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Aksar
Aksar
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Aksar
Film poster
Directed byAnant Mahadevan
Written byAnant Mahadevan
Abbas Hierapurwala (dialogue)
Produced byNarendra Bajaj
Shyam Bajaj
StarringEmraan Hashmi
Udita Goswami
Dino Morea
CinematographyK. Rajkumar
Edited bySanjib Dutta
Music byHimesh Reshammiya
Production
company
Siddhi Vinayak Creations
Distributed bySiddhi Vinayak Creations
Venus Worldwide Entertainment
Release date
  • 3 February 2006 (2006-02-03)
Running time
132 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Aksar (transl.Often) is a 2006 Indian Hindi-language erotic thriller film directed by Anant Mahadevan and produced by Narendra and Shyam Bajaj under the banner of Siddhi Vinayak Creations. The film stars Dino Morea, Emraan Hashmi and Udita Goswami. It features the song "Jhalak Dikhlaja" sung by Himesh Reshammiya, who also composed a remix for the film's promotion. Released on 3 February 2006, the film was a box-office success.[1]

A spiritual sequel titled Aksar 2 was released on 17 November 2017.

Plot

[edit]

Ricky, a playboy, is a leading fashion photographer who wears his heart on his sleeve. One day, he receives a call from Sheena, who asks him to meet her. Once there, the two argue about Sheena's friend Nisha, who was left heartbroken and contemplating suicide after being dumped by Ricky.

Three years later, Ricky is about to hold a photography exhibition when an unknown investor walks in and buys all the pieces before they can be displayed. The billionaire investor, Rajveer (Raj), says that the sale will be completed with one condition: Ricky must seduce and sleep with Raj's wife Sheena. Ricky is perplexed, and Raj explains that he wants to leave Sheena without having to give her half of his wealth, which can only be achieved if she chooses to divorce him.

After some setbacks, Sheena and Ricky begin a relationship according to plan. Raj catches Ricky and Sheena in bed; however, Sheena is unfazed. She refuses to divorce Raj and tells him she is intent on continuing with her relationship with Ricky while still being married.

Realising that Sheena wouldn't divorce him, Raj asks Ricky to return to India. Ricky refuses since he is enjoying a luxurious life with Sheena, and Raj is stunned again. Nisha attends a party in Raj's mansion and afterward claims that she was raped by Ricky. The next morning, Sheena confronts Ricky and, in a fit of rage, murders him with a sword.

A police investigation begins, and Sheena is the prime suspect. As she is being arrested, Raj confesses to the murder. When Sheena meets him in jail, he transfers all his property to her after discussing the incident. The police search the couple's house and take a few items as evidence. A hidden camera is discovered in Raj's stress ball, and Sheena's crime is discovered in its footage. She is arrested, and she transfers Raj's property back to him. It is revealed that these events were carefully planned by Raj, who is actually in love with Nisha.

In the end, Raj gives Nisha the property papers as a token of his love. As the bewildered policeman stares at Raj and Nisha in the car, Raj throws the stress ball at him and casually says,"Aisa to aksar hota hai" (This happens often).

Cast

[edit]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Aksar
Soundtrack album by
Released21 December 2005
Recorded2005
VenueMumbai
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length37:40
LabelT-Series
ProducerHimesh Reshammiya
Himesh Reshammiya chronology
Anjaane
(2005)
Aksar
(2005)
Shaadi Se Pehle
(2006)

All tracks in the soundtrack were composed by Himesh Reshammiya with lyrics penned by Sameer. The song "Jhalak Dikhlaja" was released in three versions. According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 15,00,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack album was the year's eighth highest-selling.[2] A critic from Rediff.com wrote that "The soundtrack of Aksar is catchy and guaranteed to score".[3]

Track list

[edit]

The soundtrack contains five original songs, three remixes and one instrumental song.

Track # Song Singer(s) Duration
1 "Jhalak Dikhlaja" Himesh Reshammiya 05:17
2 "Lagi Lagi" Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan 05:33
3 "Loot Jayenge" Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan and Jayesh Gandhi 06:02
4 "Mohabbat Ke" Himesh Reshammiya and Tulsi Kumar 05:01
5 "Soniye" KK and Sunidhi Chauhan 04:56
6 "Jhalak Dikhlaja (Remix)" Himesh Reshammiya 05:01
7 "Soniye (Remix)" KK and Sunidhi Chauhan 04:16
8 "Theme Of Aksar" Instrumental 02:34
9 "Mohabbat Ke (Remix)" Himesh Reshammiya and Tulsi Kumar 05:20

Jhalak Dikhlaja

[edit]

"Jhalak Dikhlaja" was composed and sung by Himesh Reshammiya, which was a part of Aksar. The lyrics were written by Sameer. Jhalak Dikhlaja is a lovesick admirer's request to his lady love to give him a glance of her features. The song has been remade in the 2019 movie The Body with Emraan Hashmi back to dance the song and Reshammiya to sing it again.[4]

Controversy

[edit]

The song was banned in a village called Bhalej in Anand district of Gujarat by locals who claimed that the song summoned snakes and ghosts. Apparently, people who sang the song said they were possessed by spirits and started behaving in a strange way. They reasoned that one of the lines "Ek Baar Aaja Aaja Aaja Aaja Aaaja" (literally "Come Come Come Come Come Just For Once") invited snakes and ghosts. Also this led to a rumour that if this song was played late at night, especially the above line, it would summon the snakes and ghosts.[5][6][7]

Reception

[edit]

Film critic Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama wrote that "On the whole, AKSAR has hit music as its trump card, but a difficult-to-absorb theme and lackluster screenplay will only go against it".[8] A critic from The Times of India wrote that "The film slips because of its pace: too repetitive, too slow to qualify for a thriller. And also because of Udita Goswami: too hysterical, too loud, too much of vase throwing and cleavage showing and too little of emoting".[9] A critic from Outlook wrote that "The film calls for a severe suspension of disbelief from whosoever dares to watch it".[10] A critic from Hindustan Times wrote that "The film looks like something that sneaked out of French noir. With masala smattered all over of course".[11][12]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Aksar is a Indian Hindi-language film directed by . Produced by Narendra Bajaj and Shyam Bajaj, it stars as the womanizing fashion photographer Ricky Sharma, as Sheena Roy, and as the affluent businessman Rajveer Singh. The film centers on a manipulative scheme involving seduction and infidelity that spirals into blackmail and murder, drawing inspiration from the 1998 Hollywood film . The narrative unfolds with Rajveer, frustrated by his possessive wife Sheena's controlling nature and refusal to grant him a , hiring the charismatic yet unscrupulous Ricky to entice her into an affair. As Ricky infiltrates their lives, he unexpectedly develops real emotions for Sheena, complicating the arrangement and leading to a tense web of , hidden motives, and escalating conflicts among the trio. The screenplay, written by and Abbaas Hierapurwala, emphasizes themes of and obsession, culminating in a deadly twist that forces the characters to confront the consequences of their actions. Released on 3 February 2006, Aksar features a soundtrack composed by Himesh Reshammiya, which includes popular tracks like "Jhalak Dikhlaja" sung by him, contributing significantly to the film's commercial appeal. With a runtime of 132 minutes, the movie blends elements of drama, romance, and suspense, showcasing Hashmi's signature intense performance in a genre he was known for during the mid-2000s. Critically, it garnered mixed responses, with praise for the lead actors' chemistry but criticism for its formulaic storyline and logical inconsistencies. Commercially, Aksar emerged as a semi-hit, collecting approximately ₹8.41 crore nett at the Indian box office against a modest budget.

Production

Development

Aksar was announced under the production banner of Movies by producers Narendra Bajaj and Shyam Bajaj. The project marked the directorial debut of in the thriller genre, with the screenplay co-written by Mahadevan and dialogue by Abbaas Hierapurwala. began in mid-2005, as evidenced by early media reports discussing casting details by of that year. The film's creative foundation drew inspiration from erotic thriller tropes prevalent in Bollywood and Hollywood, centering on and love triangles as key plot devices to drive and interpersonal conflict. This approach aimed to blend sensuality with mystery, reflecting influences from films like (1998). The estimated budget was approximately ₹4.50 crore, with a focus on urban settings to enhance the modern thriller atmosphere and significant investment in music integration for commercial appeal. A major pre-production emphasis was placed on casting Emraan Hashmi, leveraging his rising popularity as the "serial kisser" from hits like Murder (2004) and Aashiq Banaya Aapne (2005) to attract audiences to the erotic elements. Himesh Reshammiya was brought on for the soundtrack to amplify the film's seductive tone.

Casting

Emraan Hashmi was cast in the lead role of Ricky Sharma, a fashion photographer entangled in a dangerous , leveraging his rising popularity in romantic thrillers following the success of Murder (2004), which established him as a go-to actor for bold, sensual characters. Director Ananth Mahadevan noted in a 2024 interview that Hashmi's decision to take on the part was bold, as many in the industry viewed it as a "loser role" due to its unconventional positioning against a more heroic antagonist, yet Hashmi saw potential in the character's complexity and audience appeal. Udita Goswami was selected as Sheena Roy, the seductive wife at the story's center, building on her recent performance in Zeher (2005), where she had already shared screen space with Hashmi and demonstrated strong on-screen chemistry in intimate thriller scenarios. Goswami chose the project for its engaging script and the experienced direction of Mahadevan, marking a continuation of her collaboration with Hashmi after Zeher; she described their dynamic during filming as lighthearted and "funny," often breaking into laughter during close scenes, which contrasted with the public's perception of their pairing as intensely "hot." Initially, Celina Jaitly had been signed for the role and even shot one day, but she exited due to scheduling conflicts with Zinda and Jawani Diwani, paving the way for Goswami, whom Mahadevan praised as a fitting replacement for her acting prowess. Dino Morea was chosen to portray the antagonistic husband , representing a deliberate shift from his earlier heroic roles in films like Raaz (2002), where he played the romantic lead. Mahadevan selected Morea for his commanding personality and ability to convincingly embody a sophisticated, vengeful tycoon, noting that he could "carry off a with panache" while bringing intensity to the negative character; interestingly, Hashmi had initially expressed interest in Morea's role but ultimately opted for the safer, more audience-friendly part of Ricky. Supporting roles were filled by as Nisha, a friend adding emotional depth to the interpersonal dynamics, and as the investigating officer Steve Bakshi, whose detective work drives the thriller's investigative elements; these additions were aimed at enhancing the ensemble's balance between romance and suspense without overshadowing the leads. On the crew side, Mahadevan, a veteran actor-turned-director, took a hands-on approach to ensure the thriller tone, conducting sessions with the cast to refine their portrayals, while was handled by Rajkumar K. to capture the film's moody, intimate visuals, and editing by Sanjib Dutta contributed to its taut pacing.

Filming

Principal photography for Aksar commenced in late 2005 and wrapped up in early 2006, spanning 35 shooting days over a four-month period. Director noted the efficient schedule, stating, "Aksar took just 35 days stretched over a period of four months, that’s it." The production utilized London's urban landscapes for exterior sequences to infuse an international element into the thriller narrative. Key filming sites included for arrival and song scenes, for driving and romantic moments, and Swiss Court for a , for confrontations, and additional spots such as Butlers Wharf, Potters Fields Park, , , , , Lafone Street, , Millennium Bridge, Royal Exchange, and the . One notable challenge arose with a kissing scene, which the team worried might come across as sleazy; however, the approved it, deeming the execution aesthetic. Mahadevan emphasized the film's identity as a "pure emotional thriller," with Himesh Reshammiya's score tailored to support the rather than dominate as in his prior works. Post-production, including the integration of Reshammiya's music into the thriller framework, was finalized in time for the film's theatrical release on 3 February 2006.

Cast

Lead roles

Emraan Hashmi portrays Ricky Sharma, a charismatic yet notorious playboy and leading fashion photographer central to the film's seduction scheme and ensuing love triangle. Known for his womanizing ways and impulsive nature, Ricky is initially drawn into the plot as an opportunist seeking financial gain, but his arc evolves into one of genuine emotional attachment, transforming him from a carefree philanderer into a figure deeply involved in the story's romantic and thriller elements. Udita Goswami plays Sheena, the neglected wife of Rajveer who becomes the emotional pivot of the narrative, driving conflicts through her evolving relationship with Ricky. Initially harboring resentment toward Ricky due to his past of her close friend Nisha, Sheena's character embodies fiery independence and sensuality, progressing from a position of marital dissatisfaction to one of assertive confrontation that underscores themes of and desire. Dino Morea embodies , the affluent and calculating husband whose orchestration of a plot positions him as the manipulative at the heart of the murder twist. As a suave businessman with concealed intentions linked to Nisha's history in the interpersonal dynamics, Rajveer's arc reveals layers of deception and ulterior motives, contrasting sharply with the more vulnerable leads and heightening the thriller's tension.

Supporting roles

Tara Sharma portrayed Nisha, Rajveer's love interest and Sheena's close friend, whose heartbreak from being dumped by Ricky provides a personal motive for Rajveer's scheme to orchestrate a and ultimately delivers emotional resolution through their union at the film's conclusion. played Chief Investigating Officer Steve Bakshi, the leading the murder probe, who introduces procedural suspense and amplifies narrative twists via his relentless inquiry while keeping the focus on the central characters. Supporting the story's lighter moments and background dynamics are minor roles such as Benz (Suresh Menon), alongside ensemble actors populating the party sequences and office environments to enhance the thriller's atmosphere. Nisha's humanizes Rajveer by revealing his deeper affections beyond the intrigue, while Bakshi's investigation builds procedural layers that heighten suspenseful revelations without dominating the lead-driven plot.

Soundtrack

Track listing

The soundtrack album for Aksar, composed entirely by with lyrics penned by Sameer, was released on 21 December 2005 by T-Series. It features a total of 12 tracks, including five original songs, their remixes, an unplugged version, and a theme track, blending romantic duets, upbeat item numbers, and rhythmic elements to suit the film's thriller narrative and pacing. The playback singers include , , KK, , Jayesh Gandhi, and . Key tracks such as "Jhalak Dikhlaja" and "Soniye" highlight the album's seductive and melodic style.
No.TitleSinger(s)Duration
1Jhalak Dikhlaja5:14
2Lagi Lagi, 5:33
3SoniyeKK, 4:56
4Jhalak Dikhlaja (Remix)5:10
5Mohabbat Ke, 5:18
6Loot Jayenge (Remix), Jayesh Gandhi5:18
7Soniye (Remix)KK, 4:16
8Loot Jayenge, Jayesh Gandhi6:02
9Mohabbat Ke (Remix), 5:18
10Theme of Aksar (instrumental)2:34
11Lagi Lagi (Remix), 3:41
12Jhalak Dikhlaja (Unplugged)4:32
The remixes of these tracks extend the album's appeal for sequences while maintaining the core compositions' intensity.

Composition

The soundtrack of Aksar was composed entirely by , who also lent his vocals to several tracks in his distinctive nasal style, which became a hallmark of his work during this period. This approach infused the music with a blend of contemporary pop rhythms and Hindustani classical influences, crafting a sensual and rhythmic atmosphere aligned with the film's tone. Recording took place in studios throughout 2005, allowing the tracks to be finalized before the film's production to facilitate seamless integration with the visuals. Key songs, such as the title track "Theme of Aksar," were incorporated into montages to enhance transitions. The was commercially successful, with reports indicating sales of around 1.5 million units. Reshammiya's rising stardom as both composer and singer significantly elevated the film's marketability, capitalizing on his dominance in the music charts at the time.

Controversy

In 2006, the popular song "" from the Aksar soundtrack was banned by residents of Bhalej village in Gujarat's following claims that it summoned ghosts during local performances. Villagers reported several incidents of possession, including cases where individuals danced uncontrollably, sang the song obsessively, or exhibited erratic behavior near a graveyard after the track was played at weddings or on radios and ringtones. The , particularly phrases like "ek baar aaja, aaja," were interpreted as an invitation to spirits, leading to widespread and the destruction of CDs and cassettes containing the song. The village panchayat, led by sarpanch Sairabanu Malik, endorsed the ban as a community measure to prevent further occurrences, though it was described as self-imposed rather than formally enforced. This decision garnered national media attention, with reports from outlets like PTI and IANS amplifying the story and sparking discussions on rural superstitions. Composer and singer , responding to the controversy, dismissed the claims as unfounded beliefs, stating, "What can I say about such beliefs. It's weird and I don't know how to react to all this," while the film's producers attributed the incidents to and took no legal action against the ban. The episode underscored broader cultural tensions between rural traditions in and the urban-driven promotion of Bollywood music, highlighting how popular tracks could inadvertently clash with local .

Release

Theatrical

Aksar had its worldwide theatrical release on 3 February 2006, primarily in . The film was distributed in by Creations and Venus Worldwide Entertainment. Running for 135 minutes, Aksar received an A (adults only) certification from the owing to its depiction of adult themes, including erotic elements. Initial theatrical screenings rolled out across 325 screens in . Internationally, the film saw a limited release targeting audiences in markets such as the , , and shortly following the domestic debut.

Marketing and promotion

The marketing and promotion of Aksar heavily relied on its to generate pre-release buzz, capitalizing on composer Himesh Reshammiya's rising popularity in the mid-2000s. The standout track "," featuring in a seductive , was released as a that emphasized the film's elements and helped attract audiences through visual appeal and catchy rhythm. Trailers were a core component of the campaign, released via T-Series channels in December 2005, and focused on the thriller intrigue alongside Emraan Hashmi's sensuous scenes to draw in viewers interested in the love triangle narrative. Print advertisements appeared in prominent magazines like Filmfare, while posters prominently highlighted the central love triangle involving Hashmi, Goswami, and Dino Morea to underscore the film's themes of seduction and betrayal. TV spots aired on popular channels such as Zee TV, amplifying reach through short clips teasing the plot's twists. The cast participated in promotional tours across major cities like Mumbai and Delhi, including interviews that spotlighted the erotic thriller genre and the cast's chemistry. A key tie-in was the album launch event, where Himesh Reshammiya delivered live performances to energize fans and media, with cast members like Udita Goswami present to promote the film's musical and dramatic synergy.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Aksar received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its musical score and on-screen pairing while criticizing the narrative execution. The film's soundtrack, composed by Himesh Reshammiya, was widely highlighted as a strong element, with Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama noting it as the "hit music" serving as the movie's primary asset. Similarly, the chemistry between leads Emraan Hashmi and Udita Goswami was commended for its intensity, described by Hindustan Times as a "sizzling" dynamic that built on their prior collaboration in Zeher. Critics frequently pointed to weaknesses in the screenplay and pacing as major drawbacks. review faulted the film for being "too repetitive, too slow to qualify for a thriller," attributing part of this to Goswami's "hysterical" performance. echoed these sentiments, calling the theme "difficult-to-absorb" and the screenplay "lackluster," which undermined the 's potential despite its musical strengths. described the direction by as "shoddy," with a "foolhardy imagination" leading to predictable twists and illogical plotting. Audience reception aligned with the mixed critical verdict, as reflected in an user rating of /10 based on over 1,500 votes, where viewers noted the erotic elements but often criticized the "awful" script and "laughable" story. Some appreciated Mahadevan's handling of buildup, with an Forums review calling it a "well shot and edited " that offered "packaged entertainment with a bit of , and ," though ultimately deeming it average.

Box office

Aksar earned ₹0.95 on its at the Indian . The film collected ₹4.88 in its first week domestically. Its total domestic net collection stood at ₹8.41 , while the worldwide gross reached ₹11.35 . Overseas earnings were limited, primarily from markets like the and , totaling under ₹1 . Classified as a semi-hit by , the film achieved modest budget recovery given its low production cost of approximately ₹4.5 . In comparisons with similar erotic thrillers, Aksar outperformed Chocolate (2005), which collected ₹6.95 crore net domestically and was deemed a flop. However, it underperformed relative to Emraan Hashmi's earlier success Murder (2004), a super-hit with ₹15.01 crore in domestic net collections. The soundtrack's strong sales further boosted ancillary revenue, enhancing overall profitability.

Legacy

Sequel

Aksar 2, a spiritual sequel to the 2006 thriller Aksar, was released on 17 November 2017. Directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan and produced by the Bajaj brothers—Narendra Bajaj and Chirag Bajaj—under Siddhi Vinayak Creations, the film aimed to revive the erotic thriller genre with contemporary elements while emphasizing suspense over explicit content. The plot centers on a new narrative of and , revolving around a involving and . It follows a husband who schemes to end his marriage to pursue another woman, only for the plan to unravel with dire consequences. The story incorporates themes of , echoing the title's meaning of "often," which suggests recurring patterns of deceit, though it introduces no direct character connections to the original . Starring as the lead, alongside and Mohit Madaan in key roles, the blends thriller elements with interpersonal drama. In terms of production, had a reported budget of approximately ₹9 , a notable increase from the original's approximately ₹4.5 budget. However, it received mixed reception, earning a 3.6/10 rating on based on user reviews that criticized its execution despite praising initial suspense. The film underperformed commercially, collecting ₹5.04 nett in , marking it as a disaster. Mahadevan's intent was to revisit the thriller formula of the original by crafting an "old-fashioned suspense drama with black humour," distancing it from overt eroticism in favor of intricate plotting focused on "how" and "why" events unfold. He described it as a classic noir, prioritizing narrative intrigue over sensationalism to appeal to audiences seeking psychological depth in the genre.

Impact

Aksar significantly contributed to Emraan Hashmi's rise in Bollywood during the mid-2000s, reinforcing his image as a leading actor in sensual thrillers following successes like (2004). His portrayal of the charismatic yet manipulative Ricky in the film exemplified the "serial kisser" persona that producers capitalized on, helping establish him as a in erotic dramas despite the role's unconventional arc where his character meets a demise. The film's soundtrack, composed by , achieved lasting popularity, particularly with the track "," which became a nationwide sensation and influenced subsequent item song trends through its catchy, obsessive lyrics and remix versions in later projects like The Body (). This song's enduring appeal extended beyond the film's , symbolizing the era's blend of sensuality and rhythm in Bollywood . As part of the post- erotic thriller wave, Aksar highlighted themes of marital discord and , sparking conversations in Indian cinema about women's agency within possessive relationships and the moral ambiguities of extramarital affairs. While it advanced the genre's focus on intertwined with bold intimacy, the film faced critique for its formulaic structure that prioritized titillation over deeper character exploration. By 2025, Aksar remains available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video, maintaining a minor among enthusiasts of campy Bollywood thrillers for its over-the-top twists and aesthetic, though it has not seen major revivals or re-releases.

References

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