Table No. 21

Last updated

Table No. 21
Table No 21 official poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Aditya Datt
Written by Abhijit Deshpande (additional screenplay and dialogues)
Screenplay byShantanu Ray Chhibber
Sheershak Anand
Story byShantanu Ray Chhibber
Sheershak Anand
Produced bySunil Lulla
Viki Rajani
Starring Paresh Rawal
Rajeev Khandelwal
Tina Desai
CinematographyRavi Walia
Edited byDevendra Murdeshwar
Music bySongs:
Gajendra Verma
Neeraj Shridhar
Sachin Gupta
Score:
Amar Mohile
Production
company
Distributed by Eros International
Release date
  • 4 January 2013 (2013-01-04)
Running time
108 minutes [1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget85 million [2]
Box office177.95 million [2]

Table No. 21 is a 2013 Indian Hindi language thriller film directed by Aditya Datt and produced by Eros International. It is named after Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which talks about the protection of life and personal liberty. [3] The film features Paresh Rawal, Rajeev Khandelwal and Tina Desai and touches upon the pertinent social issue of ragging. The film's soundtrack was composed by Gajendra Verma, Neeraj Shridhar and Sachin Gupta. [4]

Contents

Plot

Vivaan Agasthi is married to his college sweetheart, Siya, and the couple struggles to make ends meet when Vivaan loses his job. Around their 5th anniversary, they win a trip to Fiji in a lucky draw. The holiday is fully sponsored, with luxurious hotel accommodations and fine dinners.

At the resort, Vivaan and Siya encounter the charming Mr. Khan, who invites them to participate in his live game show, Table No. 21. He tells them that the winner of the game bags a staggering 210  million in prize money. Eight personal questions will be asked that must be answered truthfully, and following each, one must complete a task related to the question. Lie detectors are attached to their wrists, for which Mr. Khan lets the couple know that if they lie, they die.

After some thought, the couple decides to enter the game show. At first, the questions seem easy, but as the game progresses, the tasks become increasingly uncomfortable and horrific. Many murky details emerge, such as Vivaan slapping Siya for having had an abortion without his consent, and Siya sleeping with her boss to keep her job.

Vivaan's final task is to murder an individual. He is led to a room, where he is to face his target. When he sees the person he must kill, he recognizes him from his past. A flashback shows Vivaan, Siya and their friends in college ragging an underclassman named Akram. The ordeals that Vivaan and Siya had suffered were based on the same ordeals that they inflicted on Akram - public humiliation, forcing him to eat non-vegetarian food, dousing him in blood, etc. The severe bullying compelled Akram to approach the principal, but Vivaan and his friends captured Akram before he could react, stripped him naked and shaved his head while filming the act. This humiliation caused Akram to become mentally challenged.

Back in the present, it is revealed that Akram is Mr. Khan's son and that Mr. Khan's intention was to exact retribution from Vivaan and Siya for reducing his son to an empty shell. It is implied that Mr. Khan has already murdered the other bullies of his son. Mr. Khan tells them that they are free to go, but their sins will follow them everywhere. The movie ends as Vivaan and Siya are still shocked – crying and regretting their choices.

Cast

Soundtrack

Song TitleSingerLength
"If You Lie You Die"Neeraj Shridhar, Jaspreet Jasz04:01
"Mann Mera" (Remix)Gajendra Verma03:19
"Mann Mera"Gajendra Verma02:43
"O Sajna" (Remix)Gajendra Verma, Puja Thaker02:47
"O Sajna"Gajendra Verma, Puja Thaker04:59

Reception

Critical response

Critics have praised the story but have criticized the way the issue of ragging is kept under wraps. [5] [6] Ankur Pathak of Rediff.com says that "Table No. 21 should be watched for the reactive social commentary that it is and should not be misconceived as a vigilante film." Rated it 3 out of 5 stars. [7] Madhureeta Mukherjee of The Times of India rated the film 3 out of 5 stars. [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Akele Hum Akele Tum</i> 1995 Indian romantic drama film

Akele Hum Akele Tum is a 1995 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film starring Aamir Khan, Manisha Koirala, and Master Adil. It was directed by Mansoor Khan. The music is by Anu Malik and the lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The film is loosely based on the 1979 American film Kramer vs. Kramer. Both Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala's performances were acclaimed; the latter also received a nomination in the Best Actress category at the 41st Filmfare Awards. Although the film was well received with critics, it did not connect with the audience.

<i>Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega</i> 2000 film by Raj Kanwar

Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega is a 2000 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film directed by Raj Kanwar, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, written by Rumi Jaffrey, and edited by Sanjay Verma. The film stars Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji in lead roles. The film is a remake of the Malayalam film Chandralekha (1997) which itself was inspired by the 1995 American film While You Were Sleeping.

<i>Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan</i> Indian drama television series

Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan is an Indian television series that aired on Star Plus from 15 July 2002 to 13 March 2009 in the afternoon slot. Hussain Kuwajerwala and Juhi Parmar played the lead roles of Sumeet and Kumkum, respectively. It was produced under the company BAG films. The show is currently being reaired on Star Plus and Utsav Plus at 2:30 pm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajeev Khandelwal</span> Indian actor

Rajeev Khandelwal is an Indian film and television actor, singer and host.

<i>Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat</i> Indian Hindi-language thriller anthology television show

Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat is an Indian thriller anthology television show that was first broadcast on Sony Entertainment Television from 16 August 2002 to 9 May 2004. The broadcast consisted mainly of short stories in a mini format. The show stars Pallavi Kulkarni, Rajeev Khandelwal, Hiten Tejwani, Smriti Irani, Gauri Pradhan, Cezanne Khan, Ashlesha Sawant, Sumeet Sachdev, Shweta Tiwari, Narayani Shastri and many others. The series went on hiatus from 9 February 2003 to 16 March 2003 due to the live telecast of 2003 Cricket World Cup on Sony Entertainment Television.

Neeraj Shridhar is an Indian film playback singer, composer and singer-songwriter who was the lead vocalist of Indian pop and rock group Bombay Vikings. Bombay Vikings became popular with remix hits like "Kya Soorat Hai", "Woh Chali" and "Chod Do Anchal".

<i>Khatta Meetha</i> (2010 film) 2010 Indian Hindi political satire comedy film

Khatta Meetha is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language political satire comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Hari Om Entertainment. The film stars Akshay Kumar and Trisha in lead roles, while Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Johnny Lever, Aruna Irani, Urvashi Sharma, Makarand Deshpande, Jaideep Ahlawat, Manoj Joshi, Milind Gunaji, and Neeraj Vora feature in supporting roles. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Vellanakalude Nadu, also directed by Priyadarshan.

<i>Right Yaaa Wrong</i> 2010 Indian film

Right Yaaa Wrong is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller film directed by Neeraj Pathak, starring Sunny Deol and Irrfan Khan along with Konkona Sen Sharma, Isha Koppikar, Aryan Vaid and Govind Namdeo. This film was shot in Film City and released on 12 March 2010, under the banner of Eros. The film is based on the 1995 American film Above Suspicion.

<i>Will You Marry Me?</i> (film) 2012 film by Aditya Datt

Will You Marry Me? is a 2012 Hindi romantic comedy starring Shreyas Talpade, Rajeev Khandelwal, Tripta Parashar, Mugdha Godse, Celina Jaitly and Muzammil Ibrahim in lead roles. The film is about a beach wedding. It was shot in several locations including Fujairah and Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, Mumbai, India and Bangkok, Thailand.

<i>Adaalat</i> (TV series) Indian television courtroom drama

Adaalat (transl. Court) is an Indian television courtroom drama anthology series about a defence attorney, K.D. Pathak, portrayed by Ronit Roy. The first season of the show premiered on Sony Entertainment Television on 20 November 2010 and ran for five years, ending on 11 July 2015. The show aired 431 episodes in its first season. Adaalat returned for its second season on Sony Entertainment Television on 4 June 2016 and ended on 4 September 2016. The show aired 26 episodes in its second season.

<i>Isi Life Mein...!</i> 2010 Indian film

Isi Life Mein...! is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language film starring Akshay Oberoi alongside Sandeepa Dhar in both their debut film. It was directed by Vidhi Kasliwal and released on 24 December, 2010. The film earned the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination for Sandeepa Dhar.

<i>Special 26</i> 2013 Hindi film directed by Neeraj Pandey

Special 26 is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language period heist thriller film written and directed by Neeraj Pandey. Based on the 1987 Opera House heist, the plot follows a team of criminals, who pose as CBI officers and conduct raids, robbing politicians and businessmen of their black money. With the real CBI on their trail, they decide to pull off their biggest heist yet. The film also stars Jimmy Sheirgill, Kajal Aggarwal, Rajesh Sharma, Divya Dutta and Kishor Kadam.

<i>Mr. X</i> (2015 film) 2015 Indian film directed by Vikram Bhatt

Mr. X is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language science fiction action film directed by Vikram Bhatt and co-produced by Mukesh Bhatt and Tanmay Bhat. The film stars Emraan Hashmi and Amyra Dastur, and its title is taken from the 1964 film Mr. X in Bombay. It follows a former ATS officer who sets out for revenge after he is framed for murder, left for dead, and gains the ability to become invisible.

<i>Samrat & Co.</i> 2014 film by Kaushik Ghatak

Samrat & Co. is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language detective thriller film directed by Kaushik Ghatak and produced by Kavita K. Barjatya under the banner of Rajshri Productions. It features Rajeev Khandelwal in the title role of Samrat. The film was initially scheduled for release on 1 May 2014 release but was released ahead of schedule on 25 April 2014.

<i>Udaan</i> (2014 TV series) Indian social drama

Udaan (transl. Flight) is an Indian soap opera that premiered on Colors TV on 18 August 2014, replacing Madhubala. Produced by Mahesh Bhatt, it was originally conceived as a film but that plan was eventually shelved. Udaan is one of the longest running television shows of Colors TV The story revolves around Chakor, a victim of bonded child labour who fights for her village's freedom and aspires to break free. It starred Spandan Chaturvedi as a child version of Chakor until it took a generation leap in February 2016 & actress Meera Deosthale was roped in to play the role of an adult Chakor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paresh Rawal filmography</span> List of films of Indian actor Paresh Rawal

Paresh Rawal is an Indian actor who appeared primarily in Hindi films in addition to a few Telugu and Tamil films.

<i>Box Cricket League</i> Indian sports reality television show

Box Cricket League (BCL) is an Indian sports reality television show where celebrities are seen competing against each other in an indoor cricket game format.

<i>Sasural Simar Ka 2</i> Indian television series

Sasural Simar Ka 2 is an Indian Hindi-language television series that aired from 26 April 2021 to 7 April 2023 on Colors TV. It is a sequel to the 2011 soap opera Sasural Simar Ka. Produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, it stars Radhika Muthukumar, Avinash Mukherjee, Tanya Sharma, Karan Sharma and Jayati Bhatia as leads.

References

  1. "Table No.21 (12A) – BBFC". BBFC. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Table No. 21 – Movie – Box Office India". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  3. "Why '21' in 'Table no 21'". IANS. India Today. 22 December 2012. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  4. "Table No. 21 by Gajendra Verma, Neeraj Shridhar and Sachin Gupta". Spotify. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  5. ‘Table No. 21’ review: Worth every ounce of energy invested – more or less! Archived 9 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine . Zeenews.india.com.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)