Happy New Year

Released on October 24, 2014, Happy New Year is a Bollywood heist comedy-drama directed by Farah Khan and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment. With a stellar ensemble cast including Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani, and Vivaan Shah, the movie combines humor, action, and emotional moments. Set against the vibrant backdrop of a global dance competition, the film mixes revenge, teamwork, and camaraderie into a dazzling cinematic spectacle. While opinions about the movie vary, its larger-than-life appeal and entertaining elements have something for everyone.

2. Plot Summary

Happy New Year follows the story of Chandramohan “Charlie” Sharma (Shah Rukh Khan), a man seeking revenge for his father’s unjust imprisonment. He assembles a quirky team of misfits, including a bar dancer named Mohini (Deepika Padukone), a tech wizard (Vivaan Shah), an explosives expert (Sonu Sood), a lock-picker (Boman Irani), and a drunkard with a heart of gold (Abhishek Bachchan).

The team’s mission is to infiltrate the World Dance Championship in Dubai, which is hosted by their nemesis Charan Grover (Jackie Shroff). Their goal is not just to win the competition but also to pull off a high-stakes diamond heist. What ensues is a rollercoaster of dance routines, comic mishaps, and edge-of-the-seat action sequences, all leading to a grand finale.

3. What’s Good?

1. Star Power and Performances

The film thrives on the sheer charisma of its cast. Shah Rukh Khan brings his signature charm and intensity to Charlie, while Deepika Padukone shines as Mohini with her impeccable dance moves and endearing persona. Abhishek Bachchan steals the show in a dual role, blending humor and emotion effortlessly. The supporting cast—including Sonu Sood, Boman Irani, and Vivaan Shah—adds depth and comic relief.

2. Lavish Production Values

Farah Khan’s direction ensures that every frame is a visual treat. From the glittering sets of Dubai to the vibrant dance sequences, the film’s production values are top-notch. The costumes, choreography, and cinematography reflect the grandeur that Bollywood is known for.

3. Music and Choreography

The film’s soundtrack, composed by Vishal-Shekhar, is a major highlight. Songs like “Indiawaale” and “Manwa Laage” became instant hits, blending patriotic undertones with melodious tunes. The choreography, especially in the dance competition scenes, is energetic and entertaining.

4. Entertaining Blend of Genres

Happy New Year skillfully combines comedy, drama, romance, and action. The humorous interactions between characters and the high-stakes heist plot create a perfect balance, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.

4. Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Star-Studded Ensemble: The chemistry among the cast members elevates the film, making even simple scenes enjoyable.
• Visual Extravaganza: The larger-than-life sets, vibrant costumes, and slick cinematography contribute to the movie’s grand appeal.
• Mass Appeal: With its mix of humor, action, and emotional moments, the film caters to a wide audience.

Weaknesses:

• Lengthy Runtime: At nearly three hours, the film’s pacing feels uneven, with some sequences unnecessarily stretched.
• Predictable Plot: While entertaining, the storyline lacks originality and relies on familiar tropes.
• Over-the-Top Moments: Certain scenes border on being too exaggerated, which might not resonate with all viewers.

5. Target Audience

Happy New Year is a crowd-pleaser designed for families and fans of masala entertainers. It appeals to viewers who enjoy light-hearted comedies with emotional undertones, vibrant dance sequences, and larger-than-life storytelling. Fans of Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone will especially appreciate their performances. The movie’s blend of humor, action, and drama ensures it’s a fun watch for audiences of all ages.

6. Box Office Details

Budget:

Happy New Year was made on an estimated budget of INR 150 crore, making it one of the most expensive Bollywood films of its time.

Worldwide Box Office Collection:

The film was a massive commercial success, grossing over INR 408 crore worldwide. It became one of the highest-grossing Bollywood movies of 2014.

Day-Wise Earnings (India and Overseas):

1. Day 1 (Opening Day): INR 44.97 crore (India) and approximately INR 20 crore (overseas)
2. Day 2: INR 31.60 crore (India) and INR 15 crore (overseas)
3. Day 3: INR 32.29 crore (India) and INR 14 crore (overseas)
4. Day 4: INR 15 crore (India) and INR 8 crore (overseas)
5. Day 5: INR 13.17 crore (India) and INR 7 crore (overseas)

The film maintained strong collections throughout its first week and continued to perform well internationally.

7. Recommendation

Happy New Year is a quintessential Bollywood entertainer that delivers on its promise of humor, drama, and grandeur. While it’s not without flaws, the film’s engaging performances, vibrant visuals, and foot-tapping music make it worth a watch. If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good movie with a star-studded cast, this one’s for you!

Genres:

Action, Comedy, Crime, Adventure

Rating:

6/10

Cast:

Actor	Character
Shah Rukh Khan	Charlie
Deepika Padukone	Mohini
Abhishek Bachchan	Nandu Bhide
Boman Irani	Tammy Irani
Sonu Sood	Jag
Vivaan Shah	Rohan
Jackie Shroff	Charan Groover
Anupam Kher	Manohar Sharma
Sarah-Jane Dias	Laila (Cameo)
Mohan Kapur	Assistant of Charan Grover
Kavi Shastri	Mr. Gupta
Daisy Irani	Tammy’s Mother
Dino Morea	Host of World Dance Championship
Kiku Sharda	Saroj Khan
Prabhu Deva	Dance Instructor (Cameo)
Malaika Arora	Heroine (Cameo)
Anurag Kashyap	Judge of World Dance Championship Auditions (Cameo)
Vishal Dadlani	Judge of World Dance Championship Auditions (Cameo)
Sajid Khan	Film Director (Cameo)
Geeta Kapur	Judge
Sameer Ali Khan	BOB
Jason Tham	Team Korea Leader

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