part of the recipe from Tarantino's Kill Bill in the India Se Aaya Mera Dost number and does it pretty well with the Matrix touch and all.

He also adds zing in the masala medley where Meow Meow is trying to seduce Sidhu (the only genuinely hilarious part of the film). Stunts by Dee Dee Ku are a highlight. Among the performances, Deepika Padukone improves over previous performances.

Akshay Kumar's return to action is enjoyable, but alas, it's only post-intermission. The actor attempts to shine in a half-baked film. Watch out for his enjoyable tribute to his own Chura Ke Dil Mera chartbuster.