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{{short description|2020 Indian | {{short description|2020 Indian satirical comedy-drama film}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date= | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2020}} | {{Use Indian English|date=September 2020}} | ||
{{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
| caption = Netflix release poster | | caption = Netflix release poster | ||
| director = [[Sudhir Mishra]] | | director = [[Sudhir Mishra]] | ||
| producer = Sudhir Mishra | | producer = {{plainlist| | ||
| writer = Bhavesh Mandalia | * Sudhir Mishra | ||
* Bhavesh Mandalia | |||
* [[Sejal Shah]] | |||
}} | |||
| writer = {{plainlist| | |||
* Bhavesh Mandalia | |||
* Abhijeet Khuman | |||
* [[Niren Bhatt]] | |||
* Nikhil Nair | |||
}} | |||
| based_on = {{based on|[[Serious Men]]}} by Manu Joseph | | based_on = {{based on|[[Serious Men]]}} by Manu Joseph | ||
| starring = {{plainlist| | | starring = {{plainlist| | ||
| Line 22: | Line 31: | ||
| cinematography = Alexander Sukala | | cinematography = Alexander Sukala | ||
| editing = Atanu Mukherjee | | editing = Atanu Mukherjee | ||
| studio = Bombay Fables | | studio = {{plainlist| | ||
* Bombay Fables | |||
* Cineraas Entertainment | |||
}} | |||
| distributor = [[Netflix]] | | distributor = [[Netflix]] | ||
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2020|10|02}} | | released = {{Film date|df=y|2020|10|02}} | ||
| runtime = 114 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/serious-men-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc01mdc2nju |title=Serious Men (2020) |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> | | runtime = 114 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/serious-men-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc01mdc2nju |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115090251/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/serious-men-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc01mdc2nju |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2020 |title=Serious Men (2020) |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> | ||
| country = India | | country = India | ||
| language = Hindi | | language = Hindi | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Serious Men''''' is an Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[Satire (film and television)|satirical]] [[comedy-drama film]] directed by [[Sudhir Mishra]]. | '''''Serious Men''''' is an Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[Satire (film and television)|satirical]] [[comedy-drama film]] directed by [[Sudhir Mishra]]. It is based on the [[Serious Men|book of the same name]] by [[Manu Joseph]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=16 July 2020|title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer Serious Men to release on Netflix|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/serious-men-netflix-6508246/|access-date=14 September 2020|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> and features [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] in the lead role. The film is produced by Bombay Fables and Cineraas Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 June 2019|title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui to star in Netflix's Serious Men, directed by Sudhir Mishra|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/nawazuddin-siddiqui-to-star-in-netflix-s-serious-men-directed-by-sudhir-mishra/story-rX7KkpFo2gKQLX9ux5jZ8I.html|access-date=14 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> It was released on Netflix on 2 October 2020.<ref name="release">{{Cite web|date=16 September 2020|title=Serious Men teaser: Nawazuddin Siddiqui takes charge of his son's destiny in 30-second video, watch|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/serious-men-teaser-nawazuddin-siddiqui-takes-charge-of-his-son-s-destiny-in-30-second-video-watch/story-WJXbzsbojOXV3g8uP70kBK_amp.html|access-date=16 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208003353/https://m.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/serious-men-teaser-nawazuddin-siddiqui-takes-charge-of-his-son-s-destiny-in-30-second-video-watch/story-WJXbzsbojOXV3g8uP70kBK_amp.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Exploring the themes of class, caste, and prejudice, the film is a reminder of the challenges that [[Dalit]] people face in India.<ref>{{cite news|title=Manu Joseph's controversial tale of caste wins Indian literary prize |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/nov/02/manu-joseph-india-serious-men |website=theguardian.com |date=2 November 2010 |access-date=9 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Serious Men' movie review: For all the primitive minds |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/serious-men-movie-review/article62130289.ece |website=thehindu.com |date=30 September 2020 |access-date=9 June 2023}}</ref> | ||
At the [[2021 Filmfare OTT Awards]], ''Serious Men'' received three nominations, including Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film for Aakshath Das, and won two awards: Best Web Original Film and Best Actor in a Web Original Film (Siddiqui). | |||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
The | The film follows Ayyan Mani, a middle-aged man working as a personal assistant to Dr. Arvind Acharya, an [[Astronomy|astronomer]] at the National Institute of Fundamental Research in [[Mumbai]]. He lives in a slum with his wife Oja and their ten-year-old son Adi. Furious at his situation in life, Ayyan develops the outrageous story that Adi is a science genius. Adi, though a bright boy, is no genius. Ayyan coaches him on what to say and do in public, and he uses a [[Bluetooth]] hearing aid to provide the boy with answers. He also manages to procure exam question papers and helps his son get good grades in school. Ayyan's scheme works, and Adi soon becomes a local celebrity. He is invited to give talks at schools and universities and is even featured on national television. | ||
Ayyan's success attracts the attention of local politician Keshav Dhavre and his daughter Anuja, who sees Adi as a potential asset for their party. They offer Ayyan a large sum of money if he can get Adi to endorse the politician's campaign in the upcoming election and convince the [[slum]] dwellers to relocate so a new housing project can be built. Ayyan agrees, but things soon begin to go awry when Adi innocently reveals to his classmate Savali that his father provides him test answers. Ayyan subsequently threatens Savali that he will get her father, who also works at the institute, dismissed from work if she reveals the secret. Dr. Acharya's job is jeopardized when the results of one of his studies prove dubious, and Ayyan, already dissatisfied with the way he is treated at work, reveals this to Acharya's rival, Dr. Namboodiri, who gets Acharya fired. | |||
Ayyan's subterfuge is revealed, however, when Dr. Acharya visits Adi at school and finds out the truth. He subsequently threatens Ayyan, who promises to get him his job back. He pleads with Anuja and her father, who assure him this will be done. Namboodiri threatens to reveal Acharya's fraud to the public if he is reinstated, and Acharya counter-threatens to sue him for spying on him. To save face, Namboodiri confesses that it was Ayyan who leaked the botched study, and Acharya reveals the truth about Adi to Anuja and Keshav. They confront Ayyan but tell him to maintain the facade until Adi completes one final speech and their goals are achieved. Oja eventually learns the truth, and she despises Ayyan for his deception. | |||
Ayyan then turns to Dr. Acharya for help, explaining why he pulled the stunt and giving him the letters authorising his reinstatement. Acharya suggests they leave Mumbai, and he publicly endorses Adi. Ayyan tells Adi to give the final speech, but this time, Adi speaks honestly and reveals that he is no genius. | |||
In the final scene, the family is shown living in a seaside village in [[Kerala]]. | |||
==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
| Line 49: | Line 71: | ||
==Production== | ==Production== | ||
The film is based on the book ''[[Serious Men]]'' by Manu Joseph.<ref name=":0" /> The makers of the film decided to cast [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] as the lead in June 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui bags lead role in Netflix's 'Serious Men'|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/entertainment/out-of-box/nawazuddin-siddiqui-bags-lead-role-in-netflixs-serious-men20190603151701/|access-date=2020 | The film is based on the book ''[[Serious Men]]'' by Manu Joseph.<ref name=":0" /> The makers of the film decided to cast [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] as the lead in June 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui bags lead role in Netflix's 'Serious Men'|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/entertainment/out-of-box/nawazuddin-siddiqui-bags-lead-role-in-netflixs-serious-men20190603151701/|access-date=14 September 2020|website=ANI News|language=en}}</ref> Principal photography commenced in September 2019.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} | ||
==Release== | ==Release== | ||
The film was released on Netflix on 2 October 2020.<ref name="release"/> | The film was released on Netflix on 2 October 2020.<ref name="release"/> | ||
==Reception== | |||
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|91|6.6|11|consensus=|ref=yes|access-date=16 December 2023}}<ref name="RT">{{cite web|title=Serious Men|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/serious_men|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=16 December 2023}}</ref> | |||
==Accolades== | |||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" | |||
|- | |||
!scope="col"| Year | |||
!scope="col"| Award | |||
!scope="col"| Category | |||
!scope="col"| Recipient(s) | |||
!scope="col"| Result | |||
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="6"|2021 | |||
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|[[Asian Academy Creative Awards]] | |||
|Best Editing | |||
|Atanu Mukherjee | |||
|{{won}} | |||
|rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/asian-academy-creative-awards-2021-manoj-bajpayee-scam-1992-winners-7547822/lite/|title=Asian Academy Creative Awards 2021|website=Indian Express|date=23 October 2021 |access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|Best Cinematography | |||
|Alexander Surkala | |||
|{{won}} | |||
|- | |||
!scope="row"|[[49th International Emmy Awards|International Emmy Awards]] | |||
|[[International Emmy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] | |||
|[[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] | |||
|{{nom}} | |||
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1006087/international-emmy-awards-nominations-for-nawazuddin-siddiqui-vir-das-and-web-series-aarya |title=International Emmy awards: Nominations for Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vir Das and web series 'Aarya' |website=Scroll.in|date=23 September 2021 |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
!scope="row" rowspan=3|[[2021 Filmfare OTT Awards|Filmfare OTT Awards]] | |||
|Best Web Original Film | |||
|''Serious Men'' | |||
|{{won}} | |||
|rowspan=3|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2021/nominations|title=My Glamm Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Nominations|date=2 December 2021|access-date=10 December 2021|website=Filmfare|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2021/winners|title=Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Winners|date=9 December 2021|access-date=10 December 2021|website=Filmfare|language=en}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|Best Actor in a Web Original Film | |||
|Nawazuddin Siddiqui | |||
|{{won}} | |||
|- | |||
|Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film | |||
|Aakshath Das | |||
|{{nom}} | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 64: | Line 132: | ||
[[Category:Films based on books]] | [[Category:Films based on books]] | ||
[[Category:Films based on Indian novels]] | [[Category:Films based on Indian novels]] | ||
[[Category:Hindi-language Netflix original films]] | [[Category:2020 Hindi-language films]] | ||
[[Category:2020 Indian films]] | |||
[[Category:Netflix original films]] | |||
[[Category:Films about the caste system in India]] | [[Category:Films about the caste system in India]] | ||
[[Category:Films set in slums]] | |||
[[Category:Films directed by Sudhir Mishra]] | |||
[[Category:2020 comedy-drama films]] | |||
Latest revision as of 10:30, 2 March 2026
| Serious Men | |
|---|---|
 Netflix release poster | |
| Directed by | Sudhir Mishra |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Based on | Serious Men by Manu Joseph |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Karel Antonin |
| Cinematography | Alexander Sukala |
| Edited by | Atanu Mukherjee |
Production company |
|
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
|
Running time | 114 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Serious Men is an Indian Hindi-language satirical comedy-drama film directed by Sudhir Mishra. It is based on the book of the same name by Manu Joseph[2] and features Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role. The film is produced by Bombay Fables and Cineraas Entertainment.[3] It was released on Netflix on 2 October 2020.[4] Exploring the themes of class, caste, and prejudice, the film is a reminder of the challenges that Dalit people face in India.[5][6]
At the 2021 Filmfare OTT Awards, Serious Men received three nominations, including Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film for Aakshath Das, and won two awards: Best Web Original Film and Best Actor in a Web Original Film (Siddiqui).
Plot[edit | edit source]
The film follows Ayyan Mani, a middle-aged man working as a personal assistant to Dr. Arvind Acharya, an astronomer at the National Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai. He lives in a slum with his wife Oja and their ten-year-old son Adi. Furious at his situation in life, Ayyan develops the outrageous story that Adi is a science genius. Adi, though a bright boy, is no genius. Ayyan coaches him on what to say and do in public, and he uses a Bluetooth hearing aid to provide the boy with answers. He also manages to procure exam question papers and helps his son get good grades in school. Ayyan's scheme works, and Adi soon becomes a local celebrity. He is invited to give talks at schools and universities and is even featured on national television.
Ayyan's success attracts the attention of local politician Keshav Dhavre and his daughter Anuja, who sees Adi as a potential asset for their party. They offer Ayyan a large sum of money if he can get Adi to endorse the politician's campaign in the upcoming election and convince the slum dwellers to relocate so a new housing project can be built. Ayyan agrees, but things soon begin to go awry when Adi innocently reveals to his classmate Savali that his father provides him test answers. Ayyan subsequently threatens Savali that he will get her father, who also works at the institute, dismissed from work if she reveals the secret. Dr. Acharya's job is jeopardized when the results of one of his studies prove dubious, and Ayyan, already dissatisfied with the way he is treated at work, reveals this to Acharya's rival, Dr. Namboodiri, who gets Acharya fired.
Ayyan's subterfuge is revealed, however, when Dr. Acharya visits Adi at school and finds out the truth. He subsequently threatens Ayyan, who promises to get him his job back. He pleads with Anuja and her father, who assure him this will be done. Namboodiri threatens to reveal Acharya's fraud to the public if he is reinstated, and Acharya counter-threatens to sue him for spying on him. To save face, Namboodiri confesses that it was Ayyan who leaked the botched study, and Acharya reveals the truth about Adi to Anuja and Keshav. They confront Ayyan but tell him to maintain the facade until Adi completes one final speech and their goals are achieved. Oja eventually learns the truth, and she despises Ayyan for his deception.
Ayyan then turns to Dr. Acharya for help, explaining why he pulled the stunt and giving him the letters authorising his reinstatement. Acharya suggests they leave Mumbai, and he publicly endorses Adi. Ayyan tells Adi to give the final speech, but this time, Adi speaks honestly and reveals that he is no genius.
In the final scene, the family is shown living in a seaside village in Kerala.
Cast[edit | edit source]
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Ayyan Mani
- Indira Tiwari as Oja Mani
- Aakshath Das as Adi Mani
- Nassar as Dr. Arvind Acharya
- Sanjay Narvekar as Keshav Dhavre
- Shweta Basu Prasad as Anuja Dhavre
- Vidhi Chitalia as Oparna
- Pathy Aiyar as Udayan
- Sameer Khakhar as Ganesh Tawde
- Uday Mahesh as Dr. Namboodri
- Manu Joseph as Journalist at press conference
Production[edit | edit source]
The film is based on the book Serious Men by Manu Joseph.[2] The makers of the film decided to cast Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the lead in June 2019.[7] Principal photography commenced in September 2019.[citation needed]
Release[edit | edit source]
The film was released on Netflix on 2 October 2020.[4]
Reception[edit | edit source]
Template:Rotten Tomatoes prose[8]
Accolades[edit | edit source]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Asian Academy Creative Awards | Best Editing | Atanu Mukherjee | Won | [9] |
| Best Cinematography | Alexander Surkala | Won | |||
| International Emmy Awards | Best Actor | Nawazuddin Siddiqui | Nominated | [10] | |
| Filmfare OTT Awards | Best Web Original Film | Serious Men | Won | [11][12] | |
| Best Actor in a Web Original Film | Nawazuddin Siddiqui | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film | Aakshath Das | Nominated |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Serious Men (2020)". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer Serious Men to release on Netflix". The Indian Express. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ↑ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui to star in Netflix's Serious Men, directed by Sudhir Mishra". Hindustan Times. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Serious Men teaser: Nawazuddin Siddiqui takes charge of his son's destiny in 30-second video, watch". Hindustan Times. 16 September 2020. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ↑ "Manu Joseph's controversial tale of caste wins Indian literary prize". theguardian.com. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ↑ "'Serious Men' movie review: For all the primitive minds". thehindu.com. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ↑ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui bags lead role in Netflix's 'Serious Men'". ANI News. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ↑ "Serious Men". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ↑ "Asian Academy Creative Awards 2021". Indian Express. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ↑ "International Emmy awards: Nominations for Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vir Das and web series 'Aarya'". Scroll.in. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ↑ "My Glamm Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Nominations". Filmfare. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ↑ "Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Winners". Filmfare. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Serious Men on IMDb
- Serious Men on Netflix