The film begins in a bowling alley where a group of friends are awaiting the arrival of Salim. In the mean time Deepak along with his fiancee Sheetal arrive. Sheetal has a book with her which happens to be a love story, when a conversation arises about love, Deepak and the rest find it necessary to make Sheetal aware that true love exist. And they have the perfect example- the story of Raj and Priya, two of their closest friends.Raj Malhotra [Shahrukh Khan] is the owner of Raj Transport, a small trucking company he founded himself. Raj is a carefree type of man. He doesnt quite have a path set in stone so he tries everything. He is unorganized, messy, lazy and late all the time. Although he isnt the richest, hes always happy. On the other hand Priya Chopra [Rani Mukherjee] is a successful fashion designer whose family is quite wealthy. Priya, originally from Greece, lives with her Aunt Anna who wants to give her the absolute best in life [meaning wealth and success]. Priya has her life all planned out- the complete opposite of Raj. Now how do two completely different people fall in love, or more important how do they meet? Quite funny actually.... a car accident. Raj was cruising in his truck when speedy Priya drives right past him, though she didnt get through very easily. Hot tempered Priya angrily hops out of her car and immediately begins insulting and venting off at Raj. Too busy to notice that her own car has managed to roll down a hill. Raj astonished by her beauty just stands there smiling in a daze. Eventually Priya has to accept a tow from Raj. Later at a Salim and Farah -mutal friends- wedding the meet again where eventually they themselves become friends. The two arrange to meet again and slowly begin to fall in love. When dropping Priya home Raj receives her phone number but careless Raj eventually loses it. He then sets out to find her. Within a total of 20 days he creates traffic by singing on top cars and eventually finds his Priya. But its when he finds her that he learns that shes engaged. Desperate Raj follows Priya to Greece where he continues to woo her. When its time to part Priya realizes that she is in love with Raj. By much persuasion to Priyas parents they finally get married. They arrive in Mumbai where Raj welcomes Priya into their home. Raj then makes an oath to God or his talisman. He wishes it to protect Priya if he is not ever around, because he loves her very much.Back to bowling alley Sheetal is in tears, for she never heard a more beautiful story. Salim along with Farah arrives. They announce that today was Raj and Priyas 1st wedding anniversary so they were planning a surprise party. Excited Sheetal cant wait to meet the famous Raj and Priya but when the time arrives to meet them, theyre nothing like what they seemed. A year has changed both Raj and Priya and the two just cant stop arguing. When they do find common ground and happiness it doesnt last long. Raj feels pressured to meet up with Priyas family standards meaning wealth. Raj himself is quite in a struggle his company has gone bankrupt and he has many bills and loans to repay. When he is insulted by bank official he comes home crying to Priya. Priya who cannot stand to see her husband in this state resorts to asking her former fiancee for money. When she confronts Raj about where the money came from she feels justified to lie and in this case she does. But when Raj throws a celebrational party he learns of the truth. Angry at Priya he becomes destructive and eventually she runs away to her parents. Raj realizing his error goes after his wife online to be insulted by her family.Priya decides to leave India because she cannot live with Raj and she cannot stay without being with him. When Raj is informed about this he races to the airport to stop his love just as he did the year before. He confronts her by saying he will change and that he has a dream that the two of them can start a family together. Although Priya expresses that she has the same dream she says that it is impossible for the two to be together so she boards the plane. Givingg up Raj remembers his oath and sends his talisman to Priya. When Priya receives the talisman she too recalls Rajs confession. Raj arrives home alone, he finds no need to turn on the lights so in the dark he begins to take of his shoe. When throwing his shoes anywhere he hears Priya scolding him. Priya is there in reality. She says that the only way to make their dream come true is to be together so thats how its gonna be. Together forever they wont ever leave. In a jokingly manner the two get into another argument but instead of calling it a fight they say this is how they express their love. They continue to argue as the credits roll.

Reception

Chalte Chalte was a moderate box office success mainly due to the draw of the films lead pair. However it was given a cold shoulder by most critics as it was considered a very clichéd film of its genre.

Development

This was the third film produced by Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawlas company, Dreamz Unlimited. Neither of their first two films [Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani [2000] and Asoka [2001] did well at the box office. However, Chalte Chalte was a success. According to Shah Rukh, Rani Mukherjee was asked to play the heroine but she was booked for other films and had to turn it down. Aishwarya Rai was signed for the role, but had to leave the set after some problems with her then boyfriend, star Salman Khan. He is said to have disrupted filming. The film then got delayed. Rani happened to be free at this point and agreed to take over the role and save the film. Rani Mukherjee had a complete makeover for the role. Her new look was also widely noted.