Bachchhan Paandey Explained

Bachchhan Paandey
Director:Farhad Samji
Producer:Sajid Nadiadwala
Music:Songs:
Amaal Mallik
B Praak
Vikram Montrose
Jaani
Roy
Score:
Julius Packiam
Cinematography:Gavemic U. Ary[1]
Editing:Charu Shree Roy
Studio:Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment
Distributor:AA Films
Runtime:146 minutes[2] [3]
Country:India
Language:Hindi
Budget: crore[4]
Gross: crore

Bachchhan Paandey is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language action comedy film directed by Farhad Samji, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon, Arshad Warsi and Jacqueline Fernandez. Pankaj Tripathi, Prateik Babbar, Sanjay Mishra and Abhimanyu Singh play supporting roles. It is an official remake of the 2014 Tamil film Jigarthanda[5] [6] which itself was inspired by the 2006 South Korean film A Dirty Carnival.[7] [8] [9] The film was released theatrically on 18 March 2022 and ended up being a disaster at the box office.[10]

Plot

Myra Devekar, a budding director, is given a task by a producer to come up with a gripping and violent gangster story to produce a film. To satisfy the producer's commercial outlook and her hunger for making a realistic flick, she decides to study the life of a real-life gangster for the script. Her extensive research leads to menacing one-eyed Bachchhan Paandey of Baghwa, a ruthless gangster surrounded by quirky yet scary henchmen.

Myra travels to Baghwa where she meets her best friend Vishu and tells him about her film idea on Bachchhan. Vishu gets furious and asks her to leave but is later persuaded to help her with the film. Both Vishu and Myra start to target Bachchhan's henchmen in an effort to get closer to him. Virgin, one of the goons, tells them about his former girlfriend Sophie, who was killed by the former. Vishu and Myra plant a microphone in Virgin's mobile phone to eavesdrop on his conversations with Bachchan.

Later, it is revealed that Virgin was betraying Bachchhan for another criminal Rana Lohia, but is caught and killed by him. Vishu and Myra listen to the murder through the microphone, but are caught by Bachchhan's gang. Bachchhan sets out to kill Vishu and Myra, but agrees to spare them when he discovers that Myra is directing a gangster movie, under the condition that he plays the protagonist of the film. Myra initially doesn't accept, but Bachchhan kidnaps her producer, and Myra is forced to listen to his backstory to develop the script.

In a flashback, Bachchhan works for a corrupt politician Laalji Bhagat. After a fallout, the politician gets Bachchhan's girlfriend Sophie killed. In retaliation, Bachchhan murders Bhagat in the hospital where he was admitted for a wound.

Bachchhan and his goons do not know how to act, so they learn through Bhavesh Bhoplo, an acting coach. Bhavesh hits, threatens, and humiliates Bachchhan and his henchmen, much to their chagrin. Nevertheless, Myra dissuades them from harming Bhavesh for the sake of the movie. Bachchan and Myra soon develop feelings for each other.

The film is eventually completed and released in the theatres. Bachchhan and his goons initially get excited and promote the film named "BP," thinking it to be the gritty gangster drama that it was marketed as. To their horror, the film turns out to be a comedy that portrays them negatively. On the other hand, Myra's film is proved to be a blockbuster and gets praise from her media and her director who used to often criticize her a lot. Bachchhan and the goons decide to kill her for making his fear in people vanish but later on, refrain from him as Bachchhan gets evolved by heart and narrates her story that his ears were ringing to hear from her mother calling him and also his fans get impressed by him. Bachchhan, later on, becomes a star, and Kaandi, Bachchhan's close goon, gives up his habit of watching porn films. Vishu gets a lead role in an unnamed film. Pendulum (Bachchan's goon) who was married to his girlfriend Pinky (thanks to Bachchan) opens cow diary with her after closing his bar. Bhavesh Bhoplo becomes the best acting teacher, Bachchhan gets recognized as the best comedy actor, and Myra as the best director. He also earns the respect of his mother, who hasn't spoken to him in ten years. He quits being a criminal and becomes an actor.

Production

Development

Bachchhan Paandey was initially supposed to a remake of Tamil film Veeram but the makers altered the script to come up with an original idea.[11] Later sources, however, report that Bachchhan Paandey is a remake of the Tamil film Jigarthanda.

The title derives from a character of the same name, played by Kumar, in the 2008 actioner Tashan. The title was initially spelled Bachchan Pandey but was later changed to Bachchhan Paandey.[12]

Filming

Principal photography of the film was initially scheduled to begin in May 2020, but it was postponed due to COVID-19 lockdown in India.[13] Pre-production restarted in October 2020, and eventually the filming commenced on 6 January 2021 in Jaisalmer.[14] [15] [16] The film was wrapped up in July 2021.[17] [18]

Music

Bachchhan Paandey
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Amaal Mallik, B Praak, Jaani, Vikram Montrose and Roy
Released:17 March 2022[19]
Genre:Feature film soundtrack
Length:17:55
Label:T-Series
Producer:Bhushan Kumar

The film's music is composed by Amaal Mallik, B Praak, Jaani, Vikram Montrose and Roy while lyrics are written by Kumaar, Jaani, Farhad Bhiwandiwala, Vikram Montrose and Azeem Dayani. The film's background score is composed by Julius Packiam.[19] The song "Saare Bolo Bewafa" and "Meri Jaan Meri Jaan" gained popularity.

T

Release

Theatrical

In July 2019, Bachchhan Paandey was announced with the release date of Christmas 2020.[20] However, it was later pushed to 22 January 2021 due to Aamir Khan's request to avert clash with Laal Singh Chaddha.[21] As the COVID-19 delayed production, it was postponed to 26 January 2022 and then to 4 March 2022. The film was finally released theatrically on 18 March 2022, Holi.

Home media

The film began streaming on Amazon Prime Video from 15 April 2022 while the satellite rights were acquired by Zee Cinema.[22]

Reception

Critical response

Upon release, Bachchhan Paandey received mixed reviews from critics. A critic from Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Bachchhan Paandey is a must watch for the fans of Akshay Kumar and masala cinema."[23]

Ronak Kotecha of The Times of India gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and called it "a chaotic mess of quirky and clichéd characters".[24]

Box office

Bachchhan Paandey earned crore at the domestic box office on its opening day. On the second day, the film collected 12 crore. On the third day, the film collected 12 crore, taking total domestic weekend collection to 37.25 crore.[25]

, the film grossed crore in India and crore overseas, for a worldwide gross collection of crore. The film faced heavy competition from The Kashmir Files, which was released one week earlier, and caused it to tumble at the box office.[26]

Bachchhan Paandey made on a budget of around crore, recovered crore from non-theatrical revenues, and the remaining crore was recovered from the boxoffice gross.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bachchan Pandey: Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon begin shoot; check first day pics and videos. India TV News. 6 January 2021. 6 January 2021. 6 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210106073546/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/news/bachchan-pandey-akshay-kumar-kriti-sanon-begin-shoot-check-first-day-pics-and-videos-676364. live.
  2. Web site: BREAKING: Bachchhan Paandey cleared by CBFC with U certificate and. Bollywood Hungama. 4 March 2022. 4 March 2022.
  3. Web site: Certificate Detail. Central Board of Film Certification. 5 March 2022. 5 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220305125519/https://www.ecinepramaan.gov.in/cbfc/?a=Certificate_Detail&i=100010292200001228. live.
  4. Web site: Bachchhan Paandey Box Office Estimate Day 2: Steady on Day 2; to end the day with Rs. 13 crores . Bollywood Hungama . 19 March 2022 . 4 May 2022 . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220520114306/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/bachchhan-paandey-box-office-estimate-day-2-steady-day-2-end-day-rs-13-crores/ . live .
  5. Web site: 3 November 2020. Bachchan Pandey Moves From Veeram To Base Its Story not On Jigarthanda Now. 6 July 2021. ZEE5 News. 9 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185805/https://www.zee5.com/zee5news/bachchan-pandey-moves-from-veeram-to-base-its-story-on-jigarthanda-now. live.
  6. Web site: 3 November 2020. Not Akshay Kumar's 'Bachchan Pandey' but Salman Khan's 'Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali' to be remake of Ajith's 'Veeram'?. 6 July 2021. Daily News & Analysis. 9 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709234836/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-not-akshay-kumar-s-bachchan-pandey-but-salman-khan-s-kabhi-eid-kabhi-diwali-to-be-remake-of-ajith-s-veeram-2816807. live.
  7. Web site: Southern movies inspired without credit - here's the list. 21 November 2014. 18 February 2022. 5 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220505071928/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/southern-movies-inspired-without-credit-heres-list-20556. live.
  8. Web site: The thin line between plagiarism & inspiration - Tamil News. 9 August 2014. 18 February 2022. 19 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220619065538/https://www.indiaglitz.com/the-thin-line-between-plagiarism--inspiration-tamil-news-111764.html. live.
  9. Web site: Revealed: Why Indian filmmakers love South Korean films. 16 June 2016. 18 February 2022. 13 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220513214419/https://scroll.in/reel/809831/revealed-why-indian-filmmakers-love-south-korean-films. live.
  10. Web site: 2022-03-26 . Akshay Kumar admits he's disappointed about Bachchhan Pandey's box office: 'Would have liked it to do better' . 2022-08-17 . The Indian Express . en . 17 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220817133330/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-admits-disappointment-over-bachchhan-paandey-box-office-7837622/ . live .
  11. Web site: Akshay Kumar Starrer Bachchan Pandey Not A Remake Of Veeram Anymore. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708100428/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/entertainment-news-akshay-kumar-starrer-bachchan-pandey-not-a-remake-of-veeram-anymore/346972. 8 July 2020. 8 July 2020. Outlook.
  12. Web site: 15 February 2022. Akshay Kumar's 'Bachchan Pandey' now called 'Bachchhan Paandey', makers drop new poster. DNA India. 15 February 2022. 12 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220512110022/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-akshay-kumar-s-bachchan-pandey-now-called-bachchhan-paandey-makers-drop-new-poster-2934406. live.
  13. Web site: Bachchan Pandey: Akshay Kumar-Kriti Sanon's film to kickstart in January next year. 3 November 2020. India TV News. 2 January 2021. 19 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201119205038/https://www.indiatvnews.com/amp/entertainment/news/bachchan-pandey-akshay-kumar-kriti-sanon-s-film-to-kickstart-in-january-next-year-662080. live.
  14. News: 'Bachchan Pandey': Akshay Kumar and Kriti Sanon starrer goes on floors with a muhurat shot. The Times of India. 6 January 2021. 6 January 2021. 30 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130060459/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/bachchan-pandey-akshay-kumar-and-kriti-sanon-starrer-goes-on-floors-with-a-muhurat-shot/articleshow/80128628.cms. live.
  15. News: Akshay Kumar-starrer 'Bachchan Pandey' Goes On Floors. News 18. 6 January 2021. 6 January 2021. 9 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210109173943/https://www.news18.com/amp/news/movies/akshay-kumar-starrer-bachchan-pandey-goes-on-floors-3252371.html. live.
  16. News: Akshay Kumar-starrer Bachchan Pandey goes on floors. Outlook India. 6 January 2021. 6 January 2021. 7 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210107143639/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/amp/akshay-kumarstarrer-bachchan-pandey-goes-on-floors/2005281. live.
  17. News: Akshay Kumar starts shooting for 'Bachchan Pandey', drops first look as gangster. 7 January 2021. 7 January 2021. newindianexpress.com. 12 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112220232/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2021/jan/07/akshay-kumar-starts-shooting-forbachchan-pandey-drops-first-look-as-gangster-2246820.html. live.
  18. News: Akshay Kumar to shoot final scene of Bachchan Pandey with 200 artists. Bollywood Hungama. 22 July 2021. 22 January 2022. 22 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220122094418/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-shoot-final-scene-bachchan-pandey-200-artists/. live.
  19. Web site: Bachchhan Paandey – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. 17 March 2022. Jiosaavn. 17 March 2022. 17 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220317135003/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/bachchhan-paandey/hVuVS50tXi8_. live.
  20. Kumar . Akshay . Akshay Kumar . akshaykumar . 1154624812460810242 . 26 July 2019 . Coming on Christmas 2020! In & As #BachchanPandey In #SajidNadiadwala's Next, directed by @farhad_samji @NGEMovies @WardaNadiadwala https://t.co/ayMkzwPEsJ . en . 14 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331095510/https://twitter.com/akshaykumar/status/1154624812460810242 . 31 March 2022 . live.
  21. News: 27 January 2020. Bachchan Pandey gets fresh release date. Akshay Kumar announces with new look. 4 September 2020. India Today. 26 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200226114531/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/bachchan-pandey-gets-fresh-release-date-akshay-kumar-announces-with-new-look-1640527-2020-01-27. live.
  22. News: 12 April 2022. Akshay Kumar starrer Bachchhan Paandey to be released on Amazon Prime Video on April 15. Bollywood Hungama. 17 April 2022. 6 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220606021027/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-starrer-bachchhan-paandey-released-amazon-prime-video-april-15/. live.
  23. Web site: Bachchhan Paandey Movie Review . 28 December 2023 . Bollywood Hungama . 18 March 2022 . 28 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228231737/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/bachchhan-paandey/critic-review/bachchhan-paandey-movie-review/bachchhan-paandey-is-must-watch-for-akshay-kumar-fans-and-masala-cinema-lovers/ . live .
  24. Web site: Kotecha . Ronak . 18 March 2022 . Bachchhan Paandey Movie Review : A chaotic mess of quirky and clichéd characters . 17 June 2022 . . 10 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220710122256/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/bachchhan-paandey/movie-review/90306988.cms . live .
  25. Web site: Bachchhan Paandey Box Office. Bollywood Hungama. 18 March 2022. 24 March 2022. 31 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531160751/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/bachchhan-paandey/box-office/. live.
  26. Web site: Mathur . Abhimanyu . 26 March 2022 . The Kashmir Files' box office success decoded: How news, social media, word of mouth scripted an unlikely success story . 17 June 2022 . . en . 21 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220721042718/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/the-kashmir-files-box-office-success-decoded-how-news-social-media-word-of-mouth-scripted-an-unlikely-success-story-101648227536467.html . live .