Vedaa
- Umesh KR Bansal
- Monisha Advani
- Madhu Bhojwani
- John Abraham
- John Abraham
- Sharvari
- Abhishek Banerjee
- Ashish Vidyarthi
- (songs)
- Amaal Mallik
- Manan Bhardwaj
- Yuva
- Raghav–Arjun
- Kartik Shah (score)
companies
- Zee Studios
- Emmay Entertainment
- JA Entertainment
- 15 August 2024 (2024-08-15)
Vedaa is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language action drama film directed by Nikkhil Advani and produced by Zee Studios, Emmay Entertainment and JA Entertainment. The film stars John Abraham, Sharvari (in the titular role), Abhishek Banerjee and Ashish Vidyarthi. The film is inspired by true events.[3][4]
Vedaa was theatrically released on 15 August 2024.[5][6] The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and has grossed over ₹21 crore at the box office.[2]
Plot
Vedaa centers on a Dalit girl who is being abused by the upper caste & how Abhimanyu Kanwar played by John plays a crucial role in her life.
Cast
- John Abraham as former Major Abhimanyu Kanwar
- Sharvari as Vedaa Berwa
- Abhishek Banerjee as Jitendar Pratap Singh
- Ashish Vidyarthi as Kaka
- Kumud Mishra as Mausaji
- Rajendra Chawla as Mr Berwa, Vedaa's father
- Tanvi Malhara as Gehna, Vedaa's sister
- Anurag Thakur as Vinod, Vedaa's elder brother
- Urvashi Dubey as Aarti, Vinod's fiance
- Rajoshri Vidyarthi as Mrs Berwa, Vedaa's mother
- Parag Sharma as Sunehre
- Danish Husain as Mountbatten
- Kapil Nirmal as API Bhimsen Purohit
- Ajeet Singh Palawat as ASI Raghu Meena
- K. C. Shankar as C. O. Bharadwaj
- Kshitij Chauhan as Suyog Pratap Singh
- Akshay Sharma as Raj Kishore, Suyog's gangmember
- Toshab Bagri as Bhanu Singh, Suyog's gangmember
- Abhishek Deswal as Major Deepanshu
- Paritosh Sand as Headmaster Uttamlal Singh
- Gowhar Khan as Ilyas Kashmiri
- Nirmal Chaudhury as Mr Meghwal
- Manu Shekhar as Reporter Faisal
- Monisha Advani as judge
- Tamannaah Bhatia as Raashi (special appearance)[7]
- Mouni Roy (special appearance in song "Mummy Ji")[8]
Production
The filming began on 20 June 2023 in Rajasthan.[9][10] The shoot was wrapped up in Kashmir in December 2023.[11] The makers of the film announced their concerns on 25 July 2024 via social media that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had not yet screened the film, despite the application being submitted a month earlier. Following that, it was noted that the CBFC's Examining Committee viewed the film on 22 June, but feedback was not provided to the makers until the film was referred to the Revising Committee on 25 June.[12][13] The Revising Committee screened the film on 29 July, which led to the deletion of 9.14 minutes and the implementation of certain changes. After these modifications, Vedaa was granted a U/A certificate on 6 August 2024, with a final runtime of 151 minutes.[14][15]
Music
Vedaa | |
---|---|
Soundtrack album by Amaal Mallik, Manan Bhardwaj, Yuva and Raghav–Arjun | |
Released | 13 August 2024 |
Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
Length | 25:03 |
Language | Hindi |
Label | Zee Music Company |
Official audio | |
Vedaa (Audio Jukebox) on YouTube | |
The music of the film is composed by Amaal Mallik, Manan Bhardwaj, Yuva and Raghav–Arjun while the background score is completed by Kartik Shah. The first single titled "Holiyaan" was released on 3 August 2024.[16] The second single titled "Mummy Ji" was released on 7 August 2024.[17] The third single titled "Zaroorat Se Zyada" was released on 10 August 2024.[18] The entire album featuring 6 tracks was released on 13 August 2024.[19]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Zaroorat Se Zyada" | Kunaal Vermaa | Amaal Mallik | Arijit Singh | 5:36 |
2. | "Holiyaan" | Arushi Kaushal, MC Square | Yuva | Nikhita Gandhi, Asha Sapera, MC Square | 3:05 |
3. | "Dhaage" | Raghav–Arjun | Raghav–Arjun | Raghav–Arjun, Raghav Chaitanya | 3:34 |
4. | "Mummy Ji" | Manan Bhardwaj | Manan Bhardwaj | Prajakta Shukre, Himani Kapoor, Manan Bhardwaj | 3:22 |
5. | "Zaroorat Se Zyada" (Female Version) | Kunaal Vermaa | Amaal Mallik | Shreya Ghoshal | 5:34 |
6. | "Zaroorat Se Zyada" (Duet) | Kunaal Vermaa | Amaal Mallik | Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal | 3:52 |
Total length: | 25:03 |
Release
Vedaa was theatrically released on 15 August 2024 on Independence Day with dubbed versions in Tamil and Telugu, clashing with Khel Khel Mein and Stree 2.[20][21]
Reception
Critical response
Vedaa received mixed critical reviews. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 44% of 9 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10.[22]
Deepa Gahlot of Rediff.com rated 3/5 stars and notes "Vedaa is realistic but also has the kind of mainstream elements and action sequences that make a film gripping."[23] A critic for Bollywood Hungama rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Vedaa is a predictable fare with a weak climax and an unremarkable second half."[24] Rishabh Suri of the Hindustan Times commented, "John Abraham and Sharvari's thriller on caste system gets you thinking, delivers a hard-hitting message." He opined that the film marks a significant shift for director Nikhil Advani, tackling the heavy themes of casteism and honour killings with a blend of action and drama, although it falters with unrealistic character survivals and weak music. While John Abraham delivers a passable performance as a grieving officer, Sharvari shines in her role as the resilient titular character, culminating in a climactic court battle that effectively highlights the film's core message.[25] Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost gave the film 3/5 stars, remarking, "Flawed, but a brave film on Dalit rights." She pointed out that the film tackles the pressing issue of Dalit rights with a compelling narrative; yet, its impact is diminished by excessive violence overshadowing the social message. While John Abraham delivers a predictable performance, it is Sharvari and Abhishek Banerjee who shine, bringing depth to their roles in a film that ultimately leaves the audience reflecting on societal inequalities.[26]
Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV India rated the film 2.5/5 stars, commenting, "John Abraham's film manages occasionally to tide over its troughs." According to him, the film is a caste oppression thriller that stands out in mainstream Bollywood by centring on a young Dalit woman's struggle for dignity and equality, with John Abraham's character supporting her quest. Despite its reliance on genre tropes and a somewhat diluted narrative, the film effectively highlights the harsh realities of caste violence while showcasing strong performances, particularly from Sharvari as the determined protagonist.[27] Sana Farzeen of India Today gave the film 2.5 stars, stating, "John Abraham's film makes you wish for a fast-forward button." She noted that the film attempts to tackle the significant issue of caste in India but ultimately falters due to a slow pace and underdeveloped character arcs, particularly in Sharvari's titular role. While John Abraham shines in action sequences, the film lacks impactful moments and emotional depth, making it a forgettable experience despite its noble intentions.[28] Troy Ribeiro of The Free Press Journal gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "It’s a mixed bag—a cinematic attempt to grapple with weighty issues while delivering the action-packed thrills that John Abraham fans expect. The result is a film that entertains but falls short of providing a knockout blow, leaving the audience with a lingering sense that the fight, much like Vedaa’s journey, isn’t quite over yet."[29]
Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 2/5 stars, commenting, "Sharvari breaks the mould as John Abraham gets to slice and dice." In her view, the film presents a commendable yet flawed narrative centered on a young Dalit woman's struggle against caste oppression but ultimately succumbs to the conventional Bollywood trope of sidelining its female lead in favour of male heroism. Despite Sharvari's strong performance and the film's poignant moments, the predictable plot and character arcs dilute its impact, leaving audiences questioning whether Vedaa's journey truly receives the focus it deserves.[30] Sreeparna Sengupta of The Times of India gave the film 3.5/5 stars, stating, "Film with a message, packed with a solid punch." She noted that the film effectively combines a compelling narrative against caste-based injustices with high-octane action, showcasing John Abraham's impressive physicality and Sharvari's emotional depth as the title character. While the film occasionally falls into predictable tropes and features a convoluted climax, its gritty atmosphere and adrenaline-pumping sequences make it an engaging watch.[31]
Box office
Vedaa grossed ₹6.52 crore on its opening day at the domestic box office.[32] As of 19 August 2024, the film has grossed an estimated ₹21.71 crore at the worldwide box office.[2]
References
- ^ "Vedaa". ecinepramaan.gov.in. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "Vedaa Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Bohra, Anurag (1 August 2024). "Vedaa Trailer: John Abraham mentors Sharvari in violent action-thriller about casteism and untouchability. Watch". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ India Today Entertainment Desk (1 August 2024). "'Vedaa' trailer: John Abraham is Krishna to Sharvari's Arjun". India Today. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein and Vedaa movie review and box office collection LIVE Updates: Fans laud Akshay Kumar for his return to the comic world with a "fun character"". The Times of India. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Maitra, Jyotismita. "Vedaa Review: John Abraham and Sharvari Deliver a Gripping Thriller That Confronts the Caste System". Bru Times News. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Vedaa Twitter Review: Tamannaah Bhatia's special role in John Abraham's action film surprises netizens". Moneycontrol. 15 August 2024. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Chowdhury, Madhumanti Pait (1 August 2024). "Vedaa Trailer: John Abraham Mentors Sharvari In The Fight Against Oppression". ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "John Abraham, Sharvari Wagh to lead Nikkhil Advani's 'Vedaa'". The Hindu. 21 June 2023. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "Tamannaah Bhatia joins John Abraham, Sharvari Wagh in 'Vedaa'". The Hindu. 13 July 2023. Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Kashmir is beautiful and fantastic, please come: John Abraham after wrapping 'Vedaa' shoot". Deccan Herald. 13 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (26 July 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: Vedaa's screening for CBFC's Revising Committee to be held on Monday, July 29; Nikkhil Advani shares details: "Since I had an extremely incredible experience with the Censors during Batla House and Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, I am stunned this time": Bollywood News". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ HT Entertainment Desk (25 July 2024). "Vedaa: Makers of John Abraham-starrer release official statement as film yet to get clearance from CBFC". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: CBFC deletes 9.14 minutes of content from John Abraham-starrer Vedaa; blurs visuals of tearing of currency notes". Bollywood Hungama. 7 August 2024. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Shaikh, Samina (29 July 2024). "John Abraham And Sharvari Wagh's Vedaa Gets U/A Certificate With No Cuts". Times Now. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Features, CE (3 August 2024). "'Holiyaan': Sharvari exudes colourful charm in first song from John Abraham's Vedaa". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Roy, Sagarika (7 August 2024). "Vedaa song Mummy Ji: Mouni Roy sets the dance floor on fire with her electrifying moves". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Singh, Nisha (10 August 2024). "Zaroorat Se Zyada OUT: John Abraham grieves loss of his love in heart-wrenching track co-starring Tamannaah Bhatia". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Vedaa". Wynk Music. Archived from the original on 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "First look of John Abraham-Sharvari starrer actioner Vedaa out; makers reveal release date of Nikkhil Advani directorial. See pics". The Indian Express. 7 February 2024. Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "John Abraham and Sharvari Wagh starrer Vedaa release date pushed to Independence Day 2024; to now clash with Pushpa 2: The Rule in cinemas". Bollywood Hungama. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Vedaa". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Gahlot, Deepa (15 August 2024). "Vedaa Review: Action Packed Caste Drama". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (15 August 2024). "Vedaa Movie Review: VEDAA is a predictable fare with a weak climax". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Suri, Rishabh (15 August 2024). "Vedaa review: John Abraham and Sharvari's thriller on caste system gets you thinking, delivers a hard-hitting message". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Roy, Lachmi Deb (15 August 2024). "John Abraham, Sharvari's Vedaa Movie Review: Flawed, but a brave film on Dalit rights". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Chatterjee, Saibal (15 August 2024). "Vedaa Review: John Abraham's Film Manages Occasionally To Tide Over Its Troughs". ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Farzeen, Sana (15 August 2024). "Vedaa Review: John Abraham's film makes you wish for a fast-forward button". India Today. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Vedaa Review: John Abraham and Sharvari's Film is an Action-Heavy Mixed Bag of Melodrama". Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Gupta, Shubhra (15 August 2024). "Vedaa movie review: Sharvari breaks the mould as John Abraham gets to slice and dice". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Sengupta, Sreeparna (15 August 2024). "Vedaa Movie Review: Film with a message, packed with a solid punch". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ India Today Entertainment Desk (16 August 2024). "Vedaa box office Day 1: John Abraham's film earns Rs 6.52 crore". India Today. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
External links
- Vedaa at IMDb
- Vedaa at Bollywood Hungama
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