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Madras Cafe

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Madras Cafe
Theatrical poster
Directed byShoojit Sircar
Written bySomnath Dey
Shubendu Bhattacharya
Produced byJohn Abraham[1]
Viacom 18 Motion Pictures
Ronnie Lahiri[2]
StarringJohn Abraham
Nargis Fakhri
Rashi Khanna
Siddharth Basu
CinematographyKamaljeet Negi
Edited byChandrashekhar Prajapati
Music byShantanu Moitra
Production
companies
Distributed byViacom 18 Motion Pictures
Release date
  • August 23, 2013 (2013-08-23)
Running time
130 minutes[3]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹350 million (US$4.1 million)[4]

Madras Cafe is a 2013 Indian political espionage thriller film directed by Shoojit Sircar[5][6][7] and starring John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri and Rashi Khanna in lead roles.[1] The parallel cinema is set in the late 80s and early 1990s, during the time of Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War and the fictional events which led to assassination of Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.[8][9]

Synopsis

As per John Abraham, "Madras Cafe brings us closer to what changed the political history of India."[10] The film, set in India and Sri Lanka, is a political spy thriller with the backdrop of the Sri Lankan civil war.[5] Major Vikram Singh (John Abraham) is an Indian Army special officer who is appointed by the intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing to head covert operations in Jaffna shortly after Indian Peace Keeping Force was forced to withdraw.[5][11][12] As he journeys to Sri Lanka, with the intention of disrupting the LTF rebels, he discovers the larger issue and becomes entangled in rebel and military politics.[13] There he meets a British journalist (Jaya)[14] who wants to reveal the truth about the civil war, and in the process he uncovers a conspiracy to assassinate "a former Indian prime minister".[15]

"The film is a work of fiction, but it is based on research into real events, it has a resemblance to actual political events, dealing with civil war and the ideology of a rebel group.", said director Sirkar.[16]

Cast

  • John Abraham - Major Vikram Singh (Indian army officer appointed by the Research and Analysis Wing to carry out operations in Jaffna). Singh is fictitious, Sircar said he had “used real references, portrayed rebel groups, revolutionary freedom fighters, Indian Peace Keeping Forces (and) shown how India got involved and the chaos”.[11] "I didn’t want to make glitzy thriller like Ek Tha Tiger or Agent Vinod, which seem inspired by the Bond template. I want to show that intelligence officers are ordinary people who live amongst us. It is only that they have to solve issues where national security is at stake,” says Sircar. Sircar says he needed an actor who can easily get lost in the crowd but with John it seems next to impossible. “The role also requires a certain level of physicality and John Abraham has worked for the role. I agree this is a new territory for him but I think he has pitched it right. Let’s see how the audiences take him.”[17]
  • Nargis Fakhri - Jaya (a British war correspondent in Sri Lanka) (inspired by many war correspondents, including Anita Pratap[10]) As for Nargis, Sircar says her voice hasn’t been dubbed. “Nargis Fakhri is playing foreign war correspondent. I needed a girl who looks Indian journalist but has an accent so there is no chance that audience will remember her Rockstar performance while watching Madras Café. She will converse in English and she is familiar with the language,” says Sircar.[17]
  • Rashi Khanna - Ruby Singh[18]- wife of Singh[19]
  • Siddharth Basu - Robin Dutt, a key bureaucrat in Research and Analysis Wing.[20]
  • Ajay Rathnam - Anna Bhaskaran - the leader of the fictional LTF rebels. The character closely resembles the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.[21][22]
  • Leena Maria Paul - a Tamil rebel[23][24]
  • Tinu Menachery[25] - a Tamil rebel
  • Agnello Dias[26] - a Sri Lankan minister
  • Piyush Pandey - a Cabinet Secretary of India[27]
  • Dibang[28]

Production

John Abraham said that director Shoojit Sircar narrated the script of Madras Cafe to him in 2006 but could not get around to beginning it. "After our last film together, we decided to get back to doing where we started off from. That's the story behind Madras Cafe," he said.[29]

Title

The film was initially titled Jaffna after the northern Sri Lankan city.[30] It was renamed as Madras Cafe, as the plot to kill Gandhi was hatched at the cafe.[31] The original location of the cafe is not specified in the film.[10]

Casting

John Abraham, the lead actor and one of the producers of the films, plays Vikram Singh, a military officer who is sent to Jaffna to heading RAW's covert operations. "I had to lose a lot of muscle because these officers look like regular people. When they are in a crowd, they are completely inconspicuous," says John.[32] Pakistani-Czech model-turned-actor Nargis Fakhri was cast to play Jaya, a British journalist in Jaffna.[33] For the role of foreign war correspondent, Nargis Fakhri was chosen because the director required "a girl [women] who looked Indian but had an [British] accent." Thus this was the first film where her voice wasn't dubbed.[5][34] Shoojit Sircar contacted model Sheetal Mallar for the film,[35] but as things did not work out, newcomer Rashi Khanna was signed for the role, who makes her debut.[18] Malayalam actress Leena Maria said that she plays a female Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam member in the film.[23] Although the executive producer denied her involvement in the project after she was arrested in a cheating case,[36] the director confirmed she is part of the vast cast and her arrest does not affect the film.[24]

Location and sets

Madras Cafe was shot in Malaysia, Thailand, London and India.[37] The Sri Lankan scenes of the film were shot in India, where the city of Jaffna and large parts of inner Sri Lanka were recreated. "We knew we couldn't shoot this in Sri Lanka, so we shot most of it in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and converted it into a war zone. The second part of the film is based in India, which is the politics part.", said Sircar[5][38] The first schedule of the film was shot extensively in south India. The second schedule was shot in Mumbai, outside India and again in few parts of south India.[39] Several civil war scenes were shot in Bangkok as firings by light machine guns were not permitted in India. Real AK-47s, 9mm Berettas and M60s were used, for which special permission was obtained from the local authorities.[40]

The trailer was released on July 12, 2013.[41] The film was also dubbed in Tamil.[42]

Reception

Critical reception

The Times of India called the film political, tense and explosive. The review written by Srijana Mitra Das praised the film's research, story and "remarkable" cinematography. "Madras Cafe dives boldly into terrain Bollywood hasn't touched before. It highlights India's ambiguous role, moving sensitively, taking no sides, except those of relationships involving respect - but no romance - between Vikram and Jaya, duty, victory and loss," writes Das.[43]

Soundtrack

Untitled
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Sun Le Re"Ali hayatPapon5:11
2."Ajnabi"Zebunissa BangashZebunissa Bangash5:17
3."Khud Se" Papon4:49
4."Sun Le Re (Reprise)"Ali hayatPapon3:58
5."Madras Cafe Theme"  4:04
6."Conspiracy"  3:07
7."Entry to Jaffna"  1:06
8."Title Theme"  3:16
Total length:30:46

Controversy

The film's alleged depiction of rebels in the Sri Lankan civil war raised concerns.[11] After the trailer release, Tamil political parties Naam Tamilar[44] besides Pattali Makkal Katchi[45] asked for a ban on the movie citing that it reflects the members of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as terrorists. Seeman said the heart of the movie is Anti-Tamil and Prabhakaran is portrayed as villian and they will stop screening the movie after watching the special preview was arranged for Pro-Tamil outfits.[46] MDMK party chief Vaiko sought a ban on the movie from the Centre.[47] DMK party chief M Karunanidhi asked the Tamil Nadu government to enquire if the movie projected Srilankan Tamils in poor light and take proper action.[48] Replying to the ban demands, John Abraham said while he respects the opinions of everyone, No one is above the Censor board and creativity should not be held on gun point.[49] Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar said "the film is an effort to glorify a particular political party and its leaders by demeaning other sect of people. This cannot be permitted" and threatened to stall the release of film in Mumbai.[50]

The Madurai bench of Madras High Court dismissed a petition to ban the film,[51] accepted another similar petition to ban the film in Tamil Nadu, cancel the clearance certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification(CBFC) and sent notices to director and producer of the film, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, chairman of CBFC and posted the hearing on August 21.[52] The petition also claimed that Sri lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa secretly financed the film to justify the human rights violations during the final stages of war. Upon hearing the arguments, the court refused to grant an interim injunction preventing the release of the Hindi version, while noting the Tamil version should not release without CBFC's clearance, which was later obtained[42]. It also issued notices to DGP, producer to give a detailed reply on charges by September 3.[53] John Abraham has already refuted claims about Rajapaksa financing the film earlier during a promotional event.[54]

The film however did not release in Tamil Nadu as exhibitors feared the movie is not worth taking risk amidst controversy.[42]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "John Abraham's movie JAFFNA based on LTTE". Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  2. ^ "(From left) Actor John Abraham, producer Ronnie Lahiri, | Madras Cafe shooting completes in Kasauli | Photos Punjab". Hindustan Times. 2013-03-23. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  3. ^ "MADRAS CAFE (15)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Rs 400 crore riding on Bollywood box office this August". Hindustan Times. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Shoojit Sircar : The neutral order". Livemint. Jul 27 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Nargis plays foreign journalist in John Abraham's film". Times of India. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Jaffna Story, Preview & Synopsis". Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Rajiv Gandhi lookalike from 'Madras Cafe' creates ripples". The Times Of India. 1991-05-21. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  9. ^ Udita Jhunjhunwala (2013-07-27). "Shoojit Sircar : The neutral order". Livemint. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  10. ^ a b c "'Madras Cafe' brings us closer to what changed India’s political history". The Times Of India. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  11. ^ a b c Udita Jhunjhunwala (2013-08-05). "Madras Cafe courts controversy with Sri Lanka war references". Livemint. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  12. ^ "'Madras Cafe' defines cinema I stand for: John Abraham". The Times Of India. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  13. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-23776412
  14. ^ "Madras Café". The Times Of India. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  15. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-23776412
  16. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-23776412
  17. ^ a b Anuj Kumar (2013-07-28). "Raw appeal". The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  18. ^ a b "Newbie Rashi Khanna in Madras Cafe". Indian Express. 2013-01-11. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  19. ^ "'Madras Cafe' new stills: Meet Rashi Khanna, the new woman in John Abraham's life". CNN IBN. 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  20. ^ harshikaa udasi (2013-08-10). "Look who's in the Café?". The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  21. ^ "Does Madras Cafe show LTTE leader Prabhakaran?". Hindustan Times. 2013-08-12. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  22. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Madras-Cafe/movie-review/21975443.cms
  23. ^ a b Shiba Kurian (2012-09-28). "Leena in Shoojit's next film in Bollywood". The Times of India. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  24. ^ a b "Controversial Actress Leena Maria Paul Is Part Of MADRAS CAFE". Boxofficecapsule.com. 2013-06-06. Archived from the original on 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  25. ^ "Tinu Menachery in Madras Cafe". The Times of India. 2013-05-22. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  26. ^ "India's ad gurus in Shoojit Sircar's 'Madras Cafe'". Indian Television.
  27. ^ "> All About Cinema... > India's ad gurus in Shoojit Sircar's 'Madras Cafe'". Indiantelevision.com. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  28. ^ Anuj Kumar (2013-07-28). "Raw appeal". NEW DELHI: The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  29. ^ "Shoojit narrated Madras Cafe to me seven years back: John Abraham". Hindustan Times. 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  30. ^ "'Madras Cafe' is not a take on India-Sri Lankan relations: 'Vicky Donor' director". CNN IBN. 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  31. ^ Priya Gupta (2012-11-26). "Nargis plays foreign journalist in John Abraham’s film". The Times Of India. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  32. ^ "Deconstructed myself completely for my film: John Abraham". The Times Of India. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  33. ^ Madhur Tankha (2013-05-17). "The Armyman in Madras Café". The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  34. ^ "Finally, Nargis Fakhri speaks in her own voice in Madras Caf". NDTV. July 26, 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  35. ^ "Sheetal Mallar in Shoojit Sircar's Jaffna". Hindustan Times. 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  36. ^ Shiba Kurian (2013-05-30). "Arrested starlet Leena Maria Paul never part of Madras Cafe". The Times of India. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  37. ^ "Watch: First trailer of John Abraham's Madras Cafe". Indian Express. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  38. ^ Reuters (2013-08-13). "Shoojit Sircar's "Madras Cafe" recreates Sri Lanka war". Dawn.Com. Retrieved 2013-08-18. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  39. ^ "First schedule of Madras Cafe completed in south India". NDTV. 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  40. ^ "Madras Cafe: John, Shoojit shot civil war scenes in Thailand". The Times Of India. 2013-08-16. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  41. ^ "`Madras Cafe` trailer comes with `Bhaag Milkha Bhaag`". Zee News. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  42. ^ a b c Special Correspondent (2013-08-22). "'Madras Cafe' in Tamil gets censors' nod, thumbs down from exhibitors". CHENNAI: The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-08-23. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  43. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Madras-Cafe/movie-review/21975443.cms
  44. ^ "'Naam Thamizhar' group seeks ban on 'Madras Cafe'". India Today. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  45. ^ "Ban Madras Cafe, says Ramadoss". The New Indian Express. 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  46. ^ "John Abraham-starrer Madras Cafe in trouble as pro-Tamil outfits refuse to allow screening". India Today. PTI. 2013-08-18. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  47. ^ "Vaiko's MDMK seeks ban on screening of Madras Cafe". Firstpost. 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  48. ^ Special Correspondent (2013-08-21). "Karunanidhi on 'Madras Cafe'". CHENNAI: The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-08-21. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  49. ^ "John Abraham on". New Delhi: Indian Express. PTI. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  50. ^ Staff Reporter (2013-08-21). "BJP opposes release of Madras Cafe in Mumbai". Mumbai: The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
  51. ^ Staff Reporter (2013-08-17). "Plea for ban on Madras Café dismissed". MADURAI: The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  52. ^ Staff Reporter (2013-08-20). "Ban sought on Madras Cafe, Bench orders notice to CBFC and DGP". MADURAI: The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  53. ^ "Madras Cafe's Tamil version awaits Censor Board clearance, release may be delayed". Madurai: Indian Express. PTI. 2013-08-21. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
  54. ^ "Sri Lankan president Rajapaksa didn't secretly finance Madras Cafe: John Abraham". Hindustan Times. 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2013-08-22.

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