Aarakshan
2011 · India · 164 min
- Director
- Prakash Jha
- Screenplay
- Prakash Jha
- Producer
- Saif Ali Khan, Dinesh Vijan
- Music
- Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
What the critics say
57 % Rotten Tomatoes positive reviewsCast
What it is about
Set in contemporary India, the film follows Deepak Kumar, a brilliant graduate who is denied a teaching post at a private school because of his low-caste background. His case draws him into the orbit of the school's respected principal, Dr. Prabhakar Anand, and into a wider conflict over caste-based reservations in public jobs and education, pitting students of different castes against politicians and administrators with their own agendas.
How it was made
Shooting began in January 2011 and wrapped in early March, with most scenes filmed in Bhopal. Prakash Jha, who directed and wrote the screenplay, first considered Ajay Devgn for the male lead, but Devgn had other commitments and the role went to Saif Ali Khan, who juggled two films at once and learned Sanskrit for his character. The music was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
Reception and legacy
Critics gave it mixed to positive reviews. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama awarded four stars and praised its message and the lead performances, while Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India gave three stars and felt its first half worked better than the second. It was released in August 2011.
Stills
Trivia
A role in play
Ajay Devgn was the first choice for the male lead, but he had other projects under way, including Golmaal 3 and Singham, so the director cast Saif Ali Khan instead.
Learning Sanskrit
Saif Ali Khan had to learn Sanskrit for his role while juggling the shoot with another film.
More films by Prakash Jha
Dil Kya Kare
Apaharan
Gangaajal
Satyagraha
MrityudandOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.