View source for Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

{{short description|2001 film by Abbas-Mustan}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
| image          = Chori Chori Chupke Chupke.jpg
| alt            = Theatrical release poster, featuring the principal cast
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Abbas–Mustan]]
| producer       = Nazim Rizvi
| story          = [[Neeraj Vora]]
| screenplay     = [[Javed Siddiqui]]
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Salman Khan]]
* [[Rani Mukerji]]
* [[Preity Zinta]]
}}
| music          = '''{{small|Songs:}}'''<br />[[Anu Malik]]<br />'''{{small|Score:}}'''<br />Surendra Sodhi
| cinematography = Thomas A. Xavier
| editing        = Hussain A. Burmawala
| studio         = Emaar Films International
| distributor    = [[Eros International]]
| released       = {{Film date|2001|03|09|df=y}}
| runtime        = 165 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001) |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/chori-chori-chupke-chupke-2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015022314/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/chori-chori-chupke-chupke-2001 |archive-date=15 October 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref>
| country        = India
| language       = Hindi
| budget         = {{INR}}13 crore<ref name="budget">{{Cite news |last=Joseph |first=Manu |date=25 December 2000 |title=Scenes of the Mafia |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |url=https://magazine.outlookindia.com/story/scenes-of-the-mafia/210608 |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015022155/https://magazine.outlookindia.com/story/scenes-of-the-mafia/210608 |archive-date=15 October 2020}}</ref>
| gross          = {{INRConvert|37.5|c|year=2001}} <ref name="CCCCBOI">{{Cite web |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=662 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902061003/https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=662 |archive-date=2 September 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |website=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref>
}}
'''''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke''''' ({{Translation|''Secretly and Stealthily''}}) is a 2001 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[romantic drama film]] directed by [[Abbas–Mustan]], with screenplay and story from [[Javed Siddiqui]] and [[Neeraj Vora]] respectively. Starring [[Salman Khan]], [[Rani Mukerji]] and [[Preity Zinta]] in lead roles, the film's music is composed by [[Anu Malik]] and lyrics are penned by [[Sameer (lyricist)|Sameer]]. Telling the story of a married couple hiring a young prostitute as a [[Surrogacy|surrogate mother]], the film generated controversy during its release for dealing with the [[taboo]] issue of [[Surrogacy in India|surrogate childbirth in India]].

Initially set to release on 22 December 2000, ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke''<nowiki/>'s release was delayed for several months when producer Nazim Rizvi and financier [[Bharat Shah]] were arrested and the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] seized the film's prints on the suspicion that the production had been funded by [[Chhota Shakeel]] of the [[Organised crime in India|Mumbai underworld]]. The film was released in March 2001 to a wide audience and emerged as a commercial success, becoming the [[List of Hindi films of 2001|sixth highest-grossing film of 2001 in India]].

Critical praise was majorly directed towards Zinta's performance as a prostitute-turned-surrogate mother, earning her a [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] nomination at the [[47th Filmfare Awards]], the only nomination for the film. The film has often been associated with surrogacy in Indian popular culture. This film was remade as a television drama series named ''[[Dil Se Dil Tak]]'' in which [[Sidharth Shukla]] portrayed as Raj, [[Rashami Desai]] as Priya and [[Jasmin Bhasin]] as Madhubala. 

== Plot ==
Raj and Priya, who come from well-to-do Indian families, meet at a wedding and fall in love. Soon after they marry, Priya becomes pregnant. Early in the pregnancy, Priya miscarries and becomes permanently infertile. On Dr. Balraj Chopra's advice, they decide to look for a [[surrogate mother]] to bear Raj's child and hide Priya's infertility from his conservative family. Since the process of [[artificial insemination]] could be revealed in the Indian media due to the family's renown and position in society, the couple agree that pregnancy should be achieved by means of sexual relations between Raj and the surrogate mother. Raj meets Madhubala "Madhu", a prostitute, who agrees to carry Raj's baby in exchange for money. After some much-needed behavioral grooming and a makeover, Madhu meets Priya—who is unaware of Madhu's background—and the three depart for [[Switzerland]] in order to carry out their plan secretly.

Soon Madhu is pregnant with Raj's child, and he happily tells his family that Priya is expecting. Meanwhile, Raj's business partner Ajay Sharma begins to sexually harass Madhu and she decides to leave Switzerland, mistakenly believing that Raj told his friend that she is a prostitute. Eventually, Priya finds out about Madhu's past, but still believes that Madhu should carry their child and begs her to stay. When Madhu is at home by herself, Raj's friend assaults her but Raj arrives in time to save her. Overwhelmed by Raj's kindness, Madhu falls in love with him.

Raj's family suddenly arrives in Switzerland. While Priya reaches for [[Simulated pregnancy|pregnancy-simulating]] pillows, the family meets the heavily pregnant Madhu who is introduced to them as a friend staying with them while her husband is travelling for business. Raj's grandfather Kailashnath and father Ranjit arrange a Godbharaai, a religious [[baby shower]] ceremony. They ask Raj, Priya, and Madhu to return with them to India, where the ritual must be held as formally required by tradition.

The ceremony is very important so Priya sends Madhu as herself. An emotional Madhu becomes conflicted about giving up her child. Finding Madhu's room empty and the money dumped on the bed, a frantic Priya pursues her to the train station and slaps Madhu when she confesses that she loves Raj. By the time Raj arrives, Madhu has gone into [[Preterm birth|premature labour]]. The doctor announces that either Madhu or the child can be saved, and Priya asks him to save Madhu. However, both mother and baby survive. Frustrated, Madhu gives the baby to Priya, who quickly settles into a hospital bed with "her" baby. Dr. Balraj Chopra lies to Raj's family that while Priya gave birth, Madhu's child was [[stillborn]].

When Madhu is ready to leave, she promises Raj that she will not go back to prostitution. When he takes her to the airport, he realizes that she loves him and kisses her forehead. Madhu leaves happily.

== Cast ==
The cast is listed below:<ref name="Cast&Crew01">{{Cite web |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Cast & Crew |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/chori-chori-chupke-chupke/cast/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015022431/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/chori-chori-chupke-chupke/cast/ |archive-date=15 October 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=9 March 2001 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Cast |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/cast_crew.php?movieid=662 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015022516/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/cast_crew.php?movieid=662 |archive-date=15 October 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=Box Office India}}</ref>
{{div col begin}}
* [[Salman Khan]] as Raj Malhotra
* [[Rani Mukerji]] as Priya Malhotra
* [[Preity Zinta]] as Madhubala Singh "Madhu"
* [[Farida Jalal]] as Asha Malhotra
* [[Dalip Tahil]] as Ranjit Kumar Malhotra
* [[Johnny Lever]] as Pappu Bhai
* [[Amrish Puri]] as Kailashnath Malhotra
* [[Prem Chopra]] as Dr. Balraj Chopra
* [[Apara Mehta]] as a prostitute
* [[Ruby Bhatia]] as a news reporter
* [[Deepti Bhatnagar]] as a dancer in the song "Mehendi"
* [[Adi Irani]] as Ajay Sharma
{{div col end}}

==Production==
Director duo [[Abbas–Mustan]] had almost completed ''[[Ajnabee (2001 film)|Ajnabee]]'' by October 1999 when they declared ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' as their next project.<ref name="Tribune99">{{Cite news |last=Mittal |first=Madhur |date=3 October 1999 |title=Abbas–Mastan's masti |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99oct03/sunday/bolywood.htm |access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> The three leads, Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Preity Zinta, previously starred together in the romantic comedy ''[[Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega]]'' (2000).<ref name="Tribune99" /> Producer Nazim Rizvi clarified that the casting of the three actors happened before they signed for the latter film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Renuka |first=Methil |date=27 November 2000 |title=Action replay |language=en |work=[[India Today]] |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/20001127-salman-khan-rani-mukherjee-and-preity-zinta-to-play-winsome-threesome-again-778489-2000-11-27 |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015022624/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/20001127-salman-khan-rani-mukherjee-and-preity-zinta-to-play-winsome-threesome-again-778489-2000-11-27 |archive-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> Khan, Mukerji and Zinta were paid {{INRConvert|1.5|c}}, {{INRConvert|0.24|c}}, and {{INRConvert|0.25|c}} for their roles, respectively (all sums unadjusted for inflation).<ref name="pay">{{Cite web |date=December 2000 |title=Under suspicion |url=http://www.indiafm.com/scoop/dec/0112cccc/index.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010124095900/http://www.indiafm.com/scoop/dec/0112cccc/index.shtml |archive-date=24 January 2001 |access-date=13 October 2020 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref> Zinta was initially reluctant to play her role, as she was unsure she was suited to play a prostitute, but she eventually accepted it at the directors' persuasion. To prepare for it, she visited several bars and nightclubs in Mumbai's [[Red-light district|red-light areas]] to study the lingo and mannerisms of sex-workers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashraf |first=Syed Firdaus |date=9 January 2003 |title=Bharat Shah case: Preity Zinta sticks to her stand |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/shah/20030109.htm |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2005 |title=Why Preity refused to play a prostitute... |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/why-preity-refused-to-play-a-prostitute-news-bollywood-kkfv5gbagdf.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919212414/http://www.sify.com/movies/why-preity-refused-to-play-a-prostitute-news-bollywood-kkfv5gbagdf.html |archive-date=19 September 2013 |access-date=11 October 2020 |website=[[Sify]] |agency=IndiaFM News Bureau}}</ref>

''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' was made on a budget of {{INRConvert|13|c|year=2001}}.<ref name="budget" /> Principal photography started in early 2000 and lasted two months.<ref name="Cast&Crew01" /><ref name="pay" /> Location filming, performed by Thomas A. Xavier, took place in both [[Mahabaleshwar]] and Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Puri |first1=Amrish |title=[[The Act of Life]] |last2=Sabharwal |first2=Jyoti |date=24 May 2006 |publisher=Stellar Publishers |isbn=978-81-902247-4-1 |page=335 |language=en |author-link=Amrish Puri}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mahmood |first=Abdulla |date=16 May 2008 |title=Bollywood hot spots over the years |work=[[Gulf News]] |url=https://gulfnews.com/travel/bollywood-hot-spots-over-the-years-1.21285 |url-status=live |access-date=15 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015025710/https://gulfnews.com/travel/bollywood-hot-spots-over-the-years-1.21285 |archive-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> The film was edited by Hussain A. Burmawala, and Surendra Sodhi composed the background score.<ref name="Cast&Crew01" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Param |first=Arunachalam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UNvyDwAAQBAJ |title=BollySwar: 2001–2010 |publisher=Mavrix Infotech Private Limited |year=2019 |isbn=978-81-938482-0-3 |page=20}}</ref>

Initially, [[Shah Rukh Khan]] was offered the lead role as Raj Malhotra, who had previously worked in the directors' two films ''[[Baazigar]]'', and ''[[Baadshah (1999 film)|Baadshah]]''. However, he declined due to lack of dates, and then Salman Khan was approached and has accepted the offer.

==Themes and influence==
The film generated some controversy before and during its release for being one of the only [[Hindi]]-language films dealing with the [[taboo]] issue of [[Surrogacy in India|surrogate childbirth in India]], in addition to [[prostitution in India]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shikha |first=Sharma |date=2020 |title=Raising awareness on surrogacy through films |url=https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:mcomm&volume=14&issue=2&article=006 |journal=Mass Communicator: International Journal of Communication Studies |volume=14 |issue=2 |issn=0973-9688}}</ref><ref name="Shamim">{{Cite news |last=Shamim |first=M. |date=11 March 2001 |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke — and how! |url=http://hindu.com/2001/03/11/stories/14112185.htm |access-date=11 October 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111003656/http://hindu.com/2001/03/11/stories/14112185.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=11 November 2012}}</ref> Surrogacy in the film is not achieved through artificial insemination but sexual intercourse, and author Aditya Bharadwaj argued that the film draws an analogy between surrogacy and prostitution.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bharadwaj |first=Aditya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aG4yCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA179 |title=Conceptions: Infertility and Procreative Technologies in India |date=2016 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=978-1-78533-231-9 |pages=179 |language=en}}</ref> Anindita Majumdar, author of the book ''Surrogacy'' (2018), wrote, "In popular Indian culture, surrogacy has come to be associated with the 2001 Hindi language film ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke''".<ref name="Majumdar18">{{Cite book |last=Majumdar |first=Anindita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kPqNDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT22 |title=Surrogacy |date=2018 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-909654-1 |pages=19–23 |language=en}}</ref> According to author Daniel Grey, that Madhubala was a prostitute before becoming a surrogate "reinforces a stereotyped and erroneous popular association between the two roles that has contributed to considerable prejudice on the Subcontinent against women who act as surrogates".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grey |first=Daniel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L7szDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA249 |title=The Palgrave Handbook of Infertility in History: Approaches, Contexts and Perspectives |date=2017 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-1-137-52080-7 |editor-last=Davis |editor-first=Gayle |pages=249 |language=en |editor-last2=Loughran |editor-first2=Tracey}}</ref>

According to ''[[The Hindu]]'', some of film's scenes were said to have been borrowed from ''[[Pretty Woman]]'' (1990) and the storyline inspired by ''[[Doosri Dulhan]]'' (1983).<ref name="remake">{{Cite news |last=Rustam |first=Chhupa |date=25 March 2001 |title=Double trouble all the way |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/03/25/stories/14252183.htm |access-date=11 October 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020313014617/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/03/25/stories/14252183.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=13 March 2002}}</ref> According to Krämer, the similarities between ''Pretty Woman'' and ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' are limited to replicated scenes in "merely one plot strand among many", in an otherwise different story.<ref name="Kramer" /> In another book by Majumdar, ''Transnational Commercial Surrogacy and the (Un)Making of Kin in India'' (2017), she discusses the similarity between ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' and ''Doosri Dulhan''. Majumdar describes the surrogate mothers as "fallen women" who are first portrayed as aberrant women with no interest in motherhood, who gradually develop a sense of maternal instinct during the process of pregnancy.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Majumdar |first=Anindita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NlNUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT29 |title=Transnational Commercial Surrogacy and the (Un)Making of Kin in India |date=2017 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-909142-3 |pages=14–15 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Anupama Chopra]] of ''[[India Today]]'' described Zinta's character of Madhubala as [[hooker with a heart of gold]], as did academic Lucia Krämer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |author-link=Anupama Chopra |date=2 April 2001 |title=The courtesan club |language=en |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/20010402-preity-zinta-joins-group-of-heroines-who-played-role-of-courtesan-girl-775422-2001-04-02 |access-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015023447/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/20010402-preity-zinta-joins-group-of-heroines-who-played-role-of-courtesan-girl-775422-2001-04-02 |archive-date=15 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="Kramer">{{Cite book |last=Krämer |first=Lucia |title=The Oxford Handbook of Adaptation Studies |date=2017 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-933100-0 |editor-last=Leitch |editor-first=Thomas |editor-link=Thomas Leitch |page=258 |language=en |chapter=Adaptation in Bollywood |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3FkjDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA258}}</ref> Sociologist Steve Derné wrote in his book ''Globalization on the Ground: New Media and the Transformation of Culture, Class, and Gender in India'' that through the character of Madhubala, ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' becomes one of the films which portray "excessively sexual, greedy women who are redeemed by being remade as consumers". Derné further credited the film with melding the stereotypical "heroine" and "vamp" roles of Hindi heroines in contrast to how they were portrayed in previous decades, describing Zinta as a "legitimate heroine" in the film.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Derne |first=Steve D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ybaGAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA107 |title=Globalization on the Ground: New Media and the Transformation of Culture, Class, and Gender in India |date=2008 |publisher=SAGE Publications India |isbn=978-81-321-0038-6 |pages=107–108 |language=en}}</ref> S. Banaji spoke of a "transformation in the 'moral' consciousness of the prostitute".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Banaji |first=S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=saXtCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA9 |title=Reading 'Bollywood': The Young Audience and Hindi Films |date=2006 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-0-230-50120-1 |pages=9 |language=en}}</ref> [[Bhawana Somaaya]], while critical of the film's "regular packaging of commercial clichés", commended it for the unique portrayal of the wife, played by Mukerji, who is the sole decision-maker in the family throughout the entire process of surrogacy.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Somaaya |first=Bhawana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s_FkAAAAMAAJ |title=Cinema: Images & Issues |date=2004 |publisher=Rupa & Company |page=34 |isbn=9788129103703 |language=en |author-link=Bhawana Somaaya}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
| type       = [[Soundtrack]]
| artist     = [[Anu Malik]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = 2000
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length     = {{duration|m=51|s=41}}
| label      = [[Universal Music India]]
| producer   = Anu Malik
}}
The soundtrack for ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' was composed by [[Anu Malik]] and the lyrics were written by [[Sameer (lyricist)|Sameer]].<ref name="Cast&Crew01" /> It was released in 2000 by [[Universal Music India]].<ref name="iTunes">{{Cite web |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/chori-chori-chupke-chupke-soundtrack-from-motion-picture/1442870128 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015023609/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/chori-chori-chupke-chupke-soundtrack-from-motion-picture/1442870128 |archive-date=15 October 2020 |access-date=13 October 2020 |website=[[iTunes]]}}</ref> According to the Indian trade website [[Box Office India]], with around two million units sold, the soundtrack became the sixth highest-selling music album of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units) |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=286&catName=MjAwMC0yMDA5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215081557/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=286&catName=MjAwMC0yMDA5&PHPSESSID=108b9056cd4ca14236f9c6119d34dcce |archive-date=15 February 2008 |access-date=20 December 2016 |website=Box Office India}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline     = ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)<ref name="iTunes" />
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1       = Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
| extra1       = [[Alka Yagnik]], [[Babul Supriyo]]
| length1      = 7:35
| title2       = Dekhne Walon Ne
| extra2       = [[Udit Narayan]], Alka Yagnik
| length2      = 6:13
| title3       = No. 1 Punjabi
| extra3       = [[Sonu Nigam]], [[Jaspinder Narula]]
| length3      = 7:12
| title4       = Diwani Diwani
| extra4       = [[Anu Malik]], [[Anaida]]
| length4      = 5:26
| title5       = Diwana Hai Yeh Man
| extra5       = Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik
| length5      = 6:58
| title6       = Love You Love You Bolo
| extra6       = Anu Malik, Alka Yagnik
| length6      = 5:59
| title7       = Mehandi Mehandi
| extra7       = Jaspinder Narula
| length7      = 8:57
| title8       = Dulhan Ghar Aayi
| note8        = Version 1
| extra8       = Jaspinder Narula
| length8      = 1:41
| title9       = Dulhan Ghar Aayi
| note9        = Version 2
| extra9       = Anu Malik
| length9      = 1:40
| total_length = 51:41
}}

==Release==
[[File:Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Salman Khan]], [[Rani Mukerji]] and [[Preity Zinta]] (l-r) at the audio release of ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' in 2000]]
The film's initial release date of 22 December 2000<ref name=rediff>{{Cite web |last=Rediff Entertainment Bureau |date=13 December 2000 |title=Showbuzz! Chori Chori Chupke Chupke producer arrested |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/13riz.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226024239/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/13riz.htm |archive-date=26 February 2008 |access-date=11 October 2020 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> was delayed when producer Nazim Rizvi was arrested in December and film financier [[Bharat Shah]] was arrested in January; both were charged with receiving funding from [[Chhota Shakeel]] of the [[Organised crime in India|Mumbai underworld]] and pressuring leading Bollywood actors—specifically, Khan—to appear in the film and for the profits to be shared with Shakeel.<ref name=rediff/><ref name="Bharat">{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=14 March 2001 |title=Dirty money cleans up for Bollywood blockbuster |language=en |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/mar/14/filmnews.film |url-status=live |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510162843/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/mar/14/filmnews.film |archive-date=10 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=guilty>{{Cite journal |last=Rajadhyaksha |first=Ashish |date=2014 |title=The Guilty Secret: The Latter Career of the Bollywood's Illegitimacy |url=https://ari.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/wps14_230.pdf |journal=Asia Research Institute |series=230 |language=en |location=Bangalore, India}}</ref><ref name=today>{{Cite news |date=31 December 2001 |title=Diamond daddy |language=en |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20011231-diamond-merchant-bharat-shah-held-for-aiding-underworld-don-chhota-shakeel-776546-2001-12-31 |url-status=live |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012170450/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20011231-diamond-merchant-bharat-shah-held-for-aiding-underworld-don-chhota-shakeel-776546-2001-12-31 |archive-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> Rizvi had reportedly been under telephone surveillance by the [[Mumbai Police]] for a number of months.<ref name="Bharat"/> The [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] seized the film's [[Release print|prints]] and delivered them to the court receiver.<ref name="Bharat"/> The [[Negative (photography)|negatives]] were released on 12 February 2001 on a judicial order.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 February 2001 |title=Judge allows release of 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke' |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2001/feb/12shah.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041228051024/https://www.rediff.com/news/2001/feb/12shah.htm |archive-date=28 December 2004 |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> In its ruling, the court ordered all profits from the film to go to the [[Maharashtra]] state government.<ref name="Bharat"/> Rivzi and Shah were still incarcerated when ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' opened to the public on 9 March 2001.<ref name="Bharat"/> The film was released with an opening credit thanking the Special Court, [[Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act|MCOCA]], the [[Criminal Investigation Department (India)#Crime Branch CID|Crime Branch]], the Mumbai Police, and the court receiver, "without whose untiring efforts and good office this picture would never have been made".<ref name=guilty/>

The film's release took place amid protests due to its alleged funding by the underworld.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 March 2001 |title="Chori Chori" opens amid protests |work=The Tribune |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/main6.htm |url-status=live |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215233951/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/main6.htm |archive-date=15 December 2007}}</ref> Due to the controversy surrounding its delayed release—and the recurrent publicity around it—the film was expected to be a big success, with 325 prints sold before release.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhattacharyya |first=Debashis |date=6 March 2001 |title=Chupke Crores For Chori Chori |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/chupke-crores-for-chori-chori/cid/934281 |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015023850/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/chupke-crores-for-chori-chori/cid/934281 |archive-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> The director duo held a special screening of the film two days prior to its release for the senior brass of the Mumbai Police, to fulfill a promise made earlier in order to prove that no objectionable content appeared in the film, as could have been projected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nahta |first=Komal |author-link=Komal Nahta |date=8 March 2001 |title=Special screening of CCCC for top cops |url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/mar/08cccc.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012214955/https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/mar/08cccc.htm |archive-date=12 October 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref>

Certified [[Central Board of Film Certification#Certificates and guidelines|U]] (suitable for all age groups) by the [[Central Board of Film Certification]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=IndiaFM News Bureau |date=20 December 2000 |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke given U certificate by the Censor |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/chori-chori-chupke-chupke-given-u-certificate-by-the-censor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015025041/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/chori-chori-chupke-chupke-given-u-certificate-by-the-censor/ |archive-date=15 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |website=Bollywood Hungama |language=en}}</ref> ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' opened to a wide audience and emerged a commercial success and one of the highest-grossing [[List of Bollywood films of 2001|films of 2001]].<ref name="BOI">{{Cite web |title=Top Hits 2001 |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/hit-down.php?txtYearlyData=2000-2009&year=2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115193406/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/hit-down.php?txtYearlyData=2000-2009&year=2001 |archive-date=15 November 2016 |access-date=15 October 2020 |website=Box Office India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Box Office Collection India 2001 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/filterbycountry/IND/2001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529030338/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/filterbycountry/IND/2001/ |archive-date=29 May 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |website=Bollywood Hungama |language=en}}</ref> Still, despite a strong opening, the film gradually lost public interest; it eventually grossed {{INRConvert|31|c}} against its {{INRConvert|13|c}} budget, with additional $1.4&nbsp;million earned overseas, leaving its worldwide gross in 2001 at {{INRConvert|37.51|c|year=2001}}.<ref name="CCCCBOI" /> ''[[Box Office India]]'' concluded the film's final commercial performance with the verdict "semi hit".<ref name="BOI" />

== Reception ==
[[File:Preity Zinta 2001.jpg|thumb|upright|right|alt=Photo of Zinta at the audio release of ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' in 2001|Critics particularly praised Zinta's performance as Madhubala]]
Critics praised the uniqueness of the film for dealing with the rarely-touched subject of surrogacy, but disliked the execution. Preity Zinta's performance, in what was seen as an unconventional role, was especially noted by a number of critics, with high praise for her portrayal of the gradual change her character goes through over the course of the story.<ref name="Different">{{Cite news |last=Bhattacharya |first=Roshmila |author-link=Roshmila Bhattacharya |date=3 August 2001 |title=Preity Zinta Different Strokes |work=Screen |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010803/fcover1.html |url-status=dead |access-date=14 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011031180954/http://www.screenindia.com/20010803/fcover1.html |archive-date=31 October 2001}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kothari |first=Jitendra |year=2001 |title=Preity Zinta: Taking Charge |work=India Today |agency=TNT Movies |url=http://tntmovies.thenewspapertoday.com/starofthemonth/propreity.shtml |url-status=dead |access-date=14 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010626153748/http://tntmovies.thenewspapertoday.com/starofthemonth/propreity.shtml |archive-date=26 June 2001}}</ref> Film critic [[Sukanya Verma]], who was left with "mixed emotions" after seeing the film, noted Zinta's role as "the meatiest part of all", finding her transformation throughout the film "amazingly believable".<ref name="Sukanya">{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Sukanya |author-link=Sukanya Verma |date=9 March 2001 |title=Preity Trite |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/mar/09cccc.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012127/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/mar/09cccc.htm |archive-date=5 November 2018 |access-date=25 January 2008 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> Padmaraj Nair of ''[[Screen India|Screen]]'' called Zinta the film's "real scene-stealer" for having delivered "a stunning performance".<ref name="Padmaraj">{{Cite news |last=Nair |first=Padmaraj |date=23 March 2001 |title=Desi version of Surrogate Mother |work=Screen |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010323/review.htm |access-date=19 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030103111004/http://www.screenindia.com/20010323/review.htm |archive-date=3 January 2003}}</ref> Vinayak Chakravorty of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' hailed Zinta's "admirable zest" as the "trumpcard of the film".<ref name="Vinayak">{{Cite news |last=Chakravorty, Vinayak |date=9 March 2001 |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke |work=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.go4i.com/cinema/reviews/bollywood/reviewscccc.shtml |url-status=dead |access-date=19 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010820232724/http://www.go4i.com/cinema/reviews/bollywood/reviewscccc.shtml |archive-date=20 August 2001}}</ref> [[Dinesh Raheja]] of ''India Today'' credited Zinta with giving the film "its electric charge".<ref name="Raheja">{{Cite news |last=Raheja |first=Dinesh |author-link=Dinesh Raheja |date=2001 |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke — A Preity Show |work=India Today |url=http://tntmovies.thenewspapertoday.com/reviews/reviewcccc.shtml |access-date=10 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010409225755/http://tntmovies.thenewspapertoday.com/reviews/reviewcccc.shtml |archive-date=9 April 2001}}</ref> Likewise, [[Nikhat Kazmi]] of ''[[The Times of India]]'' noted Zinta for keeping "the adrenalin gushing" and wrote of "riveting moments" where she "shows flashes of a fine performance".<ref name="TOI">{{cite news |last1=Kazmi |first1=Nikhat |author1-link=Nikhat Kazmi |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke |url=http://www.indiatimes.com:80/movies/reviews/choriccc1.html |access-date=7 February 2022 |work=[[The Times of India]] |publisher=The Times Group |date=9 March 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011109105211/http://www.indiatimes.com:80/movies/reviews/choriccc1.html |archive-date=9 November 2001}}</ref> [[Ziya Us Salam]] of ''The Hindu'', though similarly fond of Zinta for putting "life into her character of Madhubala", found the actress less convincing in "mouthing the inanities used by the women of the street".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Us Salam |first=Ziya |date=16 March 2001 |title=Film review: Chori Chori Chupke Chupke |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/03/16/stories/09160223.htm |access-date=21 July 2020 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420213348/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/03/16/stories/09160223.htm |archive-date=20 April 2008}}</ref> M. Shamim, writing for the same publication, believed Zinta had "put her body and soul into the streetwalker's flaming-red dress".<ref name="Shamim" />

The duo of Salman Khan and Rani Mukerji faced some criticism from Sukanya Verma, who lamented their underdeveloped roles. She considered Mukerji to be "handicapped with a role that doesn't give her much scope besides weeping and sobbing" and stated that Khan's performance lacked substance.<ref name="Sukanya" /> Raheja described Khan as "overtly subdued" as opposed to his recent comic roles, but wrote of Mukerji, "The emotions that drive Rani Mukherji's character are not given either a layered detailing or an adequate exposition so she comes across as pale as the pastel-coloured dresses she favours".<ref name="Raheja" /> Chakravorty similarly noted Khan for playing against type.<ref name="Vinayak" /> Kazmi similarly disliked their characters in contrast to Zinta's: "From a street-walker to sensitive young girl and then a jealous lover - stray vignettes of flesh and blood form from Preity which come as a respite in a terrain dominated by an ever-say-cheese and forever understanding Rani and an unruffled, mumbling Salman who plays the perfect gentleman with the zeal of a zombie."<ref name="TOI"/> Padmaraj Nair, however, praised the actors in addition to Zinta, noting Khan for his "understated" performance, and arguing that Mukerji is "at her best".<ref name="Padmaraj" />

''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' was reviewed positively by a number of critics. [[Taran Adarsh]] from the entertainment portal [[Bollywood Hungama]] was positive of the film, concluding it "lives up to the towering expectations thanks to the solid drama".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adarsh |first=Taran |author-link=Taran Adarsh |date=8 March 2001 |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Movie Review |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/chori-chori-chupke-chupke/critic-review/chori-chori-chupke-chupke-movie-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015024709/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/chori-chori-chupke-chupke/critic-review/chori-chori-chupke-chupke-movie-review/ |archive-date=15 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |website=Bollywood Hungama |language=en}}</ref> Several reviewers appreciated the film for its portrayal of the big family and its overall positive atmosphere, including Kazmi, who found it to be a "modern ode to the ancient Indian family" and admired its "overwhelming feel-goodness".<ref name="Bharat" /><ref name="TOI"/> Likewise, Us Salam noted the film's "loads of good music, beautiful locales, sweet smiles and lovely feel", and Shamim shared similar sentiments, appreciating the directors for not allowing "any moral issue to cloud the narrative" and filling "the screen with mesmerising charm and beauty of the lifestyle of a well-knit family".<ref name="Shamim" />

Less positive views were expressed in relation to the film's stereotypical approach and poor execution of the story. Verma found the presentation of the story to be "absurd".<ref name="Sukanya" /> Nair was ambivalent towards the film in this regard: "On the one hand, the film stands by family values and desi culture while, on the other, it goes in for cheap gimmicks like hiring a cabaret dancer as a solution for bearing a child just to lure the front benchers and the masses". Still, he ultimately noted an "engrossing" second half and commended the directors for having "done their best to bring a fair amount of conviction while putting it across on the screen".<ref name="Padmaraj" />

Vinayak Chakravorty, who gave the film a three-star rating, noted its resemblance to ''Doosri Dulhan'' and criticised it for occasionally coming across as "a veritable rerun of the stereotypes". Raheja was critical of the film's lack of subtlety but believed the directors are "masters of pace and don't allow your attention to wander".<ref name="Raheja" /> Suman Tarafdar of ''[[Filmfare]]'' was particularly critical of the film, calling it "saccarine" and "a film for anyone gullible enough to believe in fairy lands", and noting that Zinta gave "the only slightly noteworthy performance".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tarafdar |first=Suman |date=2001 |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke |language=en |work=[[Filmfare]] |publisher=The Times Group |agency=Indiatimes Movies |url=http://www.indiatimes.com/movies/reviews/choriccc.html |access-date=14 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011023070945/http://www.indiatimes.com/movies/reviews/choriccc.html |archive-date=23 October 2001}}</ref>

==Accolades==
Khan was named the [[Bollywood Movie Award&nbsp;– Most Sensational Actor|Most Sensational Actor]] at the [[Bollywood Movie Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners of Bollywood Movie Awards |url=http://www.bollywoodawards.com/winba9.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102124901/http://www.bollywoodawards.com/winba9.php |archive-date=2 November 2013 |access-date=12 October 2020 |publisher=[[Bollywood Movie Awards]]}}</ref> At the [[47th Filmfare Awards]], Zinta was nominated in the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] category, the only nomination for the film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preity Zinta: Awards & nominations |url=http://www.indiafm.com/celebrities/awards/10155/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526234522/http://www.indiafm.com/celebrities/awards/10155/index.html |archive-date=26 May 2008 |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref>

==Legacy==
''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' has often been associated with surrogacy in Indian popular culture.<ref name="Majumdar18" /> It has been screened at a number of events since its release. In 2002, it was one of 30 films screened at a three-month-long Bollywood event organised by the [[Federal Council (Switzerland)|Swiss Government]] in [[Zürich]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Times News Network |date=23 May 2002 |title=Bollywood bug bites Switzerland |language=en |work=The Times of India |publisher=The Times Group |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/Bollywood-bug-bites-Switzerland/articleshow/10713564.cms |access-date=14 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015025309/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/Bollywood-bug-bites-Switzerland/articleshow/10713564.cms |archive-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> It was later screened at the  2005 [[ISAFF|Independent South Asian Film Festival]] and the 2012 Fiji Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ISAFF 2005&nbsp;– Festival Launch Party |url=https://tasveer.org/isaff-2005-festival-launch-party |access-date=16 October 2020 |website=Tasveer.org |publisher=[[ISAFF|Independent South Asian Film Festival]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stolz |first=Ellen |date=5 October 2012 |title=FNU Film Festival On |work=[[Fiji Sun]] |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2012/10/05/fnu-film-festival-on/ |access-date=16 October 2020}}</ref>

Zinta's role has been noted as one of her notable works. In a column about Zinta, published in an August 2001 issue of ''Screen'' magazine, [[Roshmila Bhattacharya]] asserted, "If ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' found a following in conventional circles, it's thanks to Preity’s handling of yet another 'brave' role".<ref name="Different" /> In a 2003 column for [[Sify]] about the portrayal of sex-workers in Hindi films, Subhash K. Jha wrote of Zinta that in spite of being "uncomfortable about using all the foul language ... Once she entered the zone of the rented womb Preity had a ball. This remains her best performance yet".<ref>{{Cite web |last=K. Jha |first=Subhash |date=30 October 2003 |title=Playing the streetwalker |url=http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=13295633 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040307010103/http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=13295633 |archive-date=7 March 2004 |access-date=11 October 2020 |website=[[Sify]] |url-status=dead |language=en}}</ref> Published in the same year, a column analysing Zinta's career by ''[[Stardust (magazine)|Stardust]]'' found her to be "manifested [her]self most prominently ... in [the film]", adding, "Here was Preity essaying a character with tremendous scope for performance, but the scenes in which she excelled was when she did her bubbly act in the initial stages of the film".<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 2003 |title=Not just Pretty! |work=[[Stardust (magazine)|Stardust]] |url=http://www.stardustindia.com/display_garam.asp?issue=August2003&id=3 |url-status=dead |access-date=4 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907155409/http://www.stardustindia.com/display_garam.asp?issue=August2003&id=3 |archive-date=7 September 2006}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite news |last1=Raval |first1=Sheela |last2=Chopra |first2=Anupama |author-link2=Anupama Chopra |date=22 January 2001 |title=Bollywood body blow |language=en |work=[[India Today]] |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20010122-film-financier-diamond-merchant-bharat-shah-arrest-for-underworld-links-shakes-bollywood-775894-2001-01-22 |url-status=live |access-date=15 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015100326/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20010122-film-financier-diamond-merchant-bharat-shah-arrest-for-underworld-links-shakes-bollywood-775894-2001-01-22 |archive-date=15 October 2020}}
*{{Cite book |last=Raval |first=Sheela |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x2LuCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT213 |title=Godfathers of Crime: Face to Face with India's Most Wanted |date=2015 |publisher=Hachette India |isbn=978-93-5009-977-3 |pages=174–176 |language=en}}
*{{Cite web |year=2003 |title=The Bharat Shah case |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/bharat.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131120540/https://www.rediff.com/news/bharat.htm |archive-date=31 January 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=[[Rediff.com]]}}

== External links ==
{{portal|Bollywood}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0256692}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama title|id=201689}}

{{Abbas–Mustan}}

[[Category:2001 films]]
[[Category:2000s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Abbas–Mustan]]
[[Category:Indian pregnancy films]]
[[Category:Films about surrogacy]]
[[Category:Films scored by Anu Malik]]
[[Category:2001 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films about prostitution in India]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Films shot in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Films set in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films set in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Films about the upper class]]
[[Category:Films about businesspeople]]
[[Category:Films about interclass romance]]