Coffee with D
Coffee with D is a 2017 Indian Hindi-language satirical comedy film directed by Vishal Mishra, centering on a journalist's audacious plan to interview the notorious terrorist "D".[1] The film stars Sunil Grover as the hyper-aggressive anchor Arnab, a caricature of real-life broadcaster Arnab Goswami, who devises a scheme involving kidnapping to secure an exclusive with "D", played by Zakir Hussain as a stand-in for underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim.[1] Produced by Vinod Ramani and featuring supporting performances from Pankaj Tripathi and others, it lampoons sensationalist Indian media practices and the pursuit of ratings through controversy.[2] The narrative unfolds as Arnab, facing pressure from his channel boss to boost viewership, hatches a plot to abduct and interview "D" in Pakistan, blending slapstick humor with commentary on journalistic ethics.[3] Released on 21 January 2017, the film received mixed to negative critical reception, earning a 4.4/10 rating on IMDb from over 2,600 users and 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers criticizing its uneven execution despite acknowledging its bold satirical intent.[1] [4] Commercially modest, it highlighted Grover's comedic talents post his Comedy Nights with Kapil fame but failed to resonate widely, often cited for its topical yet derivative humor targeting media bombast.[5]Production
Development
Coffee with D originated as a satirical comedy conceived to lampoon sensationalist Indian journalism and underworld figures, centering on a fictional interview between a bombastic reporter and the notorious don Dawood Ibrahim, portrayed by Zakir Hussain. The screenplay was written and directed by Vishal Mishra in his feature film debut, emphasizing a premise of high-stakes absurdity amid real-world criminal threats.[6][7] Production was spearheaded by Vinod Ramani under the Apex Entertainment banner, with principal announcement occurring in December 2016 alongside the reveal of comedian Sunil Grover's lead casting as the journalist, marking his Bollywood debut following television fame.[8] The film's development incorporated topical elements like India's 2016 demonetization policy, integrated into the narrative as a plot device reflecting contemporary economic upheaval, though critics later noted its superficial treatment. Mishra aimed for an entertaining tone prioritizing humor over depth, drawing from Grover's mimicry skills honed on shows like The Kapil Sharma Show.[9][6] Pre-production aligned with a planned January 6, 2017 release, but early buzz was tempered by the sensitive subject matter involving a living fugitive, foreshadowing subsequent distribution hurdles.[7] No peer-reviewed analyses exist on the script's genesis, but production records confirm a modest budget focused on comedic set pieces rather than elaborate effects.[1]Casting
The lead role of Arnab Ghosh, a senior editor at a news channel modeled after television anchor Arnab Goswami's on-air persona, was assigned to Sunil Grover.[10] Grover, recognized for his comedic impressions and characters on shows like Comedy Nights with Kapil, brought his satirical timing to the part of the aggressive journalist seeking redemption through an exclusive interview.[11] Zakir Hussain was cast as "D", the film's central antagonist representing a notorious underworld figure akin to Dawood Ibrahim.[12] Hussain, a seasoned character actor known for villainous portrayals in Indian films, depicted the terrorist in a caricatured manner central to the satire.[1] Supporting roles included Dipannita Sharma as Neha, Anjana Sukhani as Parul (Arnab's wife), Rajesh Sharma as the channel owner, and Pankaj Tripathi in a comic supporting part as Girdhari.[11][1] These selections emphasized experienced performers capable of handling the film's blend of comedy and controversy, though no public details emerged on auditions or selection criteria.[13]Filming
Principal photography for Coffee with D was conducted in Mumbai and Goa, India.[14] These locations supported the film's depiction of a journalist's pursuit of an interview with a notorious criminal figure, blending urban and coastal environments.[15] Specific timelines for the shoot, including start and end dates, have not been publicly detailed by the production team.[1] Director Vishal Mishra oversaw the principal filming, which preceded the film's certification delays and eventual release in January 2017.[12] Some reviewers later critiqued the visual execution of these shoots for appearing underdeveloped, though this pertained more to overall production values than the locations themselves.[15]Post-production controversies
The production team of Coffee with D encountered alleged threats from underworld elements during the final stages of post-production, prompting a police complaint filed on January 3, 2017, by director Vishal Mishra and producer Vinod Ramani.[16] The threats, which began on December 14, 2016, involved calls from multiple numbers where the caller, identifying as gangster Chhota Shakeel, used abusive language to demand the deletion of all content and promotional material depicting the film's Don character, presumed to reference Dawood Ibrahim.[17] Recordings of these calls were submitted as evidence to authorities, though their authenticity as originating from Shakeel himself remains unverified beyond the filmmakers' assertions.[18] These incidents necessitated a postponement of the film's scheduled release, originally eyed for late 2016, to January 20, 2017, allowing time for security consultations and content review to mitigate risks.[19] Mishra publicly confirmed the threats' impact, stating they stemmed from the film's satirical portrayal of real-life criminal figures, which blurred lines between fiction and sensitive real-world allusions.[17] Further complications arose from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) interventions, which required muting dialogues referencing "Rahul" and "Rahul Baba" to avoid perceived allusions to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, reflecting the board's sensitivity to political satire amid broader censorship patterns in 2017 Indian cinema.[20] This editing, enforced pre-release, altered comedic elements without altering the core narrative but highlighted institutional pressures on content deemed potentially inflammatory.[21] Tensions also surfaced internally when Mishra expressed public disappointment on January 18, 2017, over lead actor Sunil Grover's refusal to participate in promotional activities, attributing it to Grover's recent professional fallout with comedian Kapil Sharma, though Grover cited personal commitments.[22] This discord, occurring as marketing ramped up post-threat resolution, strained team dynamics but did not derail the eventual rollout.[23]Plot
Coffee with D centers on Arnab Ghosh, a high-profile Indian television journalist played by Sunil Grover, who is under pressure to boost ratings amid professional setbacks, including a demotion to hosting a cooking show.[24][10] His pregnant wife Parul, portrayed by Anjana Sukhani, suggests pursuing an exclusive live interview with D, the world's most wanted underworld don responsible for various crimes, enacted by Zakir Hussain.[24][10] Arnab assembles a team including news writer Neha (Dipannita Sharma), and crew members Roy, Rummy, and Chussi, to travel to Pakistan for the high-stakes encounter.[24][25] The narrative unfolds through the chaotic preparations in a frenzied newsroom environment and the tense buildup to the interview itself.[10] During the interview, the film satirizes media sensationalism and criminal enterprises as Arnab confronts D, who presents a manipulative defense of his actions, shifting from comedy to a more serious discourse on societal issues.[24][10] Supporting characters like D's associate Girdhari, played by Pankaj Tripathi, provide comic relief amid the escalating drama.[24]Cast
The principal cast of Coffee with D (2017) is led by Sunil Grover as Arnab Ghosh, a senior news editor, and Zakir Hussain as the enigmatic D.[26][1] Supporting roles include Dipannita Sharma as Neha, Anjana Sukhani as Parul (Arnab's wife), Rajesh Sharma as channel owner Roy, and Pankaj Tripathi as Girdhari.[26][27]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Sunil Grover | Arnab Ghosh |
| Zakir Hussain | D |
| Dipannita Sharma | Neha |
| Anjana Sukhani | Parul |
| Rajesh Sharma | Channel owner Roy |
| Pankaj Tripathi | Girdhari |