Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai

Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Milan Luthria
Produced by Ekta Kapoor
Shobha Kapoor
Written by Rajat Arora
Starring
Narrated by Randeep Hooda
Music by Songs:
Pritam
Background score:
Sandeep Shirodkar
Cinematography Aseem Mishra
Edited by Akiv Ali
Production
company
Release dates
  • 30 July 2010 (2010-07-30)
Running time
 135 minutes[1]
Country India
Language Hindi
Budget ₹280 million (US$4.2 million)[2]
Box office ₹945 million (US$14 million)[3]

Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai is a 2010 Indian gangster thriller film directed by Milan Luthria and produced by Ekta Kapoor. It stars Ajay Devgan, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Prachi Desai[4] and Randeep Hooda. The film is produced under Balaji Motion Pictures and released on 30 July 2010. Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai received generally positive reviews from critics and was a box office success.[5][6][7]

Its sequel, Once Upon ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara! was released on 15 August 2013. It featured Akshay Kumar replacing Hashmi from the first film alongside Imran Khan.[8] The filming for the sequel began in August 2012 apparently in Qatar.[9] The sequel received negative reviews from both critics and audiences and performed poorly at the box office.[4]

Plot

The film opens with a suicide attempt by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Agnel Wilson (Randeep Hooda) on the pretext of the Bombay Bombings in 1993. When questioned by his superior over his actions, he breaks down and claims that the recent tragic events are his own fault. Wilson recounts that 18 years ago, when he was posted as the ACP in the Mumbai crime branch, his inability to take the necessary action led to the rise of Shoaib Khan (Emraan Hashmi) a dreaded gangster, who played a central role in the bombings. Throughout the film, Wilson narrates the story of 1970s Bombay, when it was ruled by a kind hearted smuggler Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgn), and how Mirza's eventual downfall led to Shoaib's rise to power.

After being hit by a flood in his hometown in Madras, a young Mirza arrives in Mumbai, where he lands a job as a coal shoveller. In spite of his meager earnings, the boy never fails to help the poor and needy, which soon gains their respect and admiration. Mirza is given the nickname of "Sultan."

As a grown man, Sultan Mirza becomes the kingpin of Mumbai's smuggling underworld. Through his influence, Mirza peacefully divides the city among four gangsters, thus thwarting police efforts to curb illegal activities. Despite being a criminal, Sultan Mirza is portrayed as a man of principle with a heart of gold and a godfather-like figure to the people. He even refrains from smuggling contraband, as it is against his Muslim faith.

Mirza has a crush on Bollywood actress Rehana (Kangana Ranaut) and eventually the two begin dating. Sultan invests black money in her upcoming films. ACP Wilson moves to stop Rehana's films funded by Sultan. Later, Sultan and Rehana frame Wilson to make it look as if Wilson is accepting a bribe, which damages his credibility.

Meanwhile, Shoaib is even in childhood a very ambitious person with a dark and daring character. He is frequently involved in petty theft. His father, Hussain Khan (Asif Basra), who is a sub-inspector with the Bombay Police, tries in vain to guide and control his son, his anger against Shoaib began years ago when Shoaib and his best friend Javed were stealing money and got caught red handed by a man, by teaching his son a lesson, Khan slaps him 5 times. Khan locks Shoaib in jail but Shoaib angers him as both Shoaib and Wilson make a deal saying that Shoaib wants to follow another path. Worried, the father turns to Sultan for help. Sultan agrees and helps the young man set up an electronics shop. But Shoaib is unsatisfied, as his only real ambition is to become rich and powerful, like Sultan Mirza who is his idol.

Shoaib's beautiful girlfriend, Mumtaz (Prachi Desai), works in a local jewellery shop, which Shoaib visits often, to the aggravation of the girl's boss. Shoaib gives her a beautiful necklace, which, unbeknownst to Mumtaz, Shoaib had stolen from a lady during a home robbery. Later, that lady comes to the shop with her husband to buy more jewellery. The lady soon recognises her own necklace being worn by Mumtaz; she then admits to the outraged customer that her boyfriend had given the item to her. The lady and her husband demand she take them to her boyfriend's shop, where they confront him. This enrages Shoaib, who beats up the husband and destroys his own shop.

Shoaib goes to Sultan and asks to be a part of his crime ring. Seeing his potential, Sultan agrees to take him under his wing. Shoaib learns the tricks of the trade and soon becomes Sultan's trusted aide. ACP Wilson hatches a plan to use Shoaib's reckless ambition for quick money and power as a way to cause the downfall of Sultan. Wilson even refrains from killing Sultan and Shoaib when he has the opportunity. Wilson's plan backfires, however. Finally, when Shoaib becomes invincible, Wilson blames himself for the subsequent catastrophe as he now cannot stop Shaoibs rise to power.

Sultan decides to hand over his power to Shoaib, and opts to enter state politics. He travels to Delhi to meet the Home Minister of India. Shoaib's unscrupulous ambitions lead him to carry out trades and acts which Sultan himself would strongly condemn and abhors. Shoaib starts manufacturing illicit liquor, accepts contract killings, invests in drug peddling and runs extortion rackets. When Sultan returns to Bombay, he learns of Shoaib's misdeeds and is outraged. He finds Shoaib at a party and slaps him in public for his unethical activities and states he can never really be like Sultan. This infuriates Shoaib and he plots revenge as he know knows that Sultan and he cannot possibly rule Mumbai together due to Mirza's strong principals and moral ethos. The next day, as Sultan campaigns for his new party, Shoaib appears and assassinates Sultan Mirza whilst he is addressing the people at the rally as a horrified Wilson looks on, thus ending the reign of the smuggler who was loved by his people.

In his narration, Wilson laments that he and the police are responsible for the bombings because of their lack of forethought, Wilson also says that Shoaib now rules Mumbai despite living abroad and the people are now forever at his mercy – as Mumbai's new underworld kingpin – he has since established a global smuggling empire. No government or force can reach him now.

Cast

Production

The film was made on a budget of ₹38 crore (₹ 28 crore for production and ₹ 10 crore for publicity and advertising).[2][10]

Inspiration for the film

The film depicts the growth of the Mumbai underworld, from crime and smuggling in its early stages to its connection with international terrorism in recent times. It is believed to be based on the lives of real-life gangsters Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim, portrayed by the characters Sultan and Shoaib, respectively.[11][12] Originally Sanjay Dutt was chosen to play the role of Haji Mastan[13] but the role went to Ajay Devgn instead.

Reception

Critical reception

Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN rated the film 2.5 out of 5 saying, "The film is watchable and enjoyable in parts even, but it doesn't quite pull off the retro chic tone it was going for".[14] IANS rated the movie 3.5 out of 5 saying, "Rajat Arora’s dialogues flow from the storytelling in a smooth flow of poetry and street wisdom."[15] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave it 4/5 and called it "An outstanding Cinematic experience".[16] Nikhat Kazmi of the Times of India gave it 4/5 and stated, "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai offers you both substance and soul, even as it dabbles with a slice of reality".[17] Rediff gave it 4/5 and said, "Book your tickets now".[18]

Box office

India

OUATIM worldwide Collections breakdown
Territory Nett Collections (After Entertainment tax)
India ₹580.3 million (US$8.6 million)[3]
Distributor share:
₹296.4 million (US$4.4 million)[3]
Entertainment tax:
₹204.7 million (US$3.0 million)[3]
Overseas
(Outside India)		 US$3 million(₹18.86 crore)
US$302,862 (United States)[19]
Worldwide ₹945.0 million (US$14 million)[3]

Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai managed to have a decent weekend despite starting slowly. The film picked up from Friday evening and managed to have good Saturday and Sunday collections. The approximate breakdowns are 5.50 crore (Friday), 7 crore (Saturday) and 7.75 crore (Sunday) for a 20.25 crore weekend.[20] The film grossed Rs.58.50 crore in India at the end of its ninth week.[3] Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai was declared a "super-hit" by Box Office India.[5]

Overseas

In its opening weekend the film showed a day-wise growth in U.K. [Friday £15,755, Saturday £19,381 and Sunday £19,644] and a decent start in U.S. [approx. $1,37,000 at 32 venues].[21] In its second weekend, the film collected £16,249 on 14 screens, with the per screen average working out to £1,161. Total: £1,07,988 at U.K boxoffice.[22] In its third weekend, the film collected £5,909 on 8 screens, with the per screen average working out to £739 (total: £1,22,257 in U.K.)[23] In its fourth weekend in U.K, the film collected £743 on four screens, with the per screen average working out to £186 (total: £1,26,696).[24] In its fifth weekend in the U.K, the film collected £105 on two screens, with the per screen average working out to £53 (total: £1,27,338). In its fifth weekend at the U.S. boxoffice, the film collected $1,131 on two screens, with the per screen average working out to $566 (total: $3,02,862).[19]

Awards and nominations

The film received many awards at several award functions. Ajay Devgn and Prachi Desai received accolades for their nominations, while other awards were won for the film's music, playback and technical direction.

56th Filmfare Awards

Nominated

BIG Star Entertainment Awards

Nominated

2011 Star Screen Awards

Won[25]

Stardust Awards

Won[26]

Nominated[27]

Lions Gold Awards 2010[28]

Won

6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards

Won[29]

Nominated[30]

2011 Zee Cine Awards

Won[31]

Nominated[32]

2011 Global Indian Music Awards

Won[33]

International Indian Film Academy Awards 2011

Won

Soundtrack

Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai
Soundtrack album by Pritam
Released 28 June 2010
Genre Soundtrack
Label T-Series
Pritam chronology
Khatta Meetha
(2010)		 Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai
(2010)		 Aashayein
(2010)

The films songs were released on 28 June 2010. There were a total of 14 songs composed by Pritam with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil, Neelesh Misra and Amitabh Bhattacharya.

The film score was composed by Sandeep Shirodkar.

Track listing

No. Track Singers Duration
01 "Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein" Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Tulsi Kumar 4:48
02 "Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein" (Reprise) Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Tulsi Kumar 4:45
03 "Pee Loon" (Male) Part 1 Mohit Chauhan 2:36
04 "Pee Loon" (Male) Part 2 Mohit Chauhan 2:36
05 "Pee Loon" (Male) Part 3 Mohit Chauhan 2:36
06 "Pee Loon" (Remix) (Male) Part 1 Mohit Chauhan 2:37
07 "Pee Loon" (Remix) (Male) Part 2 Mohit Chauhan 2:37
08 "Pee Loon" (Remix) (Male) Part 3 Mohit Chauhan 2:37
09 "I Am in Love" KK & Dominique Cerejo 4:47
10 "I Am in Love" (Dance Mix) KK & Dominique Cerejo 4:42
11 "Parda" Sunidhi Chauhan & Rana Mazumder 5:23
12 "Baburao Mast Hai" Mika Singh 4:49
13 "Pee Loon" (Female) Tulsi Kumar 2:36
14 "Pee Loon" (Remix) (Female) Tulsi Kumar 2:37

The song "Parda" is a medley containing samples from the following 1970's Bollywood songs; "Duniya Mein Logon Ko" (Apna Desh), "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" (Caravan).

Sequel

Due to the film's commercial and critical success, a sequel was planned. Akshay Kumar and Imran Khan[34] were roped in as the male leads. The sequel, Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara!,[35] features Sonakshi Sinha playing the role of actress Mandakini, whilst Sonali Bendre was also roped in for a role.[36] The film started shooting in August 2012, whilst the film released on 15 August 2013, thus avoids clashing with Rohit Shetty directorial Chennai Express, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, which released one week before the release of OUATIMD. The film was a flop at the box office as it had very slow opening with very low occupancy while Chennai Express was breaking various box office records throughout its release.[34]

References

  1. ↑ "ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Will Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Cover Its Costs?". Box Office India. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Boxofficeindia.com". Boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  4. 1 2 JHA, SUBHASH K (29 March 2009). "Kangana to play Haji Mastan's wife". Times of India. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  5. 1 2 "The Hit List 2010". Box Office India. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  6. ↑ "Ajay Devgn goes back to being a 'gangster'". Screen India. 1 October 2008. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  7. ↑ Shah, Kunal M (12 March 2009). "Emraan Hashmi has his way". Times of India. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  8. ↑ "Sonali Bendre returns to films". 3 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Akshay Kumar gives Milan's dates to Khiladi 786". 19 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Once Upon... has ticket counters rolling". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
  11. ↑ "Smugglers, cabaret – 1970s era comes alive in 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai'". World Snap. 26 October 2010.
  12. ↑ "Movie Review – 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai'". Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  13. ↑ "Stardust.co.in – SANJU IS HAJI MASTAN!!". Magnamags.com. 2 August 2008. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  14. ↑ "Masand: 'Once Upon A Time...' lacks drama". CNN-IBN. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  15. ↑ "WorldSnap News: Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Movie Review". WorldSnap News. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  16. ↑ "Movie Review: Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  17. ↑ Kazmi, Nikhat (29 July 2010). "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai". Times of India. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  18. ↑ "Buy a ticket for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai. Now!". Rediff. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  19. 1 2 "Supreme disaster!". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  20. ↑ "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai First Day Business". Box office India. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  21. ↑ "On the lower side". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  22. ↑ Taran Adarsh. "Below the mark!". Bollywood Hungama.
  23. ↑ "Excellent start!". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  24. ↑ Taran Adarsh. "Rejected!". Bollywood Hungama.
  25. ↑ "Winners of 17th Annual Star Screen Awards 2011". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  26. ↑ "Stardust.co.in – StardustAwardWinner2011". Magnamags.com. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  27. ↑ "Stardust Awards 2011 Nominations". Top10bollywood.com. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  28. ↑ "Winners of Lions Gold Awards 2010". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  29. ↑ "Winners of 6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  30. ↑ "Nominations for 6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  31. ↑ "Winners of Zee Cine Awards 2011". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  32. ↑ "Nominations for Zee Cine Awards 2011". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  33. ↑ "Global Indian Music Awards (GIMA) 2011 Winners List | Bollywood Movies | Hindi Movies | News | Photos | Videos | Songs | Lyrics". Hindifilmnews.com. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  34. 1 2 "Karuna sherestha signed for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai sequel". Bollywood Hungama. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
  35. ↑ "Akshay Kumar signs OUATIM 2". Bhangra.org.
  36. ↑ "Ileana to play Mandakini in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai 2". NDTV Movies. Retrieved 2011-07-19.

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