Well Done Abba
Encyclopedia
Well Done Abba is a 2010 political satire
Hindi film directed by Shyam Benegal
, starring Boman Irani
, Minissha Lamba and Sammir Dattani in pivotal roles. It is the remake of the 2007 Marathi film, Jau Tithe Khau
It was based on three short stories: Narsaiyyan Ki Bavdi by Jeelani Bano, Phulwa Ka Pul by Sanjeev and Still Waters by Jayant Kripalani
. The screenplay was written by Jayant Kripalani
and Ashok Mishra
, who also wrote the dialogues. It won the 2009 National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues
.
), a Muslim
driver working in Mumbai
, who takes one month leave from his employer to find a groom for his daughter Muskaan (Minisha Lamba), who lives in a village, distant from Hyderabad. Armaan does not turn up for three months, and his employer makes the difficult decision to sack him, but he asks his boss to listen to why he could not come. Getting soft, his employer allows him to drive to Pune where he has a meeting. Armaan starts the story from here.
In Armaan's village, many problems include a rising drought situation and financial difficulties due to the antics of his twin brother, who has a bad reputation for debt addiction and theft. In the opening, a man named Arif demands 500 from Armaan. Eventually, Muskaan pays the debt to Arif and Armaan's brother is arrested, later on released. To solve the drought problem, he goes to a government office to build a well, with a friend. There, he goes through stages such as explaining what he wants and even having his photo taken. Muskaan, on the other hand falls, in love with a man called Arif, of which Armaan does not approve at first but later is pleased with.
Armaan does not receive the well he wanted and sits in despair. He and Muskaan try to tell the police inspector about the well that was 'stolen', but the inspector finds the story rather silly and is even stubborn enough to not listen to what they have to say. Disturbed, Armaan and Muskaan launch a protest with several villagers against the police inspector, later on to the justice minister, where the minister punishes the inspector for his slack behaviour. The inspector, realising his mistakes and behaviour, then starts to approach the people in a more orthodox way. The justice minister then allows the government people to build the well for the villagers and punishes them all for not doing what they are supposed to do.
With the drought problem solved, Armaan decides that Muskaan should marry an Arab sheikh
. Muskaan does not accept her father's offer and even has an argument about this. The issue is even more heated when she receives a letter from her friend, Sakina, which involved her getting beat up by her sheikh husband and getting kicked out, shocking Armaan and Sakina's mother. Disturbed, Armaan then decides that Muskaan should marry Arif, much to her delight. With the two of Armaan's problems solved, he ends his story at an awards ceremony, which in his perspective was a 'big drama', as the stage literally collapsed, delighting people. With his employer convinced, he then allows Armaan to work for him again.
collaborated with director Shyam Benegal to bring "a satirical comedy ‘Well Done Abba’ on the celluloid". The film was shot at Film City, Mumbai
, the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Ramoji Film City
and Ibrahimpatnam
near Hyderabad.
Vihir Chorila Geli, a Marathi film, in based on similar story starring Laxmikant Berde and Ashok Saraf.
and the main promotional song "Jab Bhi Muh Kholta" was composed by Vishal Khurana. The lyrics are penned by Ashok Mishra
, Swanand Kirkire
and Ila Arun
.
Political satire
Political satire is a significant part of satire that specializes in gaining entertainment from politics; it has also been used with subversive intent where political speech and dissent are forbidden by a regime, as a method of advancing political arguments where such arguments are expressly...
Hindi film directed by Shyam Benegal
Shyam Benegal
Shyam Benegal is a prolific Indian director and screenwriter. With his first four feature films Ankur , Nishant Manthan and Bhumika he created a new genre, which has now come to be called the "middle cinema" in India although he himself has expressed dislike in the term preferring his work to...
, starring Boman Irani
Boman Irani
Boman Irani is an Indian film and theatre actor and photographer. Irani began his acting career in theatre and moved to film in 2000 at the age of 44 with a role in Josh...
, Minissha Lamba and Sammir Dattani in pivotal roles. It is the remake of the 2007 Marathi film, Jau Tithe Khau
Jau Tithe Khau
Jau Tithe Khau is a movie which criticizes the current judicial system and corrupt government system in India. The story is unique in the aspect due to its different taste and satire it shows...
It was based on three short stories: Narsaiyyan Ki Bavdi by Jeelani Bano, Phulwa Ka Pul by Sanjeev and Still Waters by Jayant Kripalani
Jayant Kripalani
Jayant Kripalani is an Indian film, television and stage actor, director and trainer. Most known for TV series, like Khandaan, Mr. Ya Mrs and and Ji Mantriji . He also wrote the screenplay for Shyam Benegal's film, Well Done Abba...
. The screenplay was written by Jayant Kripalani
Jayant Kripalani
Jayant Kripalani is an Indian film, television and stage actor, director and trainer. Most known for TV series, like Khandaan, Mr. Ya Mrs and and Ji Mantriji . He also wrote the screenplay for Shyam Benegal's film, Well Done Abba...
and Ashok Mishra
Ashok Mishra
Ashok Mishra is an Indian screenplay writer and lyricist in Bollywood films. He is most noted for his work in the Shyam Benegal film Welcome to Sajjanpur .-External links:...
, who also wrote the dialogues. It won the 2009 National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues
National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
The National Film Award - Best Film on Other Social Issues winners:...
.
Plot
The film tells the story of Armaan Ali (Boman IraniBoman Irani
Boman Irani is an Indian film and theatre actor and photographer. Irani began his acting career in theatre and moved to film in 2000 at the age of 44 with a role in Josh...
), a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
driver working in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, who takes one month leave from his employer to find a groom for his daughter Muskaan (Minisha Lamba), who lives in a village, distant from Hyderabad. Armaan does not turn up for three months, and his employer makes the difficult decision to sack him, but he asks his boss to listen to why he could not come. Getting soft, his employer allows him to drive to Pune where he has a meeting. Armaan starts the story from here.
In Armaan's village, many problems include a rising drought situation and financial difficulties due to the antics of his twin brother, who has a bad reputation for debt addiction and theft. In the opening, a man named Arif demands 500 from Armaan. Eventually, Muskaan pays the debt to Arif and Armaan's brother is arrested, later on released. To solve the drought problem, he goes to a government office to build a well, with a friend. There, he goes through stages such as explaining what he wants and even having his photo taken. Muskaan, on the other hand falls, in love with a man called Arif, of which Armaan does not approve at first but later is pleased with.
Armaan does not receive the well he wanted and sits in despair. He and Muskaan try to tell the police inspector about the well that was 'stolen', but the inspector finds the story rather silly and is even stubborn enough to not listen to what they have to say. Disturbed, Armaan and Muskaan launch a protest with several villagers against the police inspector, later on to the justice minister, where the minister punishes the inspector for his slack behaviour. The inspector, realising his mistakes and behaviour, then starts to approach the people in a more orthodox way. The justice minister then allows the government people to build the well for the villagers and punishes them all for not doing what they are supposed to do.
With the drought problem solved, Armaan decides that Muskaan should marry an Arab sheikh
Sheikh
Not to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
. Muskaan does not accept her father's offer and even has an argument about this. The issue is even more heated when she receives a letter from her friend, Sakina, which involved her getting beat up by her sheikh husband and getting kicked out, shocking Armaan and Sakina's mother. Disturbed, Armaan then decides that Muskaan should marry Arif, much to her delight. With the two of Armaan's problems solved, he ends his story at an awards ceremony, which in his perspective was a 'big drama', as the stage literally collapsed, delighting people. With his employer convinced, he then allows Armaan to work for him again.
Cast
- Boman IraniBoman IraniBoman Irani is an Indian film and theatre actor and photographer. Irani began his acting career in theatre and moved to film in 2000 at the age of 44 with a role in Josh...
as Arman Ali / Rehman Ali - Minissha Lamba as Muskaan Ali
- Sammir Dattani as Arif Ali
- Ravi KishanRavi KishanRavi Kishan is an Indian film actor and television personality, who works in Hindi cinema and Bhojpuri cinema. In 2006, he participated in Bigg Boss, the Indian version of Big Brother.-Early life:...
as Sub Engineer Vikas Jha - Ila ArunIla ArunIla Arun is a popular Indian actress, TV personality and a Rajasthani folk/folk-pop singer with a unique, husky voice and a penchant for folk-pop fusion. Her daughter is Ishita Arun.-Early life:She was born and brought up in the state capital of Jaipur...
as Salma Ali - Salim GhouseSalim GhouseSalim Ghouse is a film, television and theater actor, theater director and martial artist. He has acted in several Indian languages including Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam....
as Janardhan Reddy - Sonali KulkarniSonali KulkarniSonali Kulkarni is an Indian actress. She was born in Pune. She has majorly worked in Marathi and Hindi films. She is famous for her role in Dil Chahta Hai.-Career:...
as Vikas Jha's wife - Rajit KapurRajit KapurRajit Kapur is an Indian actor. He is particularly known for his award-winning portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in the 1996 film, The Making of the Mahatma. One of his most popular stints is his portrayal of Byomkesh Bakshi in a television series of the same name based on the character created by...
as Inspector Rishab Reddy - Yashpal SharmaYashpal Sharma (actor)Yashpal Sharma is an Indian actor. He is best known for his role as Randhir Singh in Sudhir Mishra's 2003 Hindi movie Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, apart from Lagaan , Gangaajal , Ab Tak Chhappan , Apaharan and Singh is Kinng and his role as Kuwar Singh in Zee's Mera Naam Karegi Roshan.-Early life...
as Constable Ramiyya - Ravi JhankalRavi JhankalRavi Jhankal is an Indian television, stage and film actor, most known for working in Shyam Benegal's film, including Welcome to Sajjanpur and Well Done Abba...
as Constable Rustam - Deepika Amin as Lata (Inspector's wife)
- Rajendra GuptaRajendra GuptaRajendra Gupta is an Indian film, television and theater actor and director who is best known for his television roles of Pandit Jagarnath in the 1990s Doordarshan fantasy television series Chandrakanta and Sudha's father - Jagat Narayan - in the 1998-2001 Sony TV drama Saaya.An alumnus of the...
as Irrigation Minister - Rahul SinghRahul SinghAnurag Verma is a comic book character from the Devi comic book by Virgin Comics....
as Rohan Kapoor (Arman Ali's boss) - Anaitha NairAnaitha NairAnaitha Nair is an Indian film and theatre actress and singer, best known for playing the role of Aliya Bose, a member of the Indian women's national hockey team, in the sports-oriented film Chak De India , starring Shahrukh Khan....
as Sakina
Production
BIG Pictures and Reliance BIG Entertainment LtdReliance Entertainment
Reliance Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group handling its media and entertainment business, across content and distribution platforms....
collaborated with director Shyam Benegal to bring "a satirical comedy ‘Well Done Abba’ on the celluloid". The film was shot at Film City, Mumbai
Film City
Film City is an integrated film studio complex situated near Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Goregaon, Mumbai in India. It has several recording rooms, gardens, lakes, theatres and grounds that serve as the venue of many Bollywood film shootings. It was built by the state government to provide...
, the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Ramoji Film City
Ramoji Film City
Ramoji Film City is one of the world’s largest integrated film studio complexes at over of land, situated in India near Hayathnagar and Peddamberpet on Hyderabad. It is also a popular tourism and recreation centre, containing both natural and artificial attractions including an amusement park...
and Ibrahimpatnam
Ibrahimpatnam
Ibrahimpatnam is a Mandal Head Quarters of Ibrahimpatnam Mandal in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It falls Under the Mylavaram Assembly constituency and Vijayawada Loksabha constituency...
near Hyderabad.
Vihir Chorila Geli, a Marathi film, in based on similar story starring Laxmikant Berde and Ashok Saraf.
Critical reception
The film received favourable reviews from top critics in India. It received 6.5/10 at ReviewGang. Anupama Chopra of NDTV writes "The end result is that Well Done Abba is heart-felt and intermittently funny", while Nikhat Khazmi of the Times of India writes "The film is a sheer delight, with the events unfolding in a breezy, comic vein which keeps the ribs relentlessly tickling". Noyon Jyoti Parasara of AOL.in gave it 3 out of 5 and pointed out, "Leaving aside the last 15 minutes which were not required at all, this film actually entertains." Vinayak Chakravorty of Mail Today gave it three stars.Music
Well Done Abbas music is by Shantanu MoitraShantanu Moitra
Shantanu Moitra is an Indian music director who has composed music for the Hindi film industry, and is most known for his score in films Parineeta , Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi , "Lage Raho Munnabhai" and 3 Idiots , and private albums, Mann ke Manjeere and Ab ke Saawan sung by Shubha Mudgal.-Early...
and the main promotional song "Jab Bhi Muh Kholta" was composed by Vishal Khurana. The lyrics are penned by Ashok Mishra
Ashok Mishra
Ashok Mishra is an Indian screenplay writer and lyricist in Bollywood films. He is most noted for his work in the Shyam Benegal film Welcome to Sajjanpur .-External links:...
, Swanand Kirkire
Swanand Kirkire
Swanand Kirkire is an Indian lyricist, playback singer, writer, also a television serial writer, assistant director, dialogue writer, both in television and Hindi films.Kirkire won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics twice...
and Ila Arun
Ila Arun
Ila Arun is a popular Indian actress, TV personality and a Rajasthani folk/folk-pop singer with a unique, husky voice and a penchant for folk-pop fusion. Her daughter is Ishita Arun.-Early life:She was born and brought up in the state capital of Jaipur...
.
- "Meri bano hoshiyar" (wedding song): Ila Arun and Daniel B George
- "Sandesa sandesa": Shreya Ghoshal and Rupankar
- "Hum toh apni bawdi lenge": Mohit ChauhanMohit ChauhanMohit Chauhan is an Indian pop and playback singer, most known for his romantic ballads. He started his career singing Indian pop songs with the band Silk Route, which released two albums, Boondein and Pehchan. The song "Dooba Dooba" became a rave in the Indipop music scene. However, the band...
, lyrics: Swanand KirkireSwanand KirkireSwanand Kirkire is an Indian lyricist, playback singer, writer, also a television serial writer, assistant director, dialogue writer, both in television and Hindi films.Kirkire won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics twice... - "Rahiman ishq ka dhaga re": Raghab Chattopadhyay
- "Pani ko taraste": Raja Hasan
- "Jab Bhi Muh Kholta" (promotional song): Ila Arun and Boman Irani, music director: Vishal Khurana, lyrics: Ashok Mishra
External links
- Trailer CNN-IBN
- Well Done Abba Reviews ReviewGang