Main Hoon Na

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Main Hoon Na
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFarah Khan
Written byScreenplay:
Abbas Tyrewala
Farah Khan
Rajesh Saathi
Dialogues:
Abbas Tyrewala
Story byFarah Khan
Produced byGauri Khan
Ratan Jain
StarringShah Rukh Khan
Sushmita Sen
Sunil Shetty
Amrita Rao
Zayed Khan
CinematographyV. Manikandan
Edited byShirish Kunder
Music byScore:
Ranjit Barot
Songs:
Anu Malik
Production
companies
Distributed byEros International
Release date
  • 30 April 2004 (2004-04-30)
Running time
182 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Box office₹89.7 crore[1]

Main Hoon Na (transl. I'm Here) is a 2004 Hindi-language masala film directed by Farah Khan (in her directorial debut) and produced by Gauri Khan under the banner Red Chillies Entertainment. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Sunil Shetty, Amrita Rao and Zayed Khan while Kirron Kher, Boman Irani and Naseeruddin Shah play supporting roles. Major Ram Sharma is sent on an undercover mission where he poses as a college student to protect a general's daughter from a dangerous rogue soldier.[2]

Development for the film began as early as 2001, however faced a number of delays during production. Main Hoon Na is notable for approaching the

Indo-Pakistani conflict from a neutral perspective. Filming took place at St. Paul's School and the surrounding state of West Bengal. The film is also the first production of Red Chillies Entertainment.[3]

Initially scheduled for release in 2003, Main Hoon Na released on 30 April 2004 and received positive reviews from critics. It proved to be a major commercial success at the box office, grossing ₹84 crore, thus becoming the second highest-grossing Indian film of 2004, only surpassed by another Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Veer-Zaara.[4]

At the 50th Filmfare Awards, Main Hoon Na received 12 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director (Farah), Best Actor (Shah Rukh), Best Supporting Actress (Rao), Best Supporting Actor (Zayed) and Best Villain (Shetty), winning Best Music Director (Anu Malik). A snippet of "Lament" from Light of Aiden (Celtic Version) is used throughout the movie.

Plot

Over an attempt to de-escalate tensions between the two nations, India and Pakistan launch Project Milaap, a prisoner exchange program. Raghavan Dutta, a former Indian special forces soldier discharged for murdering Pakistani citizens in revenge for the murder of his son, fires a shot at General Amarjeet Bakshi, but Brigadier Shekhar Sharma takes the bullet at a press conference. Raghavan runs a militant group with a former comrade Captain Khan, set against peace between the two rival countries. On his deathbed, Shekhar informs his son, fellow soldier Major Ram, of his other son Lakshman and wife Madhu who left him 20 years ago because Shekhar had cheated on his wife with Ram's mother. Shekhar asks Ram to bring his family together and that his ashes will be immersed by both his sons, saying that he can finally be at peace if his family forgives him.

Meanwhile, General Bakshi sends Ram

undercover to protect his daughter Sanjana, who studies at St Pauls College in Darjeeling
. Ram is initially hesitant but agrees when Bakshi informs him that Lakshman also studies there. The general convinces Ram to go there as a student as he won't be able to spend enough time with Sanjana if he goes as a teacher. Ram finds it tough to adjust to college life because he is much older than everyone else. He encounters Sanjana and her love interest Lucky but both don't want to know him for this reason. Another college student helps Ram hack the college computer to find out who Lakshman is, only to find that Lucky is in fact Lakshman. During a race to get the college flag, Lakshman is saved from falling off the university's roof by Ram. The two of them and Sanjana then become friends, and Ram moves in with Lakshman and his mother, Madhu.

Outside a cinema, Ram saves his classmate, Percy, from an assassination attempt by Khan; Ram captures him, but his own true identity is found out by Raghavan, who arrives at the university masquerading as a teacher. Ram also brings Madhu and Lakshman closer by helping them bond during his stay there. Ram falls in love with his chemistry professor, Chandni, while Lakshman falls in love with Sanjana (after Ram and Chandni give her a makeover). At prom, Raghavan orders a kidnapping on Chandni, but she is saved by Ram. After meeting with Sanjana, Ram requests Raghavan to drop the pair to her father at her hostel, where Sanjana reconciles with her father. After this night, Sanjana and Chandni discover Ram's true identity.

Raghavan reveals Ram's true identity to Lakshman and his mother and when they confront him, Ram informs them that his father's last wish implored him to reconcile with his family. As they are not ready to accept him yet, Ram leaves their home and the university. Raghavan then holds the university hostage, demanding the cancelation of Project Milaap along with return of Captain Khan and Major Ram as a hostage in exchange for all the students' and teachers' lives. Upon being informed, Ram immediately returns to the university. Before fully entering the hostage situation, he encounters Madhu and apologizes. Knowing what he's about to do, she accepts him as a son. Accompanying Khan, Ram enters the building, and is subsequently shot by Khan. Ram survives, changes Khan's mind about his allegiances, and proceeds to kill the guards, thus freeing the students.

Raghavan shoots Khan dead at

point blank range for his betrayal. A fight ensues between Ram and Raghavan and Ram kills Raghavan by removing the safety pin
from the latter's hand grenade. Lakshman helps Ram escape from the ensuing explosion from aboard a helicopter and the two happily embrace as brothers. Meanwhile, Project Milaap is a success and all the prisoners are exchanged triumphantly. Ram and Lakshman go and immerse their father's ashes together, as Madhu tearfully looks on. Finally, Lakshman is allowed to graduate alongside Ram and the entire university rejoices.

Cast

  • Shah Rukh Khan as Major Ram Prasad Sharma. Shekhar's son, Madhu's step-son, Lucky's half-brother and Chandini's love interest
  • Suniel Shetty as Ex-Major Raghavan Dutta, an ex-army officer turned terrorist who wants to stop Project Milaap from happening to avenge his son’s death
  • Sushmita Sen as Chandini Chopra, Ram, Sanjana and Laxman’s chemistry teacher and Ram’s love interest.
  • Amrita Rao as Sanjana "Sanju" Bakshi: General Amarjeet's daughter, and Laxman's love interest.
  • Zayed Khan as Laxman “Lucky” Prasad Sharma, Ram's half-brother and Sanju’s love interest.
  • Boman Irani as Yogendra "Yogi" Agarwal, college principal
  • Kirron Kher as Madhu Sharma, Ram's stepmother and Lucky's mother.
  • Bindu as Mrs. Sonali Kakkar
  • Murali Sharma as Ex-Captain Khan, Raghavan's second-in-command.
  • Kunal Kumar as Baman
  • General
    Amarjeet Bakshi: Sanju's father, and Ram's superior officer.
  • Naseeruddin Shah as Brig. Shekhar Prasad Sharma: Ram and Lucky's father. (special appearance)
  • Satish Shah as Professor Madhav Rasai
  • Rakhi Sawant as Mini
  • Praveen Sirohi as Vivek
  • Rajiv Panjabi as Percy
  • Nassar Abdullah
    as Rajat Saxena, Project Milaap's TV host.
  • Tabu as Aparna (uncredited cameo appearance)
  • Geeta Kapoor
    as girl dancing in song "Gori Gori" (cameo appearance)
  • Sajid Khan as band member in song "Gori Gori" (guest appearance)
  • Rajeev Khandelwal as Himself (cameo appearance)

Production

Development

The film was planned by Farah Khan and Shahrukh Khan in 2001. The shooting of the film had to begin in October 2001 but later that year, Shahrukh Khan got badly injured while shooting an action sequence for Shakti: The Power (2002) due to which he suffered pain in filming for his other projects. He was later sent to the UK for treatment and the film was subsequently shelved. The film was later revived in 2003 after Shahrukh Khan came back from the UK; Farah Khan wanted to name it The Outsider. After some of her friends suggested that the title she wants matches that of a 1983 Hollywood film, she finalized the title Main Hoon Na for the film though Shahrukh Khan was unhappy at that time with the title, thinking the title was incomplete, but later changed his mind after listening to the recording of the film's title song.[5][6]

Casting

At a time when the film was revived in 2003, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Sohail Khan were considered for Lucky's role. Due to unknown reasons, none of the three accepted the film; Zayed Khan was later signed. Ameesha Patel was offered Sanju's role but rejected the character due to date issues, as did then-newcomer Ayesha Takia when she was also approached who also declined, after which Amrita Rao was finalized for the role.[7]

Shah Rukh Khan asked Farah Khan to approach Kamal Haasan, suggesting that Haasan owed him a favor for his role in Hey Ram (2000).[8] Haasan heard the script but turned down the role citing that it would portray him as an anti-national.[9]

Reception

Main Hoon Na received positive reviews from critics, who praised its direction, action sequences. humor, soundtrack and cast performances.[10]

Critical reception

Taran Adarsh praised the film for being funny, emotional and full of action, describing it as "a wholesome entertainer that has something for everyone."[11]

Jamie Russell wrote in his review in the BBC, "A bonkers 'masala' movie, Main Hoon Na could be the mutant offspring of Grease (1978) and The Matrix (1999). Part-thriller, part high-school comedy and all Bollywood musical, it's the directorial debut of Farah Khan."[12]

Box office

Main Hoon Na was the second-highest grossing Indian film of 2004 behind Veer-Zaara (also a Shahrukh Khan-starrer set against India-Pakistan backdrop).[13] It made ₹480 million (US$6.0 million) in India and an additional ₹19 million (US$240,000) in the overseas market.

Soundtrack

Main article: Main Hoon Na (soundtrack)

The music was composed by Anu Malik.[14] The lyrics were provided by Javed Akhtar. The soundtrack earned Malik his second Filmfare Award for Best Music Director. Sonu Nigam received several award nominations and won an MTV Immies Best Male Playback Singer Award.[15] According to Box Office India, with around 2,100,000 units (2.1 million units) sold, the film's soundtrack was the fifth highest-best-selling album of the year.[16] In 2005, Main Hoon Na was placed twenty-third in BBC's Top 40 Hindi soundtrack of all time list, through public vote.[17]

Awards and nominations

50th Filmfare Awards[18]
Category Recipients and Nominees Results
Best Film Red Chillies Entertainment Nominated
Best Director Farah Khan Nominated
Best Actor Shahrukh Khan Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Amrita Rao Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Zayed Khan Nominated
Best Villain Suniel Shetty Nominated
Best Comedian Boman Irani Nominated
Best Music Director Anu Malik Won
Best Lyricist Javed Akhtar Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Sonu Nigam (for "Main Hoon Na") Nominated
Sonu Nigam (for "Tumse Milke") Nominated
Best Action Allan Amin Nominated
Global Indian Film Awards[19]
Category Recipients and Nominees Results
Best Director Farah Khan Won
Best Actor Shahrukh Khan Won
Best Villain Suniel Shetty Won
Best Male Playback Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya (for "Tumhe Jo Maine Dekha") Won
Best Art Director Sabu Cyril Won
Best Action Allan Amin Won
International Indian Film Academy Awards[20]
Category Recipients and Nominees Results
Best Director Farah Khan Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Zayed Khan Nominated
Best Villain Suniel Shetty Nominated
Best Debut Director Farah Khan Won
Best Music Director Anu Malik Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer
 Sonu Nigam (for "Main Hoon Na") Nominated
Best Special Effects Rajtaru Video Sonic, Eagle Video Films Won
Producers Guild Film Awards[21]
Category Recipients and Nominees Results
Best Choreography Farah Khan (for "Tumse Milke Dil Ka") Nominated
Star Screen Awards[22]
Category Recipients and Nominees Results
Best Supporting Actor Zayed Khan Nominated
Best Music Director Anu Malik Won
Best Lyricist Javed Akhtar (for "Main Hoon Na") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Sonu Nigam (for "Main Hoon Na") Won
Best Background Music Ranjit Barot Nominated
Best Choreography Farah Khan (for "Gori Gori") Nominated
Best Action Allan Amin Nominated
Best Publicity Design Rahul Nanda and Himanshu Nanda Nominated
Best Sound Recording Shirish Kunder and Rakesh Ranjan Nominated
Zee Cine Awards[23]
Category Recipients and Nominees Results
Best Film (Critics) Red Chillies Entertainment Nominated
Best Director Farah Khan Nominated
Best Actor (Critics) Shahrukh Khan Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Sushmita Sen Nominated
Most Promising Director Farah Khan Won
Best Female Debut Won
Best Music Director Anu Malik Won
Best Male Playback Singer Sonu Nigam (for "Main Hoon Na") Nominated
Best Track of the Year "Tumse Milke" Nominated
Best Background Score Ranjit Barot Nominated
Best Art Direction Sabu Cyril Nominated
Best Costume Design Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra Nominated

Remake

In 2008, the film was remade in Tamil and released as Aegan.[24][25]

References

  1. ^ "Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide". Boxofficeindia.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  2. ^ Rajinder Dudrah, Rajinder Kumar Dudrah Bollywood Travels: Culture, Diaspora and Border Crossings in Popular Hindi Cinema Routledge (2012) p. 18
  3. ^ "Farah Khan says SRK was convinced Kamal Haasan would play 'Main Hoon Na' villain". India Today. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  4. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (30 April 2004). "Main Hoon Na Box Office Collection | India | Day Wise | Box Office - Bollywood Hungama". Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  5. ^ "16 Years of Main Hoon Na: These trivia about the film would make you FALL in love with it all over again!". Bollywood Hungama. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Anu Malik reveals Javed Akhtar walked out after inclusion of 'Check that, like that' in Main Hoon Na qawwali song". Hindustan Times. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  7. ^ "16 Years of Main Hoon Na: Farah Khan reveals how SRK's friends played peons, Ayesha Takia DITCHED the film, Hrithik walked out, Kamal Haasan declined & a lot more! : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. 4 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  8. ^ "16 Years of Main Hoon Na: Farah Khan reveals how SRK's friends played peons, Ayesha Takia DITCHED the film, Hrithik walked out, Kamal Haasan declined & a lot more! : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. 4 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Munnabhai in Tamil". web.mid-day.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Main Hoon Na - Movie Review by Jay". BBC. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Taran Adarsh — Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. 30 April 2004. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Jamie Russell Main Hoon Na (2004) 28 April 2004 BBC Movies". Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  13. ^ "Box Office 2004". Boxofficeindia.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  14. ^ "Main Hoon Na (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Anu Malik". 27 February 2004. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Sonu Nigam birthday: The singer has received his only National Film Award for this song". DNA India. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008.
  17. ^ "Asian Network – Top 40 Soundtracks of All Time". BBC Asian Network. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Awards for MHN 2004". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  19. ^ "2005 Global Indian Film Awards". Global Indian Film Awards. Archived from the original on 25 January 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Veer-Zaara Sweeps 6th IIFA Awards". Yash Raj Films. 13 June 2005. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  21. ^ "2nd Apsara Producers Guild Awards Nominations". Producers Guild Film Awards. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Starlight Express". The Indian Express. 23 January 2005. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Zee Cine Awards 2005 nominations announced". Indian Television. 16 March 2005. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Aegan". Sify. 25 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  25. Rediff. Archived
    from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2008.

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Main_Hoon_Na&oldid=1218880109"