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Fool & Final
Fool & Final
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Fool N Final
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAhmed Khan
Written byAbbas Hirapurwala
Umesh Shukla
(story, screenplay and dialogues)
Based onSnatch (2000)
by Guy Ritchie
Produced byFiroz A. Nadiadwala
StarringSunny Deol
Shahid Kapoor
Vivek Oberoi
Sameera Reddy
Ayesha Takia
Sharmila Tagore
Om Puri
Jackie Shroff
Paresh Rawal
Arbaaz Khan
CinematographyJohny Lal
Edited byAshfaque Makrani
Music byScore:
Ranjit Barot
Songs:
Himesh Reshammiya
Production
company
Base Industries Group
Distributed byShemaroo Entertainment
Release date
  • 1 June 2007 (2007-06-01)
Running time
160 mins
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget24 crore[1]
Box office27.62 crore[1]

Fool & Final (stylized as Fool N Final) is a 2007 Indian Hindi-language comedy caper film directed by Ahmed Khan and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala. The film has an ensemble cast starring Sunny Deol, Shahid Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Sameera Reddy, Ayesha Takia, Sharmila Tagore, Jackie Shroff, Om Puri, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Chunkey Pandey, Arbaaz Khan and Gulshan Grover.

The film climaxes with a highlighted boxing match. Boxer Mike Tyson also makes appearance in the film’s end credits and promos.

The movie was released on 1 January 2007. Most of the film was shot in Brazil, Dubai and Muscat. The film is a based on the 2000 British film Snatch.[2]

Plot

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The story begins with the theft of an extremely valuable diamond in Mumbai by a thief named Rocky. He is meant to hand it over to an accomplice of his London-based uncle, Choksi, in Dubai. However, news of the diamond's arrival attracts local gangster Moscow Chikna, who coerces the debt-ridden junk shop owner Chobey into stealing it for him. Chobey enlists the help of his small-time criminal niece, Tina, and her talented boyfriend, Raja. Raja himself is living a double life, paid to impersonate the deceased nephew of an elderly woman named Lajwanti to spare her trauma. The diamond’s trail soon draws the attention of more underworld figures: J.D., a powerful don who runs illegal fight rings, and Gunmaster G9, a detective hired to recover the stone. Chobey’s group successfully intercepts Rocky, but in a chaotic turn of events, Moscow Chikna kills Rocky and takes the diamond. However, Chobey's quick-thinking group manages to steal the diamond back during the subsequent commotion, only for it to be accidentally swallowed by Chobey's dog, Hajmola, turning the animal into the most valuable creature in Dubai.

Running parallel to the diamond chase is the story of Munna, a man of integrity who runs a garage and is unaware that his elder brother is involved in a car-stealing ring. Munna crosses paths with Lucky, a gambler desperate to repay his debt to Don J.D. by recruiting fighters for his illegal bouts. Munna is dragged into J.D.'s conflict when the don's men burn down his home in India Colony. To protect his community and save his lover, Payal — a girl on the run from J.D.'s human trafficking operation — Munna reluctantly agrees to fight for the gangster.

In the climactic showdown, all factions converge. Munna wins the boxing match, securing his community's safety and receiving the winnings from Lucky. Meanwhile, Chobey successfully retrieves the diamond from the dog and sells it, gaining immense wealth. He generously gives Lucky and Puttu (the inept pilot who joined their gang) their share. The film has a happy ending: Munna and Payal get married, as do Raja and Tina.

Cast

[edit]

Music and soundtrack

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The music for the film’s songs was composed by Himesh Reshammiya. The lyrics of the songs were penned by Sameer, along with Irshad Kamil, Shehzad Roy and Nitin Raikwar. The background score of the movie was done by Ranjit Barot.

Fool N Final
Soundtrack album by
Released2007
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LabelT-Series
Himesh Reshammiya chronology
Good Boy, Bad Boy
(2007)
Fool N Final
(2007)
Apne
(2007)

The soundtrack contains 4 original songs and 3 remixes.

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Ek Kalsa"Himesh Reshammiya5:11
2."Ek Kalsa" (Remix)Himesh Reshammiya4:05
3."Masti" (Remix)Benny Dayal, MG Sreekumar4:39
4."Sigdi"Himesh Reshammiya, Jayesh Gandhi5:07
5."Tere Layee"Kunal Ganjawala, Himani Kapoor, (Rap By: Arya)4:55
6."Tere Layee" (Remix)Kunal Ganjawala, Kalpana Patowary4:00
7."Yeh Dooriyan (shakira Ve)"Hanif Shaikh4:42

Reception

[edit]

Film critic Taran Adarsh gave the film 1.5 out of 5, writing "'On the whole, FOOL & FINAL is all gloss, no substance. At the box-office, given the hype for the film as also the fantabulous promotion embarked by the magnanimous producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala, the film will attract footfalls in the initial days, but the weak content will tell on the business in the initial weekend itself. Its sustaining power at the ticket window, therefore, is doubtful."[3] Bollywood Hungama wrote: "The director completely utilized the many actors in the movie. Sunny Deol was completly awsome [sic?] as Munna, great performance. Shahid Kapoor was mesmerizing as a thief".[4] Tanveer Bookwala of Rediff.com gave the film 1 star, writing ″The problem with Fool N Final is that it tries to be a 'wholesome' masala movie -- nothing wrong with that, but here, Ahmed Khan and his team of writers (Umesh Shukla and Abbas Hierapurwala) are trying to cater to every audience and throw in every genre of cinema into this mish-mash of half a dozen dudes.″[5] Times of India claimed "The first half of the film is a complete washout as it trudges lethargically through a series of misadventures that try to establish the identity of the lead players."[6] Manish Gajjar of BBC.com called the film ″full of gloss and no substance.″[7]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Fool & Final (stylized as Fool N Final) is a 2007 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Ahmed Khan and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala under the Base Industries Group banner. The film features an ensemble cast led by , , , and , with supporting roles by , , , , , , , Chunky Pandey, , , , , Zakir Hussain, and . With a runtime of 144 minutes, it was released on 1 June 2007 and combines elements of crime caper, humor, and ensemble antics. The plot centers on a priceless diamond stolen from gangster Moscow Chikna (Jackie Shroff), prompting underworld boss JD (Gulshan Grover) to assemble a ragtag team of inept thieves—including con artist Raja (Shahid Kapoor), his love interest Tina (Ayesha Takia), bankrupt gambler Luckee (Vivek Oberoi), bumbling Chobey (Paresh Rawal), and boxer-turned-thief Munna (Sunny Deol)—to retrieve it from a rival gang. Their misadventures unfold amid chaotic pursuits involving multiple criminal factions, leading to a series of comedic mishaps and confrontations across urban settings. The screenplay, written by Abbas Hirapurwala, Neeraj Vora, and Umesh Shukla, draws inspiration from Guy Ritchie's 2000 film Snatch, incorporating influences from The Transporter and U Turn to blend high-energy action with over-the-top comedy. The music, composed by Himesh Reshammiya, features a soundtrack with songs like "Tere Layee" and "Ek Kalsa," performed by artists including Reshammiya, Kunal Ganjawala, and Himani Kapoor, which contributed to the film's lighthearted tone. Despite its star-studded lineup and ambitious multi-plot structure, Fool & Final garnered mixed-to-negative , with reviewers criticizing its derivative storytelling, uneven pacing, and failure to capture the wit of its inspirations, earning an average rating of 3.6/10 on from over 2,500 users as of 2025. Commercially, the film was a flop at the , grossing approximately ₹27.5 worldwide against a budget of ₹25 . Nonetheless, it remains notable for showcasing emerging talents like in a comedic role and for Ahmed Khan's sophomore directorial effort following Lakeer.

Background and production

Development

The film Fool & Final was produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala under his banner Base Industries Group, with development commencing in late 2005 as a caper featuring an and action elements. The project marked Ahmed Khan's second directorial effort, following his debut with the 2004 romantic drama . The script originated from a story by , with screenplay and dialogues crafted by and , adapting the narrative for an Indian context through a blend of heist and gangster tropes. Drawing loose inspiration from Guy Ritchie's 2000 British film Snatch, the screenplay incorporated elements of diamond heists and multi-character ensemble dynamics while tailoring them to Bollywood's action- style. Script finalization occurred by early 2006, aligning with planning that emphasized high-energy sequences and star-driven appeal. With an estimated budget of ₹26 crore (US$6.3 million), the production allocated significant resources to assembling a diverse cast and executing comedic action set pieces, reflecting Nadiadwala's signature approach to lavish entertainers.

Casting

The for Fool & Final emphasized an ensemble approach to create a star-studded , with director Ahmed Khan and Firoz A. Nadiadwala selecting actors to balance action, , and romance elements. was cast in the dual lead role of Raja and Rahul, following initial considerations for a younger actor to bring youthful energy to the characters; his selection aligned with his rising popularity post- (2006). was chosen as Lucky, drawing on his established comic timing from films like (2002) and Saathiya (2002), to anchor the film's humorous heist dynamics. Veteran actors were brought in to enhance the film's appeal across genres. was signed for the gangster role of Munna/Kaanga, adding action-hero gravitas and mass-market draw based on his iconic roles in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001); his involvement aimed to blend high-stakes drama with the comedy. was selected as Chobey for comedic relief, leveraging his proven track record in humorous parts from Hera Pheri (2000) and its sequel, to provide reliable laughs in ensemble scenes. The supporting cast featured established comedians to amplify the chaotic group dynamic, including as Kittu Pilot. was selected as the female lead Tina, bringing romantic appeal from her work in (2005), while special appearances by added glamour and variety to the narrative. This mix resulted in over 15 major roles, fostering a "star-studded" vibe reminiscent of ensemble capers. Production faced challenges from scheduling conflicts, particularly with and Shahid Kapoor's commitments to other projects, including Kapoor's Vivah (2006), which delayed principal photography but allowed for refined role fittings.

Filming

Principal photography for Fool & Final took place from March to August 2006, spanning approximately five months. The production primarily shot interiors at Film City studios in , while exterior sequences were filmed in for the chase and heist scenes, and in for the opening diamond theft. Cinematography was led by Himman Dhamija, who utilized handheld cameras to create a dynamic, fast-paced visual style reminiscent of Guy Ritchie's action-comedies. Action sequences, including high-speed car chases and intense fight scenes featuring , were choreographed by Abbas Ali Moghul. Filming faced logistical challenges in , such as extreme heat and obtaining necessary permits, which delayed some schedules; additionally, reshoots were required to refine the timing in ensemble comedy scenes. In , was handled by Sanjay Sankla and wrapped up by early 2007, incorporating to enhance the diamond heist sequence.

Plot and style

Synopsis

The film opens with Lucky () stealing a priceless during a robbery in , after which he smuggles it toward intending to deliver it to his uncle, the gangster Choksi (). However, the diamond falls into the hands of rival gangster Moscow Chikna (), who possesses it through his network. In the main plot, small-time crook Raja (Shahid Kapoor) and his love interest Tina (Ayesha Takia), Chobey's niece and a con artist, team up with the bumbling Chobey (Paresh Rawal), a junk shop owner, to steal the diamond from Moscow Chikna under duress from the gangster. Running parallel is the story of ex-boxer Munna (Sunny Deol), a garage owner, who is coerced by underworld boss JD (Zakir Hussain) into participating in illegal boxing matches to protect his community and his love interest Payal (Sameera Reddy) from threats, with the diamond chaos intersecting their lives. These threads intersect through a series of mishaps, with romantic subplots between Raja and Tina, and Munna and Payal, developing amid escalating criminal rivalries involving figures like Gunmaster G9 (Arbaaz Khan). Comic relief comes from bungled schemes and antics by supporting characters including Johnny Lever as a cabbie. The 144-minute runtime is structured in three acts: the first establishes the and introduces the key players; the second features comedic chases and failed heists across urban settings; and the third builds to confrontations. The climax centers on Munna's decisive match victory, securing his safety and winnings, while the protagonists recover the —revealed to have been swallowed by Chobey's Hajmola—leading to its sale and profit-sharing. Romantic resolutions follow, with Raja and Tina, as well as Munna and Payal, pairing off, concluding the chaotic caper on a comedic note.

Influences

Fool & Final serves as a direct homage to Guy Ritchie's Snatch (2000), borrowing its structure, of eccentric criminals, and the central motif of a heist gone awry. The film adapts these elements into a Bollywood framework, featuring an array of misfit characters who collide in chaotic pursuit of a valuable gem, much like the interlocking stories of Snatch's underworld figures. Stylistically, director Ahmed Khan incorporates Ritchie's signature fast-paced editing and quirky humor, infusing gangster archetypes with Indian cultural twists, such as desi slang and comedic timing. The ensemble dynamics mirror Snatch's unlikely alliances, but with added and song sequences to suit Bollywood audiences. Additionally, Khan drew inspiration from for action elements and for plot twists, blending high-energy chases with over-the-top while toning down for Indian standards. The title Fool & Final nods to the "foolish" antics central to the story.

Cast

Lead actors

Shahid Kapoor portrayed the dual role of Raja, a street-smart thief, and his assumed identity Rahul in Fool N Final. This marked Kapoor's shift from romantic leads in films like Vivah (2006), where he played a devoted suitor, to an action-comedy ensemble, showcasing his versatility in high-energy heist sequences. Vivek Oberoi played Lucky, a charismatic diamond thief central to the heist plot. Oberoi's casting drew on his emerging edgy persona, highlighted by his intense portrayal of gangster Maya Dolas in the same year's Shootout at Lokhandwala, for which he received acclaim for a negative action role. Sunny Deol essayed Munna, a tough infused with comic elements, bringing mass appeal through his signature action-hero intensity. Deol's role leveraged his established reputation from blockbuster action hits like Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), where he embodied a patriotic in high-stakes confrontations. Ayesha Takia appeared as Tina Chobey, the feisty love interest entangled in the thieves' scheme. Takia's performance built on her breakthrough in romantic comedies such as Dil Maange More (2004), opposite , which solidified her as a vibrant leading lady. Paresh Rawal took on Chobey, a bumbling yet resourceful accomplice in the core team. Rawal's comic timing, honed in iconic roles like Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in Hera Pheri (2000), added essential humor to the ensemble dynamics. The lead actors formed the nucleus of the heist team, with each receiving substantial screen time in key ensemble scenes to drive the film's chaotic caper narrative.

Supporting actors

Johnny Lever appeared as Kittu Pilot, an over-the-top comic whose exaggerated expressions and physical antics provide brief but memorable in key scenes. Lever's portrayal drew on his signature style of , honed over decades in films like (1993) and (1998). Gulshan Grover essayed the role of Choksh, the menacing don whose intimidating presence contrasts the film's comedic tone and drives the central conflict. Grover's casting leveraged his typecast as a , a he popularized in Bollywood and extended to international projects like (2005). Sameera Reddy played Payal, a key figure in the ensemble who contributes to the chaotic pursuits and romantic subplots. Om Puri portrayed Bhaiyya ji, a wise yet comically frustrated mentor figure in the underworld dynamics. Jackie Shroff appeared as Gunmaster G-9 (Moscow Chikna), the gangster from whom the diamond is stolen, adding intense antagonistic flair. Arbaaz Khan played Bullet, a involved in the rival gang conflicts. Vijay Raaz essayed Abdul Dicky, providing quirky comic support through his eccentric performance. Sharmila Tagore appeared as Lajwanti, offering maternal depth to the narrative. The film also featured special appearances by in a and as himself, infusing additional star power and glamour into the musical numbers. The supporting ensemble contributes to the film's chaotic group dynamics, amplifying the comedic interplay among the thieves and antagonists.

Music

Composition

The soundtrack for Fool & Final was composed by , who also served as the for several tracks, including "Ek Kalsa" and "Sigdi". This marked a significant collaboration between Reshammiya and the film's producer Firoz Nadiadwala, following their work on (2006). Reshammiya composed the original , while the background score was handled by , incorporating styles prevalent in mid-2000s Bollywood music. The lyrics for all songs were penned by , who crafted verses that blended romantic sentiments with comedic undertones to align with the film's elements. The soundtrack comprises four original songs along with their and a mashup , allowing for seamless integration into sequences involving heists and romantic interludes, enhancing the film's rhythmic pacing. Barot's background score featured electronic influences to underscore action scenes, providing contrast to the more melodic song interludes. The songs were recorded and mixed in , with remixes handled by various artists including Abani , Shaikh, and Sami & . The full , released by T-Series, launched in early 2007—approximately two months before the film's theatrical debut on June 1—allowing for pre-release promotion through radio and music channels.

Track listing

The soundtrack album of Fool & Final, composed by with lyrics by Sameer, features nine tracks including original songs and remixes, with a total duration of 44 minutes. The songs are picturized with dance choreography by Ahmed Khan, primarily featuring the lead actors in the visual sequences.
No.TitleSinger(s)LengthPlacement
1"Tere Layee", 4:53Romantic duet for Raja and Tina.
2"Yeh Dooriyaan"Hanif Shaikh4:14Melancholic track during the separation subplot.
3"Ek Kalsa"4:31Upbeat party song in the sequence.
4"Sigdi", Jayesh Gandhi4:21Comedic folk-style song for gangster antics.
5"Tere Layee (Remix)", 4:16End credits remix.
6"Yeh Dooriyaan (Remix)"Hanif Shaikh3:48End credits remix.
7"Ek Kalsa (Remix)"4:01End credits remix.
8"Sigdi (Remix)", Jayesh Gandhi4:10End credits remix.
9"FNF Masti (Remix)", , , Jayesh Gandhi, Hanif Shaikh4:29End credits mashup remix.

Release

Theatrical release

Fool & Final was theatrically released in on 1 June 2007. The film opened on approximately 850 screens across the country. Its runtime is 144 minutes.

Marketing and promotion

The campaign for Fool & Final emphasized its and comedic action elements, drawing inspiration from Guy Ritchie's Snatch to position the film as a high-energy involving a stolen . The official tagline, "Stealin' Stones and Breakin' Bones," directly echoed Snatch's style while highlighting the heist theme, as selected by director Ahmed Khan and Firoz A. Nadiadwala to appeal to audiences seeking fast-paced entertainment. A notable promotional tie-in featured American boxer in a special music video shot over two days in in May 2007, where he danced to Bollywood tracks to build international buzz for the film's soundtrack and storyline about diamond smugglers. This collaboration, unusual for Bollywood at the time, aimed to attract global attention and leverage Tyson's fame, with the video airing as a pre-release teaser. Posters and print ads showcased the star-studded lineup, including , , and , to target youth and family viewers, while the soundtrack launch, featuring Himesh Reshammiya's compositions like "Tere Layee," was promoted through music channels to generate early hype ahead of the June 1 theatrical release.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Fool & Final garnered largely negative reviews from critics, who lambasted its execution as a derivative . The film holds an average user rating of 3.6 out of 10 on based on over 2,500 votes (as of 2025), reflecting widespread disappointment among audiences and reviewers alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, it scores 45% from audience ratings, with no aggregated Tomatometer due to limited professional critiques, underscoring its critical panning as an uninspired endeavor. Critics frequently highlighted a few bright spots amid the negativity. of praised the energetic soundtrack composed by , noting it as a major asset with well-picturized songs that inject vitality into the proceedings, despite the film's overall shortcomings (1.5/5 stars). The review commended Sunny Deol's action sequences for their punchy effectiveness and Kapoor's sensible performance in dance numbers, while acknowledging Paresh Rawal's as a source of occasional laughs. Tanveer Bookwala in similarly noted Rawal's few good lines as evoking genuine humor, providing fleeting relief in an otherwise lackluster ensemble. However, the predominant criticisms centered on its status as a "ripoff" of Guy Ritchie's Snatch, with amateurish direction and a chaotic plot undermining the star-studded cast. Adarsh described the narrative as disjointed, with a promising first half devolving into a weak, unfunny second act marred by erratic pacing and illogical twists (1.5/5 stars). Bookwala decried the predictable script, jarring performances, and stale music as evidence of director Ahmed Khan's mismanagement of talent, labeling the film "completely foolish" without numerical rating but implying severe disapproval. Baradwaj Rangan faulted the uneven pacing and over-reliance on ill-conceived cameos, such as Sharmila Tagore's awkward role, while allowing that a single funny song featuring Sunny Deol and Shahid Kapoor offered minor amusement amid the asinine remake. The BBC echoed these sentiments, criticizing the weak script for prioritizing glossy introductions over substantive storytelling, resulting in "all gloss and no substance." Indian reviewers often emphasized the squandered star power, with and Bookwala pointing to the failure of leads like and to shine in a no-laughs , while international outlets like the focused on cultural mismatches in the Ritchie homage, highlighting the lack of humor and plot cohesion for global audiences. The film received no major awards or nominations.

Box office performance

Fool & Final was produced on a budget of ₹26 , encompassing production costs and prints. The film collected ₹17.64 in nett over its lifetime, with an opening weekend earning of ₹8.19 and a first-week total of ₹12.5 . Worldwide, the gross collection reached ₹27.08 , including ₹3.27 from overseas markets. The film opened with ₹2.63 on its first day but experienced a sharp 50% drop in collections during the second week, attributed to negative word-of-mouth. High expectations from its star-studded cast resulted in an average opening, but poor reviews led to the subsequent decline. declared it a flop, as it underperformed compared to contemporaries like (2007). No re-releases have been noted as of 2025.

References

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