After the successful Rowdy Rathore (2012), producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Akshay Kumar join hands again for Gabbar Is Back (GIB). Like Rowdy Rathore was re-make of the Telugu film, Vikramarkudu (2006), this one too follows the same lines of re-making a successful South masala film, this time taking off from AR Murugadoss’ Tamil film, Ramanaa (2002).
The film is directed by Krish, making his Hindi film debut. Krish has already proved to be a successful director down South in the world of Telugu filmdom, and has built a pretty solid reputation for himself as someone making comparatively more sensible films within the commercial genre, so it will be interesting to see how he tackles what essentially was originally a typical masala film. The film has been re-written for the Hindi audience, keeping their sensibilities in mind, says Krish.
GIB is a critical film for Akshay Kumar, whose majority of films over the last 2-3 years have disappointed at the box office. Ironically, one of his big successes in the period has been Ramanaa director Murugadoss’ Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014).
GIB also sees a first-time pairing of Shruti Haasan with Akshay Kumar and the film could just be the big breakthrough her Bollywood career needs. Stepping in for origin choice, Shraddha Kapoor, Shruti’s light-hearted scenes balance the otherwise serious proceedings, according to Krish.
The film releases all over on May 1, 2015.
Here is a glimpse of the Coffee Peete Peete song from the film…