Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at for further information. Thank you so much for being here.Ĭopyright © 2023 NPR. SUMMERS: That is film writer Timon Singh talking about the Bollywood film "Pathaan," which is playing in theaters across the U.S. And I expect Shah Rukh Khan to continue his reign as king of Bollywood. So I'd expect another installment in the Yash Raj spy universe. And then Shah Rukh Khan comes along, defies the odds and the box office analysis and delivers a box office smash. But in recent years, Maya Khan (ph) and Hrithik Roshan have both had films that have not performed as well at the box office as intended. But Indian cinema is still primarily built around the star. But unlike Hollywood, where there are very few major stars anymore - I think you have Tom Cruise - whose name can still open a film, most of the properties are based around the Marvel superhero rather than the actor playing it. No one really knows anything until something's a hit. SINGH: I think it's very much like Hollywood. But taking a step back for a moment, does the success of this film tell us a larger story about Bollywood today and what could come in the future? SUMMERS: As we've been discussing, this film has already been very successful. And these little dance parties that you see on social media are just an indication of that. And I think that, coupled with the return of Shah Rukh Khan to the film, the film's really engaging songs and just such a big, all-encompassing blockbuster that gets everyone across all demographics, I think that's just led to a little bit of a cultural euphoria. SINGH: Well, I mean, elaborate dance sequences are just part of Indian cinema. And people seem like they are just living their best lives, having a blast. I mean, I've had my phone in my hand, and I've been watching some of these clips of videos on social media. SUMMERS: We've just got to talk about these incredible dance parties. There's always a heightened realism in these films, and they just go all-in. It's not afraid to make its action heroes look as glorious as possible. And I think that's something that Indian cinema does that Hollywood doesn't. He just looks like the ultimate action star. And within the first 5 minutes, he's just there, you know, abs rock hard, hair blowing in the breeze. I mean, he has been the king of Bollywood for close to, I want to say, four decades now. SUMMERS: I have to imagine that there are a lot of people out there who are really excited to see him back on the screens. And that, coupled with the return of Shah Rukh Khan, who's known as the king of Bollywood, after a four-year hiatus, I think you've just got the perfect storm for a massive Bollywood blockbuster hit. So it kind of builds on three films that have gone before. But "Pathaan" is also like the fourth installment in a very successful action franchise known as the Yash Raj Films spy universe. And so he's got to contend with double agents, stolen viruses and a whole host of spectacular action sequences to save the day. It stars Shah Rukh Khan as an Indian super spy who is basically caught up in a plot by an international cabal of terrorists who are trying to launch an attack on India. So "Pathaan" is very much in the vein of a "Mission Impossible," "Fast & Furious" film. SUMMERS: So just to get us started, for people who have not seen this film, give us a brief description of what this movie's all about, but please don't give us any spoilers. Film writer Timon Singh reviewed the movie for Empire Online, and he joins us now. And this film is also burning up all kinds of records at the box office with the biggest opening weekend sales of all time for a Bollywood film in India and also here in North America, where it is playing on 700 screens. SUMMERS: Seriously, these videos are incredible. SUMMERS: And with its catchy soundtrack, it is sparking dance parties in India's theaters as the credits roll. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #3: (As character) So are you in or are you out? Jetpacks, motorcycle chases down snow-covered ski slopes and a ton of explosions. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #2: (As character) They're planning a massive attack, and their target - India. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #1: (As character) Ma'am, we have a red flag. The Bollywood spy thriller "Pathaan" has all the ingredients of a great action film.
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