Khatta Meeta
Encyclopedia
Khatta Meetha is a 2010 Hindi
comic satire
film written and directed by Priyadarshan
that stars Akshay Kumar
and Trisha Krishnan
in the lead roles. The film is a remake of Priyadarshan's previous Malayalam film Vellanakalude Nadu
(1988), scripted by Sreenivasan. Khatta Meetha was released on July 23, 2010. The film was produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd
and Akshay Kumar
.
). He dreams big but there seems to be no chance of his dreams coming true as he doesn't have any money to bribe the bureaucracy. To make matters worse, the new municipal commissioner turns out to be his former girlfriend, Gehna Ganpule (Trisha Krishnan
), who now hates him. His brothers in law Trigun (Manoj Joshi
), Suhas Vichare (Milind Gunaji
), and his elder brother (Paritosh Sand) were all responsible for bridge collapsing case in which several people were killed. They were helped by a politician Sanjay Rana (Jaideep Ahlawat
). After saved by their driver Vishwas Rao (Tinu Anand) they kill him in future if he tells truth. Meanwhile Sanjay's lustful eyes fall on Sachin's sister Anjali (Urvashi Sharma
). Sachin warns him by slapping in his office. Meanwhile Azad Bhagat (Makrand Deshpande
) wants justice. His family was killed in that accident. When Azad collects evidence he watches Sachin's sister being raped by Sanjay's friends. When Azad goes in court he is killed by Sanjay's goons. In the climax there is a cat & mouse fight between Sanjay and Sachin in which Sanjay is accidentally killed down by the truck. At the end, his father realises that Sachin was truthful and sincere while his brothers were not doing good by corruption.
of CNN-IBN rated the film 1 out of 5 saying, "Khatta Meetha is a schizophrenic film". Sukanya Verma of Rediff gave it 2/5 saying, "The story with its baggage of generic turns and contrived twists seems all too familiar in making its even-now significant point. In addition, it seems a tad too long at its three hours running time. Mayank Shekhar of the Hindustan Times
gave it 1/5 and stated, "This one’s about wacky Akki alone. Truly, few things unite Indians, besides a high illiteracy rate, and films of Bollywood superstars. One benefits from the other. And Priyadarshan gets to churn out his own no-brainer remakes every other week." Taran Adarsh
of Bollywood Hungama
rated the film 1.5/5 while stating, "Khatta Meetha is a major letdown from the accomplished director. It's not a full-blown comedy. It's not a full-scale satire either. Hugely disappointing!" Noyon Jyoti Parasara of AOL rated the film 1.5/5 and stated, "In no way does 'Khatta Meetha' look like a film made by a director who has made 80 films till date. Certainly not from a director who got a National Award barely a year back for 'Kanchivaram'. This one is a rather amateur product which is best avoided." Blessy Chettiar of DNA gave it a rating of 2/5 and said, "Khatta Meetha is a hotchpotch of too much drama and very little comedy". Nikhat Kazmi
of the Times of India gave it the highest rating of 3/5 saying, "Tune off a bit for the tedious middle and you could be in for some fun and frolic in Khatta Meetha". On the review-aggregation website ReviewGang, the film scored 3.5/10 based on 6 reviews.
, the film was an below average grosser.
2011 Zee Cine Awards
with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil
, Shehzad Roy
and Nitin Raikwar.
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...
comic satire
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
film written and directed by Priyadarshan
Priyadarshan
Priyadarshan is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. In a career spanning over two decades, Priyadarshan has directed over 80 films in several Indian languages including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu...
that stars Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar is an Indian film actor, producer and martial artist who has appeared in over a hundred Hindi films. When he began his acting career in the 1990s, he primarily starred in action films and was particularly known for his appearances in feature films commonly called the "Khiladi series",...
and Trisha Krishnan
Trisha Krishnan
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian film actress and model, who primarily appears in Tamil and Telugu language films, but has also appeared in Hindi language films. She was noticed after winning several beauty pageants like the Miss Madras contest , which marked her entry into filmdom...
in the lead roles. The film is a remake of Priyadarshan's previous Malayalam film Vellanakalude Nadu
Vellanakalude Nadu
Vellanakalude Nadu is a 1988 Malayalam drama film directed by Priyadarshan, and produced by Maniyanpilla Raju.This film was a critical and commercial success...
(1988), scripted by Sreenivasan. Khatta Meetha was released on July 23, 2010. The film was produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd
Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd
Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd is a film production and distribution company that produces and distributes Indian films, mainly Hindi. The chief of the company is Dhillin Mehta.-Bollywood :...
and Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar is an Indian film actor, producer and martial artist who has appeared in over a hundred Hindi films. When he began his acting career in the 1990s, he primarily starred in action films and was particularly known for his appearances in feature films commonly called the "Khiladi series",...
.
Plot
The film revolves around a struggling road constructor, Sachin Tichkule (Akshay KumarAkshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar is an Indian film actor, producer and martial artist who has appeared in over a hundred Hindi films. When he began his acting career in the 1990s, he primarily starred in action films and was particularly known for his appearances in feature films commonly called the "Khiladi series",...
). He dreams big but there seems to be no chance of his dreams coming true as he doesn't have any money to bribe the bureaucracy. To make matters worse, the new municipal commissioner turns out to be his former girlfriend, Gehna Ganpule (Trisha Krishnan
Trisha Krishnan
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian film actress and model, who primarily appears in Tamil and Telugu language films, but has also appeared in Hindi language films. She was noticed after winning several beauty pageants like the Miss Madras contest , which marked her entry into filmdom...
), who now hates him. His brothers in law Trigun (Manoj Joshi
Manoj Joshi
Manoj Joshi is an Indian journalist and author. As of 2009, he is Comment Editor with the Mail Today newspaper in India.He finished his schooling from the prestigious St. Joseph's College in Nainital. After an undergraduate degree at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, Joshi studied history at Lucknow...
), Suhas Vichare (Milind Gunaji
Milind Gunaji
Milind Gunaji is an actor in Marathi and Hindi theater, TV and film and also writer. Most known for his roles in films like Devdas , Godmother , Virasat , Fareb , Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa and Dev , both by Govind Nihalani.He has been the host of travel show, Bhatkanti on Zee Marathi channel about...
), and his elder brother (Paritosh Sand) were all responsible for bridge collapsing case in which several people were killed. They were helped by a politician Sanjay Rana (Jaideep Ahlawat
Jaideep Ahlawat
Jaideep Ahlawat is an Indian actor who acts in Bollywood. He also acted in Bollywood film Khatta Meeta as villain Sanjay Rana. He was born in Village Kharakar Rohtak and he completed his acting graduation from FTII in 2008. His next film was Aakrosh with Ajay Devgn...
). After saved by their driver Vishwas Rao (Tinu Anand) they kill him in future if he tells truth. Meanwhile Sanjay's lustful eyes fall on Sachin's sister Anjali (Urvashi Sharma
Urvashi Sharma
Urvashi Sharma is an Indian Bollywood actress & model, born in Delhi in a Hindu Family. She is of Indian ethnicity. She has appeared in numerous print and television advertisements and featured in music videos like Mika's Something Something and Atif's "Doorie". Her debut movie, Naqaab was...
). Sachin warns him by slapping in his office. Meanwhile Azad Bhagat (Makrand Deshpande
Makrand Deshpande
Makarand Deshpande is an Indian actor, writer, and director in Hindi and Marathi films and theatre. He is often seen in supporting and pivotal roles in various films like Jungle, Sarfarosh, Swades, Makdee, and Darna Zaroori Hai where he often plays drunkard, wayfarer roles. He has directed over 5...
) wants justice. His family was killed in that accident. When Azad collects evidence he watches Sachin's sister being raped by Sanjay's friends. When Azad goes in court he is killed by Sanjay's goons. In the climax there is a cat & mouse fight between Sanjay and Sachin in which Sanjay is accidentally killed down by the truck. At the end, his father realises that Sachin was truthful and sincere while his brothers were not doing good by corruption.
Cast
- Akshay KumarAkshay KumarAkshay Kumar is an Indian film actor, producer and martial artist who has appeared in over a hundred Hindi films. When he began his acting career in the 1990s, he primarily starred in action films and was particularly known for his appearances in feature films commonly called the "Khiladi series",...
as Sachin Tichkule (contractor) - Trisha KrishnanTrisha KrishnanTrisha Krishnan is an Indian film actress and model, who primarily appears in Tamil and Telugu language films, but has also appeared in Hindi language films. She was noticed after winning several beauty pageants like the Miss Madras contest , which marked her entry into filmdom...
as Gehna Ganpule (municipal commissioner) - Rajpal YadavRajpal YadavRajpal Yadav is an Indian film actor, known for his comedy oriented roles.-Early life and education:Rajpal Yadav was born and brought up in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where he received his education.He did his college from Sardar Patel Hindu Inter College, Shahjahanpur.He played in Shahjahanpur...
as Rangeela - Makrand DeshpandeMakrand DeshpandeMakarand Deshpande is an Indian actor, writer, and director in Hindi and Marathi films and theatre. He is often seen in supporting and pivotal roles in various films like Jungle, Sarfarosh, Swades, Makdee, and Darna Zaroori Hai where he often plays drunkard, wayfarer roles. He has directed over 5...
as Azad Bhagat - Sachet EngineerSachet EngineerSachet Engineer is an Indian actor and champion swimmer. He is best known for his role as Yohaan Awasthi in the 2007 Bollywood film, Taare Zameen Par . He is the grandson of water polo champion, Ishwar Girdharlal Engineer....
as Linguswamy - AsraniAsraniGovardhan Asrani , popularly known simply as Asrani, is an actor in Indian films whose Bollywood career has spanned over 35 years. His wife Manju Bansal is an actress.-Early life:...
as Karodimal - Johnny LeverJohnny LeverJohn Prakasa Rao Janumala famously known as Johnny Lever is an Indian film actor and comedian. He was born to Prakash Rao Janumala and Karunamma Janumala and brought up in Mumbai. He started his career in 1984 and has acted in over 350 Bollywood films...
as Anshuman Award - Milind GunajiMilind GunajiMilind Gunaji is an actor in Marathi and Hindi theater, TV and film and also writer. Most known for his roles in films like Devdas , Godmother , Virasat , Fareb , Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa and Dev , both by Govind Nihalani.He has been the host of travel show, Bhatkanti on Zee Marathi channel about...
as Suhas Vichare - Aruna IraniAruna IraniAruna Irani is an Indian actress. An accomplished actress and dancer of her time, Aruna Irani has acted in about 300 movies, with many memorable acting performances to her credit...
as Sheetaladevi (Sachin Tichkule's mother) - Urvashi SharmaUrvashi SharmaUrvashi Sharma is an Indian Bollywood actress & model, born in Delhi in a Hindu Family. She is of Indian ethnicity. She has appeared in numerous print and television advertisements and featured in music videos like Mika's Something Something and Atif's "Doorie". Her debut movie, Naqaab was...
as Anjali Tichkule (Sachin's sister) - Manoj JoshiManoj Joshi (actor)Manoj Joshi is an India film and television actor. Joshi began his career in Marathi theatre, also putting up performances in Gujarati and Hindi theatre...
as Trigun Fatak - Kulbhushan KharbandaKulbhushan KharbandaKulbhushan Kharbanda is an Indian actor, who worked in Hindi and Punjabi films, and is known as character Shakaal in Shaan inspired by the character of Blofeld from James Bond movies...
as Ramakant Tichkule (Sachin's father) - Tinnu AnandTinnu AnandTinnu Anand is an Indian actor and director from Bollywood, who is most known as the director of Amitabh Bachchan's movies including, Kaalia , Shahenshah , Main Azaad Hoon and Major Saab .He is the son of veteran writer Inder Raj Anand and uncle of director Siddharth Anand.Anand recently...
as Vishwas Rao - Atul ParchureAtul ParchureAtul Parchure is an Indian film actor and comedian. He is primarily known for his comic roles in films like Khatta Meeta, All the best, and Kyon Ki.-Films:*Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap *Khatta Meeta...
as Chintan - Neeraj VoraNeeraj VoraNeeraj Vora is an Indian film director, writer, actor and composer who works in Bollywood.-Director:* Run Bhola Run * Shortkut - The Con Is On * Familywala * Phir Hera Pheri...
as Mr Ganpule - Jaideep AhlawatJaideep AhlawatJaideep Ahlawat is an Indian actor who acts in Bollywood. He also acted in Bollywood film Khatta Meeta as villain Sanjay Rana. He was born in Village Kharakar Rohtak and he completed his acting graduation from FTII in 2008. His next film was Aakrosh with Ajay Devgn...
as Sanjay Rana
Critical response
Upon release, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Rajeev MasandRajeev Masand
Rajeev Masand is an Indian film critic and entertainment reporter for CNN-IBN. Masand started his career as an entertainment correspondent at the young age of 16...
of CNN-IBN rated the film 1 out of 5 saying, "Khatta Meetha is a schizophrenic film". Sukanya Verma of Rediff gave it 2/5 saying, "The story with its baggage of generic turns and contrived twists seems all too familiar in making its even-now significant point. In addition, it seems a tad too long at its three hours running time. Mayank Shekhar of the Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded in 1924 with roots in the Indian independence movement of the period ....
gave it 1/5 and stated, "This one’s about wacky Akki alone. Truly, few things unite Indians, besides a high illiteracy rate, and films of Bollywood superstars. One benefits from the other. And Priyadarshan gets to churn out his own no-brainer remakes every other week." Taran Adarsh
Taran Adarsh
Taran Adarsh is an Indian film critic, journalist, editor and film trade analyst. He is also a former producer and screenwriter. He is the son of film director and producer, B.K. Adarsh....
of Bollywood Hungama
Bollywood Hungama
Bollywood Hungama is a leading Bollywood entertainment website, owned by hungama.com....
rated the film 1.5/5 while stating, "Khatta Meetha is a major letdown from the accomplished director. It's not a full-blown comedy. It's not a full-scale satire either. Hugely disappointing!" Noyon Jyoti Parasara of AOL rated the film 1.5/5 and stated, "In no way does 'Khatta Meetha' look like a film made by a director who has made 80 films till date. Certainly not from a director who got a National Award barely a year back for 'Kanchivaram'. This one is a rather amateur product which is best avoided." Blessy Chettiar of DNA gave it a rating of 2/5 and said, "Khatta Meetha is a hotchpotch of too much drama and very little comedy". Nikhat Kazmi
Nikhat Kazmi
Nikhat Kazmi is a senior correspondent and well-known film critic from India, who has been writing for The Times of India, since 1987.-Books:* If Shakespeare was a gun: a play. Writers Workshop, 1984....
of the Times of India gave it the highest rating of 3/5 saying, "Tune off a bit for the tedious middle and you could be in for some fun and frolic in Khatta Meetha". On the review-aggregation website ReviewGang, the film scored 3.5/10 based on 6 reviews.
Box office
According to Box office India, Khatta Meetha had a "average opening" and collected Rs. 230 million (Rs. 23 crore) during its opening weekend in India. By the end of its first week, the film collected Rs. 32.24 crore. After three weeks, the film grossed Rs. 39 crore in India, and Rs. 49.75 crore worldwide. According to India TodayIndia Today
India Today is an Indian weekly news magazine published by Living Media India Limited, in publication since 1975 based in Mumbai. India Today is also the name of its sister-publication in Hindi...
, the film was an below average grosser.
Awards and nominations
6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards- Nominated – Apsara Award for Best Playback Singer (Male) – KK for "Sajde Kiye"
2011 Zee Cine Awards
Zee Cine Awards
The Zee Cine Awards or "ZCA" for short is an awards ceremony for the Hindi film industry. It was first held in 1998 in Mumbai. Since then, it has gained substantial popularity as a notable awards ceremony to the Indian population as well as to the viewers of Zee Network.In 2004, the ZCA went...
- Nominated – Best Female Debut – Trisha Krishnan
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack is composed by PritamPritam
Pritam Chakraborty , better known as Pritam is a music director and composer from Kolkata who currently works in Bollywood, Mumbai.- Early life :...
with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil
Irshad Kamil
Irshad Kamil is an Indian Hindi/Urdu poet and lyricist. He has written songs for many Bollywood hits like Jab We Met, Chameli, Love Aaj Kal and Rockstar .-Early life:...
, Shehzad Roy
Shehzad Roy
Shehzad Roy is a singer and humanitarian from Karachi, Pakistan. With five hit albums under his belt, including the 2008 Qismat Apney Haath Mein , he is also the president and founder of Zindagi Trust, a non-profit charitable organization, that seeks to educate the underprivileged children of...
and Nitin Raikwar.