102 Not Out
102 Not Out is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language comedy-drama film directed by Umesh Shukla.[1][2] The film stars Amitabh Bachchan as Dattatraya "Datta" Vakharia, a cheerful 102-year-old man, and Rishi Kapoor as his 75-year-old son Babulal Vakharia, marking the first on-screen collaboration between the two veteran actors in lead roles.[3][4] It follows Datta's whimsical plan to break the Guinness World Record for the oldest living man, using the endeavor to address his son's lifelong unhappiness and strained relationship with him.[1][5] Adapted from the Gujarati play of the same name by Saumya Joshi, the story emphasizes themes of family bonds, aging, and emotional reconciliation through humor and heartfelt moments.[6] Produced by Treetop Entertainment and Benchmark Pictures in association with Sony Pictures, the film was released theatrically on 4 May 2018.[1][7] With a runtime of 102 minutes, it features supporting performances by Jimit Trivedi and Vijay Raaz.[3][8] Upon release, 102 Not Out received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the lead actors' chemistry and performances but critiqued the screenplay's sentimentality, earning a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 14 reviews.[1] Audiences responded more positively, with an 79% score on the same platform and a 7.4/10 rating on IMDb from over 107,000 users (as of November 2025), appreciating its emotional depth and light-hearted tone.[1][3] Commercially, the film grossed approximately ₹66.72 crore (₹52.05 crore nett) in India and ₹117 crore worldwide (equivalent to about $16.7 million USD as of final reported figures), performing moderately at the box office despite competition.[9][10]Background and development
Origin and adaptation
The film 102 Not Out is based on the Gujarati play of the same name, written and directed by Saumya Joshi, which premiered in Ahmedabad in 2011.[11] The play explores the unconventional relationship between a vibrant 102-year-old father and his melancholic 75-year-old son, with the father aspiring to break the world record for the oldest living person by encouraging his son to embrace joy through a scheme involving a temporary stay at an old-age home.[12] In 2016, filmmaker Umesh Shukla, who had produced the stage play for nearly six years, announced the cinematic adaptation.[13] To appeal to a national audience beyond Gujarat, the project shifted from Gujarati to Hindi, involving adjustments to regional cultural references such as traditional attire, dialects, and mannerisms to make the narrative more universally relatable while preserving the core emotional dynamics and plot structure.[14] Sony Pictures Networks Productions joined as a co-producer and distributor in early 2018.[15] The film's retention of key elements from the play, including the father's record-breaking ambition and the father-son reconciliation arc, highlighted its roots in Joshi's original work, which had already garnered significant acclaim in Gujarati theatre circles.[16]Pre-production
Following the greenlighting of the adaptation from Saumya Joshi's Gujarati play, the screenplay was developed by Joshi himself, expanding the stage material into a feature-length narrative while preserving its core father-son dynamic.[15] Director Umesh Shukla collaborated closely on the script to ensure it translated the play's intimate setting to the screen, emphasizing the emotional nuances of the characters' relationship.[17] The film's budget was set at approximately ₹35 crore (US$4.2 million), covering production costs and prints.[2] It was primarily funded by Sony Pictures International Productions (through SPE Films India), in association with Treetop Entertainment and Benchmark Pictures.[18] Key crew assembly included cinematographer Zubin Mistry, with additional cinematography by Aseem Mishra; editor Rameshwar S. Bhagat; and production designer Rajnish Hedao.[19] Pre-production activities spanned much of 2017, including location scouting focused on Mumbai's Vile Parle neighborhood to capture the story's Gujarati suburban ambiance.[18] Initially slated for a December 2017 release, the timeline shifted to May 2018.[20]Cast and filming
Casting process
The casting for 102 Not Out initially paired Amitabh Bachchan as Dattatraya "Datta" Vakharia, the 102-year-old father, with Paresh Rawal as his 75-year-old son Babulal "Babu" Vakharia, with the project announced in June 2016 and shooting slated for later that year.[21] However, Rawal exited due to scheduling conflicts stemming from his political commitments as a BJP MP, leading to Rishi Kapoor being cast in the role; the updated lead pairing was officially revealed in May 2017 alongside the first look posters.[22][23] This marked the first on-screen collaboration between Bachchan and Kapoor since their 1991 film Ajooba, adding a layer of anticipation given their shared history in over a dozen projects during the 1970s and 1980s.[15] The age disparity posed notable challenges during casting and preparation, as Bachchan was 75 and Kapoor 65 at the time of filming in 2017, requiring them to portray characters 27 and 10 years older, respectively, while maintaining the physical and emotional demands of a comedy-drama centered on generational dynamics.[1] Director Umesh Shukla narrated the script to both actors separately, securing their commitment within 10 minutes each, drawn by the unconventional father-son premise inspired by Saumya Joshi's Gujarati play, which Bachchan had expressed keen interest in adapting after appreciating its stage run.[14][24] Supporting roles were filled to complement the leads' chemistry without overshadowing it. Jimit Trivedi was selected as Dhiru, the compassionate nurse who interacts with the protagonists, following auditions that emphasized actors' ability to deliver nuanced emotional support. Vijay Raaz as the narrator, adding subtle comic relief through his established timing in ensemble casts. For flashback sequences depicting the characters' younger days, child actors were auditioned and cast to evoke authenticity in family history moments, with the process prioritizing natural performances over name recognition to preserve the film's intimate tone.[25]Principal photography
Principal photography for 102 Not Out began in May 2017 and wrapped on October 18, 2017, spanning approximately five months under director Umesh Shukla's supervision. The shoot was centered in Mumbai, leveraging both indoor studios and outdoor sites to evoke the film's themes of familial bonds and everyday life in a middle-class Indian household.[26][27] Filming utilized practical sets constructed in Mumbai studios to recreate a simple, lived-in family home, emphasizing realism over elaborate production design. Outdoor sequences were captured at recognizable Mumbai landmarks, including Marine Drive for scenic walks, Mount Mary Church for reflective moments, City Bakery for casual interactions, and Aeroplane Garden for playful elements that highlighted the characters' dynamics. A custom-built "happy street" set in Trombay facilitated the shooting of two songs and several pivotal narrative scenes, contributing to the film's lighthearted tone. One key sequence was lensed at the same location used for the 1983 film Coolie, where leads Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor shared nostalgic reflections during production.[28][29][30] Technical aspects included minimal visual effects, primarily handled by iCastx Technologies for subtle enhancements in select scenes, avoiding heavy reliance on digital manipulation to preserve the story's grounded, theatrical roots derived from its Gujarati play origins. Directorial choices focused on authenticity, such as having Bachchan and Kapoor perform barefoot in certain emotional exchanges to convey the characters' unpretentious vulnerability and foster natural on-screen chemistry.[31][18]Music and soundtrack
Composition and recording
The music for 102 Not Out was primarily composed by the duo Salim–Sulaiman, who drew inspiration from 1960s and 1970s Bollywood sounds to create light-hearted yet emotionally resonant melodies that aligned with the film's themes of family bonds and nostalgia. This approach was sparked by a key dialogue in the script emphasizing a preference for classic music, ensuring the songs reflected the characters' old-world charm without feeling outdated or superficial.[32] Amitabh Bachchan contributed as composer for the track "Badumbaaa", his debut in the role, which featured playful orchestration to capture the film's humorous father-son dynamic. The background score, emphasizing poignant undertones to underscore emotional scenes, was handled by George Joseph in close collaboration with the directors, as Salim–Sulaiman were occupied with live performances during post-production.[32][33] Recording sessions for the soundtrack took place in early 2018 at studios in Mumbai, involving vocalists including Arijit Singh for upbeat numbers like "Bachche Ki Jaan", Sonu Nigam for the ghazal-inspired "Kulfi", and the lead actors themselves for select tracks. These sessions focused on blending live instrumentation, such as horns and acoustic elements, to evoke the film's cultural roots in a Gujarati play adaptation while maintaining a contemporary edge. The album was finalized just before its release on April 30, 2018, coinciding with the film's promotional rollout.[34][32]Track listing and release
The soundtrack of 102 Not Out features five original songs, composed primarily by Salim–Sulaiman with additional contributions from Amitabh Bachchan.[34]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Bachche Ki Jaan" | Hiral Brahmbhatt | Salim–Sulaiman | Arijit Singh | 4:49 |
| 2 | "Badumbaaa" | Amitabh Bhattacharya | Amitabh Bachchan | Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor | 5:46 |
| 3 | "Kulfi" | Saumya Joshi | Salim–Sulaiman | Sonu Nigam | 4:21 |
| 4 | "Kuch Anokhe Rules" | Saumya Joshi | Salim–Sulaiman | Armaan Malik | 3:33 |
| 5 | "Phir Laut Aayi Zindagi" | Hiral Brahmbhatt | Salim–Sulaiman | Hiral Brahmbhatt | 4:23 |