Introduction
“Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” (transl. Big Mister and Little Mister) is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language science fiction action film that has captivated audiences with its ambitious plot and high-octane action sequences. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, who also co-produced the film with Jackky Bhagnani, Vashu Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, and Himanshu Kishan Mehra under Pooja Entertainment and AAZ Films, the movie stars some of Bollywood’s biggest names: Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Despite its stellar cast and massive budget, the film received a mixed to negative response from critics and performed poorly at the box office.
Cast and Crew
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Akshay Kumar | Firoz |
| Tiger Shroff | Rakesh |
| Prithviraj Sukumaran | Kabir (Mr. X) |
| Alaya F | Pam (Dr. Parminder Bawa) |
| Sonakshi Sinha | Captain Priya Dixit |
| Manushi Chhillar | Misha |
| Ronit Roy | Colonel Adil Shekhar Azad |
| Bijay Anand | Jalaluddin Haqqani |
| Shahab Ali | Captain Vikram |
| Himanshu Jaykar | |
| Deshna Dugad | |
| Zina Esepciuc | |
| Rohed Khan | Head militant |
| Yasmine Alice | BNC Reporter |
| Manish Chaudhari | Karan Shergill |
| Bharat Mistri | Army General Niranjay Agarwal |
| Sonia Goswami | Undercover RAW Agent |
| Richa Prakash | Army Officer |
Supporting Cast
- Bijay Anand as Jalaluddin Haqqani
- Shahab Ali as Captain Vikram
- Himanshu Jaykar
- Deshna Dugad
- Zina Esepciuc
- Rohed Khan as Head militant
- Yasmine Alice as BNC Reporter
- Manish Chaudhari as Karan Shergill
- Bharat Mistri as Army General Niranjay Agarwal
- Sonia Goswami as Undercover RAW Agent
- Richa Prakash as Army Officer
Crew
- Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
- Producers: Jackky Bhagnani, Vashu Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, Himanshu Kishan Mehra
- Writers: Aditya Basu, Vashu Bhagnani, Suraj Gianani
- Music: Vishal Mishra, Julius Packiam
- Cinematography: Marcin Laskawiec
- Editing: Steven H. Bernard
Plot Summary
Setting the Scene
The film begins with a masked perpetrator attacking an Indian convoy carrying a deadly weapon. The antagonist warns the Indian Army that they must act quickly to prevent India’s destruction. Captain Misha faces off against this masked villain in Shanghai, but despite impaling him, the perpetrator escapes due to his inexplicable healing abilities.
Recruiting the Heroes
Captain Misha reports the incident to Colonel Azad, who enlists the help of two court-martialed soldiers, Firoz (Freddy) and Rakesh (Rocky), for the mission. While initially reluctant, Rocky eventually agrees to join Misha on her mission.
The Mission Unfolds
Misha and Rocky travel to London, where they meet IT specialist Pam (Dr. Parminder Bawa). As they try to retrieve a stolen package from the London tube, they encounter fierce resistance. Freddy arrives in time to help them, and they discover that the package is actually Captain Priya Dixit, Freddy’s ex-girlfriend. The codes to Karan Kavach, a highly advanced defense system, are encrypted inside Priya’s brain to protect them from being hacked.
The Antagonist Revealed
The masked perpetrator, Kabir, is a vengeful scientist and former friend of Freddy and Rocky. Kabir had previously attempted to create a cloning program to help the Indian Army win wars without losing soldiers. However, his intentions turned sinister, leading to a betrayal and a personal vendetta against Freddy and Rocky.
Climax and Resolution
In a dramatic showdown, Freddy and Rocky face off against their own clones, created by Kabir using their DNA. The heroes ultimately defeat the clones and Kabir, preventing a catastrophic war by reactivating the Karan Kavach system just in time. The film ends with the team saving India from an imminent attack, but with Kabir surviving to pose future threats.
Production and Filming
Announcement and Filming Locations
The film was announced in February 2022, with principal photography beginning in January 2023. Filming took place in various locations, including Mumbai, Scotland, London, Luton, Abu Dhabi, and Jordan, and concluded by February 2024.
Budget and Technical Aspects
With a budget of ₹350 crore (US$42 million), “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. The film’s soundtrack and musical score were composed by Vishal Mishra and Julius Packiam, while Marcin Laskawiec handled cinematography and Steven H. Bernard took charge of editing.
Release and Reception
Theatrical Release
Initially scheduled for a December 2023 release, the film was later shifted to release on 11 April 2024, coinciding with Eid. It was released in standard formats, 3D, and IMAX, with dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Critical Response
Despite high expectations, “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” received negative reviews from critics, holding a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the action sequences and performances but criticized the film’s weak script and poor dialogues.
Positive Reviews
- Ronsk Kotecha (The Times of India): 3.5/5 stars. Praised the film’s action, humor, and entertainment value.
- Titas Chowdhury (News18): 3/5 stars. Highlighted the chemistry between Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s performance.
Mixed Reviews
- Bollywood Hungama: 2.5/5 stars. Noted the film’s weaknesses in script and dialogue but acknowledged its appeal to action movie fans.
- Pratikshya Mishra (The Quint): 2/5 stars. Appreciated the film’s fun approach but found it lacking in substance.
Negative Reviews
- Zinia Bandyopadhyay (India Today): 1.5/5 stars. Criticized the film’s direction and overall execution.
- Saibal Chatterjee (NDTV): 1/5 stars. Called the film hollow and lacking in redeeming qualities.
- Anuj Kumar (The Hindu): Mentioned the film’s partial appeal but overall disappointment.
- Monika Rawal Kukreja (Hindustan Times): Suggested the film might appeal to action movie enthusiasts but considered it a one-time watch.
Conclusion
“Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” (2024) aimed to be a groundbreaking film in Indian cinema, blending science fiction with action and featuring a star-studded cast. Despite its ambitious premise and high production value, the film struggled to meet expectations critically and commercially. However, it remains a significant entry in the Bollywood action genre, showcasing the potential and challenges of high-budget Indian filmmaking.
For fans of Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and action-packed cinema, “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” offers an entertaining, albeit flawed, experience. Whether you’re a movie enthusiast or a casual viewer, this film’s mix of thrilling action and dramatic moments provides a glimpse into the evolving landscape of Indian cinema.
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