Happy New Year - 2014

Happy New Year, released in 2014, is a Bollywood extravaganza that embodies the spirit of celebration, friendship, and redemption. Some of the most talented and charismatic actors in the Indian film industry make up the ensemble cast of Farah Khan's and Gauri Khan's film. With its blend of humour, romance, and thrilling heist sequences, Happy New Year offers a delightful cinematic experience that captivated audiences upon its release.

Set against the backdrop of the international dance competition, the World Dance Championship, the film follows the journey of six individuals with diverse backgrounds and motivations who come together to form an unlikely team. Led by Charlie, played by the charismatic Shah Rukh Khan, the team consists of a safecracker (Boman Irani), a hacker (Vivaan Shah), a dancer (Deepika Padukone), a drunkard (Abhishek Bachchan), and an explosives expert (Sonu Sood). Each character brings their unique talents and quirks, adding an element of fun and unpredictability to the story.

As the team embarks on their journey to complete the mission, they face numerous challenges and obstacles, both within and outside the competition. Along the way, they encounter love, betrayal, and personal growth, leading to a climax filled with suspense and excitement. 

With its catchy music, vibrant choreography, and stellar performances, Happy New Year became a box-office success, appealing to a wide range of audiences. It is a cinematic celebration that brings together the best of Bollywood, offering a perfect blend of entertainment and emotions.

Table of Contents

• Details

• Plot

• Release

• Reviews

• Cast

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Songs

• Behind the Scenes

• Controversy

• Box Office Collection

• Awards

• Interesting Facts

• Conclusion

Details

Plot

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The film follows Charlie, who is seeking revenge for his father's false imprisonment. To accomplish this, he assembles a team of diverse individuals, each with a unique skill set. The team includes Jag, a former bomb disposal expert; Tammy, a safecracker; Rohan, a young hacker; and Nandu, a lookalike of the villain’s son.

Charlie's plan is to participate in the World Dance Championship held in Dubai, where the team will have access to the hotel where the diamonds are stored. To help them win the dance competition, Charlie enlists the help of Mohini, a talented bar dancer who dreams of becoming a renowned performer. The team goes through a series of hilarious and chaotic rehearsals, as they are all inexperienced dancers.

As the competition progresses, the team faces various challenges, including rival dance teams and the suspicions of the competition's organisers. Despite their lack of dancing skills, the team manages to advance through the rounds, thanks to their determination and teamwork.

In the final act of the film, the team successfully executes the diamond heist while simultaneously performing in the dance competition's grand finale. The climax unfolds with a series of twists and turns as Charlie and his team outsmart the antagonists and ultimately clear his father's name.

Release

Happy New Year was released on Diwali 2014 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, with approximately 4,200 screens in Hindi and 800 screens in Tamil and Telugu, making it the largest film release in India up until that point.

Reviews

Farah Khan's 2014 Bollywood film Happy New Year is a joyous and entertaining ride that makes you smile. Filled with dynamic dance sequences, a star-studded cast, and a heist plotline, the movie is a colourful celebration of friendship, redemption, and the power of dreams.

One of the standout aspects of Happy New Year is its ensemble cast, which includes some of Bollywood's biggest stars. Shah Rukh Khan shines in his role as Charlie, bringing his trademark charm and charisma to the character. The chemistry between the actors is palpable, and their camaraderie adds depth to the film. Deepika Padukone delivers a standout performance as Mohini, the dancer of the group, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood, and Vivaan Shah also deliver noteworthy performances, each bringing their unique quirks and talents to their respective roles.

The film's plot revolves around a team of misfits who come together to participate in a high-stakes dance competition. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, keeping the audience engaged throughout. Farah Khan's direction ensures that the pace never fluctuates and that the film maintains a sense of energy and excitement. The dance sequences are choreographed with precision and style, adding a vibrant and visually appealing element to the movie.

Happy New Year strikes a balance between humour and emotion, incorporating light-hearted comedy while also exploring themes of friendship, redemption, and second chances. The characters undergo personal growth and transformation, making their journey relatable and engaging. The film also touches on the importance of unity and teamwork, emphasising the power of collective effort.

The music of Happy New Year is a highlight in itself, with catchy tunes and foot-tapping numbers that stay with the audience long after the film ends. The soundtrack blends seamlessly with the storytelling, enhancing the overall cinematic experience.

While Happy New Year may not offer groundbreaking storytelling or deep social commentary, it succeeds in its primary goal - providing wholesome entertainment. It is a film that embraces the spirit of celebration and leaves the audience with a sense of joy and satisfaction.

Cast

• Shah Rukh Khan as Chandramohan "Charlie" Manohar Sharma

• Deepika Padukone as Mohini Joshi

• Abhishek Bachchan as Nandu Bhide (Charlie’s teammate) and Vicky Grover (Charan's son)

• Sonu Sood as Captain Jagmohan "Jag" Prakash

• Boman Irani as Temthon "Tammy" Irani

• Vivaan Shah as Rohan Singh

• Jackie Shroff as Charan Grover

• Jason Tham as Team Korea Leader

• Mohan Kapur as Mr Kapoor

• Varun Pruthi as Charan's assistant Sartaj Gill

• Kavi Shastri as Mr. Suryakant Gupta

• Prabhu Deva as Dance Instructor

• Sarah Jane Dias as Laila

• Daisy Irani as Namita Irani

• Anupam Kher as Manohar Sharma (Charlie's father)

• Dino Morea as Host of World Dance Championship

• Kiku Sharda as a fake Saroj Khan

• Malaika Arora as Manolika Jhawar

• Anurag Kashyap as Judge of World Dance Championship Auditions

• Vishal Dadlani as Judge of World Dance Championship Auditions

• Sajid Khan as Himself

• Geeta Kapoor as Herself/Judge of World Dance Championship

Crew

• Director(s) - Farah Khan

• Screenplay Writer(s) - Farah Khan, Althea Kaushal and Mayur Puri

• Story Writer(s) - Farah Khan

• Producer(s) - Gauri Khan

• Cinematographer(s) - Manush Nandan

• Editor(s) - Anand Subaya and Tushar Parekh

• Musician(s) - Vishal-Shekhar, Dr. Zeus, and John Stewart Eduri

Character Analysis

• Chandramohan Manohar Sharma aka Charlie (Shah Rukh Khan) - Charlie is the protagonist and mastermind behind the diamond heist. He is driven by the desire to avenge his father's humiliation and clear his name. Charlie is a charismatic and intelligent leader who brings the team together and motivates them to execute the plan while participating in the dance competition.

• Mohini Joshi (Deepika Padukone) - Mohini is a talented local dancer who dreams of becoming a renowned dancer. She is recruited by Charlie for her dancing skills and eventually becomes the love interest of Charlie. Mohini is a strong and independent woman who plays a crucial role in the team's success.

• Nandu Bhide (Abhishek Bachchan) - Nandu is a drunk and happy-go-lucky guy who looks exactly like Vicky Grover, the son of the evil Charan Gover. He is a very important piece in Charlie's plan for stealing the diamonds.

• Tammy Irani (Boman Irani) - Tammy, also known as Temthon Irani, is a middle-aged Parsi man who used to be a master safe-cracker. He is lured out of retirement by Charlie to join the team for the diamond heist. Tammy is a skilled technician who plays a vital role in the plan's execution.

• Jagmohan Prakash, aka Jag (Sonu Sood) - Jag is a former bomb disposal expert for the Indian Army who was discharged due to hearing impairment. He is a tough and loyal member of the team, responsible for handling explosives and creating diversions during the heist.

• Rohan Singh (Vivaan Shah) - Rohan is a young computer hacker who is brought into the team for his exceptional hacking skills. He is responsible for hacking into the security systems and providing the team with crucial information. He is Jagmohan’s nephew.

Songs

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Behind the Scenes

In the beginning of November 2013, the first filming schedule was initiated in Dubai. A considerable amount of the movie was shot at the legendary Atlantis, The Palm. 

SRK suffered an injury on the 23rd of January, 2014, while shooting at the JW Marriott Hotel in Mumbai. His injuries were initially thought to be minor; however, he ended up with a fractured shoulder and a torn patella in his left knee, and he was told to rest for a while.

One of the main filming locations was Mehboob Studios, and several scenes were also shot close to Wilson College. August 2014 saw the completion of the last schedule.

Controversy

According to reports, Bollywood film choreographer Saroj Khan became upset after seeing herself parodied in the film. Farah Khan strongly denied making fun of Saroj Khan.

Happy New Year was called a "nonsensical film" by Jaya Bachchan, who also stated, "I only watched it because Abhishek is in it. I told him that he is a great actor if he can act stupid in front of the camera like that."

Box Office Collection

One of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, Happy New Year, brought in a worldwide total of ₹394 Crore. Happy New Year established a record by earning ₹44.97 Crore in a single day, making it the first Bollywood film to do so.

With earnings of $8.1 million (₹498 million) on its debut weekend in foreign markets, Happy New Year achieved the position of having the second-highest opening weekend of all time.

Overall, the box office collection of Happy New Year stands as a testament to its immense popularity and widespread acceptance among moviegoers.

Awards

Interesting Facts

• Priyanka Chopra was the first choice for the role of Mohini. However, Chopra declined the picture due to scheduling conflicts with another film she was working on.

• John Abraham was initially supposed to portray one of the supporting roles.

• The movie had been planned for 2005, but for some reason it was put on hold. Instead, Farah Khan made Om Shanti Om (2007) and Tees Maar Khan (2010).

• Before its release, the film had already made more than ₹400 Crore. ₹200 Crore from the sale of broadcast and music rights, and ₹200 Crore from promotion.

• AbRam, SRK's youngest kid, makes a brief appearance in the film.

Conclusion

Happy New Year is a Bollywood extravaganza that delivers on its promise of entertainment. With its stellar cast, energetic dance sequences, and a mix of comedy and emotion, the film is a delightful watch for fans of commercial cinema. It is a feel-good movie that brings together the best of Bollywood's star power and showcases the magic of cinema as a medium of escapism and celebration.

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