Chennai Express poster

Chennai Express

"Ready... Steady... Po!"

Movie PG-13 2013 2h 21m 6.5 /10
Directed by Rohit Shetty

Rahul sets off on a mission to a southern town to scatter his grandfather's ashes at the sacred waters of Rameshwaram. On the way he crosses paths with Meenamma, a liberation-loving woman from a lively Tamil family whose world clashes with his own. Their cross-country detour becomes a comic and... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: February 03, 2026

About Chennai Express

Rahul sets off on a mission to a southern town to scatter his grandfather's ashes at the sacred waters of Rameshwaram. On the way he crosses paths with Meenamma, a liberation-loving woman from a lively Tamil family whose world clashes with his own. Their cross-country detour becomes a comic and romantic odyssey as they ride trains, dodge chaos, and get swept up in the colorful energy of South India. What begins as a quiet errand quickly spirals into a madcap adventure that tests trust, temper, and taste for mischief, all while tugging at the heartstrings with humor. Music cues and brisk humor keep the energy high even as the plot thickens in crowded streets.

Chennai Express released in 2013 directed by Rohit Shetty. It stems from an original screenplay by Yunus Sajawal, Robin Bhatt, and K Subash, blending high energy action with comedy and romance in a commercially driven masala package, appeal to families.

Chennai Express achieved strong box office, grossing about 62 million dollars worldwide against a budget of 18 million, with robust performance in India and overseas markets such as the Middle East and North America. It drew families during holidays worldwide.

Its splashy mix of South Indian flavor, broad humor and action helped define a festive mass audience mood for its era. The Rahul and Meenamma dynamic became instantly recognizable, fueling memes, fashion riffs, and playful conversations long after release. Its humor crosses linguistic gaps and keeps the tone playful throughout.

Critics framed Chennai Express as a high-spirited fusion of romance and blockbuster comedy with Rohit Shetty's signature stunts. The film juggles tradition and modern flirtation, using bright humor to navigate cultural differences while keeping a fast pace that keeps audiences engaged. The film also blends tradition with modern swagger today.

Details

Release Date
August 08, 2013
Runtime
2h 21m
Rating
PG-13
User Ratings
367 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Romance, Comedy, Action
Country
India
Studio
Red Chillies Entertainment +2 more
Budget
$18,000,000
Box Office
$62,000,000
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan

Rahul Mithaiwala

Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone

Meenamma Lochini Azhagusundaram

Nikitin Dheer

Nikitin Dheer

Tangaballi

Sathyaraj

Sathyaraj

Durgeshwara Azhagusundaram

Mukesh Tiwari

Mukesh Tiwari

Inspector Shamsher

Kamini Kaushal

Kamini Kaushal

Rahul's grandmother

Lekh Tandon

Lekh Tandon

Rahul's grandfather

R

Rakesh Kukreti

Rahul's friend

Priyamani

Priyamani

Special Appearance in "1 2 3 4 Get on the Dance Floor" Song

Delhi Ganesh

Delhi Ganesh

Villager

Director: Rohit Shetty

Written by: Yunus Sajawal, Robin Bhatt, K. Subash

Frequently Asked Questions

Chennai Express is available to stream on Netflix. You can also rent or buy it on Apple iTunes and Google Play.

Yes, Chennai Express is available to stream on Netflix.

Yes, you can rent on Apple iTunes and Google Play or buy on Apple iTunes and Google Play.

With a rating of 6.5/10 from 367 viewers, Chennai Express is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Rahul sets off on a mission to a southern town to scatter his grandfather's ashes at the sacred waters of Rameshwaram. On the way he crosses paths with Meenamma, a liberation-loving woman from a lively Tamil family whose world clashes with his own. Their cross-country detour becomes a comic and r...

Chennai Express stars Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Nikitin Dheer, Sathyaraj, and Mukesh Tiwari.

Chennai Express was directed by Rohit Shetty.

Chennai Express was released on August 08, 2013.

Chennai Express is a Romance, Comedy, and Action film.

Shah Rukh Khan plays Rahul Mithaiwala, the male lead who travels to Tamil Nadu to fulfill his grandfather's last wish. His journey kicks off a romantic and comedic adventure with Meenamma, a woman from a southern family.

Deepika Padukone plays Meenamma Lochini Azhagusundaram, a woman from a southern family who joins Rahul on his journey. She becomes Rahul's love interest and the film's central companion on the adventure.

Nikitin Dheer plays Tangaballi. Tangaballi is one of the film's notable antagonists that Rahul and Meenamma encounter on their trip.

Chennai Express is rated PG-13. That means it's generally suitable for viewers aged 13 and older.