Nag Ashwin’s latest blockbuster, “Kalki 2898 AD,” has successfully transported audiences back in time by resurrecting the vintage charm of Amitabh Bachchan. The film sees the legendary actor capturing the imagination of younger generations by performing remarkable action sequences despite being 81 years old. This remarkable feat serves as a reminder of how effective a director can be when he fully utilizes the potential of a megastar.
Today, we delve into another Amitabh Bachchan starrer, released in 2000, which thrived on the megastar’s shoulders and delivered an unforgettable performance. The character he portrayed in this 2004 film was a modern adaptation of his iconic role in “Zanjeer,” the film that originally launched him to stardom. Despite having a promising ensemble cast, it was Amitabh’s commanding presence and stellar performance that left audiences mesmerized. Even at 64, he managed to perform action scenes reminiscent of his 1970s glory days, a feat that astonished both fans and critics alike.
This ensemble film, where Amitabh Bachchan emerged as the scene-stealer, is none other than “Khakee.” Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, “Khakee” boasted a talented cast including names like Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Aishwarya Rai, Atul Kulkarni, and Tusshar Kapoor.
According to media reports, Santoshi had long dreamed of creating a cop drama featuring Amitabh Bachchan since his days assisting director Govind Nihalani in the making of “Ardh Satya.” Writer Sridhar Raghavan contributed significantly to realising this vision. As per IMDb, Raghavan designed Amitabh’s character by drawing from the “Angry Young Man” persona he immortalised in “Zanjeer.” The character was thoughtfully updated to fit the 21st-century context. The concept posed an intriguing question: What if “Zanjeer’s” Inspector Vijay were to navigate the complexities of the modern era? How would he stand up to a corrupt system today?
Interestingly, the casting process for “Khakee” had its own set of dramas. Initially, Akshaye Khanna was signed on for the film. However, upon learning that Amitabh Bachchan’s character would be slapped by younger actors in several scenes, Khanna found it “highly disrespectful” and opted to exit the project.
. He was subsequently replaced by Tusshar Kapoor. Furthermore, Ajay Devgn was initially offered Akshay Kumar’s role but chose to play the antagonist instead—a decision that stoked his third collaboration with Santoshi following “The Legend of Bhagat Singh” and “Lajja.”
Aishwarya Rai had her own set of challenges during the filming of “Khakee.” In a precarious incident captured by IMDb, she was hit by an out-of-control jeep while shooting a scene in Nashik. The scene called for the jeep to halt 20 feet before reaching Aishwarya and Tusshar, who were rehearsing a sequence. However, the driver lost control, resulting in the jeep not braking in time. The accident resulted in Aishwarya suffering a fractured left foot and several bruises, underscoring the perilous nature of film stunts.
“Khakee” also made waves as one of the costliest films of its time. With a reported budget of Rs 25 crores, it went on to gross Rs 49.89 crores, marking it as an average commercial success. Despite this, it ranked as the fifth highest-grossing film of the year, trailing box-office hits like “Veer-Zaara,” “Main Hoon Na,” “Dhoom,” and “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.”
As the discussion returns to the present, it’s fascinating to see how Nag Ashwin’s “Kalki 2898 AD” pays homage to Amitabh Bachchan’s unparalleled versatility and timeless appeal. The film’s success not only reflects the public’s continued admiration for Bachchan but also demonstrates how a well-crafted narrative can breathe new life into classic cinematic personas.
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