The Lady Killer (2023 film) explained

The Lady Killer
Director:Ajay Bahl
Cinematography:Anuj Rakesh Dhawan
Editing:Pranav Mistry
Music:Ketan Sodha
Studio:T-Series Films
Karma Media & Entertainment
Jussawala Productions
Polaroid Media
Movies N More
Distributor:AA Films
Runtime:125 minutes
Country:India
Language:Hindi
Budget:45 crore[1]
Gross:70,000[2] [3]

The Lady Killer is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller film directed by Ajay Bahl.[4] [5] The film stars Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar.[6] It was released in theatres on 3 November 2023.[7]

Upon release, the film was critically panned and grossed a measly 38,000 on its first day having sold just 293 tickets across India, making it the biggest box office bomb in Indian cinema. It is also said to have been released incomplete with several editing cuts and voiceovers.

Plot

Rajender Joshi runs a pharmacy in Nainital. Due to slumps in his life; he looks for a new frontier and has aspirations of opening his own diagnostic centre in the city. He is also in an affair with a married women Gajra. Dismayed when his loans keep on getting disapproved by the bank as he is a defaulter, a cop friend Rawat advises him to visit Vikram Burman also known as Maharaj; a former prince who is currently bedridden and is supplied oxygen tanks by Rajender.

There he meets Jansey who is Burman's daughter and starts a relationship with her. Upon finding out that Vikram sexually assaults Jansey, both decide to murder Vikram.

Cast

Production

Principal photography commenced in April 2022.[8] [9] Some reports suggested that the film got over-budget and has been out on hold for reshoots, but producer Shaailesh R Singh debunked it and said that it is on track.[10] The filming wrapped in July 2023.[11]

Release

The film was released on 3 November 2023 with only 12 shows nationwide. The film is said to have been released incomplete due to: a cost-overrun, rains in Uttarakhand and a lack of reshoots. With the production team resorting to several editing cuts and voiceovers.

It is set to have an OTT release on Netflix.

Reception

Box office

The film on its first day grossed a measly 38,000 having sold just 293 tickets nationwide, making it one of the biggest box office bombs of Indian cinema.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

Critical response

Upon release, the film was critically panned due to lack of shows and a haste editing. Bollywood Hungama rated the film 2/5 stars, criticising the screenplay of the second half with gaps and unexplained sequences in the narrative. However the performance of Bhumi Pednekar, Priyanka Bose and Arjun Kapoor are praised along with the background score by Ketan Sodha and cinematography by Anuj Dhavan.[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Only 293 Tickets Sold! The Lady Killer is Reportedly 1st Incomplete Film to Release in Theatres . 5 November 2023 . 5 November 2023 . 5 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105125744/https://www.indiatimes.com/amp/entertainment/bollywood/the-lady-killer-is-the-first-incomplete-movie-to-release-in-theatres-619600.html . live .
  2. News: Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar's the Ladykiller collects just Rs 38000 on day 1 . The Times of India . 4 November 2023 . 5 November 2023 . 6 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106071609/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/arjun-kapoor-and-bhumi-pednekars-the-ladykiller-collects-just-rs-38000-on-day-1/articleshow/104955444.cms . live .
  3. Web site: The Lady Killer – Box Office . . 3 November 2023 . 11 January 2024 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115120507/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/the-lady-killer/box-office/ . live .
  4. Web site: The Ladykiller trailer: Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar embark on a dangerous and destructive romance. The Indian Express. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029120529/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-ladykiller-trailer-arjun-kapoor-and-bhumi-pednekar-embark-on-a-dangerous-and-destructive-romance-9004452/. live.
  5. Web site: 29 October 2023. The Lady Killer trailer: Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar starrer seems chaotic, gory and mysterious. OTT Play. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029111530/https://www.ottplay.com/news/the-lady-killer-trailer-arjun-kapoor-and-bhumi-pednekar-starrer-seems-chaotic-gory-and-mysterious/a2b4a3b16a596. live.
  6. Web site: The Lady Killer Trailer OUT: Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar share passionate romance in mystery thriller. Pinkvilla. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029120528/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/the-lady-killer-trailer-out-arjun-kapoor-and-bhumi-pednekar-share-passionate-romance-in-mystery-thriller-1254669. live.
  7. Web site: The Lady Killer Trailer: Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar Look Promising in Ajay Bahl's Mysterious and Gory. Latest LY. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029120529/https://www.latestly.com/socially/entertainment/bollywood/the-lady-killer-trailer-arjun-kapoor-and-bhumi-pednekar-look-promising-in-ajay-bahls-mysterious-and-gory-directorial-watch-video-5523042.html. live.
  8. Web site: Arjun Kapoor & Bhumi Pednekar begin shooting for 'The Lady Killer' in Himachal. 18 April 2022. India Today. 29 October 2023. 18 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230418033110/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/arjun-kapoor-bhumi-pednekar-shoot-for-the-lady-killer-in-himachal-pradesh-1938876-2022-04-18. live.
  9. Web site: Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar Begin Shooting For The Lady Killer in Manali . 19 April 2022 . News 18 . 29 October 2023 . 4 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231004081122/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/arjun-kapoor-and-bhumi-pednekar-begin-shooting-for-the-lady-killer-in-manali-5016913.html . live .
  10. Web site: Arjun Kapoor's The Ladykiller is on track, reports of budget constraints are fake – Exclusive. The Times of India. 20 July 2023. 29 October 2023. 6 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231106071610/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/arjun-kapoors-the-ladykiller-is-on-track-reports-of-budget-constraints-are-fake-exclusive/articleshow/101975521.cms?from=mdr. live.
  11. Web site: Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar's 'The Ladykiller' Last Shoot Schedule To Wrap Post Monsoon Showers. Zee News. 20 July 2023. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029120528/https://zeenews.india.com/bollywood/arjun-kapoor-and-bhumi-pednekars-the-ladykiller-last-shoot-schedule-to-wrap-post-monsoon-showers-2637835.html. live.
  12. News: 2023-11-04 . Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar's The Ladykiller collects just Rs 38000 on day 1 . The Times of India . 2023-11-06 . 6 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106071609/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/arjun-kapoor-and-bhumi-pednekars-the-ladykiller-collects-just-rs-38000-on-day-1/articleshow/104955444.cms . live .
  13. Web site: 2023-11-05 . Only 293 Tickets Sold! The Lady Killer Is Reportedly 1st Incomplete Film To Release In Theatres . Indiatimes . en-IN . 6 November 2023 . 5 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105235115/https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/the-lady-killer-is-the-first-incomplete-movie-to-release-in-theatres-619600.html . live .
  14. Web site: The Lady Killer Box Office Collection: Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar Sold Only 293 Tickets On Day 1? . zeenews.india.com . 5 November 2023 . 5 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105125746/https://zeenews.india.com/bollywood/the-lady-killer-box-office-collection-arjun-kapoor-bhumi-pednekar-sold-only-293-tickets-on-day-1-2684250.html/amp . live .
  15. Web site: 2023-11-04 . The Ladykiller Box Office Report: Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar's film sold just 293 tickets on Day 1 . India TV News . en . 6 November 2023 . 4 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231104180026/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/news/the-ladykiller-box-office-report-arjun-kapoor-bhumi-pednekar-film-sold-just-500-tickets-on-day-1-2023-11-04-901125 . live .
  16. Web site: Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar Starrer 'The Lady Killer' flopped at Box Office, earned only ₹38 thousand on the first day | पूरे देश में बिके सिर्फ 293 टिकट, अर्जुन-भूमि की सबसे खराब कलेक्शन वाली फिल्म - Dainik Bhaskar . 5 November 2023 . 5 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105170134/https://www.bhaskar.com/amp/entertainment/bollywood/news/arjun-kapoor-and-bhumi-pednekar-starrer-the-lady-killer-flopped-at-box-office-132098717.html . live .
  17. Web site: Hungama . Bollywood . 2023-11-03 . The Lady Killer Movie Review: THE LADY KILLER fails to entice . . 2023-11-06 . en . 10 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231210045945/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/the-lady-killer/critic-review/the-lady-killer-movie-review/the-lady-killer-fails-to-entice/ . live .