“Shehzada” is a Bollywood action-comedy film released in 2023, directed by Rohit Dhawan. It features a stellar cast led by Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon, delivering a blend of drama, humor, and thrilling action sequences. This film is a remake of the Telugu movie Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, with Kartik Aaryan stepping into a role similar to the one played by Allu Arjun in the original.
Plot
The story follows Bantu (played by Kartik Aaryan), a man raised in a middle-class family who later discovers his true heritage — that he was switched at birth and is actually the son of a wealthy businessman. As Bantu uncovers his true identity, he tries to protect his biological family from impending dangers while dealing with personal and emotional conflicts.
Cast and Characters
The table below details the main cast and their respective roles in the film:
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Kartik Aaryan | Bantu | Protagonist, raised in a middle-class family |
| Kriti Sanon | Samara | Bantu’s love interest |
| Paresh Rawal | Valmiki | Bantu’s foster father |
| Ronit Roy | Randeep Jindal | Bantu’s biological father |
| Manisha Koirala | Yashoda Jindal | Bantu’s biological mother |
| Rajpal Yadav | Inspector Satish Yadav | Comic side character |
Release Information
“Shehzada” premiered in theaters on February 17, 2023, generating significant anticipation among fans of Kartik Aaryan. It is expected to stream on Netflix, though the exact date for OTT release is yet to be announced. Here’s a breakdown of its release details:
| Release Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Theatrical Release | February 17, 2023 |
| OTT Platform | Expected on Netflix |
| OTT Release Date | To be announced |
Soundtrack
The music of Shehzada plays a crucial role in adding to its entertaining vibe. Composed by Pritam, the soundtrack features various chart-topping songs. Below is a table summarizing the key tracks:
| Song Title | Singer | Composer |
|---|---|---|
| “Munda Sona Hoon Main” | Diljit Dosanjh | Pritam |
| “Chedkhaniyan” | Arijit Singh | Pritam |
| “Mere Sawaal Ka” | Shashwat Singh | Pritam |
Box Office Performance
Despite mixed reviews, Shehzada managed to perform decently at the box office. While Kartik Aaryan’s star power drove much of the audience interest, the film’s collections were solid during its opening weekend and continued strong during its theatrical run. Here is a snapshot of its box office performance:
| Region | Collection (in ₹ crores) |
|---|---|
| Opening Day | 7.5 |
| Opening Weekend | 25 |
| Total Collection (India) | 85 |
| Total Collection (Worldwide) | 120 |
Reviews and Reception
Shehzada received mixed reactions from critics. On the one hand, Kartik Aaryan’s charm, paired with Kriti Sanon’s engaging presence, was praised. The comedy and action sequences also drew applause. However, some critics felt the movie did not entirely live up to the expectations set by the original Telugu film, citing pacing issues and predictability in the storyline.
In conclusion, Shehzada managed to be a crowd-pleaser, especially for Kartik Aaryan’s fan base, and continues to attract attention on various streaming platforms.
