Karwaan Explained
Karwaan (; in Hindi pronounced as /kaːɾʋaːn/) is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language road comedy-drama film written by Bejoy Nambiar and directed by debutant Akarsh Khurana for producers Ronnie Screwvala and Priti Rathi Gupta. The film stars Dulquer Salmaan, Irrfan Khan and Mithila Palkar in main leads and marks the Bollywood debut of Dulquer Salmaan. It was released on 3 August 2018[1] [2]
Plot
Avinash Rajpurohit works for an IT company in Bengaluru. He is dissatisfied with his job and his boss, and was forced into it by his father Prakash, whom he did not have a good relationship with, and who was unsupportive of Avinash's passion for photography. One night a travel agency calls him to inform him that his father has died in a bus accident while travelling Gangotri, and that the body will be dispatched to him. He takes delivery of a corpse and hands it over to his van driver friend Shaukat. As they are about to cremate it, they discover that it is the body of an old woman. Avinash is informed that the corpse with him is that of the mother of Tahira, a widow who lives in Kochi, and that Prakash's corpse and personal effects are with her. The two decide to travel to Kochi to exchange the corpses.
Avinash and Shaukat set out when Tahira calls them, saying that her teenage daughter Tanya has gone incommunicado, possibly due to shock after hearing her grandmother's news. They go to Tanya's college in Ooty, where Avinash meets her trying to leave the hostel. Initially she is aloof and irritable, angering Shaukat, but he agrees to take her along. En route, they discover that along with the corpse is a box containing the personal effects of Latha Nambiar of Kottayam, who was also killed in the accident, but are told there that Latha's niece is getting married in Kumarakom. At the wedding, as Avinash and Tanya spend time with the groom, a gang of goons, which had been demanding payment from Shaukat for long, make off with his van. Avinash, Shaukat and Tanya—along with the wedding's aged shehnai-player, who impressed Shaukat—chase it but in vain.
Shaukat and the shehnai-player are admitted to a hospital, where Shaukat falls in love with a young woman, but is dismayed to find that she is the shehnai-player's wife. Meanwhile, Avinash and Tanya spend time at an inn, but when Tanya picks up a pregnancy test at a chemist's, they start an argument over her morals and she leaves for the hospital. There they come across Avinash's doctor friend Raghu, who takes them to his home, where Avinash rekindles a long-lost friendship with Raghu's wife Rumana. The next day, at the police station, Avinash, Shaukat and Tanya find their van wrecked, but in its place is a new car. They go to the gang's hideout on the pretext of repaying their dues, but flee when the goons arrive. Later Shaukat shares with Avinash and Tanya his experiences of him and his mother being tortured by his late father, at which they all agree that their fathers' lives and deaths have caused them great suffering.
The three reach Kochi where Tahira warmly welcomes them. That evening Avinash discovers in his father's diary that he actually wanted Avinash to retire from his job and take up photography full-time, but could not talk to him out of Avinash's resentment for him. At the prayer meet later that evening in memory of both Tahira's mother and Prakash, Tahira and Avinash make speeches for the two deceased people, who are then cremated. They spend the night at Tahira's, making merry with her friends and family. The next day Shaukat finds out that Tasneem, the shehnai-player's young wife, has been tortured by her aged husband; she asks to divorce him and Shaukat takes her along with the others back to Bengaluru. An inspired Avinash walks out of his IT job and starts a life of freedom with his new friends. In the post end-credits scene, Avinash is seen organising a photography exhibition and has invited Shaukat, Tahira, Tanya, and Amey, his IT colleague. He is also in a relationship with his air hostess neighbor whom he used to meet daily in his apartment's lift.
Cast
Production
Development
In August 2013, it was reported that Akarsh Khurana would be making his directorial debut with a dramedy written by Bejoy Nambiar, the story of which revolved around three characters on a road trip.[6] Initially Arvind Swamy and Nawazuddin Siddiqui were to play two of the three lead characters.
In May 2014 producer Bejoy Nambiar informed that as a result of modifications to the script, Arvind Swamy would not be part of the project and that Rajkummar Rao was being brought in. The film was titled Focus at that time.[7] [8]
In June 2014, with a month away from going on floors, director Akarsh Khurana opted out of the project owing to creative differences with Bejoy Nambiar (writer and producer).[9] [10]
Bejoy Nambiar brought in Heeraz Marfatia as replacement but the shooting of the film failed to take off. After several delays Bejoy decided to postpone[11] the project for a year and focus on his own directorial venture Wazir.[12] [13] [14]
In April 2017, it was reported that Ronnie Screwvala had decided to revive Bejoy Nambiar's Focus through his new production house RSVP Films and Akarsh Khurana was back as director with Irrfan Khan and Abhishek Bachchan in lead roles.[15] [16]
In June 2017, Abhishek Bachchan parted ways with the film because the shooting schedule clashed with that of Paltan, the film he was doing with J.P. Dutta.[17]
In August 2017, Akarsh Khurana announced that Dulquer Salmaan and Mithila Palkar had been finalized to play the central characters in the film along with Irrfan Khan.[18] [19] On 1 September 2017 the first look of the film was unveiled and it was revealed that the film was now called Karwan.[20] [21]
Filming
Principal photography of the film started from 31 August 2017. The film was shot in The Lawrence School, Lovedale near Ooty and Kochi.[22]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Karwaan consists of songs composed by Prateek Kuhad, Anurag Saikia, SlowCheetah, Shwetang Shankar and Imaad Shah[24] with lyrics been written by Prateek Kuhad, Akarsh Khurana, SlowCheetah and Imaad Shah as per the official trailer of the film unveiled on 27 June 2018 on YouTube.[25]
Release
The film was released worldwide on 3 August 2018.
Critical reception
The film mostly received mixed to positive reviews.The Hindustan Times rated 4 out of 5 and praised the acting of Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan and Mithila Palkar.[26] Filmfare rated 4.1 out of 5 and said "Watch the film for the fine acting by Mithila and Irrfan. This comedy will surely tickle your funny bone and would make you reflect on life as well".[27] Times of India rated 3.5 out of 5 and said "Karwaan might not live up to the expectations, but it leaves a warm fuzzy feeling in the heart that says all's well that ends well". Aavishkar Gawande gave the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and called it a well made slice-of-life film. He also praised Irrfan Khan's performance. DNA India rated 3 out 5 and said "Irrfan Khan's film oscillates between being a fun-ride and a dark-drag".[28] The rating from Firstpost was 2.5 and mentioned 'Dulquer and Irrfan are absolute dears in a sweetly understated road flick'.[29]
Box office
The film had a below average opening with 5 – 8 percent occupancy, it grossed ₹15 million worldwide on day-1.[30] [31] Karwaan grossed ₹246.4 million from India and ₹17.8 million overseas for a worldwide total of ₹264.2 million in its lifetime.[32] It was made on a budget of ₹230 million.[33]
Awards and nominations
Notes and References
- Web site: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salman's Karwaan will now release a week earlier on August 3 . 31 May 2018 . . 31 May 2018 . 13 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044609/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/irrfan-khan-dulquer-salmaan-s-karwaan-will-now-release-a-week-earlier-on-august-3/story-9YxtBBRMiBdebdSSC0DatI.html . live .
- News: Karwaan advantage . 4 August 2018 . 5 August 2018 . 5 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180805125532/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/fanney-khan-vs-karwaan-vs-mulk-at-box-office-it-is-advantage-irrfan-khan-as-anil-kapoor-film-falters/story-YGjs5EAsX0mEM9xyFMFmdM.html . live .
- Web site: Mithila Palkar: Irrfan (Khan) sir called me Geetmala . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629030725/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mithila-palkar-irrfan-khan-sir-called-me-geetmala/articleshow/64456728.cms . live .
- Web site: I learnt how to be present in a scene from Irrfan sir: Mithila Palkar . 24 March 2018 . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629025348/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/i-learnt-how-to-be-present-in-a-scene-from-irrfan-sir-mithila-palkar/story-AIpLJIsyzfQKT2ZFMpLMnO.html . live .
- Web site: Kriti Kharbanda to join Irrfan and Dalquer in Ronnie Screwvala's Karwaan . 20 September 2017 . . 14 May 2018 . 15 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180515050928/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/200917/kriti-kharbanda-to-join-irrfan-and-dalqueer-in-ronnie-screwvalas-karwaan.html . live .
- Web site: Bejoy Nambiar's next with Nawazuddin Siddiqui . 8 August 2013 . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022354/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/bejoy-nambiars-next-with-nawazuddin-siddiqui/ . live .
- Web site: Rajkummar Rao in Bejoy Nambiar's Focus . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022048/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/rajkummar-rao-in-bejoy-nambiars-focus/ . live .
- Web site: Rajkummar Rao: I'm all the more excited about Focus because it's on a road trip . 15 May 2014 . Bollywood Life . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629021859/http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/rajkummar-rao-im-all-the-more-excited-about-focus-because-its-on-a-road-trip/ . live .
- Web site: Gone out of focus . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629023435/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/textbooks-ashutosh-gowariker-lagaan-jodha-akbar-mohenjo-daro/articleshow/36256463.cms . live .
- Web site: Akarsh Khurana on opting out of Bejoy Nambiar's film . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629021823/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akarsh-khurana-on-opting-out-of-bejoy-nambiars-film/ . live .
- Web site: Out of focus . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629025316/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood//articleshow/40877780.cms . live .
- Web site: Heeraz Marfatia roped in to direct Bejoy Nambiar's Focus . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022050/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/heeraz-marfatia-roped-in-to-direct-bejoy-nambiars-focus/ . live .
- News: The Shaitan director gets busy this year . . 5 July 2014 . 28 June 2018 . 13 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044609/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-shaitan-director-gets-busy-this-year/article6180511.ece . live . Shankar . Karthik .
- Web site: Focus to kick off this month with a new director . 20 June 2014 . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022507/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/focus-to-kick-off-this-month-with-a-new-director/ . live .
- Web site: Abhishek Bachchan and Irrfan Khan in Ronnie Screwvala's next production . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629051548/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/abhishek-bachchan-and-irrfan-khan-in-ronnie-screwvalas-next-production/articleshow/58216328.cms . live .
- Web site: Abhishek Bachchan & Irrfan Khan push Rajkummar Rao out of FOCUS . Glamsham . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022018/http://www.glamsham.com/movies/news/17/jun/abhishek-bachchan-irrfan-khan-rajkummar-rao-focus-ronnie-screwvala-bejoy-nambiar.asp . live .
- Web site: Abhishek Bachchan picks JP Dutta's 'Paltan' over Ronnie Screwvala's next . 24 June 2017 . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629023325/http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-abhishek-bachchan-picks-jp-dutta-s-paltan-over-ronnie-screwvala-s-next-2482520 . live .
- Web site: I picked Dulquer Salmaan for my Bollywood debut after watching Charlie : Akarsh Khurana . . 28 June 2018 . 1 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181001231842/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/i-picked-dulquer-salmaan-for-my-bollywood-debut-after-watching-charlie-akarsh-khurana/articleshow/60031290.cms . live .
- Web site: Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan to make his Bollywood debut, to star alongside Irrfan Khan . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629025222/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/dulquer-salmaan-to-make-his-bollywood-debut/articleshow/60010527.cms . live .
- Web site: Dulquer Salmaan's Bollywood debut film is titled Karwan . September 2017 . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022458/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/dulquer-salmaan-bollywood-debut-film-titled-karwan-irrfan-khan-see-photos-4823650/ . live .
- Web site: First look of Dulquer Salmaan and Irrfan Khan starrer 'Karwan' . The Free Press Journal . 28 June 2018 . 13 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044611/https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/revealed-first-look-of-dulquer-salmaan-and-irrfan-khan-starrer-karwan . live .
- News: DQ's Bollywood debut, Karwan starts rolling at Ooty . . 1 September 2017 . 19 September 2017 . 23 September 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170923205740/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dqs-bollywood-debut-karwan-starts-rolling-at-ooty/articleshow/60323140.cms . live .
- Web site: Karwaan – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack . . 8 December 2018 . 13 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044611/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/karwaan/R6mI2yQi5k4_?referrer= . live .
- Web site: Naseeruddin Shah's son Imaad Shah turns composer-singer for Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan . . 28 June 2018 . 29 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022124/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/naseeruddin-shahs-son-imaad-shah-turns-composer-singer-for-irrfan-khan-dulquer-salmaan/articleshow/64725011.cms . live .
- Web site: Karwaan – Official Trailer . . 28 June 2018 . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627053852/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUCeN7kelXs&gl=US&hl=en . live .
- Web site: Karwaan movie review: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar take you on the ride of a lifetime . 3 August 2018 . 5 August 2018 . 6 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180806085623/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/karwaan-movie-review-irrfan-khan-dulquer-salmaan-take-you-on-the-ride-of-a-lifetime/story-ICCYapH8hRIwmSVTLCYnoJ.html . live .
- News: Movie Review: Karwaan . filmfare.com . 5 August 2018 . en . 5 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180805203210/https://www.filmfare.com/reviews/bollywood-movies/karwaan-29584.html . live .
- News: Karwaan Review: Irrfan Khan's film oscillates between being a fun-ride and a dark-drag . 3 August 2018 . dna . 5 August 2018 . en-US . 4 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180804174635/http://www.dnaindia.com/movie-reviews/report-karwaan-review-irrfan-khan-s-film-oscillates-between-being-a-fun-ride-and-a-dark-drag-2645102 . live .
- News: Karwaan movie review: Dulquer Salmaan and Irrfan are absolute dears in a sweetly understated road flick . Firstpost . 5 August 2018 . en-US . 5 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180805174126/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/karwaan-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-and-irrfan-are-absolute-dears-in-a-sweetly-understated-road-flick-4884551.html . live .
- Web site: Disaster Friday – Fanney Khan Mulk and Karwaan . 16 February 2019 . 3 August 2018 . 17 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142215/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4158 . live .
- Web site: Mirani . Vinod . Box office: Karwaan trumps Fanney Khan, Mulk . . 16 February 2019 . 7 August 2018 . 17 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030234/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/box-office-karwaan-trumps-fanney-khan-mulk/20180807.htm . live .
- Web site: Box Office: Worldwide collections and day wise break up of Karwaan . . 16 February 2019 . 4 August 2018 . 16 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190216212144/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-break-karwaan/ . live .
- Web site: Karwaan – Movie . . 16 February 2019 . 16 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190216212157/https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3807 . live .
- Web site: MMA Mirchi Music Awards . MMAMirchiMusicAwards . 20 February 2019 . 7 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015427/http://www.mirchimusicawards.com/hindi-2018/nominations-hindi-2018/ . live .
- Web site: 11th Mirchi Music Awards: Complete list of winners – Times of India . The Times of India . en . 20 February 2019 . 9 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200809100128/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/11th-mirchi-music-awards-complete-list-of-winners/articleshow/68040370.cms . live .
- Zee Cine Awards 2019. 26 April 2019. Zee Cine Awards. Zee Cinema. 31 March 2019. 13 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044612/https://www.zee5.com/global/tvshows/details/zee-cine-awards-2019/0-6-1385. live.