Last updated: 8 May 2026


Ready... Steady... Po!
Hindi · Action, Comedy, Romance
2h 21m · 8 Aug 2013
Music: Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani | DOP: Dudley | Writer: K. Subhash, Yunus Sajawal, Robin Bhatt
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
Chennai Express follows Rahul, a man who embarks on a journey to fulfill his late grandfather's last wish. During his train ride to Rameswaram, he encounters Meenamma, a spirited South Indian woman. Their accidental meeting leads to a series of comedic and action-packed events as Rahul gets entangled in a local feud. The story blends romance, comedy, and action, culminating in Rahul embracing his roots and love.
Chennai Express is a vibrant masala entertainer that combines action, comedy, and romance with Rohit Shetty's signature style. The screenplay is straightforward, focusing on delivering high-energy sequences and humorous dialogues, though it leans heavily on formulaic tropes. The pacing is brisk, with the first half setting up the characters and their cultural contrasts effectively, while the second half escalates into action-packed drama with a few predictable twists.
The songs and music by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani add a lively and catchy dimension to the film, complementing the narrative without overpowering it. The background score enhances the mood, especially during action sequences and comedic moments, maintaining audience engagement throughout.
While the film doesn't break new ground in storytelling, its entertainment quotient is elevated by Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone's chemistry and Rohit Shetty's direction, making it a crowd-pleaser that balances mass appeal with light-hearted fun.
Shah Rukh Khan: Charismatic and humorous, Shah Rukh Khan delivers a lively performance that anchors the film's entertainment value.
Deepika Padukone: Energetic and charming, Deepika brings freshness and spirited presence, complementing the lead role well.
Nikitin Dheer: Effective as the antagonist, providing the necessary menace and intensity.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Rohit Shetty's direction emphasizes high-octane action and comedy, successfully delivering a commercial entertainer that appeals to a broad audience. His knack for blending humor with action is evident, though the narrative remains conventional.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.25 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 70% |
| Neutral | 20% |
| Negative | 10% |
Critics generally praised the film for its entertainment value, star performances, and music, while noting its predictable plot and reliance on formulaic elements. The film was viewed as a successful commercial entertainer with mass appeal.
Final Box-Office Result
Chennai Express released on 8 August 2013 (2013).
Chennai Express is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Budget of Chennai Express is approximately ₹60 Crore.
Chennai Express is available on Netflix, YouTube, Google Play, iTunes. OTT date will be updated soon.
Chennai Express directed by Rohit Shetty. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Gauri Khan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Karim Morani.
Chennai Express stars Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone.
Tollybo rates Chennai Express 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Music for Chennai Express composed by Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani.
Chennai Express — Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance, Runtime: 141 minutes, Language: Hindi.