Cast
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Rani Mukerji
as Gayatri
Randeep Hooda
as Dev
Saqib Saleem
as Avinash
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
as Purandar
Sadashiv Amrapurkar
as Purandar's Father
Naman Jain
as Vicky
Ranvir Shorey
as Vicky's Father
Vineet Kumar Singh
as Vijay
Sudhir Pandey
as Vijay's Father
Abdul Quadir Amin
as Arjun
Katrina Kaif
as Herself (Guest appearance)
Amitabh Bachchan
as Himself (Special Appearance)
Aamir Khan
as Self, special appearance in "Apna Bombay Talkies" (uncredited)
Madhuri Dixit
as Self, special appearance in "Apna Bombay Talkies" (uncredited)
Karisma Kapoor
as Self, special appearance in "Apna Bombay Talkies" (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- Anurag Kashyap
- Dibakar Banerjee
- Zoya Akhtar
- Karan Johar
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Bombay Talkies examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Anurag Kashyap brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2013, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Bombay Talkies took approximately 30 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $11.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 127 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 187 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The musical score contains over 69 unique compositions.
- The costume department created over 109 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 2013, when this film is released:
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Bombay Talkies shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Frühstück mit einer Unbekannten, which focuses more on action than character development, Bombay Talkies subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Mutants and Earth explore similar territory, Bombay Talkies stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: May 3, 2013
- Runtime: 2h 7m
- Budget: $11,000,000
- Revenue: $2,700,000
Where to Watch
