Hello (film)
Encyclopedia
Hello is an 2008 Bollywood
thriller film directed and produced by Atul Agnihotri
, starring Sharman Joshi
, Sohail Khan
, Gul Panag
, Isha Koppikar, Amrita Arora
and Sharat Saxena
in the lead roles. The film is based on Chetan Bhagat's
novel, One Night @ the Call Center
. It also had cameo roles from Salman Khan
and Katrina Kaif
who played themselves in the film. It was released on 10 October 2008.
is a Bollywood
actor, who is on a live tour nearby Delhi
, where his private jet has a crash. Luckily, he survives and in a lounge, he meets Katrina Kaif
. She tells him a story, about six friends and their boss who all work together at a Mumbai-based call centre. They are instructed never to reveal their location, and speak with an American accent by a Boston-based company. There is Shyam (Sharman Joshi
), Priyanka (Gul Panag
), Varun (Sohail Khan
), Esha (Isha Koppikar), Radhika (Amrita Arora
) and Military uncle (Sharat Saxena
). Their boss, Subhash Bakshi (Dalip Tahil
), attempts to further his career by plagiarizing software, agrees to lay off 40% of the Indian workforce, and re-locate to Boston. One night, at a party, they all get drunk and decide to head back home since it was late. The six are on their way home, until they approach an accident, and are stuck on top of a cliff in their car, and if anybody tries to move, there would be chances that the car will lose its balance and fall off the cliff. They all remain calm, and when one of the friends tries to call someone, he finds his phone battery has run out, therefore, in rage he breaks his phone and throws it on the floor of the car. Later on, still trapped in the car, the broken phone receives a phone call; six surprised friends answer it, only to find the caller is God. God tells the six, they should keep calm, and just believe in themselves and all will be well. They do as they are told, and find that the fire brigade are here to save them. They all get saved. After the story, Khan asks the woman who she is, and she replies "if you believe in yourself, you will know the answer". She walks out of the lounge, and as Khan follows her, he seems to witness she has suddenly disappeared. He believes in himself, his jet gets fixed, and he flies back home.
Cast=
The film takes away a lot of criticism for modifying the original episodes that unfolds in the book. For example, the instance in the book, where Ganesh's photos are found on the net and revealed to Priyanka by Vroom, is missing from the movie, making it difficult to understand why Priyanka comes back to shyam in the end. There are many such instances which reveal the weakness of the script. The cast also doesn't justify the original characters in the movie. Vroom, in the book is described as a lean tall guy, but is played by Sohail Khan
, who is a complete contrast to it. Same applies to the characters like Esha (Isha Koppikar) and Priyanka (Gul Panag
).
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
thriller film directed and produced by Atul Agnihotri
Atul Agnihotri
Atul Agnihotri is a Hindi actor and director.-Career:Agnihorti's career stretches back to 1983 when he made a brief appearance as a child artist in Pasand Apni Apni. He started his film career as an adult in 1993 with Mahesh Bhatt's Sir...
, starring Sharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi is an Indian film and theatre actor. He has worked on various stage productions in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati languages. However, he is mostly known for his work in Hindi films.-Personal life :...
, Sohail Khan
Sohail Khan
Sohail Khan is an Indian director, writer, producer and actor working in the Hindi cinema. He is the younger brother of actors Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan...
, Gul Panag
Gul Panag
Gul Panag is an Indian actress, model, and former beauty queen who competed in the Miss Universe pageant. Her notable films include Dor, Dhoop, Manorama Six Feet Under, Hello, and Straight....
, Isha Koppikar, Amrita Arora
Amrita Arora
-Personal life and education:Arora was born in Chembur Mumbai to a Malayali mother, Joyce Polycarp, and a Punjabi father, Anil Arora. Her sister is Malaika Arora Khan....
and Sharat Saxena
Sharat Saxena
Sharat Saxena is an Indian actor working in Bollywood films. He has acted in nearly 160 Bollywood films.Saxena started his career in the early 70s and has mainly played either supporting roles of a father, uncle or villainous roles....
in the lead roles. The film is based on Chetan Bhagat's
Chetan Bhagat
Chetan Bhagat , is an Indian author, columnist, and speaker. Bhagat is the author of five bestselling novels, Five Point Someone , One Night @ the Call Center , The 3 Mistakes of My Life , 2 States & Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition...
novel, One Night @ the Call Center
One Night @ the Call Center
One Night @ the Call Center or ON@CC is a novel written by Chetan Bhagat and first published in 2005. The novel revolves around a group of six call center employees working in Connexions call center in Gurgaon, Haryana. It takes place during the span of one night, in which all of the leading...
. It also had cameo roles from Salman Khan
Salman Khan
Salman Khan is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi with Rekha in a lead role, had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya , for which he won a Filmfare Award for...
and Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif is a British Indian actress and former model who appears in Indian films, mainly in the Hindi-language film industry. She has also appeared in Telugu and Malayalam films. She was voted the sexiest Asian woman in the world by Eastern Eye in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011...
who played themselves in the film. It was released on 10 October 2008.
Plot
Salman KhanSalman Khan
Salman Khan is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi with Rekha in a lead role, had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya , for which he won a Filmfare Award for...
is a Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
actor, who is on a live tour nearby Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, where his private jet has a crash. Luckily, he survives and in a lounge, he meets Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif is a British Indian actress and former model who appears in Indian films, mainly in the Hindi-language film industry. She has also appeared in Telugu and Malayalam films. She was voted the sexiest Asian woman in the world by Eastern Eye in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011...
. She tells him a story, about six friends and their boss who all work together at a Mumbai-based call centre. They are instructed never to reveal their location, and speak with an American accent by a Boston-based company. There is Shyam (Sharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi is an Indian film and theatre actor. He has worked on various stage productions in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati languages. However, he is mostly known for his work in Hindi films.-Personal life :...
), Priyanka (Gul Panag
Gul Panag
Gul Panag is an Indian actress, model, and former beauty queen who competed in the Miss Universe pageant. Her notable films include Dor, Dhoop, Manorama Six Feet Under, Hello, and Straight....
), Varun (Sohail Khan
Sohail Khan
Sohail Khan is an Indian director, writer, producer and actor working in the Hindi cinema. He is the younger brother of actors Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan...
), Esha (Isha Koppikar), Radhika (Amrita Arora
Amrita Arora
-Personal life and education:Arora was born in Chembur Mumbai to a Malayali mother, Joyce Polycarp, and a Punjabi father, Anil Arora. Her sister is Malaika Arora Khan....
) and Military uncle (Sharat Saxena
Sharat Saxena
Sharat Saxena is an Indian actor working in Bollywood films. He has acted in nearly 160 Bollywood films.Saxena started his career in the early 70s and has mainly played either supporting roles of a father, uncle or villainous roles....
). Their boss, Subhash Bakshi (Dalip Tahil
Dalip Tahil
Dalip Tahil is an Indian film, television and theatre actor. He did his schooling from the elite Sherwood College in Nainital, India and later graduated from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.-Films:...
), attempts to further his career by plagiarizing software, agrees to lay off 40% of the Indian workforce, and re-locate to Boston. One night, at a party, they all get drunk and decide to head back home since it was late. The six are on their way home, until they approach an accident, and are stuck on top of a cliff in their car, and if anybody tries to move, there would be chances that the car will lose its balance and fall off the cliff. They all remain calm, and when one of the friends tries to call someone, he finds his phone battery has run out, therefore, in rage he breaks his phone and throws it on the floor of the car. Later on, still trapped in the car, the broken phone receives a phone call; six surprised friends answer it, only to find the caller is God. God tells the six, they should keep calm, and just believe in themselves and all will be well. They do as they are told, and find that the fire brigade are here to save them. They all get saved. After the story, Khan asks the woman who she is, and she replies "if you believe in yourself, you will know the answer". She walks out of the lounge, and as Khan follows her, he seems to witness she has suddenly disappeared. He believes in himself, his jet gets fixed, and he flies back home.
Cast=
- Sharman JoshiSharman JoshiSharman Joshi is an Indian film and theatre actor. He has worked on various stage productions in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati languages. However, he is mostly known for his work in Hindi films.-Personal life :...
as Shyam - Sohail KhanSohail KhanSohail Khan is an Indian director, writer, producer and actor working in the Hindi cinema. He is the younger brother of actors Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan...
as Vroom - Gul PanagGul PanagGul Panag is an Indian actress, model, and former beauty queen who competed in the Miss Universe pageant. Her notable films include Dor, Dhoop, Manorama Six Feet Under, Hello, and Straight....
as Priyanka - Isha Koppikar as Esha Singh
- Amrita AroraAmrita Arora-Personal life and education:Arora was born in Chembur Mumbai to a Malayali mother, Joyce Polycarp, and a Punjabi father, Anil Arora. Her sister is Malaika Arora Khan....
as Radhika Jha - Sharat SaxenaSharat SaxenaSharat Saxena is an Indian actor working in Bollywood films. He has acted in nearly 160 Bollywood films.Saxena started his career in the early 70s and has mainly played either supporting roles of a father, uncle or villainous roles....
as Military Uncle - Salman KhanSalman KhanSalman Khan is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi with Rekha in a lead role, had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya , for which he won a Filmfare Award for...
as Chetan Bhagat (Cameo) - Katrina KaifKatrina KaifKatrina Kaif is a British Indian actress and former model who appears in Indian films, mainly in the Hindi-language film industry. She has also appeared in Telugu and Malayalam films. She was voted the sexiest Asian woman in the world by Eastern Eye in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011...
as Story Teller (Cameo) - Dalip TahilDalip TahilDalip Tahil is an Indian film, television and theatre actor. He did his schooling from the elite Sherwood College in Nainital, India and later graduated from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.-Films:...
as Subhash Bakshi - Anusha DandekarAnusha DandekarAnusha Dandekar is a Sudan born Australian-Indian actress and VJ.She has 2 other sisters Shibani Dandekar- who is elder to her & Apeksha Dandekar who is younger to her....
as Shefali - Arbaaz Khan as Anuj
- Rishi Nijhawan as Ganesh
- Suresh MenonSuresh Menon-Career:Menon has appeared in movies including Phir Hera Pheri, Partner, Fool N Final, Krazzy 4, Deewane Huye Pagal, Chalte Chalte, God Only Knows, Dil To Pagal Hai and Hello. Additionally, he has made an appearance on the television show Comedy Circus...
as System's guy
Soundtracks
| Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|
| "Bang Bang Bang" | Salman Khan Salman Khan Salman Khan is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi with Rekha in a lead role, had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya , for which he won a Filmfare Award for... , Wajid Sajid (music director) Sajid Ali is a Hindi music composer and director who works for Bollywood films. With his brother Wajid Ali, he forms the musical duo known as Sajid-Wajid... |
| "Caravan" | Shafqat Amanat Ali Shafqat Amanat Ali Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan is a Pakistani classical singer belonging to Patiala Gharana lineage. He is the youngest brother of the late Asad Amanat Ali Khan. He was the lead vocalist of the Pakistani rock band Fuzön... |
| "Hello" | Herchelle, Ishq Bector, Merlin, Suzanne D'Mello Suzanne D'Mello Suzanne D'Mello, formerly known as Suzie Q, is one of India's Top Female Vocalists. Gifted with a rich, warm and velvety voice, Suzanne's music spans a broad canvas, ranging from Solo Hits in Bollywood, Remixes, Advertisement Jingles to Live Performances with renowned musicians at prestigious... , Tim, Wajid Sajid (music director) Sajid Ali is a Hindi music composer and director who works for Bollywood films. With his brother Wajid Ali, he forms the musical duo known as Sajid-Wajid... |
| "Hello" (Party Mix) | Herchelle, Ishq Bector, Merlin, Suzanne D'Mello Suzanne D'Mello Suzanne D'Mello, formerly known as Suzie Q, is one of India's Top Female Vocalists. Gifted with a rich, warm and velvety voice, Suzanne's music spans a broad canvas, ranging from Solo Hits in Bollywood, Remixes, Advertisement Jingles to Live Performances with renowned musicians at prestigious... , Tim, Wajid Sajid (music director) Sajid Ali is a Hindi music composer and director who works for Bollywood films. With his brother Wajid Ali, he forms the musical duo known as Sajid-Wajid... |
| "Mitwa Re" | Shaan Shaan (singer) Shaan , is an Indian playback singer, and television host. He hosted the shows Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs, Star Voice of India and "Star Voice of India 2"... , Sadhna Sargam, Wajid Sajid (music director) Sajid Ali is a Hindi music composer and director who works for Bollywood films. With his brother Wajid Ali, he forms the musical duo known as Sajid-Wajid... |
| "Rab Ka Banda" | Sonu Nigam Sonu Nigam Sonu Nigam is an Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Hindi movies, as well as films in Assamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada language. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums and acted in a few Hindi feature films... , Sunidhi Chauhan Sunidhi Chauhan Sunidhi Chauhan is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi film songs in Bollywood. She has also recorded songs for Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese and Gujarati films and is credited with over 2000 songs.... , Zubin Garg |
| "Karle Baby Dance Wance" | Daler Mehndi Daler Mehndi Daler Mehndi , born August 18, 1967, is an Indian Bhangra pop singer.Mehndi was a student of traditional Punjabi music and his first album broke sales records in India. Since 1995 he has recorded several highly successful albums in India, and also sung as a playback singer for several Hindi movies... , Sunidhi Chauhan Sunidhi Chauhan Sunidhi Chauhan is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi film songs in Bollywood. She has also recorded songs for Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese and Gujarati films and is credited with over 2000 songs.... |
Reception
Hello had a fairly strong opening in the first week grossing approximately Rs. 6 crore in the first two days itself (overseas notwithstanding). The film was a moderate success at the box office. Although it received mixed to negative reviews from critics, many citing the poorly sketched out characters as its biggest drawback, some praised its original concept.The film takes away a lot of criticism for modifying the original episodes that unfolds in the book. For example, the instance in the book, where Ganesh's photos are found on the net and revealed to Priyanka by Vroom, is missing from the movie, making it difficult to understand why Priyanka comes back to shyam in the end. There are many such instances which reveal the weakness of the script. The cast also doesn't justify the original characters in the movie. Vroom, in the book is described as a lean tall guy, but is played by Sohail Khan
Sohail Khan
Sohail Khan is an Indian director, writer, producer and actor working in the Hindi cinema. He is the younger brother of actors Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan...
, who is a complete contrast to it. Same applies to the characters like Esha (Isha Koppikar) and Priyanka (Gul Panag
Gul Panag
Gul Panag is an Indian actress, model, and former beauty queen who competed in the Miss Universe pageant. Her notable films include Dor, Dhoop, Manorama Six Feet Under, Hello, and Straight....
).