Tevar
Tevar (transl. Attitude) is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language action film directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma in his directorial debut and produced by Boney Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Sunil Lulla, Naresh Agarwal, and Sunil Manchanda.[1] It is an official remake of the 2003 Telugu film Okkadu and stars Arjun Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, and Manoj Bajpayee, with Shruti Haasan in a special appearance.[1] The film was released worldwide on 9 January 2015.[1] A kabaddi player from Agra rescues a woman from a local gangster who wants to forcibly marry her, leading to a series of conflicts as he protects her and they develop feelings for each other.[1]Synopsis and Characters
Plot
Ghanshyam "Pintoo" Shukla is a skilled Kabaddi player from Agra, known for his athletic prowess and protective nature toward his community.[1] During a crucial Kabaddi match in Mathura, Pintoo first encounters Radhika Mishra, a college student who catches his eye amid the chaos of the game.[2] Their meeting takes an urgent turn when Pintoo witnesses Radhika being harassed by Gajendar Singh, a powerful and obsessive local strongman who is determined to force her into marriage despite her rejections.[3] Seizing the moment, Pintoo intervenes to help Radhika escape Gajendar's grasp, leading to a high-stakes chase that forces them to flee together toward Agra.[4] Along the journey, Pintoo hides Radhika in his family home, shielding her from Gajendar's relentless pursuit while navigating the complications of keeping her presence secret from his own family, including his police officer father and spirited sister Pinky.[2] As they spend time together, a genuine romance develops between Pintoo and Radhika, marked by moments of humor, shared vulnerabilities, and growing mutual affection, transforming Pintoo's initial act of chivalry into a deeper emotional bond.[5] The tension escalates as Gajendar, fueled by unrequited obsession and rage after learning of Radhika's brother's death at his hands, mobilizes his gang to track them down.[4] This culminates in a intense confrontation at Pintoo's home, where Pintoo's family becomes embroiled in the conflict, leading to chaotic fights blending action sequences with comedic undertones.[3] In the resolution, Pintoo defends himself and Radhika against Gajendar's final assault, resulting in Gajendar's death in self-defense, allowing the lovers to find redemption and a chance at a future together.[2] Throughout the narrative, Tevar weaves themes of unrequited love, fierce protection, and personal redemption, using Pintoo's journey from local athlete to unlikely hero to highlight resilience amid danger, all underscored by the film's mix of thrilling action and lighthearted comedy.[5]Cast
The principal cast of Tevar features Arjun Kapoor in the lead role of Ghanshyam "Pintoo" Shukla, the film's central protagonist and a skilled Kabaddi player whose character drives the narrative's themes of valor and loyalty.[6] Kapoor underwent intensive training with professional Kabaddi players for nearly a month to authentically portray the sport's physical demands, highlighting his commitment to the role's athletic requirements.[7] Sonakshi Sinha plays Radhika Mishra, the female lead and Pintoo's love interest, whose presence adds emotional depth to the ensemble dynamic.[6] Manoj Bajpayee portrays Gajendar Singh, the primary antagonist, delivering a menacing performance as an obsessive and powerful figure that intensifies the film's conflicts.[6] Bajpayee noted that the role represented a fresh challenge, distinct from his previous characters, allowing him to explore a more villainous persona.[8] Supporting the leads are veteran actors including Raj Babbar as S.P. Shukla, Pintoo's authoritative father, and Deepti Naval as Pintoo's mother, both contributing to the familial backdrop that underscores the protagonist's motivations.[9] Shruti Haasan appears in a special song sequence titled "Madamiyaan," bringing energetic flair to the musical element without a narrative role.[6] The ensemble, blending established stars with rising talents, creates a balanced portrayal of rural Uttar Pradesh life central to the story.[10]Production
Development
Tevar originated as an official remake of the 2003 Telugu film Okkadu, directed by Gunasekhar, with the story credited to him.[6] The screenplay was adapted for Hindi audiences by director Amit Ravindernath Sharma and Shantanu Shrivastava, who reworked the narrative to emphasize a blend of action, romance, and comedy while infusing Bollywood sensibilities.[11] Sharma, making his feature film directorial debut after a career in advertising, insisted on viewing the project as an adaptation rather than a direct remake, requesting nine months to revise the script extensively.[12] The film was produced by Boney Kapoor alongside Sanjay Kapoor, Sunil Lulla, Sunil Manchanda, and Naresh Agarwal, marking a family collaboration following Arjun Kapoor's breakout success in Ishaqzaade (2012).[13] Boney Kapoor credited his son Arjun's growth as an actor for motivating the production, with the project announced in December 2013 as Sharma's debut.[14] Key creative decisions focused on retaining the core action-romance-comedy structure of Okkadu while adapting regional Telugu elements, such as factional rivalries, for broader Hindi appeal through enhanced humor and song sequences.[15] Production faced initial financial hurdles, including Boney Kapoor briefly opting out in late 2013 due to monetary constraints, before securing co-producers to proceed.[16] The budget was estimated at approximately ₹40 crore, prioritizing high-energy action set pieces and star-driven casting to align with mass-market expectations.[17]Filming
Principal photography for Tevar commenced on 21 January 2014 at Sambhar Lake in Jaipur, Rajasthan, marking the start of an extensive shooting schedule across northern India. The production team captured key action sequences in Jaipur before moving to other authentic Uttar Pradesh settings, including Agra and Mathura, where outdoor scenes were filmed to evoke the film's rural and small-town atmosphere.[18] Additional locations encompassed Mumbai for studio interiors and song sequences, as well as Maheshwar and the Chandrabhaga riverside in Pandharpur for diverse visual backdrops.[19] The schedule progressed through early 2014, with a significant 20-day shoot in Agra beginning in March, focusing on pivotal dramatic and chase sequences.[18] By June, the team relocated to a Mumbai studio for a high-stakes night-time Kabaddi match scene, integrating live elements to heighten realism.[20] Principal photography wrapped by mid-2014, allowing time for post-production ahead of the film's January 2015 release.[21] One of the production's key challenges involved choreographing the Kabaddi sequences, which featured real professional players to ensure authenticity rather than relying on actors alone.[22] Lead actor Arjun Kapoor underwent 25 days of intensive training with these athletes on a custom pitch, enabling him to perform convincingly in the physically demanding matches central to the plot.[23] The stunt coordination emphasized relatable, grounded action over exaggerated effects, with director Amit Sharma prioritizing practical choreography to align with the story's North Indian setting.[24] Technical aspects were handled by a skilled crew, including cinematographers Amir Malik and Laxman Utekar, who employed dynamic camera work to capture the high-energy action and vibrant locales.[25] Editing was led by Dev Rao Jadhav, focusing on tight pacing for the film's blend of romance and thrills.[6]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Tevar was composed by the duo Sajid–Wajid, while the lyrics were penned by Kausar Munir, Danish Sabri, Sajid, and Imran Khan. Released on December 9, 2014, by Eros Now Music, the album blends folk, romantic, and action-oriented tunes to reflect the film's vibrant energy.[26] Key tracks highlight the album's diversity, with "Superman" serving as an upbeat dance number featuring energetic rhythms and playful lyrics celebrating heroism, sung by Wajid. "Radha Nachegi," a lively folk-infused track, incorporates traditional Radha-Krishna themes with rap elements by Danish Sabri, evoking the celebratory spirit of Uttar Pradesh festivals. Another standout, "Let's Celebrate," marks pop artist Imran Khan's debut in Bollywood with his rap verses, adding a contemporary youth appeal through its party anthem vibe sung alongside Sonakshi Sinha.[27][28][29] The composition process drew inspiration from the film's Uttar Pradesh setting, incorporating regional folk elements like percussion and melodic motifs to capture the locale's rustic charm, while recordings took place in Mumbai studios to blend traditional sounds with modern production techniques. Sajid–Wajid aimed to create accessible, high-energy tracks for broad appeal, with Imran Khan's participation specifically targeted at younger audiences to enhance the album's promotional draw.[30] The album achieved moderate commercial success, with several tracks peaking on Indian music charts and generating significant buzz through pre-release singles that fueled the film's marketing campaign. Songs like "Superman" and "Radha Nachegi" were integrated into romantic and action sequences, amplifying their thematic resonance within the narrative. Overall, the soundtrack's mix of genres contributed to heightened anticipation ahead of the film's January 2015 release. The background score was composed by Clinton Cerejo.[31]Track listing
The soundtrack of Tevar features eight tracks, composed primarily by the duo Sajid–Wajid, with additional contributions from guest composers Imran Khan and Shafqat Amanat Ali. The album incorporates elements of folk music, including qawwali influences in "Radha Nachegi" and Bhojpuri-style rhythms in select numbers, alongside a remix and promotional mashup. Released by Eros Music in digital and CD formats on December 9, 2014, it includes Imran Khan's rap verses in the energetic title-inspired track "Let's Celebrate."[26]| No. | Title | Singers | Duration | Composer | Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Superman | Wajid | 4:30 | Sajid–Wajid | Kausar Munir, Danish Sabri, Sajid |
| 2 | Radha Nachegi | Ritu Pathak, Shabab Sabri, Danish Sabri | 6:25 | Sajid–Wajid | Danish Sabri |
| 3 | Madamiyan | Mika Singh, Mamta Sharma | 5:00 | Sajid–Wajid | Kausar Munir |
| 4 | Joganiyan | Shruti Haasan | 4:28 | Sajid–Wajid | Kausar Munir |
| 5 | Main Nai Jaana Pardes | Shafqat Amanat Ali | 5:19 | Shafqat Amanat Ali | Kausar Munir |
| 6 | Let's Celebrate | Imran Khan, Sonakshi Sinha | 3:11 | Imran Khan | Imran Khan |
| 7 | Superman (Remix) | Mika Singh | 3:08 | Sajid–Wajid (Remix by Kiran Kamath) | Kausar Munir |
| 8 | Tevariffic (Mashup) | Arjun Kapoor, Wajid, Imran Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Mika Singh | 3:29 | Sajid–Wajid | Various |