In Rohit Shetty's 2013 film Chennai Express, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Meenalochni (Deepika Padukone) escape from Komban village in her father's favorite car. A chase ensues, and our heroes are pursued by a slew of cars, SUVs, and motorcycles. There are crashes, explosions, and cars flipping in the air - the kind of thing you (hopefully) don't see in real life.
The chase scene is a staple of any action film. Sometimes the sequences are designed to keep you on the edge of your seat and sometimes they are designed primarily to entertain. Here are five favorite chase scenes featuring Shah Rukh Khan.
"Catch Me If You Can"
The Film: Darr: A Violent Love Story (1993)
The Director: Yash Chopra
The Setup: Rahul Mehra (Shah Rukh Khan) is obsessed with former college classmate Kiran Awasthi (Juhi Chawla) who is engaged to Sunil Malhotra (Sunny Deol). Armed with a handgun and standing at a distance, Rahul attempts to kill Sunil but misses. A Navy hero, Sunil isn't going to let his assailant get away and the chase begins.
Why I Love This Scene: The distinct footfalls of Sunil and Rahul as they run full-throttle through the streets and back alleys is accompanied by a percussive soundtrack. This is a chase scene that is low on technology, but high on adrenaline. The lack of gimmicks or special effects gives this scene its true-to-life intensity.
"Fast and Furious Footwork"
The Film: Josh (2000)
The Director: Mansoor Khan
The Setup: Max (Shah Rukh Khan), the leader of the Eagles gang, ventures onto rival Bichuus gang territory looking for replacement parts for his bike at the local junkyard. He is caught off guard and surrounded by Bichuus members looking to pick a fight. He fights them off then runs for his life, jumping up on the nearby cars and leaping from roof to roof. Eventually, the Bichuus leader Prakash (Sharad Kapoor) and his right-hand man Ghotya (Sushant Singh) catch up to Max.
Why I Love This Scene: The purpose of any chase is to either catch or avoid being caught. Discovered in the wrong place at the wrong time, Max takes a circuitous route to avoid his pursuers and manages to turn the tables on them.
"Bicycle Rickshaw of Doom"
The Film: Main Hoon Na (2004)
The Director: Farah Khan
The Setup: Indian Army Major Ram Prasad Sharma (Shah Rukh Khan) has been sent back to school to protect Sanjana "Sanju" Bakshi (Amrita Rao) from Raghavan (Sunil Shetty) who has made threats against her father, General Bakshi (Kabir Bedi). While waiting in line to attend the film Sholay with Sanju and friends, Major Ram sees the signs that someone is planning to shoot one of the students. He intervenes - saving the student - then commandeers the closest vehicle available to pursue the would-be killers.
Why I Love This Scene: This chase scene pits one man on a bicycle rickshaw against a bunch of bad guys in an SUV - and he wins. Narrowly avoiding getting run over, he dodging bullets, bamboo poles, and other large flying objects. When an explosion sets his rickshaw on fire, you realize Major Ram is unstoppable.
"Wanna Go For a Ride?"
The Film: Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006)
The Director: Farhan Akhtar
The Setup: Don delivers an explosive message to a colleague in India and as he drives away he is pursued by D.C.P. DeSilva along with several police vehicles. As Don lives by the maxim, "Not only is it difficult to catch Don, it is impossible," he doesn't plan to be caught.
Why I Love This Scene: As a car crashes and explodes behind him, Don looks in the side view mirror and says, "Boom." Don clearly enjoys the chase and so do we. But what really makes this chase scene particularly entertaining is the camera work and editing. Through the use of split screens, fast cuts, and strategically positioned cameras, you are no longer an observer of the chase - you are a participant.
"Catch the A Train"
The Film: Ra.One (2011)
The Director: Anubhav Sinha
The Setup: Ra.One (Arjun Rampal) has used mind control to make Sonia Subramanium (Karina Kapoor) commandeer a local train, causing it to speed past station stops and head toward a deadly end at the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus. G.One (Shah Rukh Khan) must stop the train to protect the passengers and rescue Sonia.
Why I Love This Scene: Physics majors beware! This chase sequence brings virtual reality to the real world. G.One performs gravity-defying acrobatics in a tuxedo (sans jacket) while warning youth not to try this at home. "It's not allowed." Simply put, this isn't your typical chase scene. That is what makes it a great deal of fun ... that, and the fact that G.One gets the girl and saves the train.
What are your favorite chase scene sequences?
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