Wikipedia

Hera Pheri (2000 film)

Hera Pheri (transl. Foul Play) is a 2000 Indian Hindi-language comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Neeraj Vora, starring Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Om Puri and Gulshan Grover.[4] The film is a remake of 1989 Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking which itself was inspired by the 1971 American TV movie See The Man Run.[5][6][7] It is the first instalment of the Hera Pheri franchise. The plot revolves around two tenants, Raju and Shyam, and their landlord, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, who are in desperate need of money. They chance upon a ransom call through a cross-connection and hatch a plan to claim the ransom for themselves.

Hera Pheri
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPriyadarshan
Written byNeeraj Vora (screenplay and dialogues)
Anand Vardhan (adapted story)
Based onRamji Rao Speaking by Siddique-Lal
Produced byA. G. Nadiadwala
Starring
CinematographyJeeva
Edited byN. Gopalakrishnan
Music bySongs:
Anu Malik
Guest Composers:
Lalit Sen
Bally Sagoo
Background Score:
Surinder Sodhi
Production
company
A. G. Films (P) Ltd.
Release date
  • 31 March 2000 (2000-03-31)
Running time
138 mins[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹ 7.5 crore[2]
Box office₹ 21.4 crore[3]

The film was released on 31 March 2000. It opened to mixed reviews, some of whom applauded the performances of Kumar and Rawal particularly. The film is considered Kumar's foray into the comedy genre.[8] However, the film achieved moderate success, grossing ₹21.4 crore at the box office against a budget of ₹7.5 crore. It spawned a sequel, Phir Hera Pheri, released in 2006.

Over the years, the film has evolved into a cult classic,[9][10][8] and is widely regarded as one of the best Indian comedy films ever made.[11] The film is noted for its authenticity and depiction of economic problem of lower middle class families in India, situational comedy, dialogues, performances of the lead trio Kumar, Rawal and Shetty. It was voted as the best Bollywood comedy film of all time in an online poll conducted by The Indian Express in 2014.[12] It was remade in Telugu as Dhanalakshmi, I Love You in 2002 by Siva Nageswara Rao.

Plot

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The film begins with Ghanshyam alias Shyam, arriving in Mumbai from Gurgaon for a job at a bank where his father worked. His father died in a fire accident so he should receive the job according to the company's rules. However, the manager tells Shyam that there was another person named Shivshankar Panikar who died a few minutes later, and his daughter also applied for the job. Since Panikar is Shyam's father's senior, the first preference may be given to Panikar's daughter. One day, Shyam accidentally bumps into another man named Raju who he mistakes for a pickpocket and chases him. However, he discovers the truth and the opposite occurs. Raju has troubles, dealing with his daydreams and the unfriendly people he is working for. He is unable to keep a job and thus faces many problems. Meanwhile, Shyam approaches a garage owned by a man named Baburao Ganpatrao Apte and manages to receive a room on rent by compromising on the amount for Baburao's alcohol. Unbeknownst to him, Raju is staying in the same house on rent, which he has not paid for the last two years. The trio fall into hilarious situations that usually involve Raju instigating Shyam and deliberately trying to create a ruckus that Baburao has to resolve.

During one such fight, a girl named Anuradha Shivshankar Panikar who reveals herself as the other person who applied for the job arrives and tries to persuade Shyam to sign the no-objection certificate, so that she could receive the job at the bank. When Shyam refuses to do so, Raju comes up with a plan to make him inadvertently sign the papers. Shyam eventually discovers that Raju deceitfully made him sign the documents and that is when the rivalry between the two hits its peak. Khadak Singh, an old friend of Shyam, arrives in Mumbai demanding his money back which Shyam had borrowed from him. Khadak Singh orders Shyam to pay the loan back as soon as possible or else his sister's marriage will be cancelled. Shyam also learns that Raju has been deceiving his mother by posing as an engineer. Meanwhile, Anuradha prepares a resignation from her job and gives it to Shyam, who tears the letter up in return because of her mentally ill mother and the poor conditions of her home. Later, he confronts Raju who reveals that he just wishes to see his widowed mother happy.

The lives of the trio take an unexpected turn when they receive a phone call from a terrorist named Kabira, which is a wrong number meant for Devi Prasad, the owner of Star Fisheries. The wrong number is because of the misprint in the phone directory, which renders Star Garages' phone number as Star Fisheries' and vice versa. Kabira, believing Shyam to be Devi Prasad on the phone, tells him that his granddaughter, Rinku, is kidnapped and demands a ransom. Eavesdropping on the entire conversation going on between Kabira and Shyam, Raju decides to play a game. The game involves Shyam calling Devi Prasad posing as the kidnapper and demanding double the ransom amount, which will solve their monetary problems. Shyam and Baburao initially repel the idea, but finally give in when Raju convinces them that even though it is wrong, this is a golden chance to earn money and also save a life. Shyam calls the real Devi Prasad posing as Kabira and demands a double ransom. On their first attempt, the trio wear helmets as a disguise but their attempt ends up in vain due to the police called secretly by Devi Prasad's servant. Later, Kabira informs them that the ransom has been doubled which results in the trio eventually calling Devi Prasad again and demanding a foolproof double ransom.

On their second attempt, the trio wear Zorro costumes to hide their identities. However, they reveal themselves to Devi Prasad to win his confidence and attempt to save Rinku from the kidnappers. However, she identifies Shyam as an imposter and Kabira gets alerted. A huge fight involving the police, Kabira's gang, and Khadak Singh (infuriated by the delay in returning the money) and his men takes place. While Kabira and his gang are eventually arrested by the police, Rinku is saved and returned safely to Devi Prasad by the trio. Baburao and Shyam return home happily but are shocked to find Raju and his bag missing. Assuming he has betrayed them, they call the police to confess their crime, but Raju returns with the money and reveals that he went with his bag which had the documents to help him take his mother with him back and he also returned Khadak Singh his money. As it is too late now, the police arrive at the scene and on seeing the bag of money, they arrest the trio. However, Devi Prasad comes to their rescue and convinces the police that it was all a misunderstanding. As a result, the trio are acquitted by the police and they return home richer than ever as Devi Prasad allows them to keep the money as a gift for saving his granddaughter. The film ends with the trio receiving a prank call from Rinku as Kabira.

Cast

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Production

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Hera Pheri was the first time that Priyadarshan worked with Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty. He had worked with Paresh Rawal in Doli Saja Ke Rakhna. It also marked the beginning of a long association between Priyadarshan and the three actors. Following Hera Pheri, Priyadarshan has made sure that either Kumar, Shetty, Rawal or a combination of the three actors would star in his films. The only exceptions are Dhol (2007), Billu (2009), Tezz (2012) and Rangrezz (2013).

Parts of the film were shot in Dubai and South Africa.[13]

Music

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Score

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The film score was composed by Surinder Sodhi.

Songs

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Hera Pheri
Soundtrack album by
Anu Malik, Lalit Sen and Bally Sagoo[14]
Released2000
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LabelSaregama

All lyrics are written by Sameer

Songs
No.TitleMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Mujhse Milti Hai Ek Ladki Rozana" (Not used in the film)Anu MalikUdit Narayan, Alka Yagnik6:00
2."Jab Bhi Koi Haseena"Anu MalikK.K.6:40
3."Main Ladki Pom Pom"Anu MalikAbhijeet Bhattacharya, Kavita Krishnamurthy6:12
4."Denewala Jab Bhi Deta Deta Chhappar Phaad Ke"Anu MalikAbhijeet Bhattacharya, Vinod Rathod, Hariharan6:50
5."Humba Leela"Anu MalikAbhijeet Bhattacharya, Vinod Rathod, Hariharan7:58
6."Tun Tunak Tun"Lalit Sen, Bally SagooRicha Sharma, K.K. (in film)7:06
7."Sun Zara" (Not used in the film)Anu MalikUdit Narayan, Alka Yagnik7:15
8."Tun Tunak Tun (Dance Mix)"Lalit SenRicha Sharma2:43
Total length:50:44

Reception and legacy

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The film did not open well upon release, but picked up later and became a box office success,[11] grossing Rs. 24,25,00,000 in India.[15] Much of the acclaim went to Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal for their comic timing and acting, the film is considered Kumar's foray into the comedy genre and critics have called Rawal as "Baburao" his best performance.[8]

Aparajita Saha of Rediff stated "The movie belongs entirely to Paresh Rawal. Whatever laughter the film solicits is solely due to him. He has impeccable timing and a natural flair for comedy. Sunil Shetty's role and his performance is also too good."[16] Indiainfo wrote, "Paresh Rawal is brilliant in the film. Akshay Kumar is better than Sunil Shetty and, Namrata in a song appearance appears cold. On the whole, this film is mainly for the city audiences who can understand and appreciate subtle humour."[17]

Alok Kumar of Planet Bollywood wrote, "All in all, Priyadarshan's Hera Pheri is a delight to watch for its performances, some songs, and an interesting storyline. Indian audiences would be doing Bollywood injustice if they accepted an inane film like Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge and rejected a thrilling and entertaining Hera Pheri. Hopefully, the film will click with the masses, and the trailer and songs, if not the stars, will pull audiences to the theatres. Namrata Shirodkar's number has already caught on strong in India. Let's see if in a dull year of flicks like Mela, Krodh, and Bulandi a good film like Hera Pheri can make an impact."[18]

It has achieved a cult status among Indian audiences and is regarded as one of the best Hindi comedy films ever made.[10][11] The dialogues of the film became widely famous throughout the years and are used popularly in Indian memes.[19][20][21]

Awards and nominations

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Awards Category Recipients and Nominees Results
International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Actor in a Comic Role[22] Paresh Rawal Won
Filmfare Awards Best Comedian Paresh Rawal
Screen Awards Best Comic Actor Paresh Rawal
Best Screenplay Neeraj Vora
Best Dialogue Neeraj Vora
Best Performance in a Comic Role Om Puri Nominated
Best Story Anand S. Vardhan
Best Editing N. Gopalakrishnan

Sequels

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Main articles: Hera Pheri (film series), Phir Hera Pheri, and Hera Pheri 3

The film went onto launch a film franchise which includes Phir Hera Pheri, the sequel of this film released on 9 June 2006, which starred besides the main trio, Bipasha Basu, Rimi Sen and Johny Lever joined the cast. Hera Pheri 3, an upcoming sequel and the third in the series is currently in production.

References

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  1. ^ "HERA PHERI | British Board of Film Classification". bbfc.co.uk.
  2. ^ "Hera Pheri – Movie – Box Office India". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  3. ^ https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=714
  4. ^ Jain, Mimmy (3 April 2000). "Three for a laugh". Express India. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  5. ^ "Priyardarshan on 20 years of 'Hera Pheri': Humour can never die - Times of India". The Times of India.
  6. ^ "Humour can never die: Priyadarshan on 20 years of Hera Pheri | Celebrities News – India TV". 31 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Varun Dhawan declined to play Raju in Hera Pheri 3". Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "20 years of Hera Pheri: Revisiting Priyadarshan's classic comedy film and what makes it such a cult favourite". Firstpost. 31 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Akshay Kumar: A Khiladi For All Seasons". HuffPost. 30 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  10. ^ a b Vijayakar, Rajiv (21 May 2010). "Cult, Comic & Classic". Screen India. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  11. ^ a b c "Abhi, Sanju, Nana in Hera Pheri 3". The Times of India. 19 August 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  12. ^ "Surfers pick 'Hera Pheri', 'Andaz Apna Apna' as top Hindi comedy films of all time in Indian Express online poll". The Indian Express. 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  13. ^ Editor/reporter), Arti Dani (sub. "Hera Pheri 3 to take off in the UAE". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 20 March 2019. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ "Hera Pheri: Audio Listing". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  15. ^ "Box Office 2000". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  16. ^ Saha, Aparajita (31 March 2000). "The review of Hera Pheri". Rediff. Archived from the original on 5 May 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  17. ^ "Bollywood masala: Reviews - Hera Pheri". 13 December 2000. Archived from the original on 13 December 2000. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  18. ^ Kumar, Alok. "Film Reviews: Hera Pheri". Planet Bollywood. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  19. ^ "लॉकडाउन से लेकर क्वारंटीन, सब पर हैं हेरा फेरी मीम". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  20. ^ "21 years of Hera Pheri: Check out hilarious memes of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal's film". Jagran English. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  21. ^ "If you're going to see one thing today let it be 'The Daily Hera Pheri Meme Project'". Hindustan Times. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Paresh Rawal Awards: List of awards and nominations received by Paresh Rawal | Times of India Entertainment". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
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