Banner: Balaji Motion Pictures Ltd
Director: Milan Luthria
Producer: Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor
Writers: Rajat Aroraa
Music: Pritam Chakraborty, Anupam Amod
Release Date: 15th August 2013
Story line: The movie takes off from where the previous film ended
with Shoaib Khan (Akshay Kumar) being the reigning don after assassinating his
mentor, Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgan) thus earning the respect and reverence of
the people. He is the charismatic and suave man with womanizing skills who has
extended his empire up to the Middle East on the west. His sole companions and
friends are Javed, who oversees his illegal and shady works for him, his
old-time love Mumtaz (Sonali Bendre) and Aslam (Imran Khan), a youth spotted by
Shoaib during one of his visits to the slums, where he once spent the early
years of his life.
The only obstacles on
Shoaib's path to supremacy in Bombay are two enemies of Shoaib, Vardha and
Arun. Sreenu, a police officer join hands with Vardha and Arjun as the trio's
intention of ruining Shoaib coincides.
Although the city still
being his first love a rising starlet, Jasmin has caught the fancy of Shoaib's
heart. In due time this passion takes the shape of obsession and leads to a
rift between Shoaib and Aslam as they both vie for Jasmin's love
Milan Luthria began his career by
assisting to director Dharmesh Darshan in 'Lootere' in 1993. Luthria directed
his first independent movie in 1999, called 'Kachche Dhaage' starring Ajay
Devgn and Saif Ali Khan which got mixed reviews. Luthria's next was romantic
'Chori Chori' (2002) starring Ajay Devgn, Rani Mukherjee and Sonali Bendre. In
2004, Luthria directed patriotic movie 'Deewaar' scripted by Anurag Kashyap. In
2006, he directed 'Taxi No 9211', his first success. It was appreciated for its
originality and new concept. In 2007, Luthria's 'HatTrick' a movie with a
backdrop of cricket, did not fare well.
Facts And Figures:
• “Once upon a time
in Mumbai- Again”was budgeted Rs 28 crore however the sequel “Once upon a time in mumbai”again is
budgeted Rs 85 crore which makes the sequel a risky venture as for return on
Investment movie has to do exceptionally well at box office. “Once upon a time in mumbai- Again” collected
gross Rs 945 worldwide.
• The lead role was
initially chosen to be played by Emraan Hashmi, who also appeared in the
original film. However, director Milan Luthria was searching for an older
actor, and hence chose Akshay Kumar. Kumar is to play the role of Shoaib Khan
(Dawood Ibrahim).
• In February 2012,
it was announced that there were two male leads in the film, and the second
parallel to Kumar, was signed to Shahid Kapoor. However, in March 2012, it was
finalized that Imran Khan was actually playing the second male lead. Many
female actors were considered for the female lead, including Illeana D'Cruz,
Kareena Kapoor, Kangna Ranaut, Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, however in
April 2012, it was reported that Sonakshi Sinha had been casted.
• Initially, Shah
Rukh Khan Starrer Chennai Express and Akshay Kumar starrer “Once upon a time in
mumbai”Again ! both have been abandoned by Pakistani distributors and
exhibitors in the interest of four of their own films releasing on the same day
but now it has been finalized that both the films will be released in Pakistan
My Gut Feel and
comments:
It’s been evident that whenever a sequel is made in Bollywood, the
same creative team is not able to do the justice to the screenplay and overall
packaging. Somehow I have the same hunch for “Once upon a time in
Mumbai-Again”. Although the costing
scale is 3 times that of the prequel however the exuberance of the prequel
appears to be missing has not been maintained.
“Once upon a time in mumbai- Again”, promos portraits that the movie
revolves around the fact that both the male leads are fighting for the common
lady love which seems to be the drawback of the plot and star cast is not as
exciting as the prequel except Akshay Kumar who is playing different character
after long time in comparison to his recent typical comic characters. Sonakshi
Sinha and Imran Khan seem to be repetitive. On the other hand Ajay devgan,
Emraan Hashami and Randeep Hooda
performed brilliantly backed by prodigious dialogues in the prequel.
Acquiring from the prequel’s success, extensive promotions and the
strategic release of the movie on the occasion of Independence Day which is an
extended weekend as well, would ensure the decent opening at box office. I am
not completely writing off the movie, as the work done by the director Milan
Luthria has been quite decent and respectable off late. I am sure with current
offering we can expect an engaging screenplay and narration with decent
performances however I have a feeling that it would not able to create the same
magic that of its prequel. I would give this movie 3 out of 5
stars, five days before the release.