New Bollywood film revives 1970s trends

NEW DEHLI: Smugglers, Cadillacs, cabaret, bell bottoms and bling - these are some of the retro trends that director Milan Luthria is revisiting in his underworld saga Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, which releases in India this Friday.

Produced by Balaji Telefilms and Popcorn Entertainment, it is being distributed by Balaji. The cast of the action drama includes Ajay Devgan, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Prachi Desai and Randeep Hooda.

Set primarily in the 1970s, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai traces the changing face of the Mumbai underworld, as seen through the eyes of a police officer.

The crime thriller follows the rise of Sultan (Ajay) and his eventual fall when his protege Shoaib (Emraan) challenges his supremacy and usurps power to rule the murky underbelly of the city.

The movie covers the entire growth of the Mumbai underworld from crime and smuggling in its early stages through its connection with entertainment and terrorism.

“It (the movie) blends together a mafia thriller with a retro aspect of the 1970s, whether it was the fashion of that time or the attitude of a rebellious Indian generation best portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan in Zanjeer where the common man was fed up of waiting for something to happen and took things into his own hands. It is a mix of these elements told in contemporary fashion,” Luthria told IANS.

“The purpose of the whole movie is to entertain with a dramatic story. It is a good blend of reality woven into fiction,” he said.

Inspired from actual events, it is believed to be based on the lives of underworld dons Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim.

Mastan’s family sued Luthria and Balaji for allegedly portraying the former as a gangster. Luthria, however, has denied the allegations.

“I don’t think one can say that. There were several elements that have coloured our vision for the movie. One cannot pinpoint at any one particular person from that era in the story,” he said.

Considering its retro appeal, the looks of the characters follow the 1970s trends, including flared trousers, moustaches and long sideburns.

“Since we were shooting a film from that time, we had to get that kind of look in. The hairstyle, bell bottoms, floral shirts - we had to bring all that in,” said Emraan.

Luthria believes that “the retro look is coming back with our film.”

“Be it the sunglasses, belts, t-shirts, trousers, everything. But at the same time, it is not something that will overpower the narrative.” Emraan was all praise for his female co-stars.

“They are wonderful in the film. Prachi is a delight. She brings a kind of freshness to the character with her presence and with her attire,” he said.

“Kangana, on the other hand, has a very glamorous role and is looking extremely beautiful. She has brought an extreme amount of appeal to the film,” he added.

Millions were spent on creating different hair styles for Kangana, who plays an actor in the movie.

She dons 12 different looks in the film and so 12 different wigs were created to get the right feel.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2010.