Bullett Raja (transl. Bullet king) is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language action film directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and produced by Rahul Mittra, Nitin Tej Ahuja and Tigmanshu Dhulia under the banner of BrandSmith Motion Pictures, Rahul Mittra Films and Moving Pictures. The film features Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Jimmy Sheirgill in the lead roles, while Vidyut Jammwal, Chunky Pandey, Ravi Kishan, Vishwajeet Pradhan, Gulshan Grover and Raj Babbar appear in supporting roles.
| Bullet Raja | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Tigmanshu Dhulia |
| Written by | Tigmanshu Dhulia Amaresh Misra |
| Produced by | Rahul Mittra Nitin Tej Ahuja Tigmanshu Dhulia |
| Starring | Saif Ali Khan Jimmy Sheirgill Vidyut Jammwal Sonakshi Sinha Chunky Pandey Ravi Kishan Vishwajeet Pradhan Gulshan Grover Raj Babbar |
| Cinematography | P. S. Vinod |
| Edited by | Rahul Srivastava |
| Music by | Sajid–Wajid Guest Composer: RDB |
Production companies | BrandSmith Motion Pictures Moving Pictures Rahul Mittra Films |
| Distributed by | Fox Star Studios |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹51 crore[1] |
| Box office | ₹53.60 crore[2] |
The film is set against the backdrop of Uttar Pradesh-based mafia while dealing with the political and industrial powers of the state.
Bullett Raja was the opening film at the 8th annual Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF) 2014 in Toronto and was released on 29 November 2013.[3][4][5]
Plot
editRaja Mishra (Saif Ali Khan) gatecrashes into a marriage while trying to escape from a brawl. The bride's cousin, Rudra Tripathi (Jimmy Sheirgill), and Raja form a friendship, with Raja revealing that he is an uninvited guest. While in the process of seducing the mujra dancer, Raja overhears a plot by Lallan Tiwari (Chunky Pandey) to execute everyone in the wedding upon instructions from Akhand Vir (Vishwajeet Pradhan) wanting to use Rudra's uncle's land for poppy farming. Raja warns everyone about the impending attack, and Raja and Rudra fight off the attacking Lallan Tiwari's gang. Rudra's uncle (Sharat Saxena) sees the potential in Raja and Rudra forming an alliance for offering protection to political personalities and offers them to join his gang. Not wanting to enter the world of politics, they refuse, and Rudra's uncle advises them to take refuge from Lallan's gang in jail. In a later incident, Rudra's uncle is killed by the Akhand Vir with the help of Lallan Singh.
In jail, Raja and Rudra meet Shirivastav Ji, a political advisor with knowledge of everything happening in Uttar Pradesh politics. He arranges for Raja and Rudra to leave jail and avenge the death of Rudra's uncle by killing Lallan. Their success creates news in political circles, and Shirivastav advises them to join hands with Ram Babu Shukla in order to take revenge against the Akhand Vir.
They start working for Ram Babu Shukla (Raj Babbar), a politician, and in the process kill the Akhand Vir, gaining credibility and support in the political circles, which brings them fortune and fame amongst youth. Their friendship and partnership are the talk of the town, making the otherwise preferred hitman Sumer Yadav rendering useless.
While representing Ram Babu Shukla in an important meeting, Raja and Rudra are insulted by Bajaj (Gulshan Grover). In order to teach him a lesson, Raja and Rudra kidnap Bajaj while he is in the process of pretend interviewing a girl named Mitali (Sonakshi Sinha) for the role of an actress. They extort money from Bajaj, and in the process, Raja started to develop feelings for Mitali. On the advice of Shukla, Raja, Rudra, and Mitali, go to Mumbai until matters settle and avoid any attacked from Bajaj. Raja proposes to Mitali, and Rudra approves of their relationship. Later they return to UP, and while Raja is getting his sister's engagement done, Bajaj arrives at their house with a shooter, Sumer Yadav (Ravi Kishan), and kills Rudra.
Raja takes his revenge by killing Bajaj, which turns all political and business fraternity against him. They all want him dead in order to gain Bajaj's money, which is needed to fund their election campaigns but is being held by Shirivastav. They plot to kill him by appointing a police officer from Chambal, Arun Singh Munna (Vidyut Jammwal). Raja meanwhile moves to Kolkata with Mitali, where their romance furthers. Upon returning from Kolkata, Raja finds Sumer and kills him in front of Arun, and in the following fight, he spares Arun's life. A mole in Raja's gang (Gaurav Dixit), ordered by Shukla, plots to kill Raja. According to the plan, Arun will kill Raja, but then the mole will kill Arun to appease the youth that supports Raja. Raja finds out about the plan and reveals it to Arun. Together, they kill the mole and fake Raja's death. In the end, it shows Raja leaving with Mitali for a new life, and Arun is also shown to be leaving with them.
Cast
edit- Saif Ali Khan as Raja Mishra
- Sonakshi Sinha as Mitali
- Jimmy Sheirgill as Rudra Tripathi
- Vidyut Jammwal as SP Arun Singh Munna IPS
- Chunky Pandey as Lallan Tiwari
- Ravi Kishan as Sumer Yadav
- Vishwajeet Pradhan as Akhand Vir
- Gulshan Grover as Jatin Bajaj (Marwadi)
- Raj Babbar as Minister Ram Babu Shukla
- Sharat Saxena as Rudra's uncle
- Vipin Sharma as Shirivastav Ji - Political Advisor
- Deepraj Rana as Commissioner
- Gaurav Dixit as actor
- Gaurav K. Jha as Mithilesh Don
- Dulal Lahiri as Mithali's father
- Rita Dutta Chakraborty as Mitali's mother
- Sudip Mukherjee as Goon
- Mahi Gill in an item number Don't Touch My Body
- Sachin Thakre as Emraan Hashmi
Production
editDevelopment
editThe film's proposed name was Jai Ram Ji Ki but on the suggestion of Saif Ali Khan to producer Rahul Mittra it was named Bullett Raja to give it a more gangster feel.[6][7] Sonakshi Sinha expressed excitement about working with Saif Ali Khan and called it a fresh pairing and joined the crew in February 2013.[8] All male characters have grown a moustache to fit the role in the film.[9] Earlier, actor Irrfan Khan was revealed to be a part of the film but he walked out because of hectic schedule and date clashes for his other projects.[10] Later, producer Rahul Mittra replaced him with martial artist[11] turned actor Vidyut Jamwal.[12] Jamwal decided to design his stunts himself and without any body double.[13] Later, Gulshan Grover was hired to play a negative role as a powerful industrialist in the film.[14] The first teaser of Soha Ali Khan's starrer film Mr Joe B. Carvalho and trailer of Dedh Ishqiya were attached with Bullet Raja.[15][16]
Filming
editOn 6 November 2012, the shooting of the film began in Lucknow, Raebareli, Kolkata and Mumbai were the other cities for filming later.[17][18] The first leg of shooting came to an end in Lucknow on 10 December[19] making it the first Bollywood film & producer Rahul Mittra the first film-maker to qualify for the film subsidy from Film Bandhu Uttar Pradesh while the second leg began at Kolkata at around last week of February 2013.[20] Both real and fake guns are used during shooting while Saif used real guns for realistic look.[21] The actors shot in the Dalhousie area of central Kolkata and other locations such as Princep Ghat, Kumartuli, flower market and the famous Laha Bari.[22] After completion of schedule in Kolkata, the crew turned back to Lucknow to resume and then to Nashik for the final leg of the shooting.[23][24]
Release
editThe film was released on 28 November 2013 in the USA and on 29 November in India.
Critical reception
editOn review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, 33% of 6 reported critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 6/10.[25]
Faheem Ruhani of India Today gave 3.5 out of 5 stars to the film and said, "Bullet Raja's slogan claims 'aayenge toh garmi badyaenge.' To the film's credit, it delivers what it promises."[26] Sarita A Tanwar of Daily News and Analysis gave 3 of 5 stars to the film and said, "Watch it if you’re a fan of some edgy dialogues. As for the rest of it, you’ll want to rain bullets on this Raja".[27]
Pre-release business
editThe worldwide distribution rights were sold for ₹90 crore (US$11 million) to Fox Star studios. Its satellite rights were sold for ₹40 crore (US$4.8 million).[28]
Box office
editBullet Raja opened below average mark at the box office as it grossed around ₹65 million (US$780,000) on its opening day and ₹65 million (US$780,000) the second day. On the third day, it collected about ₹75 million (US$900,000)[29] bringing up the total first weekend to ₹213 million (US$2.6 million) at the box office.[30] The film grossed ₹303 million (US$3.6 million) in its first week.[31] In overseas markets, Bullett Raja grossed $1.25 million in ten days.[32]
Soundtrack
edit| Bullett Raja | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 25 October 2013[33] | |||
| Recorded | Geet Audio Craft Studio Ashok Honda Studio | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 30:38 | |||
| Label | T-Series | |||
| Producer | Sajid–Wajid, RDB | |||
| Sajid–Wajid chronology | ||||
| ||||
| RDB chronology | ||||
| ||||
The soundtrack album was released on 25 October 2013 on iTunes[33] consisting of 7 tracks composed by RDB and Sajid–Wajid and lyrics written by Sandeep Nath, Kausar Munir, Shabbir Ahmed and Raftaar.[35]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tamanche Pe Disco" | Raftaar | RDB | RDB, Nindy Kaur & Raftaar | 3:28 |
| 2. | "Saamne Hai Savera" | Kausar Munir | Sajid–Wajid | Wajid, Bonnie Chakraborty, Shreya Ghoshal | 4:36 |
| 3. | "Jai Govinda Jai Gopala" | Shabbir Ahmed | Sajid–Wajid | Neeraj Shridhar | 4:50 |
| 4. | "Don't Touch My Body" | Sandeep Nath | Sajid–Wajid | Mamta Sharma | 4:48 |
| 5. | "Bullett Raja" | Kausar Munir | Sajid–Wajid | Wajid, Keerthi Sagathia | 4:26 |
| 6. | "Satake Thoko" | Sandeep Nath | Sajid–Wajid | Wajid, Keerthi Sagathia, Danish Sabri | 5:03 |
| 7. | "Jai Govinda Jai Gopala (Remix)" | Shabbir Ahmed | Sajid–Wajid | Neeraj Shridhar | 3:27 |
| Total length: | 30:38 | ||||
References
edit- ^ "Bullet Raja - Movie - Box Office India". Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "Bullett Raja Box Office Collection Day Wise Worldwide - Sacnilk". Sacnilk. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ "Dhulia's 'Bullet Raja' shooting finally begins in Lucknow". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 July 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- ^ "Saif Ali Khan's Action Avatar In 'Bullet Raja'". businessofcinema. 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
- ^ "Release date". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012.
- ^ "Saif bags Bullet Raja". deccanchronicle. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ "Saif suggests Bullet Raja title". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ "Sonakshi excited to work with Saif in Bullet Raja". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
- ^ "Rishad Rizvi in Tigmanshu's 'Bullet Raja'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ "Irrfan Khan not in Bullet Raja?". The Times of India. 7 March 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013.
- ^ "John Abraham's opponent to display his martial arts skills". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- ^ "Vidyut replaces Irrfan in Bullet Raja". Bollywood Hungama News Network. Archived from the original on 14 March 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ^ "Vidyut to design his own stunts for Bullet Raja". IANS. Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 16 March 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ Onkar Kulkarni. "Gulshan Grover plays Mr. Bajaj in 'Bullet Raja'". Indian Express. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
- ^ "Saif Ali Khan's BULLETT RAJA to introduce sis Soha's MR. JOE B. CARVALHO!". Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ "New 'Dedh Ishqiya' trailer to be attached with 'Bullet Raja'". Archived from the original on 16 November 2013.
- ^ "Sonakshi to star opposite Saif in Bullet Raja". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 9 September 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ "Bullet Raja: Kareena joins hubby Saif Ali Khan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "'Bullet Raja' team to wrap up first leg of shooting schedule". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
- ^ "Bullet Raja: Saif-Sonakshi to shoot in Kolkata". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 April 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ "Real guns for Saif in 'Bullet Raja'". The Times of India. 25 December 2012. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
- ^ "'Bullet Raja': Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha romance in Kolkata bylanes". zeenews. 10 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Sarika Sharma (8 April 2013). "Saif Ali Khan shoots for Bullet Raja in Lucknow, wife Kareena for Satygraha". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
- ^ Gayatri Deshmukh. "Saif Ali Khan shoots for Bullet Raja in Nashik". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ^ "Bullett Raja". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Movie review: Bullett Raja delivers what it promises". India Today. 28 November 2013. Archived from the original on 29 November 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
- ^ "Film review: Watch 'Bullett Raja' if you're a fan of some edgy dialogues". DNA. 29 November 2013. Archived from the original on 30 November 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
- ^ "The Bollywood gravy train just got juicier". 21 May 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ "Bullet Raja Has Low First Weekend". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ^ "Bullet Raja First Weekend Territorial Breakdown". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ^ "Bullet Raja Week One Territorial Breakdown". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
- ^ "R... Rajkumar is Dull Overseas". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ^ a b "iTunes - Music - Bullett Raja (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by RDB & Sajid - Wajid". Itunes.apple.com. 25 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Sajid Films | Films". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- ^ "Bullett Raja (2013) | Movie Review, Trailers, Music Videos, Songs, Wallpapers". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2013.