Jahaan Chaar Yaar
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| Jahaan Chaar Yaar | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Kamal Pandey[1] |
| Written by | Kamal Pandey |
| Produced by | Vinod Bachchan |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Sethu Sriram |
| Edited by | Ballu Saluja |
| Music by | Anand Raj Anand Rashid Khan |
Production company | Soundrya Productions |
| Distributed by | Pen Marudhar |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Jahaan Chaar Yaar is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language female buddy comedy-drama film written and directed by Kamal Pandey and produced by Vinod Bachchan.[2][3] The film stars Swara Bhaskar,[4] Meher Vij, Shikha Talsania and Pooja Chopra.[5][6][7] The film received negative reviews from critics and viewers and became a box-office failure.
Plot Summary
[edit]Four married friends — Shivangi, Neha, Mansi, and Sakina — travel to Goa for a vacation that unexpectedly turns into a criminal investigation, jeopardizing their plans for a carefree getaway. As the case unfolds, each woman confronts the unhappiness in her marriage, though not all are willing to admit it to themselves or others. What begins as a leisure trip gradually becomes a journey of self-discovery and emotional reckoning within their marriages.
Cast
[edit]- Swara Bhaskar as Shivangi
- Meher Vij as Mansi
- Pooja Chopra as Sakina
- Shikha Talsania[8] as Neha
- Girish Kulkarni as Madhukar Rane
- Nirbhay Wadhwa
- Vibha Chibber as Shivangi's Mother-in-law
- Manish Chaudhari DCP Mohit
Production
[edit]The film was officially announced by Swara Bhaskar in 2021 and started shooting in Lucknow.[9] Filming started in Goa for second schedule and halted for COVID-19 infection.[10] Filming finished on 20 September 2021.[11]
Soundtrack
[edit]| Jahan Chaar Yaar | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Anand Raj Anand, Sanjeev Chaturvedi and Rashid Khan | |
| Recorded | 2021–2022 |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Language | Hindi |
| Label | Times Music |
The music of the film is composed by Anand Raj Anand, Sanjeev Chaturvedi and Rashid Khan . The first song "What The Luck" Featuring Mika Singh was released on 29 August 2022.[12][13][14]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "What The Luck" | Sanjeev Chaturvedi | Sanjeev Chaturvedi | Mika Singh | |
| Total length: | 3:13 | ||||
Reception
[edit]Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and stated that "A quick, illicit getaway for the four pals turns into a light-hearted caper which includes a murder, a bunch of kooky cops, and intrigue."[15] Anuj Kumar of The Hindu observed that "Swara Bhasker aces the part of a housewife who has been reduced to a maid by her husband and in-laws, but the well-intentioned film fails to do justice to its strong female cast."[16] Archika Khurana of The Times of India gave 1.5 stars out of 5 and said that "The concept of friends travelling together to have some thrill in life is not novel, but given that the film focusses on desi naaris and their pakki dostis, a lot of entertainment was expected, but it falls short in every way."[17]
Anna MM Vetticad of Firstpost commented that "Swara Bhasker, Shikha Talsania, Meher Vij and Pooja Chopra are proven talents who elevate their scenes above the evident failings of this film." [18] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare gave 3 stars out of 6 and said that "Jahaan Chaar Yaar is a film with strong feminist vibes and carries good performances, it does falter on execution, especially in the second half. The film is a mixed bag for sure, and let’s hope its message finds an audience."[19] Sonil Dedhia of News 18 rated it 3/5 stars and said that "If you go in without any expectations, Jahaan Chaar Yaar is a decent attempt and would pass muster."[20]
Sukanya Verma of rediff.com rated it 1.5/5 stars and call it a "A silly flick that wants to say something meaningful in the support of women's empowerment yet can't resist being flippant at every given opportunity." [21] Agnivo Niyogi of The Telegraph observed that "What the film misses is a mature handling of the issues. Director Kamal Pandey walks on the treaded path, denying us a fresh perspective on problems we are all familiar with." [22] Pallabi Dey of OTT Play rated it 1.5/5 stars and said that "The script of Jahaan Chaar Yaar is—it pains me to say this—utterly horrendous."[23]
References
[edit]- ^ "Kamal Pandey: I always wanted to become a director". Hindustan Times. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Swara Bhaskar shares first look of Shikha Talsania, Meher Vij and Pooja Chopra starrer Jahan Chaar Yaar". Bollywood Hungama. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Jahaan Chaar Yaar Movie Review: A weak drama that fails to deliver the message", The Times of India, retrieved 2 October 2022
- ^ "First glimpse of 'Jahaan Chaar Yaar' out, film to release on September 16". The Print. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Swara Bhasker-starrer Jahaan Chaar Yaar to hit screens in September". The Indian Express. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Swara Bhasker-starrer 'Jahaan Chaar Yaar' to hit screens in September". The Hindu. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Swara Bhasker, Shikha Talsania topline 'Jahaan Chaar Yaar' cast". India TV. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Jahaan Chaar Yaar: Swara Bhasker, Shikha Talsania, Meher Vij and Pooja Chopra's first look unveiled". News9 Live. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ "Swara Bhasker Reunites With The Makers Of Tanu Weds Manu For Jahaan Chaar Yaar". NDTV. 6 March 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Swara Bhasker's Jahaan Chaar Yaar shoot in Goa halted after Meher Vij tests positive for Covid-19". 16 April 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Actor Swara Bhasker wraps up shooting of 'Jahaan Chaar Yaar'". The New Indian Express. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2022.[dead link]
- ^ "Jahaan Chaar Yaar फिल्म से मीका सिंह का What The Luck Song रिलीज, यहां देखें नया पार्टी एंथम". Navbharat Times. 29 August 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "जहां चार यार सिनेमातलं मीका सिंहचं नवीन पार्टी गाणं रिलीज, गाणं ऐकून तुम्ही देखील थिरकाल!". Maharashtra Times. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "रिलीज हुआ फिल्म जहां चार यार से मीका सिंह का रॉकिंग डांस नंबर व्हाट द लक". Janta Se Rishta. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ Gupta, Shubhra (16 September 2022). "Jahaan Chaar Yaar movie review: A one-line premise becomes quite a lark". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ Kumar, Anuj (16 September 2022). "'Jahaan Chaar Yaar' movie review: Why should men have all the fun? -IN". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Khurana, Archika (16 September 2022). "Jahaan Chaar Yaar Movie Review: A weak drama that fails to deliver the message". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ Vetticad, Anna MM (16 September 2022). "Jahaan Chaar Yaar movie review: Four women in search of freedom, four fine women actors in search of a good script". Firstpost. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Sharma, Devesh (16 September 2022). "Jahaan Chaar Yaar Movie Review". Filmfare. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Dedhia, Sonil (16 September 2022). "Jahaan Chaar Yaar Review: Swara Bhasker and Her Girl Gang Take You on a Fluffy and Frothy Ride". News 18. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Verma, Sukanya (16 September 2022). "Jahaan Chaar Yaar Review". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Niyogi, Agnivo (16 September 2022). "Jahaan Chaar Yaar is led down by sloppy script and lazy direction despite a talented cast". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Dey, Pallabi (16 September 2022). "Jahaan Chaar Yaar review: Swara Bhaskar, Shikha Talsania's buddy flick is undercooked, over ambitious". OTT Play. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
External links
[edit]Jahaan Chaar Yaar
View on GrokipediaSynopsis
Plot
Jahaan Chaar Yaar follows the story of four childhood friends—Shivangi, Mansi, Neha, and Sakina—who are middle-class homemakers from small towns in Uttar Pradesh, each grappling with unfulfilling marriages marked by patriarchal constraints and personal dissatisfaction. Feeling trapped in their routine lives of household drudgery and emotional suppression, they decide to embark on a spontaneous trip to Goa, seeking temporary liberation and a chance to reconnect through carefree escapades. The narrative centers on their arrival in Goa, where initial moments of fun, bonding, and rediscovery contrast sharply with their mundane home existences, highlighting themes of female empowerment and the critique of traditional gender roles in Indian middle-class families.[6][7] As the women navigate their vacation, their journey escalates unexpectedly into a criminal investigation that tests their solidarity and forces them to confront deep-seated insecurities. Shivangi, burdened by guilt-ridden servitude to her family, begins to question her self-sacrificing role; Neha deals with the pain of her husband's infidelity while suppressing her own turmoil; Mansi, who has orchestrated the getaway under a pretext, grapples with hidden emotional vulnerabilities; and Sakina faces cultural and marital conflicts stemming from societal pressures around fertility and tradition, including threats of abandonment. Through collective support and shared adventures, the friends' arcs emphasize self-discovery and the transformative power of friendship, underscoring how breaking free from oppressive expectations can foster personal growth.[8][9][10]Cast
The film features an ensemble cast centered on four female leads who portray lifelong friends navigating personal challenges, forming the emotional core of the "yaar" (friends) dynamic that drives the group's interactions and mutual support. Swara Bhasker plays Shivangi, a devoted housewife seeking autonomy amid familial duties and expectations. Meher Vij portrays Mansi, an emotionally distant wife grappling with marital disconnection. Shikha Talsania embodies Neha, a woman dealing with her husband's unfaithfulness and the resulting relational strain. Pooja Chopra stars as Sakina, confronting cultural and familial pressures related to societal expectations in her marriage.[4][11][8][12][13] Supporting roles introduce external conflicts, including familial and authoritative figures that challenge the protagonists' bond. Girish Kulkarni appears as Madhukar Rane, a key figure in the Goa adventure and investigation, representing local enforcement dynamics. Manish Chaudhary plays DCP Mohite, a police authority involved in the plot's escalating tensions. Additional supporting actors include Nirbhay Wadhwa and Vibha Chibber in familial roles that underscore the leads' domestic struggles, alongside minor antagonistic parts filled by the ensemble.[4][11][14][15]Production
Development
The development of Jahaan Chaar Yaar began in early 2021 when producer Vinod Bachchan announced the project under his banner Soundrya Productions, with Kamal Pandey attached as the writer and director for his debut feature film.[16][17] The announcement, timed ahead of International Women's Day, highlighted the film's focus on female friendship and empowerment.[16] The script originated from Pandey's original story, drawing inspiration from real-life experiences of middle-class women in small-town India whose aspirations are often suppressed by domestic routines.[18][19] Pandey aimed to explore female buddy dynamics rarely depicted in Hindi cinema, centering on four middle-aged homemakers who share personal stories for emotional relief amid their daily chores and limited opportunities for leisure.[18] This narrative choice addressed a gap in Bollywood, where friendship tales typically feature younger characters rather than married women with families.[19] Financing for the low-to-mid range independent production was handled primarily by Soundrya Productions, enabling a focused creative team assembly.[20] Cinematographer Sethu Sriram was hired to craft a visual style that juxtaposes the mundane drudgery of urban and small-town life with the vibrant energy of Goa, aligning with the story's themes of escape and rejuvenation.[4] Casting decisions emphasized actors capable of portraying relatable, non-glamorous homemakers, with Swara Bhasker, Shikha Talsania, Meher Vij, and Pooja Chopra attached in the lead roles upon the mid-2021 announcement.[16][17] Bhasker, in particular, was selected for her ability to embody a subdued housewife facing familial subjugation, marking a departure from more empowered on-screen personas.[21] These hurdles extended into pre-production, though the team proceeded with principal photography shortly after the announcement.[22]Filming
Principal photography for Jahaan Chaar Yaar began in Lucknow on 5 March 2021, focusing on scenes depicting the characters' domestic and small-town settings.[23] The initial schedule was planned for 25 days in the city, utilizing its historic locales to establish the film's early tone of constrained family life.[23] Production faced interruptions in April 2021 due to the second wave of COVID-19, which halted shooting after some crew members tested positive and imposed stricter pandemic protocols.[22] Filming resumed in August 2021, with the team adhering to enhanced safety measures that caused minor delays in daily operations.[24] The subsequent Goa schedule, intended to capture the contrasting liberating and chaotic adventure sequences on beaches and resorts, started on 8 September 2021 near Morjim and lasted 14 days.[22] This phase originally planned for 20 days was adjusted following the earlier pause.[23] Principal photography wrapped with the completion of the Goa portion on 20 September 2021, after an overall production period of approximately 45 days of active shooting spread across the locations.[25] The team marked the end of filming with announcements highlighting the successful capture of the film's buddy dynamics through on-set improvisations in comedic interactions.[24] This led directly into the post-production phase, including editing.[25]Soundtrack
Composition
The soundtrack for Jahaan Chaar Yaar was composed by Anand Raj Anand, who handled the upbeat tracks; Sanjeev Chaturvedi, responsible for the comedic elements; and Ustad Rashid Khan, who added a classical touch to the emotional scenes. These efforts produced a total of 5 original songs alongside a background score composed by Amar Mohile, with live orchestration employed for key cues to enhance the film's dynamic pacing.[26][27][22][28]Track listing
The soundtrack album for Jahaan Chaar Yaar, released by Times Music on September 12, 2022, consists of five tracks with a total duration of 17 minutes and 48 seconds.[29] The first single, "What The Luck", was launched on August 29, 2022.[30] Lyrics across the songs are penned by various writers, including Sanjeev Chaturvedi, Anand Raj Anand, and Shakeel Azmi, emphasizing themes of freedom and mischief.[31][32][33]| No. | Title | Singers | Composer(s) | Lyricist | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "What The Luck" | Mika Singh, Sanjeev Chaturvedi | Sanjeev Chaturvedi, Ajay | Sanjeev Chaturvedi | 3:52 | Opening energetic number capturing the excitement of the friends' trip to Goa.[29][32] |
| 2 | "Meri Patli Kamar" | Ritu Pathak | Anand Raj Anand | Anand Raj Anand | 3:12 | Playful dance track highlighting the bonding moments in Goa.[29][31] |
| 3 | "Aisi Ki Taisi" | Mika Singh, Deedar Kaur | Anand Raj Anand | Sanjeev Chaturvedi | 2:58 | Rebellious anthem featured in confrontation scenes.[29][34] |
| 4 | "Baja Baja" | Yasser Desai | Rashid Khan | Shakeel Azmi | 4:46 | Emotional ballad underscoring themes of friendship and adventure.[29][33] |
| 5 | "Aisi Ki Taisi (Revisited)" | Mika Singh, Deedar Kaur | Anand Raj Anand | Sanjeev Chaturvedi | 2:58 | Remixed version of the third track for extended playback.[29][34] |