Ta Ra Rum Pum
Ta Ra Rum Pum is a 2007 Indian Hindi-language sports drama film directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films.[1] Starring Saif Ali Khan as Rajveer Singh (RV), a talented race car driver, and Rani Mukerji as his wife Radhika, the movie explores themes of family resilience and redemption following a life-altering accident.[2] The plot centers on RV, who rises from a pit crew member to a successful NASCAR-style racer in New York, only to suffer a severe crash that ends his career and forces him to take up taxi driving while concealing his struggles from his wife and two young children.[3] The film features supporting performances by Jaaved Jaaferi as team manager Harry, and child actors Angelina Idnani and Ali Haji as the couple's daughter and son, respectively. Written by Habib Faisal, Ta Ra Rum Pum blends elements of comedy, drama, and action, with car racing sequences filmed in the United States to capture an authentic motorsport atmosphere.[4] The soundtrack, composed by Vishal–Shekhar with lyrics by Javed Akhtar, includes popular tracks like "Hey Shona" and "Ab To Forever," which contributed to the film's commercial appeal.[5] Released on April 27, 2007, Ta Ra Rum Pum had a budget of approximately ₹25 crore (about $6 million) and grossed around ₹38.45 crore nett in India and ₹69.15 crore worldwide, marking it as a semi-hit at the box office despite mixed critical reception. Critics praised the chemistry between the leads and the heartfelt family narrative but noted some predictable elements and uneven pacing, with Rotten Tomatoes aggregating a 56% approval rating based on nine reviews.[2] The movie received an IMDb user rating of 5.8/10 from over 9,500 votes, reflecting its enduring popularity among audiences for its uplifting message about overcoming adversity.[1]Synopsis and characters
Plot
Rajveer Singh, nicknamed RV and played by Saif Ali Khan, is an aspiring race car driver working on the pit crew for a professional team in New York City. He meets Radhika, a talented music student portrayed by Rani Mukerji, and the two embark on a whirlwind romance that culminates in marriage and the birth of twins, son Ranveer (nicknamed Champ) and daughter Priya (nicknamed Princess). The young family settles into a comfortable life, with RV's passion for racing defining their early years together.[4][6] RV's skills catch the eye of team owner Harry Patel, leading to his promotion as a full-time driver under the moniker "RV." He quickly rises to fame, securing his first major victory in a high-stakes race and embracing the perks of stardom, including a luxurious home bought on installments and quality time with his wife and children. The family's happiness peaks as RV becomes one of the top racers in the United States, balancing his demanding career with domestic joys like school events and bedtime stories.[2][4] Tragedy strikes during a competitive race when RV's car crashes dramatically due to a rival's sabotage, leaving him hospitalized for months with severe physical injuries and deep psychological trauma. Unable to return to racing, RV spirals into a series of failures, forcing the family to auction their home and relocate to a cramped, rundown apartment in a low-income neighborhood. To shield Champ and Princess from the harsh reality and preserve their admiration for their father as a champion, RV and Radhika fabricate an elaborate story: their poverty is a temporary stunt for a reality TV show promising a massive cash prize if they endure the hardships without complaint. In secret, RV takes a job as a yellow cab taxi driver, while Radhika accepts a position as a substitute teacher at the children's school.[3][4][7] Financial woes mount as bills pile up and the family's savings dwindle, straining their pretense amid everyday humiliations like evading debt collectors and scavenging for meals. At school, Champ and Princess endure relentless bullying from classmates who mock their father's "lowly" taxi job, unaware of the full extent of the deception; the siblings defend RV fiercely, clinging to tales of his racing glory. Radhika's dual role as teacher exposes her to the children's plight, amplifying her quiet sacrifices, while RV grapples with resentment and loss of identity behind the wheel of his cab. The family's resilience is tested further when Champ falls seriously ill, pushing RV to confront his suppressed anger and the emotional toll on his loved ones.[2][4][7] The climax unfolds when Champ and Princess accidentally uncover the truth about the "reality show" lie during a confrontation with bullies, leading to heartbreak and a tearful family reckoning. United by the revelation, Radhika encourages RV to seek closure by participating in a one-off exhibition race organized by his former team, despite his lingering fears. With his children's unwavering support—Princess even stowing away in his car for good luck—RV competes in the event to win the prize money needed for Champ's treatment, channeling his pent-up determination to outperform rivals and triumph in a thrilling finish.[4][3] In the resolution, the victory allows RV to overcome his trauma, restores the family's financial stability, and enables him to return to his professional racing career. The Singhs reaffirm their bond through honest communication and shared dreams, emerging stronger from adversity with a renewed sense of unity and optimism for the future.[2][4][8]Cast
The principal cast of Ta Ra Rum Pum is led by Saif Ali Khan as Rajveer "RV" Singh, the central figure as a professional race car driver and family patriarch, and Rani Mukerji as Radhika "Shona" Singh, his devoted wife and mother to their children.[6] The child roles are played by Angelina Idnani as Priya "Princess" Singh, the spirited daughter, and Ali Haji as Champ Singh, the young son, both marking significant early appearances for the young performers in a major Bollywood production.[6][9] Key supporting actors include Jaaved Jaaferi as Hariprasad Dhirubhai "Harry" Patel, the affable team owner and close friend to the lead; Manoj Pahwa as Randy, the loyal racing team mechanic; and Prem Chopra as Subramaniam, the stern race organizer serving as the primary antagonist.[6] Additional notable ensemble members are Shruti Seth as Sasha, a team associate; Victor Banerjee as Subho Moximikar, a business figure.[6] The film features a total of 52 credited cast members, blending established stars with emerging talents to emphasize its family-centric narrative.[6][10]| Actor | Role | Character Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Saif Ali Khan | Rajveer "RV" Singh | Lead protagonist, race car driver and family head |
| Rani Mukerji | Radhika "Shona" Singh | Supportive spouse and maternal anchor |
| Angelina Idnani | Priya "Princess" Singh | Energetic daughter in the family unit |
| Ali Haji | Champ Singh | Playful son contributing to family dynamics |
| Jaaved Jaaferi | Hariprasad "Harry" Patel | Team owner and steadfast ally |
| Manoj Pahwa | Randy | Dedicated mechanic in the racing crew |
| Prem Chopra | Subramaniam | Authoritative race organizer and foe |
| Shruti Seth | Sasha | Supportive team member |
| Victor Banerjee | Subho Moximikar | Influential business associate |
Production
Development
Ta Ra Rum Pum marked director Siddharth Anand's second project under the Yash Raj Films banner, following his debut Salaam Namaste in 2005, and stemmed from his original story idea for a sports drama that intertwined high-speed racing action with heartfelt family dynamics.[11] The screenplay and dialogues were written by Habib Faisal, who shaped the narrative to highlight themes of perseverance, hope, and familial bonds amid personal setbacks, transforming Anand's concept into a commercially appealing Bollywood tale.[12] Produced by Aditya Chopra, the film was officially announced in 2006 with an estimated budget of ₹25 crore, reflecting Yash Raj Films' investment in a lavish production set primarily in New York City.[13] Anand envisioned the project as a stylish, upbeat comedy-drama inspired by Hollywood classics like Top Gun and Vanilla Sky, blending the adrenaline of NASCAR-style stock car racing with Indian values of responsibility and optimism to deliver a feel-good entertainer focused on overcoming odds.[14]Casting
Saif Ali Khan was cast in the lead role of Rajveer "RV" Singh following his critically acclaimed performance and National Film Award win for Hum Tum (2004), marking his rising status as a leading man in Yash Raj Films productions. Director Siddharth Anand paired him with Rani Mukerji as Radhika "Shona" Singh, leveraging their established on-screen chemistry from prior collaborations like Hum Tum and Salaam Namaste (2005), which had proven successful with audiences.[15] The child roles of Champ (Ranveer Singh Jr.) and Princess (Priya Singh) required a nationwide audition process to find young actors capable of delivering natural, relatable performances to enhance the film's family-oriented appeal. Ali Haji was selected as Champ after undergoing multiple auditions, including three rounds, where his ability to portray a spirited child shone through despite initial nervousness. Angelina Idnani, portraying Princess, was similarly chosen for her innate charm and emotional depth, with both children recalling their excitement mixed with anxiety during the callbacks. Co-stars Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji provided encouragement on set, referring to them as "Saif uncle" and "Rani didi," which helped ease their debut jitters and contributed to authentic family dynamics on screen.[16][17] For supporting roles, Jaaved Jaaferi was chosen as team manager Hariprasad "Harry" Patel for his renowned comic timing, adding levity to the high-stakes racing narrative and balancing the film's dramatic elements. Casting the racer characters presented logistical challenges, as actors needed to perform high-speed action sequences, often requiring professional stunt doubles to ensure safety during the demanding car chase and race scenes filmed in the United States. The inclusion of these child artists and diverse ensemble was strategic, broadening the film's appeal to family audiences by emphasizing themes of resilience and togetherness.[18][7]Filming
Principal photography for Ta Ra Rum Pum took place primarily in the United States to capture authentic urban and racing environments, with key sequences shot between May and June 2006.[19] The production team focused on New York City for the film's street-level and family scenes, utilizing locations such as Times Square (Broadway at 7th Avenue, West 42nd and 47th Streets), the Brooklyn Bridge, Bryant Park, the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue, and the Lower East Side in Manhattan to evoke the bustling immigrant life central to the story.[20][21] Additional exteriors were filmed in Stamford, Connecticut; Baltimore, Maryland; and Aberdeen, North Carolina.[21] Racing sequences were a highlight of the shoot, filmed at real American tracks to simulate NASCAR-style action. Interiors and some supplementary scenes were captured at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai, while high-speed car chases employed professional equipment for realism.[21] The core racing footage was lensed live at the Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina and the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin, during an Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event, costing over ₹2.5 crore and avoiding stock footage entirely.[22][23][24] Stunt coordination was handled by motorsport veteran Andy Hillenburg, a former stock car champion who supplied the racing cars, trained the stunt drivers, and oversaw the sequences for safety and authenticity.[24] Lead actor Saif Ali Khan, portraying the racer RV, underwent specialized training and participated directly in the live ARCA race using a custom two-seater car, demonstrating his commitment to the role.[24][19] The accident sequence combined practical effects from these on-track shoots with computer-generated imagery (CGI) to depict the dramatic crash. Challenges during filming included securing access to professional racing venues, as initial negotiations with NASCAR fell through due to budget constraints, prompting a pivot to the more affordable ARCA series through the US-India Business Alliance.[24] Logistical hurdles arose from obtaining permits for New York City's high-traffic areas, requiring early-morning shoots to clear streets for chase scenes, alongside ensuring the safety of child actors Angelina Idnani and Ali Haji amid dynamic urban and action setups. Weather delays occasionally impacted outdoor schedules in the Northeast, but the production wrapped racing elements by mid-2006, allowing initial editing to overlap with remaining interiors in early 2007.[19]Music and soundtrack
Hindi soundtrack
The Hindi soundtrack of Ta Ra Rum Pum was composed by the musical duo Vishal–Shekhar, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Released on 3 April 2007 by YRF Music, the album preceded the film's theatrical debut by nearly a month and featured a blend of energetic pop tracks and melodic ballads tailored to the story's family and racing themes.[25] The soundtrack comprises seven tracks, showcasing diverse vocal talents and styles.[5]| No. | Title | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Ta Ra Rum Pum" | Shaan, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Sneha Suresh, Shravan Suresh | 3:55 |
| 2 | "Hey Shona" | Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan | 4:03 |
| 3 | "Nachle Ve" | Sonu Nigam, Sowmya Raoh | 4:05 |
| 4 | "Ta Ra Ra Ra Rum TaRaRumPum" | Shreya Ghoshal | 5:29 |
| 5 | "Ab To Forever" | KK, Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani | 5:15 |
| 6 | "Saiyaan" | Rahat Fateh Ali Khan | 4:40 |
| 7 | "Aalap" | Instrumental | 3:12 |