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Sooryavanshi

2022-01-26T09:45:10Z

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{{good article}}
{{short description|2021 film directed by Rohit Shetty}}
{{distinguish|Sooryavansham}}
{{Other uses|Suryavanshi (disambiguation){{!}}Suryavanshi}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Sooryavanshi
| image = Sooryavanshi film poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Rohit Shetty]]
| producer = Hiroo Yash Johar Aruna Bhatia [[Karan Johar]] Apoorva Mehta Rohit Shetty
| screenplay = Yunus Sajawal
| story = Rohit Shetty
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
| label1= Dialogues by
| data1 = [[Farhad Samji]] Vidhi Ghodgadnkar [[Rohit Shetty]] Sanchit Bedre
}}
| starring = [[Akshay Kumar]] [[Katrina Kaif]]
| music = '''Score:''' [[Amar Mohile]] [[S. Thaman]] '''Songs:''' [[Tanishk Bagchi]] Lijo George – DJ Chetas [[JAM8]]
| cinematography = [[Jomon T. John]]
| editing = Bunty Nagi
| studio = [[Reliance Entertainment]] Rohit Shetty Picturez [[Dharma Productions]] Cape of Good Films
| distributor = Reliance Entertainment [[PVR Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2021|11|05|ref9=<ref name="release date" />}}
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| runtime = 145 minutes<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/breaking-sooryavanshi-gets-u-certificate-cbfc-passes-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-starrer-zero-cuts/|title=BREAKING: Sooryavanshi gets V/U certificate; CBFC passes the Akshay Kumar – Katrina Kaif starrer with ZERO cuts|work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=18 October 2021|access-date=18 October 2021|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018153637/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/breaking-sooryavanshi-gets-u-certificate-cbfc-passes-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-starrer-zero-cuts/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/sooryavanshi-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdawndaz|title=Sooryavanshi (2021)|website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|access-date=2 November 2021|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102183415/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/sooryavanshi-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdawndaz|url-status=live}}</ref>
| budget = {{INR|250 crore}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Sooryavanshi (2021): Budget & Box Office Verdict |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=6142 |website=Box Office India |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref>
| gross = {{estimation}} {{INR|294.17}} crore<ref name="bo" />
}}

'''''Sooryavanshi''''' is a 2021 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[action film]] directed by [[Rohit Shetty]] and produced by [[Reliance Entertainment]], Rohit Shetty Picturez, [[Dharma Productions]] and Cape Of Good Films, based on a screenplay by Yunus Sajawal and an original story by Shetty.<ref name="release date" /> The fourth instalment of Shetty's [[Cop Universe]], it stars [[Akshay Kumar]] as [[Anti-Terrorism Squad|ATS]] chief [[Deputy Commissioner of Police#India|DCP]] Veer Sooryavanshi opposite [[Katrina Kaif]] with supporting cast of [[Jaaved Jaaferi]], [[Vivan Bhatena]], [[Niharica Raizada]], [[Jackie Shroff]], [[Gulshan Grover]], [[Abhimanyu Singh]], [[Sikandar Kher]] and [[Nikitin Dheer]].<ref name="Hindustan Times 05032019">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sooryavanshi-posters-akshay-kumar-takes-on-terror-in-rohit-shetty-s-cop-universe-books-eid-2020/story-9p9UMgAAIykDO8BwZA3gOK.html|title=Akshay Kumar takes on terror in Rohit Shetty's cop universe, books Eid 2020|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=5 March 2019|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=3 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003060950/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sooryavanshi-posters-akshay-kumar-takes-on-terror-in-rohit-shetty-s-cop-universe-books-eid-2020/story-9p9UMgAAIykDO8BwZA3gOK.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It also stars [[Ajay Devgn]] and [[Ranveer Singh]] in extended cameo appearances who reprise their roles of [[Singham]] and [[Simmba]] from the franchise's previous films.<ref name="News18 India 05032019">{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sooryavanshi-not-salman-khan-but-akshay-kumar-rohit-shetty-to-rule-the-roost-next-eid-2055931.html|title=Not Salman Khan but Akshay Kumar, Rohit Shetty to Rule the Roost Next Eid|publisher=News18 India|date=5 March 2019|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405214042/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sooryavanshi-not-salman-khan-but-akshay-kumar-rohit-shetty-to-rule-the-roost-next-eid-2055931.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kumar's character was announced towards the end of ''Simmba'' that served as a character introduction of ''Sooryavanshi''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-to-have-a-special-cameo-in-rohit-shettys-simmba-starring-ranveer-singh/articleshow/67272892.cms|title=Akshay Kumar to have a special cameo appearance in Rohit Shetty's 'Simmba' starring Ranveer Singh|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=28 December 2018|access-date=11 May 2019|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414201902/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-to-have-a-special-cameo-in-rohit-shettys-simmba-starring-ranveer-singh/articleshow/67272892.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially locked for theatrical release on 24 March 2020, it was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]].<ref name="Postpone_April2"/> The film was scheduled for theatrical release on 30 April 2021.<ref name="rd">{{cite news|title=CONFIRMED: Akshay Kumar starrer Sooryavanshi to release on April 30|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/confirmed-akshay-kumar-starrer-sooryavanshi-release-april-30/|date=14 March 2021|work=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=14 March 2021|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314042310/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/confirmed-akshay-kumar-starrer-sooryavanshi-release-april-30/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2021, the release date of film was postponed indefinitely due to the rise in [[COVID-19]] cases and [[lockdown]] in [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="Postpone_April30"/><ref name="PostponeIndef"/> After several delays, Sooryavanshi was theatrically released worldwide on 5 November 2021 coinciding with [[Diwali]].<ref name="release date">{{Cite news|date=25 September 2021|title=Rohit Shetty confirms 'Sooryavanshi' to release on Diwali after meet with Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/rohit-shetty-confirms-sooryavanshi-to-release-on-diwali-after-meet-with-maharashtra-cm-uddhav-thackeray/articleshow/86507526.cms|access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=MumbaiSeptember 25|first1=Rishita Roy Chowdhury|last2=September 26|first2=2021UPDATED|last3=Ist|first3=2021 17:56|title=Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif's Sooryavanshi to light up theatres on Diwali 2021|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-s-sooryavanshi-to-light-up-theatres-on-diwali-1857191-2021-09-25|access-date=26 September 2021|website=India Today|language=en|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926133554/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-s-sooryavanshi-to-light-up-theatres-on-diwali-1857191-2021-09-25|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Plot ==
Showing a recount of [[1993 Bombay bombings|1993 Mumbai blasts]], the film opens with the death of the parents of DCP and [[Anti-Terrorism Squad|ATS chief]] Veer "Surya" Sooryavanshi, who later finds out that a Lashkar chief and terrorist Omar Hafeez is planning more such attacks. He has formed a [[Clandestine cell system|sleeper cell network]] consisting of 40 terrorists who pose as Indians, and whose aim is to conduct more bombings after the [[2008 Mumbai attacks|26/11 Attacks]], one of whom is his son Riyaz Hafeez. In [[Jaisalmer]], Surya and his team nab Riyaz who had a different identity there. Surya's senior Kabir Shroff reveals about a full ton of [[RDX]] being brought to India, of which 400 kilograms were used during the 1993 bombings and the remnant 600 kilograms are still buried somewhere in the country.

Surya plans to catch the sleeper cell's remaining members, even as he remembers his wife Ria Gupta. 9 years ago, Surya was wounded by a bullet and Ria cured him. They fell in love, married, and became parents to a son Aryan. 8 years later, Surya tried to nab a man in Ria and Aryan's presence, which culminated in Aryan being shot. Although he came out healthy, an angry Ria slapped Surya and told him that he can't sacrifice his family just to fulfill his duty, and she left him. She then plans on taking Aryan with her to Australia.

Back to the present, Surya comes across an Islamic priest Kadar Usmani, later revealed to be a terrorist, and finds Bilal Ahmed, whose residence houses the wanted 600 kilograms of RDX. Usmani and Bilal remove RDX buried in the ground and prepare for their next bombings. Bilal then leaves for [[Mumbai]]. He was earlier helped by taxi driver John Mascarenhas, who has fled to [[Bangkok]]. Surya catches Bilal who shoots himself to death, and later after catching John in Bangkok post a long chase, he learns the bombs were being made by Mukhtar Ansari, another member of the sleeper cell. Usmani and John are arrested; Surya plans to pretend to torture Usmani's daughters to make him confess. Usmani finally informs that Riyaz will meet him in his aide's residence. Later, it turns out that a bomb was planted there which kills Usmani, his accomplice, and one of the cops accompanying him. His daughter helps Surya to identify Ansari, who is hiding in Shivgadh.

Surya asks Sangram "Simmba" Bhalerao, now an Inspector in charge of Shivgadh, to catch Ansari. Simmba finds out that 7 bombs are to be planted at 7 locations in Mumbai. Riyaz escapes, and it is revealed that the Anti-Terrorism Squad's headquarters would also be bombed. Surya and his team enlist [[National Security Guard]]'s help to safely extradite the bombs via helicopters and the bombings fail. However, Riyaaz and his team use Ria as a suicide bomber to attack the ATS Headquarters keeping Surya, Simmba, and other cops as hostages.

Surya's friend DCP Bajirao Singham enters, and they defuse the bomb wrapped around Ria while killing all the terrorist attackers. Singham warns Omar that he will chase him down soon. Mukhtar and Riyaz subsequently fight with them. Singham captures both of them, who taunt the offficers that they've been in [[India]] as sleeper cells for many years, carrying [[Terrorism in India#Maharashtra|several attacks in Mumbai]], and that the cops cannot harm them. Singham, Simmba, and Sooryavanshi shoot them to death in anger.

== Cast ==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Akshay Kumar]] as [[Deputy commissioner|DCP]] Veer "Surya" Sooryavanshi, The chief of [[Anti-Terrorism Squad|ATS]]<ref name="indtod">{{Cite web|date=22 April 2019|title=Confirmed: Akshay Kumar will romance Katrina Kaif in Rohit Shetty's Sooryavanshi|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/confirmed-akshay-kumar-will-romance-katrina-kaif-in-rohit-shetty-s-sooryavanshi-1507084-2019-04-22|access-date=22 April 2019|website=India Today|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422040124/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/confirmed-akshay-kumar-will-romance-katrina-kaif-in-rohit-shetty-s-sooryavanshi-1507084-2019-04-22|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Katrina Kaif]] as Dr. Ria Sooryavanshi, Veer's wife<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 April 2019|title=CONFIRMED! Katrina Kaif to play Akshay Kumar's wife in Sooryavanshi; here's EVERYTHING you need to know about her role|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/confirmed-katrina-kaif-play-akshay-kumars-wife-sooryavanshi-heres-everything-need-know-role/|access-date=22 April 2019|website=Bollywood Hungama|language=en|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422052331/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/confirmed-katrina-kaif-play-akshay-kumars-wife-sooryavanshi-heres-everything-need-know-role/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Ajay Devgn]] as DCP Bajirao Singham (extended cameo appearance)
* [[Ranveer Singh]] as Inspector Sangram "Simmba" Bhalerao (extended cameo appearance)
* [[Jaaved Jaaferi]] as [[Inspector General of Police#India|IG]] Kabir Shroff, Veer's senior officer<ref>{{cite news|date=2 March 2020|title=Sooryavanshi Trailer Has Akshay Kumar Leading the Charge with Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh Behind Him|work=News18|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sooryavanshi-trailer-has-akshay-kumar-leading-the-charge-with-ajay-devgn-and-ranveer-singh-behind-him-2521987.html|access-date=2 March 2020|archive-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302111851/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sooryavanshi-trailer-has-akshay-kumar-leading-the-charge-with-ajay-devgn-and-ranveer-singh-behind-him-2521987.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Vivan Bhatena]] as Senior Inspector Vivan Singh<ref>{{cite news|date=11 June 2019|title='Sooryavanshi' actor Vivan Bhatena introduces his new born daughter Nivaya in a special way – Times of India|language=en|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/sooryavanshi-actor-vivan-bhatena-introduces-his-new-born-daughter-nivaya-in-a-special-way/articleshow/69738243.cms|access-date=17 September 2019}}</ref>
* [[Niharica Raizada]] as [[Inspector of Police#India|Inspector]] Tara Manchandani<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 May 2019|title=रोहित शेट्टी की फिल्म में नजर आएंगी निहारिका रायजादा?|url=https://www.mumbailive.com/hi/bollywood/niharica-raizada-to-work-with-rohit-shetty-35548|access-date=11 May 2019|website=mumbailive.com|language=hi|archive-date=11 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511095037/https://www.mumbailive.com/hi/bollywood/niharica-raizada-to-work-with-rohit-shetty-35548|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=21 May 2019|title=On Anti Terrorism Day, Niharica Raizada Joins Anti-Terrorism Squad of Sooryavanshi|url=https://topebuzz.com/entertainment-buzz/on-anti-terrorism-day-niharica-raizada-joins-anti-terrorism-squad-of-sooryavanshi/}}</ref>
* [[Jackie Shroff]] as Omar Hafeez, Lashkar chief and a [[terrorist]]<ref>{{cite news|date=1 February 2020|title=Happy Birthday Jackie Shroff: Rohit Shetty announces actor as part of Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif's 'Sooryavanshi'|language=en|work=DNA India|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-happy-birthday-jackie-shroff-rohit-shetty-announces-actor-as-part-of-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-s-sooryavanshi-2811640|access-date=1 February 2020|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201060644/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-happy-birthday-jackie-shroff-rohit-shetty-announces-actor-as-part-of-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-s-sooryavanshi-2811640|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Gulshan Grover]] as Kadar Usmani, a terrorist
* [[Abhimanyu Singh]] as Riyaaz Hafeez<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lohana|first=Avinash|date=13 May 2019|title=ABHIMANYU SINGH PLAYS THE UNPREDICTABLE AND DEADLY VILLAIN IN AKSHAY KUMAR'S SOORYAVANSHI|language=en|work=Mumbai Mirror|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/abhimanyu-singh-plays-the-unpredictable-and-deadly-villain-in-akshay-kumars-sooryavanshi/articleshow/69297767.cms|access-date=13 May 2019|archive-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513080221/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/abhimanyu-singh-plays-the-unpredictable-and-deadly-villain-in-akshay-kumars-sooryavanshi/articleshow/69297767.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Nikitin Dheer]] as Mukhtar Ansari<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chennai Express Actor Nikitin Dheer Joins The Cast Of Akshay Kumar's Sooryavanshi|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/chennai-express-actor-nikitin-dheer-joins-the-cast-of-akshay-kumars-sooryavanshi-2038236|access-date=16 May 2019|archive-date=11 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811152338/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/chennai-express-actor-nikitin-dheer-joins-the-cast-of-akshay-kumars-sooryavanshi-2038236|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Sikandar Kher]] as John Mascarenhas<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nayak|first1=Pooja|date=17 June 2019|title=Anupam Kher calls Sooryavanshi a 'life lesson' for his son Sikandar as he watches him shoot with Akshay- Rohit|language=en|work=www.timesnownews.com|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/anupam-kher-calls-sooryavanshi-a-life-lesson-for-sikandar-as-he-watches-his-son-shoot-with-akshay-kumar-and-rohit-shetty/438592|access-date=21 September 2019|archive-date=21 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921104922/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/anupam-kher-calls-sooryavanshi-a-life-lesson-for-sikandar-as-he-watches-his-son-shoot-with-akshay-kumar-and-rohit-shetty/438592|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Kumud Mishra]] as Bilal Ahmed<ref name="trailer">{{cite news|last1=Irani|first1=Shaheen|date=2 March 2020|title=Sooryavanshi' trailer: Akshay Kumar packs a punch while Ranveer Singh and Ajay Devgn add entertainment quotient|work=DNA|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-sooryavanshi-trailer-akshay-kumar-packs-a-punch-while-ranveer-singh-and-ajay-devgn-add-entertainment-quotient-2815696/|access-date=2 March 2020|archive-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302084350/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-sooryavanshi-trailer-akshay-kumar-packs-a-punch-while-ranveer-singh-and-ajay-devgn-add-entertainment-quotient-2815696|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Siddhartha Jadhav]] as [[Sub Inspector of Police#India|Sub-Inspector]] Santosh Tawade (cameo appearance)
* [[Mrunal Jain]] as Raza Hafeez<ref name="trailer" />
* [[Rajendra Gupta]] as Naeem Khan<ref name="trailer" />
* [[Asif Basra]] as Rafique Siddiqui
* [[Shruti Ulfat|Shruti Panwar]] as Mafeeza Hafeez, Omar’s wife
* [[Uday Tikekar]] as Chief Minister of [[Maharashtra]]
* [[Anil Charanjeett]] as Aatmaram, Bilal's neighbour
* Ajit Shidhaye as Murad Ahmed
* Ashish Warang as Ashish Tambe
* Umakant Patil as Umakant Bhide
* Meenal Sahu as Mrs. Hafeez, Riyaaz’s wife
* Sukanya Dhanda as Zahida Usmani, Usmani’s Wife
* Raaj Gopal Iyer as Manish Rao
* Amritpal Singh as Abbas Naeem Khan
* Sofiya Khan as Lily Dias, John's girlfriend
* Vidhaan Sharma as Aryan Sooryavanshi, Veer & Ria's son
* Anuva Gupta as Sneha Bose, Ria’s colleague
* Tawhid Rike Zaman as Ria’s friend
* Krishna Kotian as ATS Officer
* Anil Khopkar as Maulana
{{colend}}

== Production ==
===Development===
''Sooryavanshi'' was announced in December 2018 through post-credit scenes of ''[[Simmba]]''.<ref name="Indian Express 05032019">{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/sooryavanshi-akshay-kumar-posters-5611320/|title=Sooryavanshi first look posters: Akshay Kumar fights terrorism in this cop drama|publisher=The Indian Express|date=5 March 2019|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405214042/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/sooryavanshi-akshay-kumar-posters-5611320/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first look posters featuring [[Akshay Kumar]] were unveiled in March 2019. Unlike earlier entries in the series, ''Sooryavanshi'' is not based on any existing work, but is an original story.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/akshay-kumars-sooryavanshi-is-not-a-remake-of-tamil-film-clarifies-director-1986707|title=Akshay Kumar's Sooryavanshi Is Not A Remake Of Tamil Film, Clarifies Director|website=NDTV.com|access-date=24 February 2020|archive-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224054859/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/akshay-kumars-sooryavanshi-is-not-a-remake-of-tamil-film-clarifies-director-1986707|url-status=live}}</ref> The scripting of the film began in Goa in 2019. <ref>{{Cite web |last=ollywood Hungama News Network |date=2 February 2019 |title=Rohit Shetty heads to Goa for the scripting of Sooryavanshi! |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/rohit-shetty-heads-goa-first-schedule-sooryavanshi/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117075639/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/rohit-shetty-heads-goa-first-schedule-sooryavanshi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Filming===
Miscellaneous work of the film commenced on February 2019 in [[Mumbai]], where the film's teaser was shot. Shetty began filming early in the morning and were done in a couple of hours before leaving for Goa to complete the scripting stages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bollywood Hungama News Network |date=14 February 2019 |title=SOORYAVANSHI: Akshay Kumar KICK-STARTS the shoot with Rohit Shetty (deets inside) |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/sooryavanshi-akshay-kumar-kick-stars-shoot-rohit-shetty-deets-inside/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117075639/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/sooryavanshi-akshay-kumar-kick-stars-shoot-rohit-shetty-deets-inside/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Principal photography]] commenced in Mumbai in 6 May 2019<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2019 |title=Rohit Shetty reveals Akshay Kumar’s look and other details for Sooryavanshi in this intense photo |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/rohit-shetty-reveals-akshay-kumars-look-details-sooryavanshi-intense-photo/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117075641/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/rohit-shetty-reveals-akshay-kumars-look-details-sooryavanshi-intense-photo/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 May 2019 |title=Rohit Shetty and Akshay Kumar begin Sooryavanshi with this epic picture! |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/rohit-shetty-akshay-kumar-begin-sooryavanshi-epic-picture/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117075642/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/rohit-shetty-akshay-kumar-begin-sooryavanshi-epic-picture/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was planned to be shot in Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad and Thailand.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 May 2019 |title=Sooryavanshi: Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif to start shooting on May 6, here’s everything you need to know about the film |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/sooryavanshi-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-start-shooting-may-6-heres-everything-need-know-film/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117075644/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/sooryavanshi-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-start-shooting-may-6-heres-everything-need-know-film/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2019, the recreated version of ‘Tip Tip Barsa Paani’ was shot in Mumbai, where choreographer [[Farah Khan]] had choreographed the song.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2019 |title=Sooryavanshi: This still from the sets of ‘Tip Tip Barsa Paani’ will make it harder for you to wait! |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/sooryavanshi-still-sets-tip-tip-barsa-paani-will-make-harder-wait/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117081142/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/sooryavanshi-still-sets-tip-tip-barsa-paani-will-make-harder-wait/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2019 |title=PHOTO ALERT: Sooryavanshi stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif tease with a sneaky glimpse of ‘Tip Tip Barsa Paani’ remake |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/photo-alert-sooryavanshi-stars-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-tease-sneaky-glimpse-tip-tip-barsa-paani-remake/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117075646/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/photo-alert-sooryavanshi-stars-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-tease-sneaky-glimpse-tip-tip-barsa-paani-remake/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Another schedule was shot in Hyderabad, where it was a month long schedule and majority of action sequences were filmed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2019 |title=Sooryavanshi: Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif to shoot month-long schedule in Hyderabad |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/sooryavanshi-akshay-kumar-and-katrina-kaif-to-shoot-month-long-schedule-in-hyderabad-1547982-2019-06-13 |publisher=[[India Today]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117084315/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/sooryavanshi-akshay-kumar-and-katrina-kaif-to-shoot-month-long-schedule-in-hyderabad-1547982-2019-06-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film's first schedule wrapped in December 2019 in Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2019 |title=Akshay Kumar shoots for 'Sooryavanshi' on the streets of Mumbai; ends up causing a traffic jam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-shoots-for-sooryavanshi-on-the-streets-of-mumbai-ends-up-causing-a-traffic-jam/articleshow/72417062.cms |publisher=[[Times of India]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117075640/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-shoots-for-sooryavanshi-on-the-streets-of-mumbai-ends-up-causing-a-traffic-jam/articleshow/72417062.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The second schedule took place in [[Bangkok]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar wraps up Rohit Shetty's 'Sooryavanshi'; shares a photo from the last day of shoot – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-wraps-rohit-shettys-sooryavanshi-shares-a-photo-from-the-last-day-of-shoot/articleshow/72308818.cms |access-date=2 December 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=30 November 2019 |language=en |archive-date=1 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201000119/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akshay-kumar-wraps-rohit-shettys-sooryavanshi-shares-a-photo-from-the-last-day-of-shoot/articleshow/72308818.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The shooting wrapped up on 30 November 2019 in [[Hyderabad]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar wraps up Sooryavanshi shoot, shares pic with Rohit Shetty: 'It's gonna blow your mind, we hope' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-wraps-up-sooryavanshi-shoot-shares-pic-with-rohit-shetty-it-s-gonna-blow-your-mind-we-hope/story-RwiOE3h1EGy5Ej6rs8UOxN.html |access-date=2 December 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |date=30 November 2019 |language=en |archive-date=1 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201131100/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-wraps-up-sooryavanshi-shoot-shares-pic-with-rohit-shetty-it-s-gonna-blow-your-mind-we-hope/story-RwiOE3h1EGy5Ej6rs8UOxN.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Casting===
Akshay Kumar was finalized as the main lead and it was announced during end credits of Simmba, conceiving the idea for the "Cop Universe".<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2019 |title=Rohit Shetty REVEALS his 2020 plans and here’s what he has to say about Simmba and Sooryavanshi franchise |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/rohit-shetty-reveals-2020-plans-heres-say-simmba-sooryavanshi-franchise/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117090504/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/rohit-shetty-reveals-2020-plans-heres-say-simmba-sooryavanshi-franchise/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Shetty stated, “In Simmba, Ajay Devgn made a special appearance in his Bajirao Singham avatar, while Ranveer Singh too played a cop. Now in Sooryavanshi, both Ranveer and Ajay will be making an appearance and it will not be surprising if they reprise their respective roles from Simmba and Singham”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 May 2019 |title=Rohit Shetty’s Akshay Kumar starrer Sooryavanshi will have cameos by Ranveer Singh and Ajay Devgn; to release in 19 Dec 2019 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/rohit-shettys-akshay-kumar-sooryavanshi-will-cameos-ranveer-singh-ajay-devgn-release-19-dec-2019/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117090502/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/rohit-shettys-akshay-kumar-sooryavanshi-will-cameos-ranveer-singh-ajay-devgn-release-19-dec-2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Jacqueline Fernandez]] was rumored to be the female lead opposite Kumar in the film,<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2019 |title=Jacqueline Fernandez roped in to be Akshay Kumar’s ladylove in Sooryavanshi |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/jacqueline-fernandez-roped-akshay-kumars-ladylove-sooryavanshi/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117090502/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/jacqueline-fernandez-roped-akshay-kumars-ladylove-sooryavanshi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> however later in March 2019 it was confirmed that [[Katrina Kaif]] was finalised as the female lead.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2019 |title=SCOOP! Katrina Kaif CONFIRMED for Akshay Kumar starrer Sooryavanshi |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/scoop-katrina-kaif-confirmed-akshay-kumar-starrer-sooryavanshi/ |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117090505/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/scoop-katrina-kaif-confirmed-akshay-kumar-starrer-sooryavanshi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Sooryavanshi
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Tanishk Bagchi]], Lijo George - DJ Chetas and [[JAM8]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 11 November 2021<ref name="jiosaavn">{{cite web|url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/sooryavanshi/q3wQulyDlhg_|title=Sooryavanshi – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|publisher=Jiosaavn|access-date=11 November 2021|archive-date=11 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111120350/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/sooryavanshi/q3wQulyDlhg_|url-status=live}}</ref>
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 16:30
| language = Hindi
| label = [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]
| producer =
| misc = {{external music video| header = Official audio
|{{YouTube|aWOYHS0Nid8|Sooryavanshi - Full Album Movie}}
}}}}

The music of the film is composed by [[Tanishk Bagchi]], Lijo George - DJ Chetas and [[JAM8]] while lyrics are written by [[Rashmi Virag]], [[Shabbir Ahmed (lyricist)|Shabbir Ahmed]], [[Anand Bakshi]] and Tanishk Bagchi.<ref name="jiosaavn"/>

The song "Aila Re Aillaa" is a recreation of the eponymous song from the 2010 film ''[[Khatta Meetha (2010 film)|Khatta Meetha]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sooryavanshi first song Aila Re Aillaa sees Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Ajay Devgn match steps|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sooryavanshi-first-song-aila-re-aillaa-sees-akshay-kumar-ranveer-singh-ajay-devgn-match-steps-10073021.html/|date=20 October 2021|work=[[Firstpost]]|access-date=20 October 2021|archive-date=21 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021052556/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sooryavanshi-first-song-aila-re-aillaa-sees-akshay-kumar-ranveer-singh-ajay-devgn-match-steps-10073021.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The song "Najaa" is a remake of the 2017 Punjabi song of the same name, originally created by Pav Dharia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sooryavanshi song Najaa: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif number will make you put on your dancing shoes|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/sooryavanshi-song-najaa-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-watch-video-7605428/|date=3 November 2021|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104040852/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/sooryavanshi-song-najaa-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-watch-video-7605428/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The song "Tip Tip Barsa Pani" is a remake of the eponymous song from the film ''[[Mohra]]'', originally composed by [[Viju Shah]] and features the vocals of original singers [[Alka Yagnik]] and [[Udit Narayan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar to recreate Tip Tip Barsa Paani for Sooryavanshi, calls it 'synonymous with me & my career' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-to-recreate-tip-tip-barsa-paani-for-sooryavanshi-calls-it-synonymous-with-me-my-career/story-pQYpYPKb8gnSUxQGsQHoXO.html |date=20 June 2019 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=5 August 2019 |archive-date=22 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822093535/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-to-recreate-tip-tip-barsa-paani-for-sooryavanshi-calls-it-synonymous-with-me-my-career/story-pQYpYPKb8gnSUxQGsQHoXO.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| total_length = 16:30
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title_width = 20%
| title1 = Aila Re Aillaa
| extra1 = [[Daler Mehndi]]
| music1 = [[Tanishk Bagchi]]
| lyrics1 = [[Shabbir Ahmed (lyricist)|Shabbir Ahmed]]
| length1 = 2:36
| title2 = Mere Yaaraa
| extra2 = [[Arijit Singh]], [[Neeti Mohan]]
| music2 = [[JAM8]]
| lyrics2 = [[Rashmi Virag]]
| length2 = 4:45
| title3 = Najaa
| extra3 = Pav Dharia, [[Nikhita Gandhi]]
| music3 = Tanishk Bagchi
| lyrics3 = Tanishk Bagchi
| length3 = 3:11
| title4 = Tip Tip
| extra4 = [[Udit Narayan]], [[Alka Yagnik]]
| music4 = Tanishk Bagchi
| lyrics4 = [[Anand Bakshi]], Tanishk Bagchi
| length4 = 4:10
| title5 = Sooryavanshi Theme
| extra5 = Lijo George
| music5 = Lijo George - Dj Chetas
| lyrics5 = —
| length5 = 1:48
}}

== Release ==
===Theatrical===
Initially announced as a [[Eid al-Fitr|Eid]] 2020 release, the film was rescheduled to 27 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 June 2019 |title=Akshay Kumar faces flak for Sooryavanshi release date change, asks fans to not promote negative trends |language=en |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/akshay-kumar-faces-flak-for-sooryavanshi-release-date-change-requests-fans-to-not-indulge-in-negative-trends-1549416-2019-06-15 |access-date=5 August 2019 |archive-date=5 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805151926/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/akshay-kumar-faces-flak-for-sooryavanshi-release-date-change-requests-fans-to-not-indulge-in-negative-trends-1549416-2019-06-15 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later, in February, the makers decided to release it on 24 March.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 June 2019 |title=Eid 2020 Clash Averted, Akshay Kumar's Sooryavanshi Won't Release with Salman Khan's Inshallah |work=News18 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/rohit-shetty-prepones-sooryavanshi-release-date-to-make-way-for-salman-khans-inshallah-on-eid-2020-2182863.html |access-date=5 August 2019 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716155118/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/rohit-shetty-prepones-sooryavanshi-release-date-to-make-way-for-salman-khans-inshallah-on-eid-2020-2182863.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]] caused it to be postponed.<ref name="abp:1">{{Cite news |date=12 March 2020 |title=Akshay Kumar's 'Sooryavanshi' POSTPONED Amid Coronavirus Scare |work=ABP Live |url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/movies/akshay-kumar-sooryavanshi-makers-postpone-film-release-date-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak-1174203 |access-date=12 March 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604171632/https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/movies/akshay-kumar-sooryavanshi-makers-postpone-film-release-date-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak-1174203 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2020, [[Reliance Entertainment]] confirmed that ''Sooryavanshi'' will finally hit cinemas on [[Diwali]], that is 13 November 2020, but due to theatre guidelines owing to the continuity of pandemic, the film was again put on hold as stated by the makers.<ref name="indiatoday">{{Cite news |date=12 March 2020 |title=Sooryavanshi release date postponed due to coronavirus: Will be back when the time is right |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/bollywood/story/sooryavanshi-release-date-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-will-be-back-when-the-time-is-right-1654909-2020-03-12 |access-date=12 March 2020 |archive-date=12 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312173945/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/bollywood/story/sooryavanshi-release-date-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-will-be-back-when-the-time-is-right-1654909-2020-03-12 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1277814928271970305 |user=taran_adarsh |title=BIGGG DEVELOPMENT... #Sooryavanshi and #83TheFilm to release in *theatres* first... Plans to release #Sooryavanshi in #Diwali and #83TheFilm in #Christmas *IN CINEMAS*. |date=30 June 2020}}</ref> In October 2020, the release was postponed to a later date,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 2020 |title=Akshay Kumar's Sooryavanshi not releasing on Diwali despite theatres opening from Oct 15: report |language=en |work=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-s-sooryavanshi-not-releasing-on-diwali-despite-theatres-opening-from-oct-15-report/story-zcfluugtK7qXNFmKjmC1gL.html |access-date=26 October 2020 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030000321/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-s-sooryavanshi-not-releasing-on-diwali-despite-theatres-opening-from-oct-15-report/story-zcfluugtK7qXNFmKjmC1gL.html |url-status=live }}</ref> possibly between January and March 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Basu |first=Nilanjana |date=13 October 2020 |title=A Sooryavanshi Update: Here's When Akshay Kumar's Film Is Likely To Release |work=NDTV.com |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-sooryavanshi-update-heres-when-akshay-kumars-film-is-likely-to-release-2309313 |access-date=26 October 2020 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016052002/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-sooryavanshi-update-heres-when-akshay-kumars-film-is-likely-to-release-2309313 |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2021, sources confirmed that makers of ''Sooryavanshi'' have fixed 2 April 2021 as its new release date but that again failed to get materialized, because of night curfew or partial lockdown impose in Maharashtra announced by its government.<ref name="Postpone_April2">{{Cite news |date=10 March 2021 |title=CONFIRMED Sooryavanshi won't release on April 2; makers to come up with a new date soon |language=en |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/confirmed-sooryavanshi-wont-release-april-2-makers-come-new-date-soon |access-date=10 March 2021 |archive-date=10 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310053122/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/confirmed-sooryavanshi-wont-release-april-2-makers-come-new-date-soon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After a delay of more than one year, it was declared on 14 March 2021 that the film will finally release theatrically on 30 April 2021.<ref name="rd"/> As of April 2021, the release date of film had been postponed indefinitely due to rise in [[COVID-19]] cases and lockdown in Maharashtra.<ref name="Postpone_April30">{{Cite news |date=5 April 2021 |title=SCOOP: As Maharashtra goes under lockdown, Sooryavanshi won't release on April 30 |language=en |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/scoop-maharashtra-goes-lockdown-sooryavanshi-wont-release-april-30 |access-date=5 April 2021 |archive-date=5 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405071608/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/scoop-maharashtra-goes-lockdown-sooryavanshi-wont-release-april-30/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PostponeIndef">{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=6 April 2021 |title='Sooryavanshi' release postponed indefinitely due to rise in COVID-19 cases |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sooryavanshi-release-postponed-indefinitely-due-to-rise-in-covid-19-cases/article34250965.ece |access-date=9 April 2021 |archive-date=6 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406073548/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sooryavanshi-release-postponed-indefinitely-due-to-rise-in-covid-19-cases/article34250965.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> It was later released theatrically on 5 November 2021, coinciding with Diwali.<ref name="release date"/>

=== Home media ===
The film's satellite and digital rights were purchased by [[Zee TV|Zee Cinema]] and [[Netflix]] respectively, the latter for {{INRConvert|100|c}}, and it premiered on 3 December 2021.<ref name=nfx>{{Cite web|date=3 December 2021|title=Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi arrives on Netflix on December 3|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-and-rohit-shettys-sooryavanshi-arrives-on-netflix-on-december-3/|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=3 December 2021}}</ref>

==Reception==
=== Box office ===
''Sooryavanshi'' earned {{INR}}26.29 crore at the domestic box office on its opening day. On the second day, the film collected {{INR}}23.85 crore. On the third day, the film collected {{INR}}26.94 crore, taking total weekend domestic collection to {{INR}}77.08 crore.<ref name="bo">{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/sooryavanshi/box-office/|title=Sooryavanshi Box Office|website=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=27 December 2021|archive-date=20 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120145418/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/sooryavanshi/box-office/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{As of|2021|12|20}}, the film grossed {{INR|233.33}} crore in India and {{INR|60.84}} crore overseas, for a worldwide gross collection of {{INR|294.17}} crore.<ref name="bo" /> Sooryavanshi became the highest grossing Indian movie of 2021 at the time of the release. It was surpassed by the telugu langauge movie ''[[Pushpa: The Rise]]''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-29|title=Sooryavanshi Box Office: Akshay Kumar starrer becomes 'highest grosser' of 2021|url=https://www.bollywoodbubble.com/box-office-reports/sooryavanshi-becomes-highest-grossing-movie-2021/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Bollywood Bubble|language=en}}</ref>

===Critical response===
On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film currently holds an approval rating of 33% based on 9 reviews, with an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average score]] of 4.8/10.<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=sooryavanshi|type=m|title=Sooryavanshi|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref>
Archika Khurana from ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Rohit Shetty has tactfully expanded his [[Cop Universe]] over the years – keeping the audience engaged and die-hard fans of the genre on the edge. After the ''Singham'' series (headlined by Ajay Devgn) and then Simbaa (starring Ranveer Singh), now storms in, ''Sooryavanshi'' (Akshay Kumar), amidst much fanfare, drama, and blaring theatrics. Sooryavanshi’s character was subtly announced towards the end of Simmba. The film has all the elements, attitude, style, showmanship and heavy-duty star power expected of a Rohit Shetty offering."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/sooryavanshi/movie-review/87535048.cms|title=Sooryavanshi Movie Review : Sooryavanshi is high on style, show and action thrills|access-date=5 November 2021|website=Times of India|date=5 November 2021|author=Archika Khurana|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105074033/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/sooryavanshi/movie-review/87535048.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

Anuj Kumar from ''[[The Hindu]]'' equated the film with a pandemic. He opined that the film "planted seeds of suspicion against a particular community". However, he praised the action sequences and performances of the cast. He summed up the film as, "Deepawali cracker that lights up the sky but covers the soul with soot."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sooryavanshi-review-nursing-the-other-virus/article37343944.ece|title='Sooryavanshi' review: Nursing the other virus|work=The Hindu|author=Anuj Kumar|date=5 November 2021|access-date=6 November 2021|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105155420/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sooryavanshi-review-nursing-the-other-virus/article37343944.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Taran Adarsh]] of [[Bollywood Hungama]] gave 4.5 stars out of 5 on twitter and called "Fantastic" made for mass action entertainment. Writing on the website ''Bollywood Hungama'', he further stated that: "''SOORYAVANSHI'' has it all: stars, scale, action and entertainment. Rohit Shetty presents a Blockbuster package this Diwali."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/sooryavanshi/critic-review/sooryavanshi-movie-review/sooryavanshi-has-it-all-stars-scale-action-and-entertainment-rohit-shetty-presents-a-blockbuster-package-this-diwali/|title=Sooryavanshi Movie Review|date=5 November 2021|access-date=5 November 2021|website=Bollywood Hungama|author=Taran Adarsh|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105084754/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/sooryavanshi/critic-review/sooryavanshi-movie-review/sooryavanshi-has-it-all-stars-scale-action-and-entertainment-rohit-shetty-presents-a-blockbuster-package-this-diwali/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1456509066948210694|last=Adarsh|first=Taran|url-status=live|access-date=5 November 2021|author-link=Taran Adarsh|title=tweet|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105075031/https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1456509066948210694}}</ref>
Umesh Punwani from [[Koimoi]] gave 2 stars out of 5 and stated, "''Sooryavanshi'' boils down to be a badly done spoof of multiple Rohit Shetty (and other similar templates) movies."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-movies/movie-reviews/sooryavanshi-movie-review-rohit-shetty-sells-the-prototype-in-akshay-kumar-after-the-superhit-success-of-his-hero-products-ajay-devgn-ranveer-singh/|title=Sooryavanshi Movie Review: Rohit Shetty Sells The Prototype In Akshay Kumar After The Superhit Success Of His Hero Products Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh|access-date=5 November 2021|date=5 November 2021|website=Koimoi|author=Umesh Punwani|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105083608/https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-movies/movie-reviews/sooryavanshi-movie-review-rohit-shetty-sells-the-prototype-in-akshay-kumar-after-the-superhit-success-of-his-hero-products-ajay-devgn-ranveer-singh/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Shubhra Gupta]] from ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave 2 stars and called, "It is only when the trio of Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh and Ajay Devgn come together, the Rohit Shetty movie gives us what it promises, three for the price of one."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sooryavanshi-movie-review-akshay-kumar-rohit-shetty-ranveer-singh-ajay-devgn-7608310/|title=Sooryavanshi movie review: Too much Akshay Kumar, not enough Ranveer Singh and Ajay Devgn|author=Shubhra Gupta|website=The Indian Express|access-date=5 November 2021|date=5 November 2021|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105085933/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sooryavanshi-movie-review-akshay-kumar-rohit-shetty-ranveer-singh-ajay-devgn-7608310/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nandini Ramnath of ''[[Scroll.in]]'' gave 2 out of 5 stars and said, "The gist of the 145-minute movie is contained in the extended climactic action sequence."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/1009812/sooryavanshi-movie-review-a-very-long-lecture-with-some-action|title=Sooryavanshi' movie review: A very long lecture with some action|website=Scroll.in|author=Nandini Ramnath|access-date=5 November 2021|date=5 November 2021|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105092210/https://scroll.in/reel/1009812/sooryavanshi-movie-review-a-very-long-lecture-with-some-action|url-status=live}}</ref>

Monika Rawal Kukreja of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' said, "''Sooryavanshi'' isn't driven by a great script neither does it have any extraordinary suspense that could bring nail-biting moments. Yet, it keeps you on the edge for the sheer joy of watching that over-the-top action."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/sooryavanshi-movie-review-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-s-high-octane-action-film-is-your-diwali-gift-this-year-101636100792077.html|title=Sooryavanshi movie review: Akshay Kumar's high-octane action film is your Diwali gift this year|website=Hindustan Times|author=Monika Rawal Kukreja|access-date=5 November 2021|date=5 November 2021|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105093825/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/sooryavanshi-movie-review-akshay-kumar-katrina-kaif-s-high-octane-action-film-is-your-diwali-gift-this-year-101636100792077.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Saibal Chatterjee]] of ''[[NDTV]]'' gave the film 2.5 stars rating and wrote, "Akshay's gait is stunt in itself: a cross between a model in the middle of catwalk and a superhero about to take flight. Just like ''Simmba'' had provided a glimpse of what was to come in the next instalment, ''Sooryavanshi'' indicates what the future might hold for the Rohit Shetty cop universe."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/sooryavanshi-review-is-akshay-kumars-film-what-the-doctor-ordered-for-post-pandemic-bollywood-almost-2-5-stars-out-of-5-2600077|title=Sooryavanshi Review: Is Akshay Kumar's Film What The Doctor Ordered For Post-Pandemic Bollywood? Almost|author=Saibal Chatterjee|access-date=5 November 2021|date=5 November 2021|website=NDTV|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105095538/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/sooryavanshi-review-is-akshay-kumars-film-what-the-doctor-ordered-for-post-pandemic-bollywood-almost-2-5-stars-out-of-5-2600077|url-status=live}}</ref>

Himesh Mankad of ''[[Pinkvilla]]'' gave the film a rating of 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "''Sooryavanshi'' has its share of flaws, but also has enough going in its favor to entertain the audience on the big screen. It’s a vehicle driven by Akshay Kumar, who gets support from Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh in the finale, resulting in a Diwali Dhamaka. It’s unlike any Rohit Shetty film to date, rather, among his aesthetically sound directorial, which just deserved a little better writing and editing."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/reviews/sooryavanshi-movie-review-rohit-shetty-akshay-kumar-and-co-entertain-watch-despite-some-roadblocks-934032|title=Sooryavanshi Movie Review: Rohit Shetty, Akshay Kumar and co. entertain despite some roadblocks|website=Pinkvilla|access-date=5 November 2021|date=5 November 2021|author=Himesh Mankad|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105104133/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/reviews/sooryavanshi-movie-review-rohit-shetty-akshay-kumar-and-co-entertain-watch-despite-some-roadblocks-934032|url-status=live}}</ref> Pradeep Menon from [[Firstpost]] gave the film 3 out of 5 stars rating and wrote, "''Sooryavanshi'' doubles and triples down on its Hindu-Muslim unity message every instance it gets. It is not always done with nuance or understanding of complex religious dynamics, but the intentions are clear. This is a filmmaker reacting to the times he is living in. Keeping all of that aside, ''Sooryavanshi'' is a competent action film that sticks to lane, and delivers at least as much over-the-top entertainment as it promises."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bollywood/sooryavanshi-movie-review-akshay-kumar-rohit-shettys-competent-action-film-delivers-as-much-masala-as-it-promised-10113311.html|title=Sooryavanshi movie review: Akshay Kumar, Rohit Shetty's competent action film delivers as much masala as it promised|website=Firstpost|access-date=5 November 2021|date=5 November 2021|author=Pradeep Menon|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105104412/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bollywood/sooryavanshi-movie-review-akshay-kumar-rohit-shettys-competent-action-film-delivers-as-much-masala-as-it-promised-10113311.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Joginder Tuteja from [[Rediff.com]] gave the film 4.5 stars out of 5 and stated, "''Sooryavanshi'' isn't the kind of masala entertainment that many film-makers have tried to force feed the audience. It is pure big screen entertainment, something that truly works right through its near two and a half hour duration. It's remarkable to notice how there is no dull moment in this two-and-a-half hour film, showing yet again that a long movie can work if made with conviction and loads of exciting sequences, just like Manmohan Desai used to do in his films with one highlight every 10 minutes."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/sooryavanshi-review/20211105.htm|title=Sooryavanshi Review|access-date=5 November 2021|date=5 November 2021|website=Rediff.com|author=Joginder Tuteja|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105141511/https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/sooryavanshi-review/20211105.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' gave a rating of 2.5/5 and said, "The best part of ''Sooryavanshi'' is when Simmba Bhalerao (Ranveer Singh) and Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn) join Veer Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar) in a high-octane clash against terrorists. The final 15-20 minutes is fun as the trio revels in slick action and whacky comedy."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/dh-talkies/sooryavanshi-review-not-worth-the-wait-1047654.html|title=Sooryavanshi review: Not worth the wait|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|access-date=5 November 2021|date=5 November 2021|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105144155/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/dh-talkies/sooryavanshi-review-not-worth-the-wait-1047654.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Among overseas critics, Devika Girish of [[The New York Times]] criticized the film for uncritical jingoism and said "'Sooryavanshi' is weighed down by such endless, didactic soapboxing, while the rest of this erratic film devotes itself to juvenile jokes [...] and sultry songs that offer the film’s female lead, Katrina Kaif, her only meaningful screen time."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Girish|first=Devika|date=2021-11-08|title=‘Sooryavanshi’ Review: Cops on a Crusade|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/08/movies/sooryavanshi-review.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214005326/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/08/movies/sooryavanshi-review.html|archive-date=2021-12-14|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[The Washington Post|Washington Post]] columnist [[Rana Ayyub]] said that the movie stoked "Islamophobic tropes" and compared the film to propaganda films from Nazi Germany.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ayyub|first=Rana|date=2021-11-15|title=Opinion {{!}} Why an Indian film’s success at the box office should worry us all|language=en-US|work=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/11/15/why-an-indian-films-success-box-office-should-worry-us-all/|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116061109/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/11/15/why-an-indian-films-success-box-office-should-worry-us-all/|archive-date=2021-11-15|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|tt9531772}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama title|Sooryavanshi}}
* [https://www.akshaykumarmovies.co.in/2021/10/sooryavanshi-release-date.html Sooryavanshi] at [https://www.akshaykumarmovies.co.in/ akshay kumar movies]

{{Singham}}
{{Rohit Shetty}}
{{Dharma Productions}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Film spin-offs]]
[[Category:Films about terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Films directed by Rohit Shetty]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:2020s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Masala films]]
[[Category:Reliance Entertainment films]]
[[Category:Cop Universe]]
[[Category:Films about jihadism]]
[[Category:Films about organised crime in India]]
[[Category:Films about suicide]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Maharashtra Police]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in fiction]]
[[Category:Films shot in Bangkok]]
[[Category:Films shot in Goa]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films set in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films about bomb disposal]]
[[Category:Films based on the 2008 Mumbai attacks]]
[[Category:1993 Bombay bombings]]
[[Category:Films about arms trafficking]]
[[Category:2020s chase films]]
[[Category:Films about identity theft]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]

Special 26

2022-01-11T04:54:58Z

Meetpavasiya: /* External links */

{{Short description|2013 film by Neeraj Pandey}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Special 26
| image = Special 26 poster.jpg
| alt = The poster features faces of all top-billed actors. The film title appears at bottom-left.
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Neeraj Pandey]]
| producer = {{ubl|[[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures]]|Shital Bhatia|Kumar Mangat Pathak}}
| writer = Neeraj Pandey
| starring = [[Akshay Kumar]] [[Manoj Bajpayee]] [[Kajal Agarwal]] [[Jimmy Sheirgill]] [[Anupam Kher]] [[Divya Dutta]] [[Kishor Kadam]]
| narrator =
| music = '''Original Songs:''' [[M. M. Kreem]] '''Guest Composer:''' [[Himesh Reshammiya]] '''Background Score:''' [[Surinder Sodhi]]
| cinematography = [[Bobby Singh (cinematographer)|Bobby Singh]]
| editing = Shree Narayan Singh
| studio = [[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures]] [[Friday Filmworks]] [[Panorama Studios|Wide Frame Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures]]
| based_on = [[1987 Opera House heist]]
| released = {{film date|df=yes|2013|2|8}}
| runtime = 144 minutes<ref name=Runtime>{{cite web|title=''Special 26'' (PG)|url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/special-26-2013-0|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|access-date=6 February 2013}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| budget = {{INR|390 million|link=yes}}<ref name=Budget/>
| gross = {{Estimation}} {{INR|1.26 billion}}<ref name="boxofficeindia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=1237|title=Special 26|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=19 November 2016}}</ref>
}}
'''''Special 26''''' (also known as '''''Special Chabbis''''') is a 2013 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[heist film]] written and directed by [[Neeraj Pandey]] and produced by Shital Bhatia under [[Friday Filmworks]] and Kumar Mangat Pathak under [[Panorama Studios|Wide Frame Pictures]] in association with [[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures|Viacom18 Motion Pictures]]. It is based on the [[1987 Opera House heist]] where a group posing as [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI officers]] executed an [[income tax]] raid on the jeweler in [[Mumbai|Bombay]] (present-day Mumbai). It stars an [[ensemble cast]] of [[Akshay Kumar]], [[Manoj Bajpayee]], [[Kajal Aggarwal]], [[Jimmy Sheirgill]], [[Anupam Kher]] and [[Divya Dutta]] in lead roles.

''Special 26'' released worldwide on 8 February 2013 and following the widespread critical acclaimed reviews, the film was a critical and commercial success upon its release. Made on a total budget of {{INRConvert|390|m|lk=r}}, it grossed {{INRConvert|1.26|b}} worldwide and became the 10th highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year. The film is considered one of the finest films of that year.

''Special 26'' was remade in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Thaanaa Serndha Koottam]]'' in 2018.
== Plot ==
The story of the film opens on 18 March 1987, where a walk-in CBI interview is taking place, held by Ajay 'Ajju' Singh ([[Akshay Kumar]]) and Pramod Kumar 'P.K.' Sharma ([[Anupam Kher]]). The film then goes into flashback.

Ajay ([[Akshay Kumar]]) calls a local police station to obtain more manpower for a CBI [[Police raid|raid]]. He speaks to SI Ranveer Singh ([[Jimmy Sheirgill]]) who agrees to send the required number of support officers. Ajay, with accomplices Pramod Kumar 'P.K.' Sharma ([[Anupam Kher]]), Joginder Khurana ([[Rajesh Sharma (actor)|Rajesh Sharma]]), and Iqbal Ali ([[Kishor Kadam]]), meet the supporting officers and conduct the raid.

Following the successful raid at a minister's house, it's revealed that Ajay and Sharma are fake CBI officers, along with their two accomplices. They then move to different parts of the country where they belong to and merge into their everyday lifestyles. Ajay's love interest, Priya Chauhan ([[Kajal Aggarwal]]), an about-to-be-married teacher, is introduced here. The crew meets again in [[Chandigarh]] at the behest of Sharma for his daughter's wedding.

Ranveer with his senior officer meet the minister of the earlier raid, who reveals that he doesn't want the news to appear in the public domain because he wants to protect his image. The senior officer suspends Ranveer with his colleague Shanti ([[Divya Dutta]]) for being irresponsible.

Waseem Khan ([[Manoj Bajpayee]]), an honest CBI officer lives with his wife ([[Neetu Singh (born 1990)|Neetu Singh]]) and child in [[New Delhi]]. A disgraced Ranveer meets Khan, and they join hands to apprehend Ajay and his accomplices.

Meanwhile, the next raid planned by Ajay is conducted on a traders' business in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]] posing as officers from the [[Income Tax Department]]. Following the more difficult but successful raid, Khan insists that this should be reported in the newspaper, despite nobody coming forward to report it themselves, as [[black money]] is involved. Upon seeing this in the newspaper, Ajay and Sharma decide to conduct their "big job," a final raid in [[Mumbai|Bombay]]. Meanwhile, Ranveer finds information about Sharma, and Khan orders [[Telephone tapping|wire-tapping]] his phone. When Sharma is talking to Ajay on the phone, Khan procures several details about them. Under Khan's orders, officers track the crew to Bombay to a hotel where they're staying. They plan to raid and hence rob a big jewellery store.

Ajay, followed by a CBI officer, goes to a newspaper to advertise for "50 dynamic graduates" with details of an interview. Khan embeds his officers among the candidates and they are selected. Khan finds out the details of the training process, which includes a mock raid. It is stated that, on the day, the candidates will be trained and then led out for the mock raid in the afternoon.

To find out more, Khan and Ranveer go to the hotel and force their way into Sharma's room. He divulges the information about the raid, following a threat of violence. He also mentions that Ajay is taking revenge on the CBI for not appointing him. Khan orders Sharma to ensure everything proceeds as normal.

On the day of the raid, Khan takes charge of the jewellery store and replaces the goods with fake jewellery, with the originals being moved to the jewellery store's own workshop. Ajay informs the recruits that he will come in a different vehicle to them. Sharma leaves with the recruits in a bus, but leaves the bus at police headquarters, saying that he will arrive with Ajay. He also states that nobody should leave the bus until they arrive and that he is going to verify the paperwork for the raid at the Police HQ. In reality, he goes to meet Ranveer Singh. With Ajay, a raid of the workshop is carried out. Ajay then goes and meets Priya, who is ready for departure at the airport.

Meanwhile, at the jewellery store, Khan is informed that the raid was conducted at the workshop and all jewellery in the workshop along with the jewellery that were moved were stolen. Khan works it all out for himself, realizing that Ranveer was part of the gang and he wasn't a real police officer and they were set up right from the beginning. Khan starts laughing loudly and applauds the entire robbery plan and execution. Later, Khan receives a [[money order]] for Rs. 100 that Ajay had taken from him with the message that he could not steal the honest earnings of an officer. The film ends with Khan being told over the phone that the CBI has information about the perpetrators. At the same time, Ajay and P. K. Sharma are seen enjoying a [[cricket]] match happily at the [[Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium]].
== Cast ==
[[File:Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|[[Kajal Aggarwal]] with her co-star [[Akshay Kumar]] during the promotions of their film in 2013]]
{{col begin|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Akshay Kumar]] as Ajay "Ajju" Singh / CBI Officer A. K. Vardhan
* [[Manoj Bajpayee]] as CBI Officer Waseem Khan
* [[Anupam Kher]] as Pramod Kumar "P. K." Sharma
* [[Jimmy Sheirgill]] as Sub-Inspector Ranveer Singh
* [[Kajal Aggarwal]] as Priya Chauhan
* [[Rajesh Sharma (actor)|Rajesh Sharma]] as Joginder Khurana
* Rahaao as Candidate 19
* [[Vikas Shrivastav]] as Rajiv Gupte, Candidate 6 and Wassem's partner
* [[Kishor Kadam]] as Iqbal Ali
* [[Divya Dutta]] as Shanti
* [[Kharaj Mukherjee]] as Roy, CBI Officer in Kolkata
* [[Deepraj Rana]] as Rahul
* [[Ujjwal Chopra]] as Solanki
* [[Tiku Talsania]] as Magandas, BSJ Jewellery shop owner
* [[Sachin Nayak]] as Vella boy
* [[Neetu Singh (born 1990)|Neetu Singh]] as Waseem's wife
* [[Vipin Sharma]] as ACP Bhushan Patel (fake)
* [[Abha Parmar]] as Minister Gupta's wife
* Mukesh S. Bhatt as Minister's PA (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1201151/){{citation needed|date= December 2020}}
* Gurpal Singh as Telephone repairing guy
* Jarnail Singh as Telephone taping guy
* [[Ronika]] as Miss/Mrs. Sharma, P. K.'s daughter
* Sharad Shetty as goon chased by Waseem at Connaught Place
* [[Suraj Gupta]] as Informer Munna
* [[Neeru Bajwa]] Special appearance in song "Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen Di Chaava"
{{col end}}
==Production==
===Development===
The film takes its foundations from the [[1987 Opera House heist|robbery of 19 March 1987]], when 26 people posing as income tax officials raided a jewellery store in [[Royal Opera House (Mumbai)|Opera House]], [[Mumbai|Bombay]].

Manoj Bajpai was signed to play the CBI officer,<ref name=BH>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/news/type/view/id/1414244|title=Manoj Bajpai to play CBI agent in Special Chhabees|author=Subhash K Jha|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=23 February 2012}}</ref> and Anupam Kher plays a vital role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-25/news-interviews/30556430_1_anupam-kher-neeraj-pandey-new-film|title=Anupam Kher excited for Neeraj Pandey's next|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=25 December 2011}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Kajal Aggarwal plays a specially-written role of Ajay Singh's love interest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/singham-actress-kajal-aggarwal-signs-her-next-film/20120227.htm|title=Singham actress Kajal Aggarwal signs her next film|publisher=Rediff|access-date=27 February 2012}}</ref>

[[Ajay Devgn]] and [[Abhishek Bachchan]] were reported to have been considered for the lead role. It went to Akshay Kumar as he was Pandey's first choice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/movies/ajay-devgn-roped-in-for-neeraj-pandey-s-special-chabbis_78738.htm|title=Ajay Devgn roped in for Neeraj Pandey's Special Chabbis|publisher=Zee News}}</ref> Kajal Aggarwal is playing the role of a school teacher.<ref>{{cite web|author=TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-04/news-interviews/36148464_1_school-teacher-special-chabbis-akshay-kumar |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216075624/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-04/news-interviews/36148464_1_school-teacher-special-chabbis-akshay-kumar |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2013 |title=Kajal Aggarwal to play a school teacher |date=4 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=16 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/singham-actress-kajal-aggarwal-says-she-lords-akshay/313811-8-66.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222174641/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/singham-actress-kajal-aggarwal-says-she-lords-akshay/313811-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2014 |title=Special Chabbis: Kajal Aggarwal is in awe of Akshay Kumar- Bollywood- IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=4 January 2013 |access-date=16 January 2013}}</ref> Akshay Kumar slashed his fee by half for ''Special Chabbis''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-slashes-fee-by-half-for-i-special-chabbis-i-318073 |title=Akshay Kumar slashes fee by half for Special Chabbis | NDTV Movies.com |publisher=Movies.ndtv.com |date=16 January 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rebello |first=Runcil |url=http://businessofcinema.com/news/why-akshay-kumar-slashed-his-fee-by-50-for-special-chabbis/57459 |title=Why Akshay Kumar Slashed His Fee By 50% For 'Special Chabbis' |publisher=Businessofcinema.com |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>
===Filming===
Shooting began on 23 February 2012 in [[Delhi]]. The first schedule of the film was shot in [[Chandni Chowk]], following which the unit moved to [[Jama Masjid, Delhi|Jama Masjid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-10/news-interviews/31142603_1_akshay-kumar-shooting-special-chabbis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530163132/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-10/news-interviews/31142603_1_akshay-kumar-shooting-special-chabbis|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-05-30|title=Akshay Kumar shoots for Special Chabbis in Delhi|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
== Music ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Special 26
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[M. M. Kreem]] and [[Himesh Reshammiya]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2013|01|09}}
| recorded = 2013
| venue = [[Hyderabad]], [[Mumbai]]
| studio = [[Prasad Studios|Prasad Film Laboratories]], [[Hyderabad]]
| genre = [[Film Soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = {{Duration|m=25|s=28}}
| label = [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]
| producer = [[Friday Filmworks]]
| chronology = [[M. M. Kreem]]
| prev_title = [[Shirdi Sai]]
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = [[Anaamika (2014 film)|Anaamika]]
| next_year = 2014
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Himesh Reshammiya]]
| type = Soundtrack
| prev_title = [[Khiladi 786]]
| prev_year = 2012
| title = Special 26
| year = 2013
| next_title = [[Shortcut Romeo]]
| next_year = 2013
}}
}}
The soundtrack album of ''Special 26'' was composed by noted South Indian film composer [[M. M. Keeravani]] credited as [[M. M. Kreem]]. [[Himesh Reshammiya]], was roped in as the guest composer for the song "Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen" which was written by [[Shabbir Ahmed (lyricist)|Shabbir Ahmed]], and the rest of them were penned by [[Irshad Kamil]]. All the songs were recorded at [[Prasad Studios|Prasad Film Laboratories]] in [[Hyderabad]], and Silver Harmony in [[Mumbai]]. The music rights were acquired by [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]] and the album was released on 9 January 2013, at a promotional event held in [[PVR Cinemas|PVR]], Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 details|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/541766|publisher=Bollywoodhungama}}</ref> The background score of the film is composed by [[Surinder Sodhi]].
{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = {{Duration|m=25|s=28}}
| title1 = Tujh Sang Lagee
| extra1 = [[Krishnakumar Kunnath|KK]], [[M. M. Kreem]]
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| length1 = 4:13
| title2 = Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen
| extra2 = [[Aman Trikha]], [[Shreya Ghoshal]], [[Shabab Sabri]]
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| length2 = 4:06
| title3 = Kaun Mera Kya
| extra3 = [[Chaitra H. G.|Chaitra Ambadipudi]]
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| length3 = 2:57
| title4 = Mujh Mein Tu Hi Basa
| extra4 = [[Keerthi Sagathia]]
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| length4 = 4:24
| title5 = Kaun Mera Kya
| extra5 = [[Papon (Assamese singer)|Papon]]
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| length5 = 2:54
| title6 = Dhar Pakad
| extra6 = [[Bappi Lahiri]]
| lyrics6 =
| music6 =
| length6 = 2:22
| title7 = Kaun Mera Kya
| extra7 = [[Sunidhi Chauhan]]
| lyrics7 =
| music7 =
| length7 = 2:32
| title8 = Mujh Mein Tu Hi Basa
| extra8 = M. M. Kreem
| lyrics8 =
| music8 =
| length8 = 3:20
| title9 = Mujh Mein Tu Hi Basa
| extra9 = [[Akshay Kumar]]
| lyrics9 =
| music9 =
| length9 = 3:13
| title10 =
| length10 =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music = [[M. M. Kreem]] and lyrics were written by [[Irshad Kamil]], except the track "Gore Mukhde Pe Zulfen" was composed by [[Himesh Reshammiya]] as guest composer, and lyrics written by [[Shabbir Ahmed (lyricist)|Shabbir Ahmed]]
| all_writing =
| note3 = Female
| note4 = Version 1
| note5 = Male
| note6 =
| note7 = Film Version
| note8 = Version 2
| note9 = Film Version
}}
== Marketing and release ==
''Special Chabbis'' released on for around {{INRConvert|120|m}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 First Day Business|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5381&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India|access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref><ref name=release>{{cite web|title=Special 26 Opening Day Box Office Collections|url=http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/special-26-opening-day-box-office-collections/ |publisher=koimoi|access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref> The producers have {{INRConvert|500|m}} investment on ''Special Chabbis'', as the film has fetched around {{INRConvert|350|m}} from sale of the territory rights across India.<ref name="invest">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5388&nCat= |title=Boxofficeindia.com |publisher=Box Office India |date=11 February 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="komalsreviews.wordpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://komalsreviews.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/special-26-review/ |title=SPECIAL 26 review | Komal Nahta's Blog |publisher=Komalsreviews.wordpress.com |date=8 February 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> ''Special 26'' was made on a budget of around {{INRConvert|300|m}}, with a publicity and advertising budget of around {{INRConvert|120|m}}.<ref name=Budget>{{cite web|title=Initial reports on Special 26 and ABCD positive|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-13/box-office/37059269_1_satellite-rights-abcd-film|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227060637/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-13/box-office/37059269_1_satellite-rights-abcd-film|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 February 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=13 February 2013}}</ref>[[File:Special 26 logo.jpg|thumb|Since the film is set in late-1980s, the title was designed to resemble the type-face of newspapers back then]]
The theatrical trailer was released online on 20 December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiyQb28geOg|title=Special Chabbis Official Trailer|via=YouTube}}</ref> The first promos of ''[[Nautanki Saala]]'' and ''[[Chashme Baddoor (2013 film)|Chashme Baddoor]]'' were attached to ''Special 26''.<ref>{{cite web|title=First Look of Nautanki Saala with Special 26|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1708601/First-Look-of-Nautanki-Saala-with-Special-26|publisher=Bollywoodhungama|access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> The movie was distributed all over India by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Wide Frame Pictures. Akshay Kumar, with the rest of the cast of ''Special Chabbis'', were scheduled to visit the crime spot of the incident that inspired the film.<ref>{{cite web|title=Akshay Kumar to visit 'Special Chabbis' crime spot in Mumbai|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-to-visit-special-chabbis-crime-spot-in-zaveri-bazaar/370922-8-66.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208065121/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-to-visit-special-chabbis-crime-spot-in-zaveri-bazaar/370922-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 February 2013 |publisher=CNN-IBN|access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Akshay Kumar to visit Special Chabbis crime spot |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-to-visit-i-special-chabbis-i-crime-spot-326422 |publisher=ndtv|access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> A special screening was held for [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] officials on 5 February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=CBI wants to review Akshay Kumar's Special Chabbis |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/cbi-wants-to-review-akshay-kumar-s-i-special-chabbis-i-325060|publisher=ndtv|access-date=1 February 2013}}</ref>
== Reception ==
=== Critical reception ===
{{Album ratings
|rev1=Bollywood Hungama
|rev1Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="bh score" />
|rev2=CNN-IBN
|rev2Score={{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="cnnibn score" />
|rev3=''Hindustan Times''
|rev3Score={{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=choprahindustan>{{cite web|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|title=Special 26 review|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Anupama-Chopra-s-review-Special-26/Article1-1008866.aspx|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=1 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108160536/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Anupama-Chopra-s-review-Special-26/Article1-1008866.aspx|archive-date=8 November 2014}}</ref>
|rev4=NDTV
|rev4Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="NDTV Score" />
|rev5=Rediff
|rev5Score={{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Review: Special Chabbis is an exciting con caper" />
|rev6=''The Times of India''
|rev6Score={{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="toi review" />
|rev7=Zee News
|rev7Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="ZeeNews" />
|rev8=Planet Bollywood
|rev8Score={{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="PB Score" />
}}

[[Taran Adarsh]] of [[Bollywood Hungama]] gave the score of 4 out of 5, and said "''Special Chabbis'' is an intelligently woven, slick and smart period thriller with its subject matter as its USP. It's sure to get listed as one of the most gripping heist dramas based on real life occurrences."<ref name="bh score">{{cite web|title=Special Chabbis – Review |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/541766|publisher=Bollywood Hungama|author=Taran Adarsh|date=7 February 2013|access-date=7 February 2013}}{{Rating|4|5}}</ref>

[[Anupama Chopra]], writing for ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', gave 3.5 stars out of 5, calling it one of the best films of the year and praising its attention to detail, its character building, the plot's steady but sure sense of immediacy and urgency, and the elaborate cat-and-mouse chase between the conmen and the police. She criticises the unnecessary addition of the love angle in an otherwise gripping script, along with the unconvincing nature of its climax.<ref name=choprahindustan />

Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave it 4 out of 5 stars, and wrote, "''Special 26'' is an intelligently scripted, superbly acted, enthralling and believable heist film that is more than just that."<ref name="NDTV Score">{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/movie-review-i-special-26-i-781|title=Special 26 Review (NDTV)|author=Saibal Chatterjee|date=7 February 2013|publisher=movies.ndtv.com|access-date=7 February 2013}}</ref>

Kaushik Ramesh of Planet Bollywood gave the film 8 out of 10 and summarised, "The unfolding of each scene brings with it certain unforeseeable surprises, course changing and effective. The adrenalizing screenplay makes you spontaneously acknowledge the genius in the director Neeraj Pandey who clearly emerges as the hero to watch out for."<ref name="PB Score">{{cite web |last=Ramesh|first=Kaushik|title=Special 26 Review by Kaushik Ramesh|url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=f021013060340|publisher=Planet Bollywood|access-date=30 June 2013}}</ref>

Resham Sengar of [[Zee News]] rated the film 4 out of 5, stating, "Very rarely would you come across a logically scripted and intelligently-directed drama thriller churned out from the good ol' Hindi cine factory these days. And here’s a promising Neeraj Pandey for you who is back with a bang (and bang on target) with another awe inspiring film ''Special 26''."<ref name="ZeeNews">{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/special-26-review-this-heist-suspense-drama-scores-for-its-entertaining-value_127612.htm|title=Special 26 Review|last=Sengar|first=Resham|work=Resham Sengar|publisher=Zee News|access-date=7 February 2013}}</ref>

[[Rajeev Masand]] of CNN-IBN gave 3.5 out of 5, saying "''Special Chabbis'' works on account of its meaty, realistic plot and nicely fleshed out characters. This is solid, assured filmmaking, evident in the meticulous detailing of its 80s production design. The film charms you with its subtle humor, through characters played by Jimmy Shergill and Divya Dutta."<ref name="cnnibn score">{{cite web|last=Review|first=Special 26|title=Rejeev Masand Review|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/special-chabbis-review-its-a-delicious-thriller-you-dont-want-to-miss/371706-47-84.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211095447/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/special-chabbis-review-its-a-delicious-thriller-you-dont-want-to-miss/371706-47-84.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 February 2013|work=Rajeev Masand|publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref>

Madhureeta Mukherjee of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the movie 3.5 out of 5 stars, while adding, "''Special 26'' doesn't stun you with a social message like Pandey's '[[A Wednesday!]]', but it grips, excites and ahh...climaxes too! And no ... you can't fake this one! Catch it for pure cinematic orgasm."<ref name="toi review">{{cite web|title=Special 26 – Movie Review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/18381381.cms|work=The Times of India|author=Madhureeta Mukherjee|date=7 February 2013|access-date=7 February 2013}}{{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref>

Sukanya Verma for [[Rediff.com]] gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and said, "''Special Chabbis'' is one of the finest films of the year so far."<ref name="Review: Special Chabbis is an exciting con caper">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-special-chabbis-is-exciting/20130208.htm|title=rediff Review: Special Chabbis is an exciting con caper|author=Sukanya Verma|work=Rediff.com|access-date=7 February 2013}}{{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref>

Newstrackindia stated that ''Special 26'' is a no-nonsense film from Akshay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2013/2/8/90-Special-Chabbis-Review-Finally-a-no-nonsense-film-from-Akshay.html|title=Special Chabbis Review: Finally a no nonsense film from Akshay|date=7 February 2013|publisher=Newstrackindia.com|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>
=== Box office ===
==== India ====
''Special 26'' opened at 30% occupancy on Thursday morning but it improved steadily till the evening shows to 60% due to positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5376&nCat=|title=First Day Occupancy|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=7 February 2013}}</ref> The film netted {{INRConvert|57.5|m}} on its first day<ref name="1st day">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5384&nCat=|title=Special 26 First Day Territorial Breakdown|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> and further grow to make {{INRConvert|231|m}} in its first weekend.<ref name="1st weekend">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5390&nCat=|title=Special 26 First Weekend Territorial Breakdown|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref> The film collected around {{INRConvert|37.5|m}} nett on Monday.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 Has Decent Collections on Monday |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5392&nCat=|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=12 February 2013}}</ref> It netted around {{INRConvert|387|m}} in its first week.<ref name="1st week">{{cite web|title=Special 26 Week One Territorial Breakdown|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5409&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India|access-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> In its second weekend it has a collection of around {{INRConvert|19.9|m}} to bring its ten-day figure to around {{INRConvert|480|m}} nett.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 Grosses 48 Crore in Ten Days|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5411&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India|access-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> In its second week, the film netted {{INRConvert|179.9|m}} taking its total business to nearly {{INRConvert|567|m}} in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special 26 Week Two Territorial Breakdown |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5430&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=25 February 2013}}</ref> It eventually netted around {{INRConvert|657|m}} with a distributor share of {{INRConvert|318|m}} in domestic market.<ref name="final domestic">{{cite web|title=Special 26 v Khiladi 786: All India Comparison|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5479&nCat=|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=14 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317025209/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5479&nCat=|archive-date=17 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5828&nCat= |title=Boxofficeindia.com |publisher=Box Office India |date=5 July 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>

The worldwide gross of ''Special 26'' stands at {{INRConvert|1.29|b}}.<ref name="boxofficeindia.com" />
==== Overseas ====
''Special 26'' had low opening overseas with a collection of $1.25 million its first weekend.<ref name="overseas opening">{{cite web|title=Special 26 – $1.25 Million ABCD – $425k|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5394&nCat=|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=13 February 2013}}</ref> It further netted around $2.35 million in ten days.<ref>{{cite web|title=Murder 3 Dull Special 26 Heads For $3 million|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5415&nCat= |publisher=Box Office India|access-date=20 February 2013}}</ref> Its final overseas collections was US$2.75 million.<ref>http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5933&nCat=</ref>
==Remake==
''Special 26'' was remade in Tamil titled ''[[Thaanaa Serndha Koottam]]'' (2018) starring [[Suriya]] and [[Keerthy Suresh]] in lead roles, and was directed by [[Vignesh Shivan]]. The film was released on 12 January 2018.
== See also ==
* [[1987 Opera House heist]]
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=2377938|title=Special Chabbis}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|special_26}}
*[https://www.akshaykumarmovies.co.in/2021/10/26-special-26-movie-akshay-kumar.html Special 26] at [https://www.akshaykumarmovies.co.in/ Movies Of Akshay Kumar]
{{Portal bar|India|Film|Bollywood}}
[[Category:2013 films]]
[[Category:2010s heist films]]
[[Category:2013 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:2010s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian heist films]]
[[Category:Indian crime thriller films]]
[[Category:Central Bureau of Investigation in fiction]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. M. Keeravani]]
[[Category:Films scored by Himesh Reshammiya]]
[[Category:Films directed by Neeraj Pandey]]
[[Category:Hindi-language films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:Hindi films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Films scored by Surinder Sodhi]]
[[Category:Viacom18 Studios films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films based on actual events]]

Entertainment (2014 film)

2022-01-10T06:32:23Z

Meetpavasiya: /* External links */

{{short description|2014 Hindi film directed by Sajid-Farhad}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Entertainment
| image = Its Entertainment.jpg
| alt = Entertainment
| director = [[Sajid-Farhad]]
| producer = [[Ramesh S. Taurani]]
| writer = [[Sajid-Farhad]]
| story = [[K. Subhash]]
| starring =[[Akshay Kumar]] [[Tamannaah]] [[Mithun Chakraborty]] [[Johnny Lever]] [[Prakash Raj]] [[Sonu Sood]] [[Krushna Abhishek]]
| music = '''Songs:''' [[Sachin - Jigar]] '''Background Score:''' [[Sachin - Jigar]] White Noise Productions
| cinematography = Manoj Soni
| editing = Steven H. Bernard
| studio = [[Tips Industries Limited]]
| distributor = [[Pen India Limited]] [[White Hill Studio]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2014|08|08}}
| runtime = 145 minutes<ref name="BOI Report">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2288|title=Entertainment – Movie – Box Office India|access-date=19 November 2016}}</ref>
| country = [[India]]
| language = Hindi
| budget = {{INR}}75 crore<ref>{{cite news|title=Entertainment (2014) – Box Office Earnings|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/boxoffice/id/600589|access-date=10 April 2016|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref>
| gross = {{INR}}94.85 crore<ref>{{Cite web| title = Entertainment's 3rd Weekend Box Office Collections | work = koimoi.com| date = 4 April 2016| access-date = 2016-04-10| url = http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/entertainments-3rd-weekend-box-office-collections/}}</ref>

}}
'''''Entertainment''''' is a 2014 [[India]]n [[Hindi]]-language [[action comedy film]] written and directed by popular screenwriter duo [[Sajid-Farhad]] and produced by Ramesh S. Taurani under [[Tips Industries Limited]]. Based on an original story by [[K. Subash]], the film stars Junior - The wonder dog as the titular protagonist and [[Akshay Kumar]] in lead roles,<ref name="BOI Report" /> along with [[Tamannaah]], [[Mithun Chakraborty]], [[Johnny Lever]], [[Prakash Raj]] and [[Sonu Sood]]. The Film was released on 8 August 2014.
== Plot ==
The film starts with Akhil Lokhande ([[Akshay Kumar]]) getting paid for doing an ad, where he gets into a fight, as he wasn't paid the full amount of money that they had promised. This continues with a few other assignments, where Akhil constantly gets underpaid, resulting in a fight, ends the fight when he gets a phone call, and says he has to go somewhere. He then arrives on a shoot where Sakshi ([[Tamannaah]]) is shooting for her television series. After her shoot lets out, they go for a walk around the park, observing other couples. At the end of their walk, Akhil proposes Saakshi. Akhil and Saakshi go to her father's ([[Mithun Chakraborty]]) house, where they are told that until Akhil becomes rich, he can't marry Saakshi.

Akhil goes to his film-obsessed friend, Jugnu's ([[Krushna Abhishek]]) shop. He tells him that he is going to visit his father at the hospital because he has chest pain. However, his father Mr. Lokhande ([[Darshan Jariwala]]), is actually acting and is dancing around with the nurse, only staying in the hospital because it has service like a 5-star hotel. Akhil arrives just in time to hear and see this, and goes to beat up Mr. Lokhande when he reveals that Akhil is adopted and his real father wasn't ready for a child so his mother left, but was killed in a train crash. Luckily Akhil survived, and when the railway officers were giving one lakh rupees for the families who are even one member dies, he adopted Akhil to claim the compensation. Akhil, in a fit of rage, beats him up. He goes back to his house, and opens the chest that he never had before, which contains love letters from his real father, to his mother, and a locket with his father and mother's pictures. He discovers that his father is Pannalal Johri ([[Dalip Tahil]]) who is a billionaire in Bangkok. Right as he finds this, on the television comes news that Pannalal Johri is dead and his 30 billion's($480,000,000 in 2014) will go to anyone who can prove that they are related to Pannalal Johri.

After arriving at his father's house at Bangkok, Pannalal Johri's lawyer ([[Johny Lever]]) tells Akhil that a dog named 'Entertainment' is the owner of Johri's property, and is actually Johri's pet dog. He relays this to Jugnu, and they try to kill Entertainment, by having Akhil become Entertainment's caretaker, but fail. Saakshi and her father surprise Akhil at the mansion, and discover that Entertainment is the heir, causing the father to declare that Saakshi will never marry Akhil. At this time 2 brothers, Karan Johri ([[Prakash Raj]]) and Arjun Johri ([[Sonu Sood]]), the 2nd cousins of Johri, escape jail. Karan and Arjun want to kill Akhil, because they figure that the dog will die in a couple of years anyway, and thus while Akhil is attempting to kill Entertainment, they do the same to Akhil by drowning him under a thinly iced lake. Karan and Arjun hit the ground at the same time as Akhil causing him to nearly fall in, but Entertainment saves the former, and falls into the lake instead. After a lot of efforts, Akhil fails to save Entertainment but he comes out of the water and survives. Akhil realizes his mistake and learns that Entertainment is a good hearted dog so he becomes his friend and leaves the mansion. Karan and Arjun, citing their legal connections very well, inappropriately acquire the property from Entertainment.

Akhil learns this news and returns. He vows that he'll get the property back for Entertainment. Akhil's strategy is to divide the two brothers and conquer. He manages to get a job as a servant at the mansion, now owned by Karan and Arjun. Akhil attempts to split the two brothers, first by introducing Saakshi who seduces the two brothers separately. However, the scheme fails. Akhil again attempts trying to split the two brothers, this time by introducing a false impression of a ghost of Entertainment the dog. The two brothers quarrel and accuse each other of illegally disguising as Entertainment and having tricked the other. Akhil's friends tape this conversation in a CD slyly, however, the CD drops accidentally and Karan and Arjun realize that all this was planned by Akhil.

Entertainment runs with the CD. Karan, Arjun and their gang chase the dog, Akhil, and his friends. Akhil manages to beat them all. Later, Karan shoots Akhil, but Entertainment takes the bullet by jumping in front of Akhil. Akhil gets angry and beats up Karan black and blue.

Entertainment is taken to the hospital but is unable to come back to life. Akhil, in a fit of anger, punches him but at this process, he had saved him. Karan and Arjun come to apologize to Entertainment, who forgives them. Saakshi's father gets Akhil and Saakshi married while Entertainment also marries a female dog in the same ceremony. This film ends when it shows that Akhil Johri and Saakshi Johri live a life with Entertainment and his wife (the female dog) with both of them having Kids and finally at the end it shows the social message ''Love your pets and they will entertain you all your life.''
== Cast ==
* [[Akshay Kumar]] as Akhil Pannalal Johri a.k.a. Akhil Lokhande, Entertainment's human step-brother, Pannalal Johri's biological son and Mr. Lokhande's adoptive son
* [[Junior – The Wonder Dog]] as Entertainment Johri
* [[Tamannaah]] as Saakshi Akhil Johri / Sonia / Saavitri
* [[Krushna Abhishek]] as Jugnu
* [[Johnny Lever]] as Johnny Habbibullah
* [[Prakash Raj]] as Karan Singh Johri ; Pannlal's cousin
* [[Sonu Sood]] as Arjun Singh Johri ; Pannlal's cousin
* [[Mithun Chakraborty]] as Saakshi's father
* [[Riteish Deshmukh]] as Jagtap Capsules television shopping host (cameo)<ref name="gabar">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bollywood/news/a588011/riteish-deshmukh-shreyas-talpade-make-cameos-in-entertainment.html Riteish Deshmukh, Shreyas Talpade make cameos in Entertainment]. 1 August 2014.</ref>
* [[Shreyas Talpade]] as cricketer (cameo)<ref name="gabar" />
* [[Remo D'Souza]] as a choreographer (cameo)
* [[Dalip Tahil]] as Pannalal Johri ; Akhil's biological father and entertainment's adoptive Father. (cameo)
* [[Vrajesh Hirjee]] as wannabe groom (cameo)
* [[Darshan Jariwala]] as Mr. Lokhande ; Akhil's adoptive father (cameo)
* [[Hiten Tejwani]] as the show actor (cameo)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hiten-tejwani-to-star-in-its-entertainment-with-akshay-kumar/402918-8-66.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702093713/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hiten-tejwani-to-star-in-its-entertainment-with-akshay-kumar/402918-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-07-02 |title=Hiten Tejwani to star in 'It's Entertainment' with Akshay Kumar |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |access-date=2014-08-11}}</ref>
* [[Sajid-Farhad]] as commentators (cameo)
* [[Kashmera Shah]] as Jugnu's Bride (Special Appearance)
== Production ==
While working on ''[[Phata Poster Nikhla Hero]]'' in June 2013 producer Ramesh Taurani confirmed that the film's cast will include Kumar, Bhatia, Chakraborty, Sood, Prakash Raj, Lever and Abhishek.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kulkarni|first1=Onkar|title=Akshay Kumar's It's Entertainment travels from India to Bangkok|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/akshay-kumars-its-entertainment-travels-from-india-to-bangkok/1131611/|access-date=31 December 2014|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Limited]]|date=22 June 2013|location=Mumbai}}</ref>
{{quote box|quote="This film is full of love and laughter. Apart from working with Tamannaah, the best bit is that for the first time in my career, I'll be working with a dog! I've romanced women; I've played with babies; I've done every stunt under the sun. Now, it's time for me to take a cue from a canine. This film promises fun and it has got what everyone loves – dogs, dogs and more dogs."{{undue weight inline|date=January 2015}}| source=[[Akshay Kumar]] on ''Entertainment''.<ref name="WDog" />|align=right|width=50%}}In February 2013, Taurani confirmed that the film will feature Kumar in the lead role.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Bollywood Hungama News Network|title=Akshay's next to be directed by Sajid-Farhad|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1711235/Akshays-next-to-be-directed-by-Sajid-Farhad|access-date=31 December 2014|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=8 February 2013}}</ref> Bhatia's involvement with the project was confirmed the following month.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Press Trust of India|title=Tamannaah to do a 'masala' entertainer with Akshay Kumar|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamannaah-to-do-a-masala-entertainer-with-akshay-kumar/377032-8-66.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309203020/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamannaah-to-do-a-masala-entertainer-with-akshay-kumar/377032-8-66.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 March 2013|access-date=31 December 2014|publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=6 March 2013|author1-link=Press Trust of India}}</ref> In April, Taurani confirmed that Sonu Sood and Prakash Raj will be playing the antagonists and that Johnny Lever was also part of the project.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Bollywood Hungama News Network|title=Akshay Kumar to battle Sonu Sood and Prakash Raj in Ramesh Taurani's next|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/akshay-kumar-to-battle-sonu-sood-and-prakash-raj-in-ramesh-tauranis-next/1106546/|access-date=31 December 2014|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Limited]]|date=23 April 2013|location=New Delhi}}</ref> Sood had earlier acted alongside Kumar in the comedy drama ''[[Singh Is Kinng]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kotwani|first1=Hiren|title=Punjabi mundas Akshay Kumar and Sonu Sood bond|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Punjabi-mundas-Akshay-Kumar-and-Sonu-Sood-bond/articleshow/20047017.cms|access-date=31 December 2014|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|date=15 May 2013}}</ref> The film was tentatively titled ''Entertainment''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sahgal|first1=Geety|title=Akshay Kumar's next tentatively titled 'Entertainment'|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/akshay-kumars-next-tentatively-titled-entertainment/1110578/|access-date=31 December 2014|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Limited]]|date=5 May 2013|location=Mumbai}}</ref> In an interview, Sajid-Farhad said that Kumar had motivated them to start their directing career.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Indo-Asian News Service|title=Akshay Kumar is our godfather, says Sajid-Farhad|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-is-our-godfather-says-sajidfarhad/399518-8-66.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622132809/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshay-kumar-is-our-godfather-says-sajidfarhad/399518-8-66.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 June 2013|access-date=31 December 2014|publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=17 June 2013|location=Mumbai|author1-link=Indo-Asian News Service}}</ref> They said that they had prepared the script for their directorial venture a long time ago.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Bollywood Hungama News Network|title=Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia start shooting for Sajid-Farhan's film from July 1|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/akshay-kumar-tamannaah-bhatia-start-shooting-for-sajidfarhans-film-from-july-1/1103740/0|access-date=31 December 2014|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Limited]]|date=17 April 2013|location=Mumbai}}</ref> Shooting started on 3 June 2013 in Mumbai where the mahurat shot was filmed.<ref>{{cite news|last1=KBR|first1=Upala|title=All the best: Rohit Shetty|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-all-the-best-rohit-shetty-1843935|access-date=31 December 2014|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|publisher=Diligent Media Corporation|date=5 June 2013}}</ref> Television actor [[Hiten Tejwani]] also did a special appearance as a TV presenter.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Press Trust of India|title=Hiten Tejwani to do film with Akshay Kumar|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/television/hiten-tejwani-to-do-film-with-akshay-kumar-612583|access-date=31 December 2014|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=30 June 2013|location=Mumbai|author1-link=Press Trust of India}}</ref> An audition was conducted in Bangkok for the role of the dog–Entertainment. A [[Golden Retriever]] named Wonder Dog was chosen from a total of 50 dogs to play the role.<ref name="WDog">{{cite news|last1=Sharma|first1=Garima|title=Akshay Kumar to work with a dog in Ramesh Taurani's next|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Kumar-to-work-with-a-dog-in-Ramesh-Tauranis-next/articleshow/20507200.cms|access-date=31 December 2014|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|date=10 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=It's Entertainment / Slurpy kiss|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/its-entertainment-slurpy-kiss/|access-date=1 January 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Limited]]|date=20 June 2014|location=Mumbai}}</ref> In June 2013, the producers, directors and Kumar discussed about shooting locations. Kumar expresses his wish to shoot the film in [[Bangkok]], where he had worked as a waiter and trained in martial arts. The finalised locations included Baanpradhana Bungalow in Ongkuruk, Asiatique Mall, Ancient City, Bangkok University and Ongkuruk Railway Station.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Das |first1=Anirban |title=Akshay Kumar returns to Bangkok |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-returns-to-bangkok/article1-1078795.aspx |access-date=31 December 2014 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |publisher=[[HT Media]] |date=19 June 2013 |location=Mumbai |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231193402/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-returns-to-bangkok/article1-1078795.aspx |archive-date=31 December 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref>
The film was scheduled to premiere on 28 March 2014.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Bollywood Hungama News Network|title=Ramesh Taurani's It's Entertainment targets extended weekend release|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1866227/Ramesh-Tauranis-Its-Entertainment-targets-extended-weekend-release|access-date=31 December 2014|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=1 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Tuteja|first1=Joginder|title=Akki follows in Sallu's footsteps|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Akki-follows-in-Sallus-footsteps/articleshow/20808924.cms|access-date=31 December 2014|work=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|date=28 June 2013}}</ref> On 1 July, shooting started in Bangkok for a three months long schedule where 80% of the film was shot,<ref>{{cite news|author1=Indo-Asian News Service|title=Akshay-Tamannah's 'It's Entertainment' to have an item number|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshaytamannahs-its-entertainment-to-have-an-item-number/429782-8-66.html|access-date=28 December 2014|publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=22 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025204018/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akshaytamannahs-its-entertainment-to-have-an-item-number/429782-8-66.html|archive-date=25 October 2013|url-status=dead|author1-link=Indo-Asian News Service}}</ref> remaining 10% of the film was shot in Mumbai with one song in [[Goa]] during late 2013. The shooting was wrapped up in April 2014.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Times News Network|title=Tamannaah wraps up shooting for Akshay Kumar's film|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Tamannaah-wraps-up-shooting-for-Akshay-Kumars-film/movie-review/33624459.cms|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|date=11 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=R Kanabar|first1=Ankita|title=Akshay, Abhishek, Riteish confirmed for Housefull 3|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/akshay-abhishek-riteish-confirmed-for-housefull-3/|access-date=1 January 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Limited]]|date=18 April 2013|location=Mumbai}}</ref> A few songs and an item number were shot in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Indo-Asian News Service |title=A promotional song in Akshay Kumar's next |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/a-promotional-song-in-akshay-kumar-s-next/article1-1138967.aspx |access-date=1 January 2015 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |publisher=[[HT Media]] |date=23 October 2013 |location=New Delhi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520140903/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/a-promotional-song-in-akshay-kumar-s-next/article1-1138967.aspx |archive-date=20 May 2014 |df=dmy |author1-link=Indo-Asian News Service }}</ref> The Censor Board of Film Certification in India had objected to Abdullah, the name of Johnny Lever's character in the film. The board's objection was based on the fact that the name of the character is sacred and it was mispronounced by several other characters throughout the film and this would have hurt the religious sentiments of people. The board had asked Sajid Farhad to change the character's name. They complied with the board's instructions and changed the name to Habibullah. The changes were made just a week before the release of the film. The board had also objected to using the word HIV during a joke in the film and subsequently, it was muted. Another of the board's objection was the use of trident by Kumar's character in the film. The shot was removed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Censor Board objects to Johnny Lever's character name in Entertainment|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/entertainment-akshay-kumar-johnny-lever-censor-slams-bollywood/1/375961.html|work=[[India Today]]|publisher=[[Living Media]]|access-date=10 August 2014|date=7 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810070318/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/entertainment-akshay-kumar-johnny-lever-censor-slams-bollywood/1/375961.html|archive-date=10 August 2014}}</ref>

All the costumes used in the filming were donated to the youth organization in Defense of Animals. It auctioned the clothes and the money collected in this way was used for the benefit of stray animals. Kumar also bought one clothing item. The lead actress Tammanah Bhatia stated that she would donate all the costumes used by her in her future film projects to such initiatives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Akshay Kumar auctions Entertainment clothes for strays|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-auctions-entertainment-clothes-for-strays-yoda-tamannaah-bhatia/1/375512.html|work=[[India Today]]|publisher=[[Living Media]]|access-date=10 August 2014|date=4 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810070559/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-auctions-entertainment-clothes-for-strays-yoda-tamannaah-bhatia/1/375512.html|archive-date=10 August 2014}}</ref> Earlier titled ''It's Entertainment'', the teaser trailer of the movie unveiled on 14 May<ref>{{cite news|title=First Look: Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Romance In It's Entertainment|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/first-look-akshay-kumar-tamannaah-romance-in-its-entertainment-148176.html|access-date=28 December 2014|publisher=[[Times Internet]] ([[The Times Group]])|date=14 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515021655/http://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/first-look-akshay-kumar-tamannaah-romance-in-its-entertainment-148176.html|archive-date=15 May 2014}}</ref> whilst the theatrical trailer was released on 19 May.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trailer out: Akshay Kumar on all fours in It's Entertainment|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/its-entertainment-akshay-kumar-trailer-tamannaah-bhatia/1/362617.html|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[India Today]]|publisher=[[Living Media]]|date=19 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520060600/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/its-entertainment-akshay-kumar-trailer-tamannaah-bhatia/1/362617.html|archive-date=20 May 2014|location=New Delhi}}</ref> Politician and animal rights activist [[Maneka Gandhi]] was the chief guest at the trailer launch ceremony.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Maniar|first1=Parag|title=Canine presence tempts Maneka to launch Akshay's trailer|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Canine-presence-tempts-Maneka-to-launch-Akshays-trailer/articleshow/35167028.cms|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|date=16 May 2014}}</ref> The producers initially wanted the film to be titled ''Entertainment'' but [[Amole Gupte]] had already registered for his upcoming film but in July 2014 Gupte donated it to the Sajid-Farhad as a friendly gesture.<ref>{{cite news|title=Akshay Kumar starrer 'It's Entertainment' undergoes title change|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/akshay-kumar-starrer-its-entertainment-undergoes-title-change/15442185|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[Mid-Day]]|date=12 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228170332/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/akshay-kumar-starrer-its-entertainment-undergoes-title-change/15442185|archive-date=28 December 2014}}</ref> Kumar decided that the credit for the dog Junior should appear before his.<ref>{{cite news|title=Junior- the wonder dog to have his name appear before Akshay Kumar in 'It's Entertainment'|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/junior-the-wonder-dog-to-have-his-name-appear-before-akshay-kumar-in-its-entertainment/488026-8-66.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726155418/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/junior-the-wonder-dog-to-have-his-name-appear-before-akshay-kumar-in-its-entertainment/488026-8-66.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 July 2014|access-date=28 December 2014|publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=24 July 2014|location=New Delhi}}</ref> Some fraudsters released a poster of the film and invited people to attend the music launch at Birla Matoshree. Producer Taurani warned people about the fraud posters.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Maniar|first1=Parag|title=It's Entertainment: Makers warn about fraudsters|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Its-Entertainment-Makers-warn-about-fraudsters/articleshow/36549480.cms|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|date=15 June 2014}}</ref> The film's satellite right were sold to [[Zee TV]]; though the producers did not disclose the amount, media speculated that the deal was worth {{INRConvert|1|b}}.<ref>{{cite news|last1=KBR|first1=Upala|title=Akshay Kumar follows Salman Khan as his next film 'It's Entertainment' fetches Rs 100 crore|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-akshay-kumar-follows-salman-khan-as-his-next-film-its-entertainment-fetches-rs100-crore-1951013|access-date=31 December 2014|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|publisher=Diligent Media Corporation|date=15 January 2014}}</ref>
== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Entertainment
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Sachin–Jigar]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2014
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = {{Duration|m=19|s=13}}
| label = [[Tips Industries Limited]]
| producer = Ramesh S. Taurani
| prev_title = [[Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania]]
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = [[Bey Yaar]]
| next_year = 2014
}}
The soundtrack is composed by [[Sachin–Jigar]], with their new A&R platform White Noise Productions, including only the duo at that point, composing the background score. This marked the first time the duo worked with Kumar. The song "Teri Mahima Aprampar" was taken from the Telugu film ''[[D for Dopidi]]''. Kumar also sang one of the tracks of the film. The [[YouTube]] link of the making of the song was uploaded on [[Twitter]].<ref>{{cite news|author1=Indo-Asian News Service|title=After Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar sings for his film|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/After-Salman-Khan-Akshay-Kumar-sings-for-his-film/articleshow/39051724.cms|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|date=26 July 2014|author1-link=Indo-Asian News Service}}</ref>

The party single "Johnny Johnny" was released first. Based on a nursery rhyme, the song featured Kumar lip-synching to a female voice. The directors said about the song "...in a small subtle way, we are showing our support for women empowerment".<ref>{{cite news|author1=Indo-Asian News Service|title=Akshay Kumar lip-syncs to woman's voice for It's Entertainment|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/akshay-kumar-lip-syncs-to-womans-voice-johnny-johnny-its-entertainment-199581-2014-07-07|access-date=1 January 2015|work=[[India Today]]|publisher=[[Living Media]]|date=7 July 2014|author1-link=Indo-Asian News Service}}</ref> Sunitra Pacheco of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' said that it had "all the ingredients to become a new party anthem".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pacheco|first1=Sunitra|title=Watch: Akshay Kumar hit the dance floor in 'Johnny Johnny' song from 'It's Entertainment'|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/watch-akshay-kumar-hit-the-dance-floor-in-johnny-johnny-song-from-its-entertainment/|access-date=1 January 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Limited]]|date=11 June 2014}}</ref> In a review for [[Rediff.com]] Joginder Tuteja said that the film's music "is entertaining, providing good fun at a frantic pace."<ref name="Tuteja">{{cite news|last1=Tuteja|first1=Joginder|title=Review: It's Entertainment's music is well, entertaining!|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-its-entertainments-music-is-well-entertaining/20140803.htm|access-date=1 January 2015|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=3 August 2014|location=Mumbai}}{{rating|3.5|5}}</ref> He called "Veerey Di Wedding" "an infectious number" and praised Mika's voice. About the song "Johnny Johnny", he said, "it has addictive beats that get you hooked at the first listening" and praised the lyrics and singers. He added that the song "will be played for many months, till the next New Year party at least."<ref name="Tuteja" />
{{Track listing
|headline=Track Listing
|extra_column= Artist(s)
|title1=Johnny Johnny
|extra1= [[Jigar Saraiya]], [[Priya Saraiya|Priya Panchal]] & Madhav Krishna
|lyrics1= [[Mayur Puri]]
|length1=3:38
|title2=Tera Naam Doon
|extra2= [[Atif Aslam]] & [[Shalmali Kholgade]]
|lyrics2= [[Priya Saraiya]]
|length2= 4:44
|title3=Veerey Di Wedding
|extra3= [[Mika Singh]]
|lyrics3= Mayur Puri
|length3= 3:34
|title4=Teri Mahima Aprampar
|extra4= [[Udit Narayan]], [[Sachin-Jigar]] & [[Anushka Manchanda]]
|lyrics4= Ashish Pandit
|length4= 3:45
|title5=Nahi Woh Saamne
|extra5= Atif Aslam
|lyrics5= [[Priya Saraiya]]
|length5=1:48
|title6=Veerey Di Wedding (Remix)
|extra6= Mika Singh
|lyrics6= Mayur Puri
|length6=3:37
|title7=Johnny Johnny (Remix)
|extra7= Mika Singh
|lyrics7= Mayur Puri
|length7=3:38
}}
== Critical reception ==
Meena Iyer of ''[[The Times of India]]'' praised the film's humour, Kumar's performance and his chemistry with Junior, especially in comic scenes. She stated that though the dog was not a good actor yet "his eyes can melt your heart." She said that the directors could have kept the film "tight".<ref>{{cite news |last=Iyer|first=Meena| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/Entertainment/movie-review/39875295.cms | title=Entertainment | work=[[The Times of India]] |publisher=[[The Times Group]]| date=8 August 2014 | access-date=8 August 2014}}{{Rating|3|5}}</ref> Mihir Fadnavis of ''[[Firstpost]]'' called it a "sheer genius" and said that it was Kumar's funniest film since ''Hera Pheri''. He wrote that the film satirised all of the Sajid-Farhad films and took "potshots at everything that is wrong with desi cinema and television." He also appreciated the scene transitions and called it "technically great."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fadnavis|first1=Mihir|title=Entertainment review: It is Akshay Kumar's funniest film since Hera Pheri|url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/entertainment-review-it-is-akshay-kumars-funniest-film-since-hera-pheri-1655673.html|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[Firstpost]]|publisher=[[Network 18]]|date=10 August 2014}}</ref> ''[[Hindustan Times]]''{{'s}} Sweta Kaushal criticised the screenplay, Kumar and Prakash Raj's acting. She said that Bhatia "[did not] have much to do" and Chakraborty did not have much screenspace. However, she praised Abhishek's comedy and said that it was the "[only] bright spark in the film." She concluded her review by saying that the film was neither a "great piece of art" nor entertaining.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaushal |first1=Sweta |title=Movie review: Akshay Kumar's Entertainment is a film you can totally miss |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/movie-review-entertainment-fails-to-entertain/article1-1249700.aspx |access-date=28 December 2014 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |publisher=[[HT Media]] |date=8 August 2014 |location=New Delhi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228114415/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/movie-review-entertainment-fails-to-entertain/article1-1249700.aspx |archive-date=28 December 2014 |df=dmy }}{{rating|1|5}}</ref> Prior to the film's release, ''Hindustan Times'' published an article titled ''Four reasons why you shouldn't waste your time on Entertainment'' and criticed the film's story, songs and dialogues.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaushal |first1=Sweta |title=Four reasons why you shouldn't waste your time on Entertainment |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/four-reasons-why-you-shouldn-t-waste-your-time-on-entertainment/article1-1249231.aspx |access-date=28 December 2014 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |publisher=[[HT Media]] |date=7 August 2014 |location=New Delhi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228114407/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/four-reasons-why-you-shouldn-t-waste-your-time-on-entertainment/article1-1249231.aspx |archive-date=28 December 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref> Shubha Shetty-Saha of ''[[Mid-Day]]'' wrote "''Entertainment'' pleasantly surprises with its delightful absurdity and sure gets you roaring with laughter at several points." She called it a child friendly film and appreciated the dialogues and the performance given by the actors. However, Saha stated that the pace of the film's second half was slowed down by the excessive melodrama.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shetty-Saha|first1=Shubha|title=Movie Review: 'Entertainment'|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/movie-review-entertainment/15515188|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[Mid-Day]]|date=8 August 2014}}{{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Indian Express]]'', Shubhra Gupta called the film "dull and loud". She criticised the film's story and dialogues.<ref name="Review">{{cite news|last1=Gupta|first1=Shubhra|title='Entertainment' movie review: Akshay Kumar's film is dull and loud|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/entertainment-movie-review-akshay-kumars-film-is-dull-and-loud/|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Limited]]|date=8 August 2014|location=New Delhi}}{{Rating|1|5}}</ref> Rohit Khilnani of ''[[India Today]]'' appreciated Kumar, Bhatia and Lever's performance and wrote that the rest of the cast was wasted. He criticised the plot and called it "senseless and full of loopholes."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Khilnani|first1=Rohit|title=Movie review: It's called Entertainment but only if that was enough!|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/movie-review-entertainment-akshay-kuamr-tamannash-bhatia--sajid-farhad/1/376078.html|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[India Today]]|publisher=[[Living Media]]|date=8 August 2014}}{{Rating|1|5}}</ref>
{{quote box
| quote = "[Entertainment] is the film which misses the point entirely : it is dull and loud, with a brow so lowered that it reaches the floor."|source =  – Shubhra Gupta in her review for ''[[The Indian Express]]''.<ref name="Review" />|align = left|width =25%}}
Sukanya Verma of [[Rediff.com]] wrote "''Entertainment'' is unapologetically filmi in its trappings, treatment, thought." She further wrote that the film was "mostly a garrulous, occasionally comical farce that intermittently serves as reminder that in the search of "entertainment, entertainment, entertainment" one can always rely on the delightfully loony Johnny Lever."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Verma|first1=Sukanya|title=Review: Entertainment is a comical farce|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-entertainment-is-a-comical-farce/20140808.htm|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=8 August 2014|location=Mumbai}}{{rating|2|5}}</ref> Gayatri Sankar of [[Zee News]] called Kumar's acting one of the best comic performances he had given so far. She also appreciated the film's screenplay, cinematography, dialogues and the actor's portrayal of their respective characters. She wrote that a few of the songs could have been removed and the directors had succeeded in giving the message of treating "animals with respect and love".<ref>{{cite news |last=Sankar|first=Gayatri| url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/entertainment-review-simple-lighthearted-comedy-total-paisa-vasool_159736.html | title='Entertainment' review: Simple lighthearted comedy, total paisa vasool
| publisher=[[Zee News]] | date=8 August 2014 | access-date=8 August 2014}}{{rating|4|5}}</ref> Writing for [[CNN-IBN]], [[Rajeev Masand]] termed the film's humour repetitive and lazy. He criticised the film's story but appreciated Lever's performance by calling him "the single saving grace in this overcooked, misguided comedy".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Masand|first1=Rajeev|author-link1=Rajeev Masand|title='Entertainment' review: The humour isn't just slapstick , it's also repetitive and lazy|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/entertainment-review-the-humour-isnt-just-slapstick--its-also-repetitive-and-lazy/491077-47-84.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811171938/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/entertainment-review-the-humour-isnt-just-slapstick--its-also-repetitive-and-lazy/491077-47-84.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2014|access-date=28 December 2014|publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=9 August 2014}}{{rating|0.5|5}}</ref> In his review for [[Bollywood Hungama]], critic [[Taran Adarsh]] praised the humorous writing and the comedic acting talents of the actors. He called the film "a joy ride that lives up to its title."<ref>{{cite news | last=Adarsh|first= Taran| author-link= Taran Adarsh
| url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/600589 | title=Entertainment (2014) : Hindi movie critic review by Taran Adarsh| publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] | date=7 August 2014 | access-date=7 August 2014}}{{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref> However, ''[[Daily News and Analysis]]'' called it a commercial failure and Tamannah Bhatia's third disaster in a row.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rakshit |first1=Nayandeep |title=Akshay Kumar's 'Entertainment' fails to weave magic at the box office |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-akshay-kumar-s-entertainment-fails-to-weave-magic-at-the-box-office-2011191 |access-date=27 December 2014 |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |publisher=Diligent Media Corporation |date=16 August 2014 |location=Mumbai }}{{cite news|title=Entertainment |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/Movies/movie_detail/entertainment |access-date=27 December 2014 |publisher=[[Box Office India]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227161706/http://boxofficeindia.com/Movies/movie_detail/entertainment |archive-date=27 December 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref>
== Box office ==
''Entertainment'' was a commercial success, earning {{INRConvert|1.03|b}} worldwide at the box office.

The film released on 8 August and collected {{INRConvert|112|m}} on the same day.<ref name="Three-Days" /> However, the performance at multiplexes in metropolitan areas was low.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Box Office India Trade Network|title=Entertainment First Day Business Early Estimate|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/Details/art_detail/entertainmentfirstdaybusinessearlyestimate|access-date=27 December 2014|publisher=[[Box Office India]]|date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227153257/http://boxofficeindia.com/Details/art_detail/entertainmentfirstdaybusinessearlyestimate|archive-date=27 December 2014}}</ref> On the third day of release it collected about {{INRConvert|140|m}}.<ref name="Three-Days">{{cite news|last1=Mehta|first1=Ankita|title='Entertainment' Box Office Collection: Akshay Starrer Performs Well but Fails to Beat 'Tees Maar Khan' 3 Day Total|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/entertainment-box-office-collection-akshay-starrer-performs-well-fails-beat-tees-maar-khan-3-606563|access-date=27 December 2014|work=[[International Business Times]]|publisher=[[IBT Media]]|date=11 August 2014}}</ref> During its first weekend it managed to gross {{INRConvert|367|m}} and Indian film website [[Bollywood Hungama]] declared it Akshay Kumar's 7th highest opening weekend grosser.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Bollywood Hungama News Network|title=Box Office: Entertainment becomes Akshay's 7th Highest Opening Weekend grosser|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/371|access-date=27 December 2014|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=11 August 2014}}</ref> ''Entertainment'' recorded the ninth highest opening weekend collection of 2014.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Box Office India Trade Network|title=Top Ten Opening Weekends 2014 – Kick Tops Entertainment Ninth|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/Details/art_detail/toptendomesticopeningweekends2014kicktopsentertainmentninth|access-date=27 December 2014|publisher=[[Box Office India]]|date=11 August 2014}}</ref> In its first 5 days of screening it collected around {{INRConvert|420|m}}.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Box Office India Trade Network |title=Entertainment Tuesday Business |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/Details/art_detail/entertainmenttuesdaybusiness |access-date=27 December 2014 |publisher=[[Box Office India]] |date=13 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227180449/http://boxofficeindia.com/Details/art_detail/entertainmenttuesdaybusiness |archive-date=27 December 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref> In its first week the film grossed {{INRConvert|565|m}} at the Indian Box office.<ref>{{cite news|title='Entertainment' box office collections hit Rs 60 cr, Akshay Kumar continues to cruise|url=http://archive.financialexpress.com/news/entertainment-box-office-collections-hit-rs-60-cr-akshay-kumar-continues-to-cruise/1279770|access-date=27 December 2014|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Limited]]|date=16 August 2014|location=Mumbai}}</ref>

It grossed {{INRConvert|155|m}} on its second Friday, which was a national holiday. The film received tough competition from [[Ajay Devgan]] starrer ''[[Singham Returns]]'' which released on the same day. ''Entertainment'' was declared a hit film and trade analysts expected that it would be able to gross {{INRConvert|700|m}} during its total run.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mehta|first1=Ankita|title='Entertainment' Box Office Collection: Akshay Starrer Benefits from Independence Day Holiday|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/entertainment-box-office-collection-akshay-starrer-benefits-independence-day-holiday-606950|access-date=27 December 2014|work=[[International Business Times]]|publisher=[[IBT Media]]|date=16 August 2014}}</ref> In its second weekend it added approx. {{INRConvert|82.5|m}} more to its total collection.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Box Office India Trade Network |title=Entertainment Grosses 58 Crore in Ten Days |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/Details/art_detail/entertainmentgrosses58croreintendays |access-date=27 December 2014 |publisher=[[Box Office India]] |date=18 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227184739/http://boxofficeindia.com/Details/art_detail/entertainmentgrosses58croreintendays |archive-date=27 December 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref> Till second week the film's total collection had reached approx. {{INRConvert|620|m}}.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Box Office India Trade Network|title=Entertainment Has Decent Second Week|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/Details/art_detail/entertainmenthasdecentsecondweek|access-date=27 December 2014|publisher=[[Box Office India]]|date=22 August 2014}}</ref> However, it performed poorly during the third weekend and collected around {{INRConvert|13.0|m}}.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Box Office India Trade Network|title=Entertainmnet Third Weekend Business|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/Details/art_detail/entertainmnetthirdweekendbusiness|access-date=27 December 2014|publisher=[[Box Office India]]|date=25 August 2014}}</ref> The film's producer Ramesh Taurani expected the film to do better business but was happy with the overall performance.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rege|first1=Harshada|title=Akshay Kumar is the real king of box office every year|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-akshay-kumar-is-the-real-king-of-box-office-every-year-2012603|access-date=27 December 2014|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|publisher=Diligent Media Corporation|date=22 August 2014|location=Mumbai}}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|2978626}}
*[https://www.akshaykumarmovies.co.in/2021/10/entertainment-tamanna-film-2014-akshay.html Entertainment] at [https://www.akshaykumarmovies.co.in/ akshay kumar movies]
* {{BH movie|entertainment}}
[[Category:2014 films]]
[[Category:2014 action comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:2010s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian action comedy films]]
[[Category:Films set in Thailand]]
[[Category:Films set in India]]
[[Category:Indian slapstick comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about dogs]]
[[Category:Films shot in Bangkok]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:2014 comedy films]]
[[Category:Films featuring pets]]