Vedaa

''Vedaa'' is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language action drama film directed by Nikkhil Advani and produced by Zee Studios, Emmay Entertainment and JA Entertainment. The film stars John Abraham, Sharvari (in the titular role), Abhishek Banerjee and Ashish Vidyarthi. The film is inspired by true events.

Vedaa was theatrically released on 15 August 2024. The film received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office, grossing over ₹26 crores worldwide.

Plot

Major Abhimanyu Kanwar is court-martialed by the Army for disobeying orders to bring a terrorist in Kashmir alive. ''Vedaa'' centers on a Dalit girl who is being abused and tortured by the upper caste. She wants to learn boxing to protect herself and her family. Abhimanyu Kanwar joins a college as an Assistant Boxing Coach in his wife's city. His wife Raashi was killed in Kashmir by a terrorist. Vedaa's brother was in love with an upper-class girl and was killed for it.

Later, Vedaa's sister was burned alive while trying to escape the city to save her life. Vedaa runs to Coach Abhimanyu for shelter, but the coach challenges the village chief to protect her. They escape and kill many cops and goons during their journey to the city court. Finally, when they reach the court, Vedaa pleads for her rights before the judges, who agree. Major Abhimanyu is killed in the courtroom.

Cast

Production

The filming began on 20 June 2023 in Rajasthan. The shoot was wrapped up in Kashmir in December 2023. The makers of the film announced their concerns on 25 July 2024 via social media that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had not yet screened the film, despite the application being submitted a month earlier. Following that, it was noted that the CBFC's Examining Committee viewed the film on 22 June, but feedback was not provided to the makers until the film was referred to the Revising Committee on 25 June. The Revising Committee screened the film on 29 July, which led to the deletion of 9.14 minutes and the implementation of certain changes. After these modifications, ''Vedaa'' was granted a U/A certificate on 6 August 2024, with a final runtime of 151 minutes.

Music

The music of the film is composed by Amaal Mallik, Manan Bhardwaj, Yuva and Raghav–Arjun while the background score is completed by Kartik Shah. The first single titled "Holiyaan" was released on 3 August 2024. The second single titled "Mummy Ji" was released on 7 August 2024. The third single titled "Zaroorat Se Zyada" was released on 10 August 2024. The entire album featuring 6 tracks was released on 13 August 2024.

Release

''Vedaa'' was theatrically released on 15 August 2024 on Independence Day with dubbed versions in Tamil and Telugu, clashing with '' Khel Khel Mein'' and ''Stree 2''.

Reception

Critical response

''Vedaa'' received mixed critical reviews.

Deepa Gahlot of '' Rediff.com'' rated 3/5 stars and notes "''Vedaa'' is realistic but also has the kind of mainstream elements and action sequences that make a film gripping."
A critic for '' Bollywood Hungama'' rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Vedaa is a predictable fare with a weak climax and an unremarkable second half." Rishabh Suri of the '' Hindustan Times'' commented, " John Abraham and Sharvari thriller on caste system gets you thinking, delivers a hard-hitting message." He opined that the film marks a significant shift for director Nikhil Advani, tackling the heavy themes of casteism and honour killings with a blend of action and drama, although it falters with unrealistic character survivals and weak music. While John Abraham delivers a passable performance as a grieving officer, Sharvari shines in her role as the resilient titular character, culminating in a climactic court battle that effectively highlights the film's core message. Lachmi Deb Roy of '' Firstpost'' gave the film 3/5 stars, remarking, "Flawed, but a brave film on Dalit rights." She pointed out that the film tackles the pressing issue of Dalit rights with a compelling narrative; yet, its impact is diminished by excessive violence overshadowing the social message. While John Abraham delivers a predictable performance, it is Sharvari and Abhishek Banerjee who shine, bringing depth to their roles in a film that ultimately leaves the audience reflecting on societal inequalities.

Saibal Chatterjee of '' NDTV India'' rated the film 2.5/5 stars, commenting, "John Abraham's film manages occasionally to tide over its troughs." According to him, the film is a caste oppression thriller that stands out in mainstream Bollywood by centring on a young Dalit woman's struggle for dignity and equality, with John Abraham's character supporting her quest. Despite its reliance on genre tropes and a somewhat diluted narrative, the film effectively highlights the harsh realities of caste violence while showcasing strong performances, particularly from Sharvari as the determined protagonist. Sana Farzeen of '' India Today'' gave the film 2.5 stars, stating, "John Abraham's film makes you wish for a fast-forward button." She noted that the film attempts to tackle the significant issue of caste in India but ultimately falters due to a slow pace and underdeveloped character arcs, particularly in Sharvari's titular role. While John Abraham shines in action sequences, the film lacks impactful moments and emotional depth, making it a forgettable experience despite its noble intentions. Troy Ribeiro of '' The Free Press Journal'' gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "It’s a mixed bag—a cinematic attempt to grapple with weighty issues while delivering the action-packed thrills that John Abraham fans expect. The result is a film that entertains but falls short of providing a knockout blow, leaving the audience with a lingering sense that the fight, much like Vedaa’s journey, isn’t quite over yet."

Shubhra Gupta of '' The Indian Express'' rated the film 2/5 stars, commenting, "Sharvari breaks the mould as John Abraham gets to slice and dice." In her view, the film presents a commendable yet flawed narrative centered on a young Dalit woman's struggle against caste oppression but ultimately succumbs to the conventional Bollywood trope of sidelining its female lead in favour of male heroism. Despite Sharvari's strong performance and the film's poignant moments, the predictable plot and character arcs dilute its impact, leaving audiences questioning whether Vedaa's journey truly receives the focus it deserves. Sreeparna Sengupta of '' The Times of India'' gave the film 3.5/5 stars, stating, "Film with a message, packed with a solid punch." She noted that the film effectively combines a compelling narrative against caste-based injustices with high-octane action, showcasing John Abraham's impressive physicality and Sharvari's emotional depth as the title character. While the film occasionally falls into predictable tropes and features a convoluted climax, its gritty atmosphere and adrenaline-pumping sequences make it an engaging watch.

Box office

''Vedaa'' grossed ₹6.52 crore on its opening day at the domestic box office. As of 30 August 2024, the film has grossed an estimated ₹25.93 crore at the worldwide box office.

References

External links

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{{Nikkhil Advani

2024 films
2020s Hindi-language films
Films directed by Nikkhil Advani
Indian action drama films
Films shot in Rajasthan
Films shot in Jammu and Kashmir
Censored films