The Shaukeens

Casts : Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor, Piyush Mishra, Lisa Haydon, Akshay Kumar
Banner : Cape of Good Films
Director : Abhishek Sharma
Producer : Murad Khetani, Ashwin Varde and Akshay Kumar
Writers : Tigmanshu Dhulia and Sai Kabir
Music : Yo Yo Honey Singh, Hard Kaur, Dr Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Vikram Nagi
Release Date : November, 7, 2014

Story line: According to the tagline, 'The Shaukeens' is a coming-of-age comedy film from the director of Tere Bin Laden. The movie features Anupam Kher, Piyush Mishra and Annu Kapoor in lead as the three old-aged friends. Despite the fact that they all are at a stage where the girls call them as 'uncle', but there's much virility, vigor in their lives. The prime mission of the trio is to have some light fun with young girls, and according to the storyline, their object of affection is one hot-shot beauty, played by Lisa Haydon in the movie.

Facts And Figures:
The shooting of the film started on April 25, 2014. Akshay Kumar posted a picture of the film's first day of filming apparently. The actors were shooting in a hotel room scene indoors and in June next schedule started in Mauritius, followed by a schedule in Delhi. Anupam Kher starts shooting in Delhi. Also, musical artist Honey Singh has been signed for a song in the film. Singh has earlier repeatedly collaborated with Akshay Kumar in the past, and after Kumar requested the rapper-performer for one special number for the film, Singh in turn offered him three songs for the film.
Initially, Nargis Fakhri was signed for the film but then left the project for an unnamed Hollywood film, then, this role offered to Shraddha Kapoor. Finally, actress Lisa Haydon replaced her character and has now started filming. Actor Akshay Kumar has also been roped in to play the partner of Haydon's character, a role which Mithun Chakraborty had portrayed in the original film. Rati Agnihotri will also play a cameo role in film, while she played lead role in original version of the film. According to the film's director, actor Abhishek Bachchan has also been roped in for a "hilarious cameo appearance". Budget of the movie is 35-36cr including promotional activities.

My Gut Feel and comments:   
Promo of “The shaukeen” is revitalizing and all three veteran actors Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor, Piyush Mishra seems to be apt in the roles and Anu kapoor is looking exceptional. He is one actor which has been under utilized by the film industry however he has a great screen presence with his electrifying performance especially in comic role off late in movie like Vicky Donar.

Director Abhishek Sharma seems to have put an honest effort to do justice to old movie Shaukeen and has not crossed the thin line which could lead to this movie being tagged as cheap double meaning vulgar sex comedy films we have seen in the past like Kya kool hai hum or masti franchise.
His first venture as director Tere bin laden was also an intelligent attempt and was critically acclaimed. Screen play of “The shaukeen” is written by Tigmanshu Dhulia. And with this director and writer combination chances of this movie go wrong are very less.  Budget of this movie is moderate and Akshay’s presence gave the movie a mass appeal and commercial boost where now the overall packaging seems exciting backed by decent performances and upbeat music.


All facts and figures are favoring this movie and as I go by gut feel, a thumps up for this movie and I would give this movie 3 stars out of 5, a weekend before its release date.

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