Wanted (2009 film)

Wanted is a 2009 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Prabhu Deva. A remake of 2006 Telugu film Pokiri starring Mahesh Babu, the film stars Salman Khan, Ayesha Takia, Prakash Raj, while Vinod Khanna, Mahesh Manjrekar and Inder Kumar appeared in supporting roles. Prabhu Deva, Govinda and Anil Kapoor made special appearances in the film. Nirav Shah and Sethu Sriram handled the cinematography while Dilip Deo edited the film. The soundtracks were composed by Sajid–Wajid, while Salim–Sulaiman handled the background music score. The film was shot in Mumbai for the whole part, while Australia and other foreign countries are shot for songs. Set in Mumbai, the film revolves around a thug willing to do anything for the sake of money, including killing. His killer instincts help him win the attention of two rival gangs, out of which he joins one and helps its members finish off their rivals. On the other hand, he also attempts to save his girlfriend, who disapproves of his violent behavior, from a corrupt cop hellbent on marrying her against her will.

Wanted
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPrabhu Deva
Written byShiraz Ahmed
Story byPuri Jagannadh
Based onPokiri (2006)
by Puri Jagannadh
Produced byBoney Kapoor
StarringSalman Khan
Ayesha Takia
Prakash Raj
Mahesh Manjrekar
Vinod Khanna
CinematographyNirav Shah
Sethu Sriram
Edited byDilip Deo
Music bySongs:
Sajid–Wajid
Background Score:
Salim–Sulaiman
Production
company
BSK Entertainment
Distributed bySahara Movie Studios
Release date
  • 18 September 2009 (2009-09-18)
Running time
154 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget35 crore
Box officeest. 118 crore[1]

The film was released theatrically on 18 September 2009 to generally positive reviews, mainly praising the action sequences, humor, and the lead cast performances and was a commercial success, grossing around ₹118 crore and thus, it emerged as one of the biggest successful films of 2009. The film received 3 IIFA nominations and 1 Filmfare Award.

Plot

Radhe, a gangster with a mysterious past, kills others for money. He meets Jhanvi while she's doing fitness training and instantly falls in love with her. Even though their first meeting leads Jhanvi to think negatively about Radhe, she later begins to reciprocate his feelings. However, Talpade, a selfish and perverted Inspector, lusts after Jhanvi and tells her to marry him with the threat that he would rape Jhanvi's mother if she decides to go against his decision. Talpade is tipped off about Radhe's existence by Jhanvi's landlord. He tries to threaten Radhe but ends up getting frightened of him after getting outsmarted by him.

Gani Bhai, an international don, arrives in India for assassination and hires Radhe. Gani Bhai operates his gang from outside of India. Golden Bhai is the gang leader of Gani Bhai's gang. Two gangs, Datta Pawle's and Gani Bhai's, fight for the biggest part of Mumbai. Due to this, Commissioner Ashraf Taufiq Khan decides to make Mumbai free of crime. He arrests Gani Bhai, who makes various attempts to contact Radhe, however, in vain. Ashraf is blackmailed to release Gani Bhai after his men release an explicit video of his daughter online after kidnapping her. Under the influence of drugs, his daughter reveals a mission that involves an IPS officer, Rajveer Singh Shekhawat, murdering Gani Bhai. Since Rajveer Shekhawat's identity is difficult to decipher, Gani Bhai holds his father, Shrikant Shekhawat, captive. Shrikant proudly tells him about his son, without revealing his true identity. Gani Bhai mistakes Ajay, Rajveer's adopted brother, for Rajveer Shekhawat and kills him. Gani Bhai realises his mistake and pressures Shrikant to reveal Rajveer's identity. Shrikant is murdered by Gani Bhai after he refuses to tell him. His son, Rajveer Shekhawat, who is revealed to be Radhe, arrives at the place of his father's death. Radhe is infuriated and decides to avenge the deaths of his father and brother. Through threatening Talpade, he locates Gani Bhai. After intense combat, Radhe finally manages to rescue Ashraf's daughter and kills both Gani Bhai and his co-conspirator Talpade.

Cast

Production

Director Prabhu Deva was also the director of the previous Tamil remake, Pokkiri.

Asin Thottumkal & Ileana D'Cruz were approached for the role of Jhanvi, but due to other commitments, both rejected the offer. Consequently, the role went to Ayesha Takia. Nana Patekar was originally offered the role of Gani Bhai but due to his busy schedule, the role went to Prakash Raj, who was seen in the original.[2] Salman Khan became very excited after hearing the script and agreed to the role. Part of the film was shot in the Greek Islands of Rodos, Santorini, and Paros.[3]

Music

Wanted
Soundtrack album by
Released16 August 2009 (India)
Recorded2008-09
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LabelT-Series
Sajid–Wajid chronology
Kal Kissne Dekha
(2009)
Wanted
(2009)
Main Aurr Mrs Khanna
(2009)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Bollywood Hungama[4]

The music of the film was given by Sajid–Wajid. The album received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with some songs seeing positive response. The songs "Jalwa", "Love Me Love Me" and "Le Le Maza Le" became a huge hit among the audiences.[5]

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Main Yahan Tu Bhi Yahan"SameerKamaal Khan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Suzanne D'Mello04:48
2."Dil Leke"Arun BhairavShaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Suzanne D'Mello (English Vocals)04:35
3."Le Le Mazaa Le"Wajid Ali, Shabbir AhmedSuzanne D'Mello, Sowmya Raoh, Hrishikesh Kamerkar, Nikita Nigam, Carlyta Mouhini04:11
4."Jalwa"Jalees SherwaniWajid Ali, Earl D'Souza04:31
5."Tose Pyaar Karte Hai"Shabbir AhmedWajid Ali, Sunidhi Chauhan03:47
6."Most Wanted Track"Salman KhanSalman Khan04:26
7."Love Me Love Me"Jalees SherwaniWajid Ali, Amrita Kak04:06
8."Dil Leke" (Remix)Arun BhairavShaan, Shreya Ghoshal03:15
9."Main Yahan Tu Bhi Yahan" (Remix)SameerKamaal Khan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Suzanne D'Mello04:04
10."Jalwa On The House" (Remix)Jalees SherwaniWajid Ali, Earl D'Souza04:15
11."Tose Pyar Karte Hai" (Bhojpuri Makhan Mix)Shabbir AhmedWajid Ali, Earl D'Souza, Sunidhi Chauhan04:53
12."Love Me Love Me" (Mama Papa Mix)Jalees SherwaniWajid Ali, Amrita Kak04:43

Reception

Critical response

Wanted received positive reviews from critics. Nikhat Kazmi from The Times of India gave it 4 out of 5 stars praising Khan's performance. Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama gave it 4 out of 5 stars saying, "WANTED rides on Salman Khan's star power. He may not be the best actor in town, but in a film like WANTED, in a role that seems like an extension of his personality, you can't think of anyone else enacting this role with flourish." Raja Sen from Rediff gave a negative rating of 2 out of 5 stars and said, "The writing is both amateurish and crass, while the songs are plain hideous...Khan might be having fun, but the fact a film like Wanted underscores is how badly Bollywood needs a breed of younger leading men. And how the existing lot need roles that fit."[6][7] Indicine gave it 3 out of 5 stars, calling it "watchable for Salman Khan" and the "best out and out action flick of Bollywood".[8]

Accolades

2010 Filmfare Awards

2010 IIFA Awards[10]

Stardust Awards

  • Best Film of the Year – Action / Thriller – Boney Kapoor[11]

Star Screen Awards

  • Best Action – Vijayan Master[12]

Remakes

The original Telugu film Pokiri, directed by Puri Jagannadh, was remade in several other languages and still found success in the respective regional cinemas. The Tamil version Pokkiri is the first remake. The second one was Wanted, the Hindi version in 2009. Pokiri was directed by Puri Jagannadh and Wanted was directed by Prabhu Deva. Prakash Raj reprises his role as the villain in both the remakes.[13][14] After that, a Kannada version, Porki, directed by M. D. Sridhar, was released on 14 January 2010.[15]

References

  1. "Wanted - Movie - Box Office India". Box Office India. Retrieved 20 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "Wanted: Trivia and Bloopers". Gomolo.in. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  3. Wanted (2009 – Hindi film), ELINEPA, 2003
  4. "Wanted : Music Review by Joginder Tuteja". Bollywood Hungama. 18 September 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  5. Joginder Tuteja (15 August 2009). "Music Reviews". Bollywood Hungama.
  6. "Wanted Movie Review {4/5}: Critic Review of Wanted by Times of India". The Times of India.
  7. "Wanted: Movie Review by Taran Adarsh". Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  8. Review: Wanted Hindi Movie Review. Indicine.com (19 September 2009). Retrieved on 2015-09-19.
  9. "3 Idiots, Dev D top winners at Filmfare Awards". The Times of India. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  10. "Nominations for IIFA 2010". IIFA.com. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  11. "Winners of Max Stardust Awards 2010". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  12. "Winners of Nokia 16th Annual Star Screen Awards 2009". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  13. Bhaskar, Shwetha (15 January 2007). "Pokkiri: Watch only for Vijay, Asin". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  14. Sen, Raja (18 September 2009). "Wanted is watchable... casually". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  15. Indira Lakshminarayan, Shruti (29 January 2010). "Watch Porki only for Darshan". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
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