Sarfira

Sarfira
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sudha Kongara
Screenplay by	Sudha Kongara Shalini Ushadevi
Dialogue by	Pooja Tolani
Story by	Sudha Kongara
Based on	Soorarai Pottru by Sudha Kongara
Produced by	Aruna Bhatia Vikram Malhotra Jyothika Suriya
Starring	Akshay Kumar Paresh Rawal Radhika Madan
Cinematography	Niketh Bommireddy
Edited by	Sathish Suriya
Music by	G. V. Prakash Kumar
Production companies	Abundantia Entertainment 2D Entertainment Cape Of Good Films
Distributed by	Pen Marudhar Entertainment
Release date	12 July 2024(2024-07-12)
Running time	153 minutes
Country	India
Language	Hindi
Budget	₹80 crore
Box office	est.₹30.02 crore

Sarfira(transl. Crazy) is a 2024 IndianHindi-languagedrama filmdirected bySudha Kongaraand produced by2D Entertainment,Abundantia Entertainment andCape Of Good FilmsstarringAkshay Kumar,Paresh RawalandRadhika Madan.It is a remake of Kongara's Tamil filmSoorarai Pottru(2020), which itself was an adaptation ofG. R. Gopinath's memoirSimply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey.The film follows a man who sets out to make affordable airlines for low income people, which several enemies try to impede.

The remake was officially announced in July 2021 asProject 1,marking the maiden venture of 2D Entertainment in Hindi, and the official title was announced in February 2024.Principal photographycommenced in April 2022. The film has music composed byG. V. Prakash Kumar.It marks Akshay Kumar's 150th film in a leading role.

Sarfirawas released in theatres worldwide on 12 July 2024. It received mixed reviews from critics who praised Kumar's performance.The film was abox office bomb.

Plot

Sarfira tells the tale of Vir Jagannath Mhatre, a young man from a modest village inMaharashtra.His ambition is to launch a budget airline, aiming to break down economic and social barriers. Vir clashes with his father, a non-violent teacher whom he sees as hesitant, believing instead that direct action is necessary to effect change. Both father and son are visionaries in their own right, but their conflicting views on activism versus non-violence drive the narrative.

After an argument, Vir departs for the Indian Air Force but soon leaves, joined by two fellow trainees, to pursue his entrepreneurial dream. He pitches his airline concept to Paresh Goswami, a prominent figure in aviation, who initially mocks Vir but eventually becomes his rival. Despite repeated setbacks caused by corruption, bureaucracy, betrayal, and social divisions, Vir persists in his quest to launch his airline, which he humorously refers to as "udta hua Udupi hotel."

Back home, Vir finds support from his wife Rani, who shares his ambition and runs a successful bakery. Their mutual determination to follow their passions, disregarding societal expectations, strengthens their bond. The narrative cleverly establishes early on why Vir remains single and how Rani, after 20 rejections, finds a fitting partner in him.

Cast

• Akshay Kumaras Veer Jagannadh Mahatre, apilot-turned-businessman
• Paresh Rawalas Paresh Goswami
• Radhika Madanas Rani Mahatre, Veer's wife
• Seema Biswasas Vir's mother
• R. Sarathkumaras Nedumaran, Vir's commanding officer in theAir Force
• Saurabh Goyal as Sam, Vir's friend from the Air Force
• Krishnakumar Balasubramanianas Chaitanya Rao, Vir's friend from the Air Force
• Iravati Harshe Mayadevas Chitra
• Anil Charanjeettas Mandar
• Prakash Belawadias Prakash Babu
• Dan Dhanoaas Walia
• Rahul Vohra as Shashank Deshmukh
• Jay Upadhyay as Rani's uncle
• Raj Jadon as a Flight reporter
• Suriyaas a silk businessman who invested money in Deccan Air (cameo appearance)

Production

Development

On 12 July 2021,JyothikaandSuriya,owners of2D Entertainment,announced that their production ventureSoorarai Pottru(2020), was to be remade inHindi.Furthermore, they stated that the director of the original film,Sudha Kongara,would direct the remake and they would collaborate withVikram Malhotra,of Abundantia Entertainment, to fund it.Reportedly, one of the actorsAjay Devgn,John Abraham,Akshay KumarandHrithik Roshanwere considered to play the role that Suriya played in the original. The actor was reported to be finalised going by their availability.In August, the co-producer of the original film, Sikhya Entertainment, had approachedMadras High Court;as initially the production house was to be co-producing the remake along with 2D Entertainment, however, the latter house sold the rights to Abundantia Entertainment, without the former houses' consent.By early September, the case was closed, withSikhya Entertainmentnot involved in the production side.Akshay Kumar was announced on 25 April 2022 to reprise the role played by Suriya. Amuhuratpuja was held the same day inMumbaiwith the presence of the film's cast and crew.Radhika Madanwas cast, alongside Kumar.Paresh Rawal,who portrayed the antagonist in Tamil, reprises his role.The official titleSarfirawas revealed on 13 February 2024, along with a release date of 12 July 2024.

Filming

Principal photographybegan with the first schedule on 25 April 2022 in Mumbai.Madan completed filming her portions by 23 October.

Music

Sarfira
Soundtrack albumby G. V. Prakash Kumar,Tanishk Bagchiand Suhit Abhyankar
Released	3 July 2024(2024-07-03)
Recorded	2022–2023
Genre	Feature film soundtrack
Length	21:30
Language	Hindi
Label	Times Music
Official audio
Sarfira (Audio Jukebox)onYouTube

The music of the film is composed byG. V. Prakash KumarwhileTanishk Bagchiand Suhit Abhyankar serve as guest composers. The lyrics are written byManoj Muntashir,Shloke Lal and Tanishk Bagchi. In April 2022, Prakash tweeted that he had completed the first song of the soundtrack.The film marks G. V. Prakash Kumar's second collaboration with Sudha afterSoorarai Pottruand his second collaboration with Akshay Kumar afterJoker.The music rights were obtained byJunglee Music.

The first single titled "Maar Udi" was released on 24 June 2024.And the second song titled "Khudaya" released on 27 June 2024.

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Maar Udi" (The Spirit of Sarfira)	Manoj Muntashir	G. V. Prakash Kumar	Yadu Krishnan, Sugandh Shekar, Haston Rodrigues, Abhijith Rao	1:23
2.	"Khudaya"	Manoj Muntashir	Suhit Abhyankar	Sagar Bhatia,Neeti Mohan,Suhit Abhyankar	3:36
3.	"Saare Ki"	Tanishk Bagchi	Tanishk Bagchi	Tanishk Bagchi	2:23
4.	"De Taali"	Shloke Lal	Tanishk Bagchi	Tanishk Bagchi	2:32
5.	"Chaawat"	Manoj Muntashir	G. V. Prakash Kumar	Shreya Ghoshal	4:12
6.	"Dhokha"	Manoj Muntashir	G. V. Prakash Kumar	Mika Singh	3:29
7.	"Yeh Kahani"	Manoj Muntashir	G. V. Prakash Kumar	Saindhavi	3:55
Total length:					21:30

Release

Theatrical

Initially the film was planned to release on 1 September 2023 and later 16 February 2024. It was finally released in theatres on 12 July 2024.

Home media

The film was premiered onDisney+ Hotstarfrom 11 October 2024.

Reception

On thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,42% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.3/10.

Bollywood Hungamagave 2.5/5 and wrote "On the whole,Sarfiratells an inspiring story in an engaging manner and rests on Akshay Kumar's strong performance. "Titas Chowdhury ofNews18rated the film 4.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Sudha Kongara's retelling of Soorarai Pottru is as sublime as the original. Sarfira is Akshay Kumar's best performance in recent years."Tushar Joshi ofIndia Todayrated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Akshay Kumar delights you with his earnest performance"Lachmi Deb Roy ofFirstpostrated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote, "An inspirational film that will make you cry and clap at the same time!"

Sukanya VermaofRediff.comrated 2/5 stars and observed "Throughout its 155 minutes, every scene is doused in blaring background music and melodrama. Disappointment alone won't do, it must feel like a full blown catastrophe."

Rishil Jogani ofPinkvillarated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote "Sudha Kongara, Akshay Kumar and Radhikka Madan breach 'Sarfira' heights with their deeply moving and delightfully inspiring aviation-drama, that warrants a watch on the big screen. Don't miss it."Sonal Pandya ofTimes Nowrated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Akshay Kumar's Underdog Remake Retains Its Emotional Impact."Pratikshya Mishra ofThe Quintrated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Akshay Kumar Truly Gets To Explore His Range After a Long Time."

Saibal ChatterjeeofNDTVrated the film 2/5, criticizing the chemistry betweenAkshay KumarandRadhika Madanas lacking the compelling quality seen in the performances of Suriya and Aparna Balamurali. According to Chatterjee, this shortcoming affects the film's overall effectiveness. Other elements of the film, such as its direction and technical aspects, have been discussed by critics, resulting in a generally mixed reception from audiences and reviewers.

Dhaval Roy of theTimes of Indiarated the film 3.5 stars out of 5.

Shubhra GuptaofIndian Expressrated 2.5/5 and wrote, "The film is only interested in fronting its hero.Akshay Kumar,who is in practically every frame of the film, isn't actively terrible, but he doesn't do anything here that he hasn't done before.

Box office

Sarfiraperformed poorly at the box office, earning₹2.5 crore(US$300,000) on the opening day. The film has grossed ₹ 26.3 crore domestically and ₹30.02 crore worldwide.Trade analysts attributed the underperformance to poor marketing and viewers already having seen the original film online.

External links

• SarfiraatIMDb
• SarfiraatBollywood Hungama