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{{short description|2010 Indian action thriller film}} | {{short description|2010 Indian action thriller film}} | ||
{{ | {{Use British English|date=March 2014}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} | ||
{{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| name = Crook | | name = Crook | ||
| Line 8: | Line 7: | ||
| caption = Theatrical release poster | | caption = Theatrical release poster | ||
| director = [[Mohit Suri]] | | director = [[Mohit Suri]] | ||
| writer = Ankur Tiwari | |||
| story = Mohit Suri | |||
| producer = [[Mukesh Bhatt]] | | producer = [[Mukesh Bhatt]] | ||
| starring =[[Emraan Hashmi]]<br>[[Neha Sharma]]<br>[[Arjan Bajwa]] | | starring = [[Emraan Hashmi]]<br/>[[Neha Sharma]]<br/>Shella Alan<br/>[[Arjan Bajwa]] | ||
| music = | | music = '''Songs:'''<br/>[[Pritam]]<br>'''Score:'''<br/>[[Raju Singh]] | ||
| cinematography = | | cinematography = Ravi Walia | ||
| editing = | | editing = Ajay Sharma | ||
| studio = | | studio = [[Vishesh Films]] | ||
| distributor = [[ | | distributor = [[Sahara One Entertainment]] | ||
| released = {{Film date|2010|10|8||df=y}} | | released = {{Film date|2010|10|8||df=y}} | ||
| runtime = 121 minutes | | runtime = 121 minutes | ||
| country = India | | country = India | ||
| language = Hindi | | language = Hindi | ||
| budget ={{INRConvert|175|m}} | | budget = {{INRConvert|175|m}} | ||
| gross ={{INRConvert|124|m}}<ref>{{cite web|url= | | gross = {{INRConvert|124|m}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/crook-its-good-to-be-bad/box-office/ |title=Box Office |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=8 October 2010 }}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Crook: It's Good to be Bad''''' is a 2010 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[action thriller film]] | '''''Crook: It's Good to be Bad''''' is a 2010 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[action thriller film]] written and directed by [[Mohit Suri]] and produced by [[Mukesh Bhatt]]. The film stars [[Emraan Hashmi]], [[Neha Sharma]], Shella Alan and [[Arjan Bajwa]] in the lead roles. It was released on 8 October 2010. The film was shot in Australia and India, and is heavily based on the controversy regarding the [[Violence against Indians in Australia controversy|racial attacks on Indian students]] in Australia between 2007 and 2010.<ref name='crookstory2'>{{cite web|title=Shooting for anti-racial film 'Crook' begins in Oz|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Shooting-for-antiracial-film-Crook-begins-in-Oz/621374/|publisher=Express India|access-date=8 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523135410/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Shooting-for-antiracial-film-Crook-begins-in-Oz/621374/|archive-date=23 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title="Crook is based on racial discrimination" - Mohit Suri|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/02/25/5994/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228205259/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/02/25/5994/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 February 2010|work=Bollywood Hungama|accessdate=8 October 2010}}</ref> | ||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
Jai Dixit, is a young adult who sells [[Pirated movie release types|pirated DVDs]] in [[Mumbai]]. One day, his uncle Joseph catches him, and this changes his personality completely, he changes his name to Suraj Bhardwaj, and his uncle sends him to [[Melbourne]]. At the airport, he meets Romi Latti, an international graduate student originally from [[Gurdaspur, Punjab|Gurdaspur]] who got a scholarship to a [[university college]]. He also meets Suhani, a girl who has come to pick Romi up. Suraj is attracted to Suhani, and therefore he pretends to be Romi and leaves with Suhani. When Suhani finds out that he is not the real Romi, Suraj makes a run for it. Suraj then stays with Goldie, a responsible adult living with his brothers. | |||
When Samarth is attacked, he loses his temper and [[kidnap]]s Nicole | While Suraj is at a [[grocery store]], on the phone with his uncle Joseph, he finds that [[Australians]] are attacking the [[shopkeeper]] because he is a [[Muslim]], so Suraj finds a [[gun]] and comes out. He has the Australians at gunpoint as the police arrive. Suraj remembers that his uncle told him not to get in any type of trouble with the [[Victoria Police|police]], so Suraj runs away. Suraj hides in Nicole's car, although he finds out Nicole is the younger sister of the attackers. Nicole works in a [[strip club]] named 'Duke's Club'. Meanwhile, When Samarth's car breaks down, Suraj has to get help, but instead, he tells Romi to go and fix his car so Suhani and Suraj can have a beautiful night together. But when they are about to kiss, Samarth shows up, and tells them that Romi has been badly [[Assault|beaten up]] by the Australians on the [[Highways in Australia|highway]] and Romi and Samarth are about to [[protest]] against the Australians. Suraj and Suhani had a dispute due to which he [[Making out|makes out]] with Nicole in a club. Nicole proposes to Jai, and he reciprocates, due to being [[Sexual arousal|aroused]]. But Suraj realizes he is still in love with Suhani and cannot forget about her. Nicole told him that Samarth is going to be attacked, where he leaves her and tries to save Samarth but he was too late and Samarth is badly beaten up. Suraj rushes him to hospital turns out he is in a coma, where Suhani and Romi arrive and Suhani has an emotional breakdown in Suraj's arms. Romi takes Samarth out of hospital meanwhile, Suraj and Suhani goes to the Police Station realizing it is a trap, they run. | ||
because his sister Sheena | |||
ends with Suraj being felicitated in front of the media with Suhani by his side as | When it's revealed that Samarth is not in a coma, he loses his temper and [[kidnap]]s Nicole causing an unrest in entire Melbourne as Nicole's brother attempts to try to find her. When Suraj goes to save Nicole, it turns out that Samarth is planning to murder Nicole and [[False accusation|blame the murder]] on Suraj. When Suraj learns of Samarth's plan, Samarth beats Suraj and claims that he is doing all this because his sister Sheena was also murdered by the Australians once. Suraj tries to warn Suhani about Russell capturing her when Suhani reveals the actual truth behind Sheena's death. (Sheena was in love with an Australian and she became [[Pregnancy|pregnant]] with his child, which infuriated Samarth and he decided to abort the child, despite knowing the fact that she will die because of it, due to the [[Abortion in Australia|abortion]] she ends up dead). Suhani gets captures by Russell. Suraj gets mad and goes to fulfills Suhani's promise to save Nicole. He saves Nicole, but when Samarth accidentally shoots Suraj, Romi comes up behind him with a [[shovel]] and hits it on Samarth's head, and he dies. The unrest in city stops when the news breaks out that Nicole is alive, Russell gets arrested, and the Indians and Australians both unite for peace. Suraj and Suhani reunites and reciprocates their love for each other and Russell and Nicole reunites.The film ends with Suraj being felicitated in front of the media with Suhani by his side as uncle Joseph gets touched after seeing the news in [[Mumbai]]. | ||
==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
*[[Emraan Hashmi]] as Jai Dixit / Suraj Bhardwaj | *[[Emraan Hashmi]] as Jai Dixit (real name)/Suraj Bhardwaj (fake name), Suhani's love interest and Mahesh's son | ||
*[[Neha Sharma]] as Suhani, Samarth's sister | *[[Neha Sharma]] as Suhani, Jai's love interest and Samarth's sister | ||
*Shella Allen as Nicole, Russell's younger sister | |||
*[[Arjan Bajwa]] as Samarth, Suhani and Sheena's brother | *[[Arjan Bajwa]] as Samarth, Suhani and Sheena's brother | ||
*[[Upendra Rao]] as Goldie | |||
*[[ | |||
*[[Kavin Dave]] as Romi Latti | *[[Kavin Dave]] as Romi Latti | ||
*[[Gulshan Grover]] as Joseph | *[[Gulshan Grover]] as [[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Joseph Pinto | ||
* | * [[Bob Christo]] as Russell, Nicole's elder brother (Voice Dubbed By [[Subhalekha Sudhakar]]) | ||
*[[Smiley Suri]] as Sheena, Suhani and Samarth's sister (Special Appearance) | *[[Smiley Suri]] as Sheena, Suhani and Samarth's sister (Special Appearance) | ||
* | * [[Sathyaraj]] as [[Sergeant|Sgt.]] Damien Stern | ||
* | * [[Soubin Shahir]] as [[Chief of police|Chief of Police]] | ||
* [[Vineet Kumar Singh]] as Mahesh Dixit, Jai's father | * [[Vineet Kumar Singh]] as Mahesh Dixit, Jai's father, an [[Organised crime in India|underworld gangster of Mumbai]] | ||
==Soundtrack== | ==Soundtrack== | ||
| Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
| name = Crook | | name = Crook | ||
| type = soundtrack | | type = soundtrack | ||
| longtype = | | longtype = | ||
| artist = [[Pritam]] | | artist = [[Pritam]] | ||
| cover = | | cover = | ||
| alt = | | alt = | ||
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2010|08|31}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https:// | | released = {{Start date|df=yes|2010|08|31}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/crook-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/390435258 |title=Crook (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |date=31 August 2010 |publisher=[[iTunes]]}}</ref> | ||
| recorded = 2010 | | recorded = 2010 | ||
| venue = | | venue = | ||
| studio = | | studio = | ||
| genre = [[Soundtrack]] | | genre = [[Soundtrack]] | ||
| length = {{Duration|m=|s=}} | | length = {{Duration|m=34|s=25}} | ||
| language = [[Hindi]] | | language = [[Hindi]] | ||
| label = [[Sony]] | | label = [[Sony]] | ||
| Line 72: | Line 72: | ||
| next_year = 2010 | | next_year = 2010 | ||
}} | }} | ||
The | The soundtrack was composed by [[Pritam]] with the lyrics written by [[Kumaar]]. The song, "Challa" was based on the song "Australian Challa" by [[Babbal Rai]].<ref>{{cite news|title=I'm happy to get my credit now: Babbal|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/Im-happy-to-get-my-credit-now-Babbal/articleshow/6700114.cms|work=The Times of India|accessdate=7 October 2010|last1=Dasgupta |first1=Priyanka }}</ref> The song "Mere Bina" topped the charts in India. The film's background score was composed by [[Raju Singh]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Crook (Album Details) |url=http://www.indicine.com/bollywood/crook |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311223939/http://www.indicine.com/bollywood/crook |archivedate=11 March 2016 |accessdate=11 February 2016 |publisher=Indicine}}</ref> | ||
===Track listing=== | ===Track listing=== | ||
{{Track listing | {{Track listing | ||
| extra_column = Performer(s) | | extra_column = Performer(s) | ||
| title1 = Challa | extra1 = [[Babbu Mann]], [[Suzanne D'Mello]] | length1 = 3:45 | | title1 = Challa | ||
| title2 = Mere Bina | extra2 = [[Nikhil D'Souza]] | length2 = 4:50 | | extra1 = [[Babbu Mann]], [[Suzanne D'Mello]] | ||
| title3 = Kya | extra3 = [[Neeraj Shridhar]], [[ | | length1 = 3:45 | ||
| title4 = Tujhi Mein | extra4 = KK | length4 = 5:00 | | title2 = Mere Bina | ||
| title5 = Tujhko Jo Paaya | extra5 = [[ | | extra2 = [[Nikhil D'Souza]] | ||
| title6 = Challa (Remix) | extra6 = [[Babbu Mann]], Suzanne D'Mello | length6 = 4:25 | | length2 = 4:50 | ||
| title7 = Mere Bina (Unplugged) | extra7 = | | title3 = Kya | ||
| title8 = Tujhi Mein (Reprise) | extra8 = | | extra3 = [[Neeraj Shridhar]], [[Beyonce]] | ||
| | | length3 = 3:50 | ||
| title4 = Tujhi Mein | |||
| extra4 = [[KK (singer)|KK]] | |||
| length4 = 5:00 | |||
| title5 = Tujhko Jo Paaya | |||
| extra5 = [[Nikhil D'Souza]] | |||
| length5 = 3:05 | |||
| title6 = Challa (Remix) | |||
| extra6 = [[Babbu Mann]], Suzanne D'Mello | |||
| length6 = 4:25 | |||
| title7 = Mere Bina (Unplugged) | |||
| extra7 = [[Kattassery Joseph Yesudas]]| length7 = 4:50 | |||
| title8 = Tujhi Mein (Reprise) | |||
| extra8 = [[Kunal Ganjawala]] | |||
| total_length = 34:25 | |||
| length8 = 4:40 | |||
}} | }} | ||
===Reception=== | ===Reception=== | ||
''[[NDTV India]]'' quoted, "Music composer Pritam Chakraborty, who is a favourite of the [[Bhatt family|Bhatt camp]], brings forth another likable soundtrack in forthcoming film ''Crook''. Even though the compositions fall under his signature style and not much experimentation is involved, the tracks do have the potential of getting noticed."<ref>{{cite web|title=Music Review: Crook|work=NDTVMovies.com |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/music/music-review-crook-596814|publisher=NDTV Movies|accessdate=12 September 2010}}</ref> | |||
==Critical reception== | ==Critical reception== | ||
===India=== | ===India=== | ||
The reception of the film in India has been mixed. The critics praised the story and music but criticized the execution. However, many of them praised the erotic scenes between Emraan Hashmi and Shella Allen. | The reception of the film in India has been mixed. The critics praised the story and music but criticized the execution. However, many of them praised the [[Sex in film|erotic scenes]] between [[Emraan Hashmi]] and Shella Allen. Movie critic [[Taran Adarsh]], criticized the film as a "half-hearted effort", but praised [[Mohit Suri]]'s handling of the subject during the second hour of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/|title=Hindi Movie List|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=11 August 2023 }}</ref> Another critic praised the film for presenting "an altogether different approach to the situation and (the director) takes both the sides and speaks in favour of Indians and as well as the Australians.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-server.com/news/crook-its-good-to-be-bad-review-crook-34251.html|title="Crook- It's Good To Be Bad" Movie Review|website=india-server.com}}</ref> | ||
Among negative reviews, a critic at [[India Today]] complained that the film racially vilifies Australians as: | Among negative reviews, a critic at ''[[India Today]]'' complained that the film racially [[Anti-Australian sentiment|vilifies Australians]] as: | ||
{{cquote|A country of ex-convicts. A country where they sleep with each other without marrying. A country where they don't take care of their families. Yes, that's the sort of venom that's spewed against the Australians in Crook ......}} | {{cquote|A country of [[Convicts in Australia|ex-convicts]]. A country where they [[Extramarital sex|sleep with each other without marrying]]. A country where they don't take care of their families. Yes, that's the sort of venom that's spewed against the Australians in Crook ...... | ||
}} | |||
Also that "it is badly directed and doesn't even have that one redeeming feature of all"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/film-review-crook-83514-2010-10-09|title=Film review: Crook| | Also stating that "it is badly directed and doesn't even have that one redeeming feature of all".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/film-review-crook-83514-2010-10-09|title=Film review: Crook|first=Kaveree|last=Bamzai|date=October 9, 2010|website=India Today}}</ref> | ||
A critic at [[Rediff.com]] complained of a weak script and story line.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/oct/08/review-crook.htm|title=Crook: As Bad as it Gets|website=Rediff}}</ref> A reviewer at | A critic at ''[[Rediff.com]]'' complained of a weak script and story line.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/oct/08/review-crook.htm|title=Crook: As Bad as it Gets|website=Rediff}}</ref> A reviewer at ''Bolly Spice'' said that the film was "too insensitive" and "superficial".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollyspice.com/movie-reviews.php/0772-crook-its-good-to-be-bad-movie-review.html |title=Movie Review: Crook: Its Good to be Bad » Bollywood Spice |accessdate=2010-11-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114121234/http://www.bollyspice.com/movie-reviews.php/0772-crook-its-good-to-be-bad-movie-review.html |archivedate=14 November 2010}}</ref> | ||
===Australia=== | ===Australia=== | ||
One media outlet in Australia voiced concern about the film, repeating Indian newspaper reviews that Crook portrayed Australia as "A country of ex-convicts. A country where they sleep with each other without marrying. A country where they don't take care of their families. Yes that's the sort of venom that's spewed against the Australians in Crook."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/bollywood-film-paints-australians-as-violent-racists/news-story/a4b1a7c0554e5898aec52fb4c323cd64|title=Bollywood film paints Aussies as racists|date=14 October 2010|website=dailytelegraph.com.au}}</ref> | One media outlet in Australia voiced concern about the film, repeating Indian newspaper reviews that Crook portrayed Australia as "A country of ex-convicts. A country where they sleep with each other without marrying. A country where they don't take care of their families. Yes that's the sort of venom that's spewed against the Australians in Crook."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/bollywood-film-paints-australians-as-violent-racists/news-story/a4b1a7c0554e5898aec52fb4c323cd64|title=Bollywood film paints Aussies as racists|date=14 October 2010|website=dailytelegraph.com.au}}</ref> | ||
Among Australia's local Indian population, Gautam Gupta, spokesman for the [[Federation of Indian Student Associations in Australia|Federation of Indian Students]] criticized the piece, saying: "They have performed their research so badly, it's shocking." He also complained that, far from helping the situation, that the film could help inflame tensions.<ref name = "Gautam Gupta's criticism">{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/national/even-indians-say-new-bollywood-movie-errs-with-melbourne-violence/story-e6frfkvr-1225938939099#ixzz14x9pWOUw | work=Herald Sun | first1=Katherine | last1=Firkin | first2=Finn | last2=Bradshaw | title=Bollywood blockbuster paints Melbourne as racist | date=15 October 2010}}</ref> | Among Australia's local Indian population, Gautam Gupta, spokesman for the [[Federation of Indian Student Associations in Australia|Federation of Indian Students]] criticized the piece, saying: "They have performed their research so badly, it's shocking." He also complained that, far from helping the situation, that the film could help inflame tensions.<ref name = "Gautam Gupta's criticism">{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/national/even-indians-say-new-bollywood-movie-errs-with-melbourne-violence/story-e6frfkvr-1225938939099#ixzz14x9pWOUw | work=Herald Sun | first1=Katherine | last1=Firkin | first2=Finn | last2=Bradshaw | title=Bollywood blockbuster paints Melbourne as racist | date=15 October 2010 | access-date=11 November 2010 | archive-date=21 October 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021142538/http://www.news.com.au/national/even-indians-say-new-bollywood-movie-errs-with-melbourne-violence/story-e6frfkvr-1225938939099#ixzz14x9pWOUw | url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
Director | Director Mohit Suri responded to these charges, rejecting the claims of bias. The ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' quoted Suri saying: | ||
Responding to allegations that the film is "poorly researched", Suri says, "I have just made a film. At 28, | {{cquote|I am facing [[flak]] from both sides. Indians are saying that the film is [[Australophile|pro Australia]], and they are saying it shows them in a bad light. I think Australians should watch the film as a cinematic experience. The film does not show them as 'wrong'.”<ref name="Suri-response">{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/archive-news/|title=Hindustan Times - Archive News|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> | ||
}} | |||
Responding to allegations that the film is "poorly researched", Suri says, "I have just made a film. At 28, don't expect me to have a [[Anti-racism|cure for racism]] worldwide. I have just expressed my opinion."<ref name="Suri-response" /> | |||
Suri also complained that during the production of the film: | Suri also complained that during the production of the film: | ||
{{cquote|"Permissions were not given in several places and even our online Australian producer had his doubts. One day, we were stopped from entering a club by an Indian bouncer who allowed other foreigners in! Then there was the incident where Emraan Hashmi asked an Aussie to click a picture of all of us at a beach. He agreed, and then tossed the camera far into the air and walked away!”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/105083/of-dark-narratives.html|title=Of dark narratives|date=15 October 2010|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>}} | |||
{{cquote|"Permissions were not given in several places and even our [[Line producer|online]] Australian producer had his doubts. One day, we were stopped from entering a club by an Indian [[bouncer]] who allowed other foreigners in! Then there was the incident where Emraan Hashmi asked an Aussie to click a picture of all of us at a beach. He agreed, and then tossed the camera far into the air and walked away!”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/105083/of-dark-narratives.html|title=Of dark narratives|date=15 October 2010|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
==Awards and nominations== | ==Awards and nominations== | ||
;6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards<ref>{{cite web|title=Apsara Award 2011 Nominations|url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/discussion/apsara-awards-2011-nominations|publisher=Pinkvilla|accessdate=6 January 2011}}</ref> | ;6th [[Producers Guild Film Awards|Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Apsara Award 2011 Nominations|url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/discussion/apsara-awards-2011-nominations|publisher=Pinkvilla|accessdate=6 January 2011}}</ref> | ||
Nominated | Nominated | ||
* Apsara Award for Best Music - Pritam | * [[Producers Guild Film Award for Best Music Director|Apsara Award for Best Music]] - [[Pritam]] | ||
* Apsara Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role - Arjan Bajwa | * [[Producers Guild Film Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role|Apsara Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role]] - Arjan Bajwa | ||
;[[3rd Mirchi Music Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2010/hindi/nominees.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130070949/http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2010/hindi/nominees.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-01-30|title=Nominees - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2010|date=2011-01-30|access-date=2018-09-30}}</ref> | ;[[3rd Mirchi Music Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2010/hindi/nominees.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130070949/http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2010/hindi/nominees.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-01-30|title=Nominees - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2010|date=2011-01-30|access-date=2018-09-30}}</ref> | ||
Nominated | Nominated | ||
* Best Programmer & Arranger of the Year - Jim Satya, Johan Folke and [[Dhrubajyoti Phukan|DJ Phukan]] - "Mere Bina" | * Best Programmer & Arranger of the Year - Jim Satya, Johan Folke and [[Dhrubajyoti Phukan|DJ Phukan]] - "Mere Bina" | ||
== See also == | |||
* [[List of Hindi films of 2010]] | |||
* [[Indian Australians]] | |||
* [[Australia–India relations]] | |||
* [[Anti-Indian sentiment]] | |||
* [[Racism in Australia]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 139: | Line 165: | ||
[[Category:2010 films]] | [[Category:2010 films]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:2010 Hindi-language films]] | ||
[[Category:2010 Indian films]] | |||
[[Category:2010 action thriller films]] | [[Category:2010 action thriller films]] | ||
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]] | [[Category:Indian action thriller films]] | ||
[[Category:Films shot in Australia]] | [[Category:Films shot in Australia]] | ||
[[Category:Films | [[Category:Films scored by Pritam]] | ||
[[Category:Films about racism]] | [[Category:Films about racism]] | ||
[[Category:Films set in Australia]] | [[Category:Films set in Australia]] | ||
[[Category:Films directed by Mohit Suri]] | [[Category:Films directed by Mohit Suri]] | ||
[[Category:Indian-Australian films]] | |||
[[Category:Films set in Mumbai]] | |||
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]] | |||
[[Category:Films shot in Melbourne]] | |||
[[Category:Films set in Melbourne]] | |||
[[Category:Films about immigration]] | |||
[[Category:Indian gangster films]] | |||
[[Category:Films about organised crime in India]] | |||
[[Category:Hindi-language films based on actual events]] | |||
[[Category:Films about con artists]] | |||
[[Category:Anti-Indian sentiment in Oceania]] | |||
[[Category:Films about activists]] | |||
[[Category:Films about kidnapping]] | |||
[[Category:Films set in department stores]] | |||
[[Category:Films set in universities and colleges]] | |||
[[Category:Films about violence]] | |||
[[Category:Indian vigilante films]] | |||
[[Category:Indian romantic action films]] | |||
[[Category:Indian romantic thriller films]] | |||
[[Category:Films about abortion]] | |||
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Maharashtra Police]] | |||
Latest revision as of 11:48, 2 March 2026
| Crook | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mohit Suri |
| Produced by | Mukesh Bhatt |
| Written by | Ankur Tiwari |
| Story by | Mohit Suri |
| Starring | Emraan Hashmi Neha Sharma Shella Alan Arjan Bajwa |
| Music by | Songs: Pritam Score: Raju Singh |
| Cinematography | Ravi Walia |
| Edited by | Ajay Sharma |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Sahara One Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 121 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹175 million (US$2.5 million) |
| Box office | ₹124 million (US$1.7 million)[1] |
Crook: It's Good to be Bad is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film written and directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Mukesh Bhatt. The film stars Emraan Hashmi, Neha Sharma, Shella Alan and Arjan Bajwa in the lead roles. It was released on 8 October 2010. The film was shot in Australia and India, and is heavily based on the controversy regarding the racial attacks on Indian students in Australia between 2007 and 2010.[2][3]
Plot[edit | edit source]
Jai Dixit, is a young adult who sells pirated DVDs in Mumbai. One day, his uncle Joseph catches him, and this changes his personality completely, he changes his name to Suraj Bhardwaj, and his uncle sends him to Melbourne. At the airport, he meets Romi Latti, an international graduate student originally from Gurdaspur who got a scholarship to a university college. He also meets Suhani, a girl who has come to pick Romi up. Suraj is attracted to Suhani, and therefore he pretends to be Romi and leaves with Suhani. When Suhani finds out that he is not the real Romi, Suraj makes a run for it. Suraj then stays with Goldie, a responsible adult living with his brothers.
While Suraj is at a grocery store, on the phone with his uncle Joseph, he finds that Australians are attacking the shopkeeper because he is a Muslim, so Suraj finds a gun and comes out. He has the Australians at gunpoint as the police arrive. Suraj remembers that his uncle told him not to get in any type of trouble with the police, so Suraj runs away. Suraj hides in Nicole's car, although he finds out Nicole is the younger sister of the attackers. Nicole works in a strip club named 'Duke's Club'. Meanwhile, When Samarth's car breaks down, Suraj has to get help, but instead, he tells Romi to go and fix his car so Suhani and Suraj can have a beautiful night together. But when they are about to kiss, Samarth shows up, and tells them that Romi has been badly beaten up by the Australians on the highway and Romi and Samarth are about to protest against the Australians. Suraj and Suhani had a dispute due to which he makes out with Nicole in a club. Nicole proposes to Jai, and he reciprocates, due to being aroused. But Suraj realizes he is still in love with Suhani and cannot forget about her. Nicole told him that Samarth is going to be attacked, where he leaves her and tries to save Samarth but he was too late and Samarth is badly beaten up. Suraj rushes him to hospital turns out he is in a coma, where Suhani and Romi arrive and Suhani has an emotional breakdown in Suraj's arms. Romi takes Samarth out of hospital meanwhile, Suraj and Suhani goes to the Police Station realizing it is a trap, they run.
When it's revealed that Samarth is not in a coma, he loses his temper and kidnaps Nicole causing an unrest in entire Melbourne as Nicole's brother attempts to try to find her. When Suraj goes to save Nicole, it turns out that Samarth is planning to murder Nicole and blame the murder on Suraj. When Suraj learns of Samarth's plan, Samarth beats Suraj and claims that he is doing all this because his sister Sheena was also murdered by the Australians once. Suraj tries to warn Suhani about Russell capturing her when Suhani reveals the actual truth behind Sheena's death. (Sheena was in love with an Australian and she became pregnant with his child, which infuriated Samarth and he decided to abort the child, despite knowing the fact that she will die because of it, due to the abortion she ends up dead). Suhani gets captures by Russell. Suraj gets mad and goes to fulfills Suhani's promise to save Nicole. He saves Nicole, but when Samarth accidentally shoots Suraj, Romi comes up behind him with a shovel and hits it on Samarth's head, and he dies. The unrest in city stops when the news breaks out that Nicole is alive, Russell gets arrested, and the Indians and Australians both unite for peace. Suraj and Suhani reunites and reciprocates their love for each other and Russell and Nicole reunites.The film ends with Suraj being felicitated in front of the media with Suhani by his side as uncle Joseph gets touched after seeing the news in Mumbai.
Cast[edit | edit source]
- Emraan Hashmi as Jai Dixit (real name)/Suraj Bhardwaj (fake name), Suhani's love interest and Mahesh's son
- Neha Sharma as Suhani, Jai's love interest and Samarth's sister
- Shella Allen as Nicole, Russell's younger sister
- Arjan Bajwa as Samarth, Suhani and Sheena's brother
- Upendra Rao as Goldie
- Kavin Dave as Romi Latti
- Gulshan Grover as ACP Joseph Pinto
- Bob Christo as Russell, Nicole's elder brother (Voice Dubbed By Subhalekha Sudhakar)
- Smiley Suri as Sheena, Suhani and Samarth's sister (Special Appearance)
- Sathyaraj as Sgt. Damien Stern
- Soubin Shahir as Chief of Police
- Vineet Kumar Singh as Mahesh Dixit, Jai's father, an underworld gangster of Mumbai
Soundtrack[edit | edit source]
| Crook | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 31 August 2010[4] | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 34:25 | |||
| Language | Hindi | |||
| Label | Sony | |||
| Director | Mohit Suri | |||
| Producer | Mukesh Bhatt | |||
| Pritam chronology | ||||
| ||||
The soundtrack was composed by Pritam with the lyrics written by Kumaar. The song, "Challa" was based on the song "Australian Challa" by Babbal Rai.[5] The song "Mere Bina" topped the charts in India. The film's background score was composed by Raju Singh.[6]
Track listing[edit | edit source]
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Challa" | Babbu Mann, Suzanne D'Mello | 3:45 |
| 2. | "Mere Bina" | Nikhil D'Souza | 4:50 |
| 3. | "Kya" | Neeraj Shridhar, Beyonce | 3:50 |
| 4. | "Tujhi Mein" | KK | 5:00 |
| 5. | "Tujhko Jo Paaya" | Nikhil D'Souza | 3:05 |
| 6. | "Challa (Remix)" | Babbu Mann, Suzanne D'Mello | 4:25 |
| 7. | "Mere Bina (Unplugged)" | Kattassery Joseph Yesudas | 4:50 |
| 8. | "Tujhi Mein (Reprise)" | Kunal Ganjawala | 4:40 |
| Total length: | 34:25 | ||
Reception[edit | edit source]
NDTV India quoted, "Music composer Pritam Chakraborty, who is a favourite of the Bhatt camp, brings forth another likable soundtrack in forthcoming film Crook. Even though the compositions fall under his signature style and not much experimentation is involved, the tracks do have the potential of getting noticed."[7]
Critical reception[edit | edit source]
India[edit | edit source]
The reception of the film in India has been mixed. The critics praised the story and music but criticized the execution. However, many of them praised the erotic scenes between Emraan Hashmi and Shella Allen. Movie critic Taran Adarsh, criticized the film as a "half-hearted effort", but praised Mohit Suri's handling of the subject during the second hour of the film.[8] Another critic praised the film for presenting "an altogether different approach to the situation and (the director) takes both the sides and speaks in favour of Indians and as well as the Australians.[9]
Among negative reviews, a critic at India Today complained that the film racially vilifies Australians as:
A country of ex-convicts. A country where they sleep with each other without marrying. A country where they don't take care of their families. Yes, that's the sort of venom that's spewed against the Australians in Crook ......
Also stating that "it is badly directed and doesn't even have that one redeeming feature of all".[10]
A critic at Rediff.com complained of a weak script and story line.[11] A reviewer at Bolly Spice said that the film was "too insensitive" and "superficial".[12]
Australia[edit | edit source]
One media outlet in Australia voiced concern about the film, repeating Indian newspaper reviews that Crook portrayed Australia as "A country of ex-convicts. A country where they sleep with each other without marrying. A country where they don't take care of their families. Yes that's the sort of venom that's spewed against the Australians in Crook."[13]
Among Australia's local Indian population, Gautam Gupta, spokesman for the Federation of Indian Students criticized the piece, saying: "They have performed their research so badly, it's shocking." He also complained that, far from helping the situation, that the film could help inflame tensions.[14]
Director Mohit Suri responded to these charges, rejecting the claims of bias. The Hindustan Times quoted Suri saying:
I am facing flak from both sides. Indians are saying that the film is pro Australia, and they are saying it shows them in a bad light. I think Australians should watch the film as a cinematic experience. The film does not show them as 'wrong'.”[15]
Responding to allegations that the film is "poorly researched", Suri says, "I have just made a film. At 28, don't expect me to have a cure for racism worldwide. I have just expressed my opinion."[15]
Suri also complained that during the production of the film:
"Permissions were not given in several places and even our online Australian producer had his doubts. One day, we were stopped from entering a club by an Indian bouncer who allowed other foreigners in! Then there was the incident where Emraan Hashmi asked an Aussie to click a picture of all of us at a beach. He agreed, and then tossed the camera far into the air and walked away!”[16]
Awards and nominations[edit | edit source]
Nominated
- Apsara Award for Best Music - Pritam
- Apsara Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role - Arjan Bajwa
Nominated
- Best Programmer & Arranger of the Year - Jim Satya, Johan Folke and DJ Phukan - "Mere Bina"
See also[edit | edit source]
- List of Hindi films of 2010
- Indian Australians
- Australia–India relations
- Anti-Indian sentiment
- Racism in Australia
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. 8 October 2010.
- ↑ "Shooting for anti-racial film 'Crook' begins in Oz". Express India. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
- ↑ ""Crook is based on racial discrimination" - Mohit Suri". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 28 February 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
- ↑ "Crook (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. 31 August 2010.
- ↑ Dasgupta, Priyanka. "I'm happy to get my credit now: Babbal". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ↑ "Crook (Album Details)". Indicine. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
- ↑ "Music Review: Crook". NDTVMovies.com. NDTV Movies. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ↑ "Hindi Movie List". Bollywood Hungama. 11 August 2023.
- ↑ ""Crook- It's Good To Be Bad" Movie Review". india-server.com.
- ↑ Bamzai, Kaveree (9 October 2010). "Film review: Crook". India Today.
- ↑ "Crook: As Bad as it Gets". Rediff.
- ↑ "Movie Review: Crook: Its Good to be Bad » Bollywood Spice". Archived from the original on 14 November 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ↑ "Bollywood film paints Aussies as racists". dailytelegraph.com.au. 14 October 2010.
- ↑ Firkin, Katherine; Bradshaw, Finn (15 October 2010). "Bollywood blockbuster paints Melbourne as racist". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 21 October 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Hindustan Times - Archive News". Hindustan Times.
- ↑ "Of dark narratives". Deccan Herald. 15 October 2010.
- ↑ "Apsara Award 2011 Nominations". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ↑ "Nominees - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2010". 30 January 2011. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2018.