Coolie No. 1 (2020 film)

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Coolie No. 1
File:Coolie No. 1 poster.jpg
Official release poster
Directed byDavid Dhawan
Produced by
Screenplay byRumi Jaffrey
Farhad Samji (dialogue)
Based on Coolie No. 1 by David Dhawan
Starring
Music byScore:
Salim–Sulaiman
Songs:
Tanishk Bagchi
Lijo George – DJ Chetas
Javed – Mohsin
Salim–Sulaiman
CinematographyRavi K. Chandran
Edited byRitesh Soni
Production
company
Distributed byAmazon Prime Video
Release date
  • 25 December 2020 (2020-12-25)[1]
Running time
135 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget65 crore (US$9.1 million)

Coolie No. 1 is a 2020 Indian comedy film directed by David Dhawan and produced by Vashu Bhagnani. A remake of the 1995 film of the same name, the film stars Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan, with Paresh Rawal in a supporting role. Principal photography began on 8 August 2019 in Bangkok. The film was set to be theatrically released in India on 1 May 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3] Later, it was released on 25 December, during Christmas on Amazon Prime Video.[1]

Plot[edit]

Pandit Jai Kishen brings a prospective groom's family for Sarah Rosario. But when her father Jeffrey learns that that family isn't filthy rich, he insults Jai Kishen. Jai Kishen vows to teach Jeffrey a lesson for his arrogance and pride.

On the way home, Jai Kishen bumps into Raju, a railway station coolie who proudly wears his badge - "Coolie No. 1". Raju is known among his fellow coolies for being heroic, recently having gotten a drug dealer Mahesh arrested. When Raju is smitten by Sarah's photo, Jai Kishen hatches a plan to get the poor coolie married to Sarah Rosario and exact his revenge. With Jai Kishen's guidance and the help of his mechanic friend Deepak, Raju poses as the prince of Singapore, Kunwar Raj Pratap Singh and wins Sarah's heart. In the process, Sarah's sister Anju falls for Deepak.

Jeffrey Rosario gets Sarah married to Raju, not knowing that he is just a poor coolie. When Raju returns home with Sarah after the wedding, he pretends that his "father" Mahendra Pratap Singh has thrown him out of the house for getting married without his consent. Sarah tries to make the best out of the given situation by cheering up Raj, which makes him feel guilty.

The trouble becomes double when Jeffrey comes to town to visit his daughter and son-in-law but spots Raju as a coolie at the train station. Jeffrey creates a ruckus, saying that Raju is a fraud who posed as a rich prince and married his daughter. Spontaneously, Raju pretends to not recognise Jeffrey and shoos him away. Raju comes home dressed as Raj and explains that Jeffrey must have seen his twin brother Raju who his father threw out due to his drinking and gambling addictions. Jeffrey buys this story and decides to get Anju married to Raju, so that both his daughters will live filthy rich lives.

Raju keeps getting into trouble since he can be only at one place at one time. One such incident forces Raju, Sarah and Jeffrey Rosario to file a missing complaint for Kunwar Raj Pratap Singh. Inspector Jagjit Godbole gets skeptical of the situation and starts to believe that Raju and his twin Raj are the same person. To prevent further problems, Deepak suggests that he should "kill" Raju. Taking this suggestion, Raju tosses his "Coolie No. 1" badge into a car which he and Deepak push down a cliff, into a lake. However, when the car is recovered but no body is found, Inspector Godbole's suspicions are confirmed.

Mahesh is disowned by his father Mahendra Pratap Singh due to his criminal activities. To get back at him and Raju, Mahesh stabs Mahendra and frames Raju for the same. Inspector Godbole arrives to arrest him, but Raju informs him that Mahendra is still alive and needs critical medical care, following which he escapes police custody. Raju runs to Deepak and both of them hatch a plan to pretend to be nurses to save Mahendra's life, as that is Raju's only proof of innocence. At the hospital, Inspector Godbole tells Jeffrey, Sarah and Anju that Raju is just a coolie who pretended to be Kunwar Raj Pratap Singh.

While trying to save Mahendra Pratap Singh, Raju and Deepak bump into Sarah and Anju. Raju confesses his fraud to Sarah, and she forgives him. Jeffrey and Sarah help Raju and Deepak stop Mahesh from killing Mahendra. Once he gains consciousness, Mahendra announces that since Raju saved his life, he is like a son to him. Anju also announces her love for Deepak. When Jeffrey cries about his sons-in-law being a coolie and a mechanic, Jai Kishen arrives and tells Jeffrey that it was bound to happen to someone so arrogant and proud of his wealth. Jai Kishen explains that for a happy marriage, wealth isn't needed - love is.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

In an interview with Indo-Asian News Service, producer Bhangani said that David Dhawan wanted to remake the Tamil film Chinna Mapillai (1993).[8] Other sources point the Telugu film Coolie No. 1 (1991) as the original story.[9][10] Karthik Keramulu of Film Companion notes that the Coolie No. 1 (1995) was a remake of Chinna Mapillai, but also took inspiration from Coolie No. 1 (1991).[11]

Principal photography[edit]

Filming began in Bangkok in August 2019,[12][13] and also took place Goa, India.[14][15] The filming was completed in February 2020 and was scheduled for release on 1 May 2020.[16][17][18] However, due to COVID-19 pandemic the film skipped the theatrical release and was streamed on Amazon Prime Video on 25 December 2020.[19]

Soundtrack[edit]

Coolie No. 1
Soundtrack album by
Tanishk Bagchi, Lijo George – DJ Chetas, Javed – Mohsin and Salim–Sulaiman
Released22 December 2020[20]
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length21:57
LanguageHindi
LabelZee Music Company
Tips Music
Official audio
Coolie No. 1 - Full Album at YouTube

The music of the film was composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Lijo George – DJ Chetas, Javed – Mohsin and Salim–Sulaiman while the lyrics were written by Sameer Anjaan, Rashmi Virag, Shabbir Ahmed, Danish Sabri, Ikka and Farhad Samji.

Two of the popular songs from the Coolie No. 1 (1995) - "Husn Hai Suhana" and "Main Toh Raste Se Jaa Raha Tha", originally composed by Anand-Milind and written by Sameer were recreated for the film with the original vocals and singers being retained.[21][22][23]

Track listing
No. TitleSinger(s) Length
1. "Teri Bhabhi"  Dev Negi, Neha Kakkar, Javed–Mohsin 3:22
2. "Husnn Hai Suhaana New"  Chandana Dixit, Abhijeet Bhattacharya 4:27
3. "Mummy Kassam"  Udit Narayan, Ikka, Monali Thakur 3:32
4. "Mirchi Lagi Toh"  Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik 5:22
5. "Tere Siva"  Renessa Das, Ash King 3:07
6. "Coolie No. 1" (Title Track)Raj Pandit 2:07
Total length:
21:57

Release[edit]

The film was set to be theatrically released in India on 1 May 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3]

But as the pandemic refused to slow down, the film was released directly on Amazon Prime Video on 25 December 2020, coinciding with Christmas.[1]

Reception[edit]

The film received highly negative reviews from critics.[24] Shubhra Gupta of Indian Express rated it 1 out of 5 stars, calling it a "zero wit, no flair".[25] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama rated it 3.5/5 stars, calling it funny and entertaining.[26] Writing for Film Companion, Anupama Chopra called the film "offensive and unfunny".[27] Hindustan Times rated the film 1/5 stars and called the film limp spoof of the original.[28]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Coolie No. 1, Durgavati, Chhalaang among films to release directly Amazon Prime Video India". First Post. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Coolie No 1: Varun Dhawan shares first-look posters on Sara Ali Khan's birthday". India Today. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  3. 3.0 3.1 World, Republic. "Varun Dhawan-Sara Ali Khan starrer 'Coolie No. 1' postponed due to coronavirus?". Republic World.
  4. "Rajpal Yadav joins cast of 'Coolie No. 1' remake". www.msn.com. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  5. Taneja, Parina (20 July 2019). "Johny Lever joins Sara Ali Khan and Varun Dhawan in David Dhawan's Coolie No. 1". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  6. "Varun Dhawan welcomes Sahil Vaid in Coolie No 1: Back with my all time best friend". India Today. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  7. "Veere Di Wedding's Shikha Talsania in Coolie No 1. Varun Dhawan has the best welcome message". India Today. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  8. "Remake of Coolie No. 1 a new film: David Dhawan". Outlook. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2020. Initially, he thought of me as a kid and one day, called me out of the blue to ask if I had seen the Tamil film Chinna Mapillai, and that we should remake it.
  9. Palat, Lakshana N. (12 August 2019). "Judwaa 2, Coolie No 1. Why is David Dhawan remaking his films? Are we back to the 90s?". India Today. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  10. "'Coolie No. 1' review: The same, only much worse". Mintlounge. 25 December 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  11. "Prabhu, Venkatesh, Govinda, Shashi Kumar... Is Varun Dhawan Coolie No 1 or 5?". Film Companion. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  12. "Coolie No. 1: Varun Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan's comedy goes on the floors in Thailand". Firstpost. 7 August 2019.
  13. "Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan's Coolie No 1 kicks off in Bangkok. Watch video". India Today.
  14. "Varun and David Dhawan are doing all things Goa on Coolie No 1 shoot. Ranveer Singh approves". India Today.
  15. "Sara Ali Khan, Varun Dhawan Have a Blast as They Shoot for Coolie No 1 on Beach, Watch BTS Video". News18. 20 February 2020.
  16. "Coolie No 1 wraps up: Varun Dhawan cuts a healthy cake, Sara Ali Khan bids Goa goodbye". Hindustan Times. 21 February 2020.
  17. "Coolie No 1: Varun Dhawan Wraps The Film And Celebrates It With Pancakes". NDTV.com.
  18. "Sara Ali Khan thanks Varun Dhawan after Coolie No 1 wrap: Will miss irritating you constantly". India Today.
  19. "Varun Dhawan calls Joe Biden 'hamare naye dost' in his 'Coolie No 1' look". DNA India. 8 November 2020.
  20. "Coolie No. 1 – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Jiosaavn.
  21. "Coolie No 1: Motion poster of David Dhawan's remake, starring Varun Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan, unveiled". Firstpost. 11 August 2019.
  22. "David Dhawan's Wife and Varun Dhawan's Mom Karuna Launches 'Coolie No. 1'".
  23. "'Coolie No. 1' remake: Makers to recreate 'Main Toh Raste Se Jaa Raha Tha' and 'Husn Hai Suhana' songs for the film". Times of India. 2 January 2020.
  24. "Despite negative reviews, Varun Dhawan's Coolie No 1 creates viewership record on Amazon Prime". Lokmat English. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. "Coolie No 1 review: Zero wit, no flair". The Indian Express. 25 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  26. Hungama, Bollywood. "Coolie No.1 Review 3.5/5 : Varun Dhawan & Sara Ali Khan's COOLIE NO. 1 is atypical David Dhawan entertainer — crazy, outrageous and over the top — but funny and entertaining". Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  27. Chopra, Anupama (25 December 2020). "Coolie No 1 Starring Varun Dhawan And Sara Ali Khan Is Offensive And Unfunny". Film Companion. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  28. "Coolie No 1 movie review: Varun Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan's film is limp spoof of the original". Hindustan Times. 25 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.

External links[edit]

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