Directed by National Award Winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, RAEES promises an unabashed approach to storytelling, riveting dialogues, and power-packed performances by an ensemble of critically acclaimed talent.
Co-produced by two of India’s most innovative film and entertainment companies, Red Chillies Entertainment and Excel Entertainment, RAEES marks the companies’ second venture since they collaborated on the international super-hit Don 2. They bring to RAEES their combined creative ingenuity, already evident with the film’s gripping trailer, which broke the Internet with over 21 million views in just 24 hours of its release.
With performances that have garnered both critical and audience acclaim alike in landmark films such as Chak De India, Swades, Devdas, and most recently in the coming of age tale Dear Zindagi, Shah Rukh Khan’s acting prowess, superstar persona and futuristic approach to filmmaking has continually redefined Indian cinema to take the world’s largest film industry to global shores and elevate it to even greater heights.
As an artist, Shah Rukh Khan continually reinvents himself and this time in RAEES, the undisputed King of Bollywood will captivate fans in a unique avatar who is revered, feared and loved with equal measure. He essays the role of Raees, a man who built an entire empire from scratch in early 1980s to 1990s Gujarat.
Less of a gangster but more of an impresario, Raees gains popularity and trust through his sharp, entrepreneurial and ruthless business mind, eventually turning him into the single most powerful man in the state. His unfettered determination, guided by a heart of gold, earns him a cult following. His character encapsulates a distinct and unique blend of personas, making him revered, loved and feared.
The film chronicles three phases of Raees’s life – his meteoric rise and relationships forming the epicentre of a gripping narrative, reflected in three distinct looks which Shah Rukh Khan dons in the film. Whether it’s the actor’s bearded appearance, kohl-lined eyes, him sporting casual garments such as jeans and checkered shirts that later shift to him wearing traditional Pathani suits, his role and thus appearance portrays a gradual progression of his character.
The film eventually takes an unexpected turn when Raees’s business empire becomes challenged and eventually thwarted by police officer ACP Majumdar, a role portrayed by critically acclaimed, award-winning actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Gangs of Wasseypur, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Lunchbox), who adds his trademark panache to the film. Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s eclectic pairing has already become a strong defining element and talking-point for the film.
RAEES also stars renowned Pakistani actress Mahira Khan who makes her Indian film debut and Atul Kulkarni known for his National Award Winning performances in films such as Hey Ram and Chandini Bar.
Cinematographer K.U. Mohanan captures a cinematic canvas that takes audiences on a nostalgic journey to 1980s India.
The music has been composed by one of India’s most recognised emerging talents Ram Sampath (Delhi Belly, Talaash), who pens an engaging melody for Raees’s album. Ensuring that the mercury levels rise further is a special appearance by actress Sunny Leone, who will enthral audiences with a sensational dance performance to the remix of Kalyanji-Anandji’s Laila Mein Laila from Qurbani. The track vaunts bling and bang.
Serving a cocktail of action, passion and drama, Raees is at your service. Raees is co-produced by Red Chilli Entertainment and Excel Entertainment and releases worldwide in cinemas on 25th January 2017.
