Shehzada (2023 film)

Shehzada (transl. Prince) is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language action film[4] directed by Rohit Dhawan and co-produced by T-Series Films, Haarika & Hassine Creations, Geetha Arts and Brat Films. A remake of the 2020 Telugu film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, it stars Kartik Aaryan, who also co-produced the film, alongside Kriti Sanon, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Rajpal Yadav, Ronit Roy and Sachin Khedekar.

Shehzada
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRohit Dhawan
Screenplay byRohit Dhawan
Story byTrivikram Srinivas
Based onAla Vaikunthapurramuloo
by Trivikram Srinivas
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySudeep Chatterjee
Sanjay F. Gupta
Edited byRitesh Soni
Music bySongs:
Pritam
Abhijit Vaghani
Background Score:
Julius Packiam
Production
companies
Distributed byAA Films
Release date
  • 17 February 2023 (2023-02-17)
Running time
145 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹65 crore[2]
Box officeest.₹47.43 crore[3]

Principal photography commenced in October 2021 and ended in January 2023. The film is shot extensively in Mumbai, Delhi and Mauritius. The film score and soundtrack album are composed by Pritam. Initially scheduled for theatrical release on 10 February 2023, Shehzada was released a week later on 17 February, due to the success of Pathaan.[5] The film received negative reviews from critics and was a commercial failure.[6]

Plot

Valmiki and Randeep start their career as clerks in the company of Aditya Jindal. Randeep, who marries Jindal's daughter Yashoda "Yashu", becomes wealthy while Valmiki remains poor. On the day of the birth of both their children, Randeep's son appears to be dead. When nurse Sulochana informs Valmiki about this, he pities Randeep and offers to exchange his baby with the dead one since the Jindals have done so much for him.

After switching them, however, Randeep's child begins to cry, having not died after all. Valmiki, sensing that his son would have a better life growing up in a rich family, prevents Sulochana from switching the babies back and accidentally pushes her off a ledge. Sulochana goes into a coma, keeping Valmiki's secret from coming out.

25 years later, Raj, raised at Jindal's house, is timid and innocent while Bantu, raised by Valmiki, is street-smart and outspoken. Valmiki, who favours his own son Raj, treats Bantu badly. Bantu gets a job at a law firm headed by Samara, who is impressed by his knowledge and quick-wittedness. Meanwhile, Raj returns from his studies abroad. Jindal sends Raj to reject Sarang, a powerful man who offers to buy their company's shares but deals with drugs. Randeep watches the deal from a restaurant where Samara has a meeting. When the client misbehaves with Samara, Bantu interferes. Randeep is disappointed by Raj's inability to say no to Sarang but beams at Bantu and Samara when they defend themselves against the rowdy client. Following this, Raj becomes engaged to Samara but she and Bantu have fallen in love.

Sarang attempts to kill Randeep for getting in his way. Bantu saves Randeep; at the hospital, he meets Sulochana, who has come out of her coma. She reveals Bantu's true parentage before dying. Bantu denounces Valmiki as his father. Aditya Jindal, Bantu's true grandfather, is fond of Bantu for saving Randeep and hires him.

Bantu begins to address the issues plaguing the house by patching up Randeep relationship with Yashu, which had been strained since Randeep's affair seven years ago. He also settles the dispute with Sarang and reforms the corrupt family members. He and Samara tell Raj about their relationship; Raj calls off his marriage with Samara and confronts his parents, telling them he should be allowed to make his own decisions rather than have everything handed to him. Sarang kidnaps Yashu and threatens to kill her unless Randeep gives him money.

Bantu saves Yashu. Jindal reveals that he knew all along who Bantu was, which is why he brought him home; he had overheard the conversation between Sulochana and Bantu right before her death. Bantu unites with Randeep but asks him not to reveal the truth to Yashu, fearing she might be disheartened to know that Raj, who she dotes on so much, is not her real child. Yashu remarks that Bantu is like her son, as he saved her and the family. Yashu asks Valmiki to train Raj to be as competent as Bantu and become the CEO of their company. Bantu forgives Valmiki and mends his relationship with him.

Cast

Production

The film was announced on 12 October 2021.[7][8] Principal photography began on the next day i.e. 13 October 2021 in Mumbai.[9] The next schedule took place in Delhi.[10] After many sequences were shot in Mauritius, filming wrapped up on 10 January 2023.[11][12]

Soundtrack
Shehzada
Soundtrack album by
Pritam and Abhijit Vaghani
Released28 February 2023[13]
Recorded2022-2023
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length21:29
LanguageHindi
LabelT-Series
ProducerBhushan Kumar
Official audio
Shehzada - Full Album on YouTube

All the songs are composed by Pritam while the song "Character Dheela 2.0" from 2011 film Ready has been recreated by Abhijit Vaghani and Pritam. The lyrics are written by Kumaar, Mayur Puri, Shloke Lal and IP Singh.

The Background Score was composed by Julius Packiam.

The first single titled "Munda Sona Hoon Main" was released on 16 January 2023.[14] The second single titled "Chedkhaniyan" was released on 24 January 2023.[15] The third single titled "Mere Sawaal Ka" was released on 2 February 2023.[16] The fourth single titled "Character Dheela 2.0" was released on 9 February 2023. The song, Character Dheela 2.0, is a remix of the same song, Character Dheela, from Salman Khan's Ready (2011).[17]

All music is composed by Pritam except where noted

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Munda Sona Hoon Main"KumaarDiljit Dosanjh, Nikhita Gandhi3:50
2."Chedkhaniyan"Shloke Lal, IP SinghArijit Singh, Nikhita Gandhi3:51
3."Mere Sawaal Ka"Shloke LalShashwat Singh, Shalmali Kholgade4:15
4."Character Dheela 2.0" (Recreated by Abhijit Vaghani)Amitabh Bhattacharya, Ashish PanditNeeraj Shridhar, Style Bai2:37
5."Shehzada Title Track"Mayur PuriSonu Nigam3:47
6."Mere Sawaal Ka" (King Version)Shloke LalKing3:09
Total length:21:29

Release

Theatrical

Shehzada was released on 17 February 2023.[18] Initially the film was scheduled for theatrical release on 4 November 2022 but was delayed due to production.[19][20][21][22]

Home media

The digital streaming rights of the film are acquired by Netflix in ₹40 crore.[23][24][25] On the platform, the film was premiered on 14 April 2023.[26]

Reception

Box office

As of 17 March 2023, the film has grossed ₹38.33 crore (US$4.8 million) in India and ₹9.1 crore (US$1.1 million) overseas for a worldwide gross collection of ₹47.43 crore (US$5.9 million).[3]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 38% based on 8 reviews.[27]

Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com wrote: "Kartik's No Allu Arjun" and went ahead to add on that: "It's nearly not enough to make an already brainless movie a better one."[28] Rahul Desai in this review for Film Companion wrote: "A Kartik Aaryan Entertainer that forgets to entertain"[29] whereas another critic labelled Aaryan as a "Royal Bore" synonymous to the film title. Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in stated: "Rehash of Telugu hit is catnip for Kartik Aaryan fans" [30] Dhaval Roy of The Times of India gave the film 3.5 stars out of 5, stating "With campy humour and action, this is just a mass entertainer".[31] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV Movies stated: "Take Kartik Aaryan Out, There Might Not Be Much Left. The obsolescence of the film's essence is difficult to shrug off."[32]

Shalini Langer of The Indian Express stated: "Only Manisha Koirala and Ronit Roy come out of this Kartik Aaryan starrer with some dignity intact. That’s more than can be said about the audience. It should be a crime to make such films in 21st century."[33] Ziniya Bandhyopadhyay wrote for India Today that the film was a disappointment of massive proportions.[34] In his review for The Hindu, Anuj wrote :Kartik Aaryan can’t salvage this prince of pointless banter. It's the wrong vehicle to launch Kartik Aaryan into the universe of a mass entertainer.[35] Pratyusha Mishra for The Quint Magazine called the film "A Royally Painful Massy Film"[36] At Firstpost, Vinamra Mathur wrote: "The problem with the remake is it never earns the mood it wants to create."[37] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare opined: "Don’t expect anything to make sense because it doesn’t. The original was extremely loud and over the top, so the remake can hardly be less so."[38]

References
  1. "Kartik Aaryan starrer Shehzada certified 'U/A' by CBFC with duration of 2 hours 25 minutes". Bollywood Hungama. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  2. "Understanding the Economics of the Kartik Aaryan starrer Shehzada and, how much the film needs to earn to make a profit". Bollywood Hungama. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023. Made on a budget of Rs. 85 cr. (Rs. 65 cr. as Cost of Production and Rs. 20 cr. on Print and Advertisement)
  3. "SHEHZADA BOX OFFICE". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  4. "Cover Story: Shehzada is my first all-out action entertainer, says Kartik Aaryan". Filmfare. Retrieved 16 February 2023. Shehzada is my first all-out action entertainer. I had to make sure that I left no stone unturned, and Rohit (Dhawan) had such amazing action sequences and moments that I was sure from day one that khoon pasina ek karna hai.
  5. "Shehzada release pushed to February 17 as Pathaan continues record-breaking run at box office". The Indian Express. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  6. "Shehzada Box Office Collection Day 3: Kartik Aaryan's Film Below Expectations With Rs 20 Crore". NDTV.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  7. "Shehzada: Kartik Aryan to Star in Hindi Remake of Allu Arjun's Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo". News 18. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  8. "Shehzada: Kriti Sanon will be in the lead role in the film and Kartik Aaryan opposite lead role play". JanBharat Times. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  9. "Shehzada: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon reunite for Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo Hindi remake". Cinema Express. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  10. "Kartik Aaryan Says 'Dhuein Nikal Gaye' As He Shoots For Shehzada Amid Delhi Winters". India.com. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  11. "Kriti Sanon Wraps Shooting For Shehzada; Shares BTS Photos With Kartik Aaryan and Manisha Koirala". News18. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  12. "Kriti Sanon announces Shehzada wrap-up with Kartik Aaryan, shares celebratory pics from sets". India Today. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  13. "Shehzada – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Jiosaavn. 28 February 2023.
  14. "Shehzada's Munda Sona Hoon Main: There is nothing beyond the picturesque location in this Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon song". The Indian Express. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  15. "Shehzada's new song Chedkhaniyan is for Kartik Aaryan's dance fans. Watch video". The Indian Express. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  16. "Shehzada song Mere Sawaal Ka: Kartik Aaryan-Kriti Sanon share an easy chemistry in this song about first love". The Indian Express. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  17. "BREAKING: Kartik Aaryan's tribute to Salman Khan with 'Character Dheela Hai 2.0' to release on February 9". Bollywood Hungama. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  18. "Shehzada Movie Budget, Box Office, Cast, Release Date - Cinereveal". Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  19. "Kartik Aaryan announces new film Shehzada with Kriti Sanon, to theatrically release on 04 November 2022, 2022". IndiaToday. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  20. "Kartik Aaryan's Shehzada to release in theatres on Feb 10, 2023. Actor shares his first look from film". India Today. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  21. "Shehzada Official Trailer - Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon - Video Trailer - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  22. "Munda Sona Hoon Main (From 'Shehzada').Diljit Dosanjh & Nikhita Gandhi has sung this beautiful masterpiece". Hungama Music. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  23. "Understanding the Economics of the Kartik Aaryan starrer Shehzada and, how much the film needs to earn to make a profit". Bollywood Hungama. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  24. "Shehzada OTT Rights: Kartik's film 'Shehzada' has already collected more than the budget before its release, know how much digital rights were sold". ABP News. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  25. "Shehzada OTT Rights: Karthik Aryan's 'Shehzada' rocked before release, film digital rights sold in crores!". Zee News. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  26. "Shehzada on OTT: When and where to watch Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon's action-comedy online". ottplay.com. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  27. "Shehzada - Movie Reviews". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  28. Verma, Sukanya. "Shehzada Review: Kartik's No Allu Arjun". Rediff. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  29. Desai, Rahul. "Shehzada Review: A Kartik Aaryan Entertainer That Forgets to Entertain". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  30. Ramnath, Nandini (17 February 2023). "'Shehzada' review: Rehash of Telugu hit is catnip for Kartik Aaryan fans". Scroll.in. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  31. "Shehzada Movie Review : With campy humour and action, this is just a mass entertainer". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  32. "Shehzada Review: Take Kartik Aaryan Out, There Might Not Be Much Left". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  33. "Shehzada movie review: It should be a crime to make such films in 21st century". The Indian Express. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  34. "Shehzada Movie Review: Kartik Aaryan's film is a disappointment of massive proportions". India Today. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  35. Kumar, Anuj (17 February 2023). "'Shehzada' movie review: Kartik Aaryan can't salvage this prince of pointless banter". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  36. Mishra, Pratikshya (17 February 2023). "'Shehzada' Review: Kartik Aaryan-starrer Is a Royally Painful Massy Film". TheQuint. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  37. "Shehzada movie review: Kartik Aaryan has swag, but the film can't match up to Allu Arjun's original". Firstpost. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  38. "Shehzada Movie Review". filmfare.com. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
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