Gumraah (2023 film)
Gumraah (transl. Astray) is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film[4][5][6] directed by Vardhan Ketkar and produced by T-Series Films and Murad Khetani's Cine1 Studios. The film stars Aditya Roy Kapur in a dual role along with Mrunal Thakur and Ronit Roy. It is a remake of the 2019 Tamil film Thadam.[7] It revolves around a murder investigation which becomes complicated after the police discover two lookalike suspects.
Gumraah | |
---|---|
Directed by | Vardhan Ketkar |
Written by | Aseem Arora Vardhan Ketkar |
Story by | Magizh Thirumeni |
Based on | Thadam (2019) by Magizh Thirumeni |
Produced by | Bhushan Kumar Murad Khetani Krishan Kumar Anjum Ketani |
Starring | Aditya Roy Kapur Mrunal Thakur Ronit Roy |
Cinematography | Vineet Malhotra |
Edited by | Sahil Nayar |
Music by | Score: Ketan Sodha Songs: Mithoon Vishal Mishra Tanishk Bagchi Abhijit Vaghani |
Production companies | T-Series Films Cine1 Studio |
Distributed by | Pen Marudhar Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 127 minutes[1] |
Country | India |
Language | Hindi |
Budget | est. ₹25 crore[2] |
Box office | est. ₹10.68 crores[3] |
Principal photography began in October 2021 on the occasion of Dussehra.[8] The filming was wrapped up on 16 July 2022.[9] The film was released in theaters on 7 April 2023.[10] The film received mixed reviews with praise for the action sequences,[11][12][13] but underperformed commercially, becoming a box-office bomb.[14][15]
Plot
In the opening scene, a man in a yellow raincoat breaks into a house, causing the resident to flee in fear. He and the man battle for hardly a moment before he kills him. Before leaving, the murderer is seen destroying any potential clues.
The victim is later revealed to be Akash Sardana the following morning. The inquiry is headed by Shivani Mathur, a young police officer who is perceptive enough to piece together what happened based on clues. Investigators were told by Akash's sister that he had taken 2 million from the family bank account, but no such money was found. A neighbour later tells that the killer was caught in one of his own selfies. Shivani's superior, ACP Dhiren Yadav, recognises Arjun Sehgal as the perpetrator and feels relieved to have his chance at revenge. To begin, he has Shivani look into Arjun's history from the perspective of the murder. The cops eventually arrest Arjun and provide him with evidence. He gives a flimsy alibi, and Yadav is relieved that the investigation may finally be closed.
But a constable takes into custody a man named Sooraj for drunken driving and disorderly conduct who looks strikingly similar to Arjun. Yadav talks to his attorney friend, who assures him that the situation is hopeless in court and that they will get bail without any trouble. He can only buy himself two extra days before they have to be presented in court. The authorities now have 48 hours to collect proof. Both Arjun and Sooraj show the same injuries.
Arjun, a brilliant engineer, is dating the lovely Janhvi in a flashback. However, Sooraj is a minor criminal who, together with his friend Chaddi, makes a living by perpetrating cons. Sooraj is a criminal, but his legal acumen is on par with that of a top attorney. One of the mob bosses he conned kidnaps Chaddi and holds him for ransom, demanding 2 million as payment for the deception he perpetrated on Chaddi. Sooraj gambles away his last handful money but comes out empty-handed.
The DNA found at the crime scene matches both of them, revealing that Arjun and Sooraj are identical twins in the present day, but the evidence acquired by the police is usually deceiving. The two of them begin relating their tale. Their parents' marriage was falling apart, and their mother took to gambling, which ultimately leads to the couple's separation and eventual divorce. While Arjun did not have the same strong feelings for his mother as did Sooraj, the reverse was also true. Being an attorney, their father took away the kids and prevented his wife from seeing them; she grew depressed as a result and ended up dying by suicide. The brothers went in different directions since, and have refused to acknowledge each other's existence for long.
Shivani is confident that Sooraj is the perpetrator due to his criminal record and flimsy alibi. The old constable tells Shivani that Yadav is out for revenge on Arjun because, eight years ago, Arjun helped his daughter elope with her lover and Yadav tried to pull all the legal apparatus against Arjun, but his daughter testified in Arjun’s favour in court. Shivani and Yadav find themselves in a faceoff by concealing evidence from each other in order to secure a solid alibi for Arjun and Sooraj. Six months later, the court still isn't sure that one of them committed the crime, but they also can't condemn either of them because of their solid alibi.
A few weeks later, Shivani receives Janhvi's missing person case file. When Janhvi's friend does some digging, she finds out that Janhvi went to a class reunion just before she disappeared. Later that day, she gets a text from Janhvi saying that she and Arjun are no longer together and that she is getting married instead, to none other than Akash. Because she fabricated Arjun's alibi, she can no longer dispute that the crime was committed for financial gain.
After learning of Janhvi's messages, Arjun decided to confront Akash, as revealed by Arjun. After a brief altercation, Arjun coerces Akash into telling the truth about his connection to Janhvi. They were dating in college, but Akash tells him things didn't work out. He approached her at the reunion, but she avoided him. He then rapes her in his hotel room after spiking her drink. She overdoses on drugs and dies from sexual assault. Akash then pays 2 million to the police to drop the case. Arjun murders Akash out of rage and then flees the scene.
After hearing that Arjun had been arrested for murder, Sooraj told him that he had cleaned up the scene and planted evidence to divert the police's attention from himself. Sooraj assured him that Arjun would not be convicted because he had not committed the crime. Arjun gives Sooraj keys to the house he's been living in since they split up.
Cast
- Aditya Roy Kapur as Arjun Sehgal / Sooraj Rana "Ronnie" (dual role)
- Mrunal Thakur as Sub Inspector Shivani Mathur
- Ronit Roy as ACP Dhiren Yadav "Dhiru"
- Vedika Pinto as Janhvi Behl
- Keeya Khanna as Mrs. Rana, Arjun and Sooraj's mother
- Mohit Anand as Prithvi
- Ivan Rodrigues as Advocate Bijou
- Deepak Kalra as Kulbhushan "Chaddi"
- Navneet Kaur as Radhika Yadav Valmiki, Dhiren's daughter
- Akshay Bhagat as Purushottam, the goon who filed a case on Chaddi
- Sachin Khurana as Ravi Sehgal, Arjun and Sooraj's father
- Micky Makhija as Judge (Final Verdict)
- Aditya Lal as Aakash Sardana, murder victim
- Tanvie Kishore as Aakash's Sister
- Chahat Vig as Divya
Production
Development and casting
In 2019 following the release of Thadam there were rumors that a Hindi remake was in the works. On 4 March 2020 the film was officially announced as an untitled crime-thriller by Bhushan Kumar and Murad Khetani through social media, confirming that T-Series and Cine1 Studios are co-producing the film with debutant Vardhan Ketkar announced as director. Sidharth Malhotra was first announced as the lead alongside Mrunal Thakur.[16][17] The filming was supposed to begin in mid-2020 with a release date of 20 November 2020, but it was postponed following the coronavirus outbreak in late March 2020. Later in January 2021, there were reports of Sidharth Malhotra walking out of the project due to unknown reasons and the project was put on a hold.[18]
In July 2021 the makers announced the revival of the project with Aditya Roy Kapur as the new lead.[19] Later in September 2021 Mrunal Thakur was also confirmed to be a part of the project.[20] Vedika Pinto was selected to appear as the love interest opposite Aditya.[21] Ronit Roy and Navneet Kaur Thind was also cast to play important roles in the film.[22]
Shubham Kulkarni of Koimoi rated the film 3/5 and said "Gumraah is a very lazy product that oversimplifies everything for a noir it tries to be. Even two Aditya Roy Kapurs cannot save this mess"[23]
Soundtrack
Gumraah | |
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Soundtrack album by | |
Released | 8 April 2023[24] |
Recorded | 2022–2023 |
Studio | VM Studio, New Edge Studio, Future Sound of Bombay & Headroom Studio Mumbai |
Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
Length | 13:48 |
Language | Hindi |
Label | T-Series |
Official audio | |
Gumraah – Full Album on YouTube |
Mithoon, Vishal Mishra, Tanishk Bagchi and Abhijit Vaghani have composed songs for the film.[24] First single titled "Soniye Ji" sung, composed, and written by Vishal Mishra was released on 14 March 2023.[25] On 18 March 2023 another song titled "Ghar Nahi Jana" composed by Tanishk Bagchi and sung by Armaan Malik, Zahrah S Khan and Salma Agha was released.[26] The third single title "Allah De Bande" was released on 31 March 2023 and the title track was released on 5 April 2023.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Soniye Je" | Vishal Mishra | Vishal Mishra | Vishal Mishra | 2:40 |
2. | "Ghar Nahi Jana" | Rashmi Virag | Tanishk Bagchi | Armaan Malik, Zahrah S Khan, Salma Agha | 3:41 |
3. | "Allah De Bande" | Mithoon | Mithoon | Jubin Nautiyal, Aaman Trikha | 4:48 |
4. | "Gumraah (Title Track)" | Bhrigu Parashar | Abhijit Vaghani | Sachet Tandon, Parampara Tandon | 2:39 |
Total length: | 13:48 |
Release
The film was theatrically released on 7 April 2023. The digital rights were acquired by Netflix and the film started streaming on the platform as from 4 June 2023.[10]
Reception
Critical reception
Dhaval Roy of The Times of India rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "An engaging plot, twists and turns and good storytelling make Gumraah worth a visit to the theatre".[27] Rishil Jogani of Pinkvilla rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and termed the film "very enjoyable" with elements of a commercial thriller.[28] Ganesh Aaglave of Firstpost rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote: "While the story with solid twists and turns looks exciting, the film lacked the gripping and pacey screenplay, which would have taken Gumraah to another level".[29]
Box office
It flopped at the box office, opening worldwide at ₹1.22 crore.Opening weekend was ₹5.93 crore.[3]
As of 27 April 2023, the film has grossed ₹9.86 crore (US$1.2 million) in India and ₹0.82 crore (US$100,000) overseas for a worldwide gross collection of ₹10.68 crore (US$1.3 million).[3][2]
The film underperformed commercially, becoming a box-office bomb.[3][30]
References
- "Gumraah". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- "Gumraah Box Office Collection: Aditya Roy Kapur-Starrer Fails To Impress Audience, Collects This Much In 1 Week". English Jagran. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- "Gumraah Box Office Collection". Bollywood hungama. 7 April 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- "Aditya Roy Kapur's 'Gumraah' romantic track 'Ghar Nahi Jaana' out now". ZEE5. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
Makers of the upcoming action thriller film 'Gumraah' on Sunday, unveiled the second song of the film 'Ghar Nahi Jaana'.
- "Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Gumraah, Soorarai Pottru: Upcoming Hindi remakes of South hits releasing after Bholaa". MSN.
The action-thriller is the official remake of the 2019 hit Tamil film Thadam, starring Arun Vijay in dual roles.
- "Gumraah Box Office Collection: Aditya Roy Kapur And Mrunal Thakur's Film Is A No-Show On Day 3, Collects This Much". Dainik Jagran. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
Aditya Roy Kapur and Mrunal Thakur's latest action-thriller film, Gumraah has failed to impress the audiences.
- "Thadam Hindi remake is Gumraah. Aditya Roy Kapur and Mrunal Thakur's crime thriller gets a name". India Today. 10 May 2022. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "Aditya Roy Kapur begins filming Hindi remake of Thadam on Dussehra". India Today. 15 October 2021. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "Aditya Roy Kapur, Mrunal Thakur wrap up shooting for crime thriller 'Gumraah'". ANI News. 16 July 2022. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "Aditya Roy Kapur, Mrunal Thakur starrer Gumraah takes over the release date April 7 after Bawaal gets postponed". Bollywood Hungama. 31 January 2023. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- "Gumraah movie review: Aditya Roy Kapur's double turn in this typical thriller is quite average". Hindustan Times. 7 April 2023. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
The crime thriller has some well-done action sequences and few unintentional laugh-out-loud moments with its dialogues, but overall, it feels like an overlong episode of a television show.
- "Gumraah Review: Aditya Roy Kapur, Mrunal Thakur Starrer Has Action, Romance, Thrill, Suspense And..." ABP News. 7 April 2023. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
In the way, action-sequences are shot, and the revelation done, the camera work is good in the second half. In fact, there is an action-sequence in the first half which also deserves a special mention. It would bring back memories of many 90s action flicks, a meta comment on genre perhaps, that as an audience one is likely to enjoy.
- "Gumraah". Radio Mirchi. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
The crime thriller also had many great action sequences but fails to make a mark when it comes to the plot [...] Watch it for the handsome Aditya, his acting skills and some great action scenes!
- "Box Office: Gumraah Flops". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- "Aditya Roy Kapur's Gumraah Flops Miserably at Box Office; Ajay Devgn-starrer Bholaa Has Decent Run". CNN-News18. 11 April 2023. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- "'Thadam Hindi remake: Sidharth Malhotra to play a double role in his next film". India Today. 4 March 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- "Sidharth Malhotra to star in Hindi remake of Tamil action thriller Thadam; film to release on 20 November". Firstpost. 4 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "Sidharth Malhotra starrer Thadam remake put on a back burner?". Eastern Eye. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "Aditya Roy Kapur to replace Sidharth Malhotra in Thadam remake". Bollywood Hungama. 23 April 2021. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "Mrunal Thakur joins Aditya Roy Kapur in Bhushan Kumar & Murad Khetani's Thadam remake". Bollywood Hungama. 6 September 2021. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "After an impressive debut, Vedika Pinto takes the leap with Aditya Roy Kapur's Thadam remake". The Statesman. 2 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "'Ronit Roy is very intimidating to work around', says Gumrah actor Navneet Kaur Thind". Free Press Journal. 8 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- Kulkarni, Shubham (7 April 2023). "Gumraah Movie Review: Two Aditya Roy Kapurs Playing A Game Of Convenience & A Messy Climax". Koimoi. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- "Gumraah – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Jiosaavn. 8 April 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- "Aditya Roy Kapur exudes swagger and style in the first song from Gumraah, Soniye Je". Firstpost. 14 March 2023. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- "Gumraah song Ghar Nahi Jaana: Aditya Roy Kapur and Vedika Pinto's track is romantic and groovy at the same time". OTT Play. 18 March 2023. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "Gumraah Movie Review: The intriguing whodunnit will keep you engrossed". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
- "Gumraah Movie Review: Aditya Roy Kapur & Mrunal Thakur's film is an ode to the Bollywood we've grown up loving". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
- "Gumraah movie review: Aditya Roy Kapur shines in a flawed but decent thriller". Firstpost. 7 April 2023. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
- "Gumraah box office collection, Budget and Verdict (Hit Ya Flop)". Indian Paper Ink. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
External links
- Gumraah at IMDb
- Gumraah at Bollywood Hungama