CityLights (2014 film)

CityLights is a 2014 Indian drama film directed by Hansal Mehta starring Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha in the lead roles. It is a remake of the BAFTA nominated British film Metro Manila (2013).[2] The film was presented by Fox Star Studios in association with Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt.[3]

CityLights
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHansal Mehta
Produced byMukesh Bhatt
Screenplay byRitesh Shah
Based onMetro Manila
by Sean Ellis
StarringRajkummar Rao
Patralekha
Music bySongs:
Jeet Gannguli
Background score:
Raju Singh
CinematographyDev Agarwal
Edited byApurva Asrani
Production
company
Distributed byFox Star Studios
Release date
  • 30 May 2014 (2014-05-30)
Running time
1hr 59minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Rajasthani
Budget₹90 million
Box office₹90 million

The story is about a poor farmer from Rajasthan coming to Mumbai in search of livelihood.[4] The film released on 30 May 2014, and won rave reviews from most critics. In spite of releasing in just 350 screens, CityLights became a success due to its low cost of production and consistent collections at the box office.[5]

Plot

Deepak Singh's life as an ex-Army driver who owns a garment store is tangled in the midst of poverty, hope and despair. Deepak's family consists of his ever-supporting wife, Rakhi, and their little daughter, Mahi. They tag along his journey to Mumbai as he is unable to repay money he owes on his store. With no contacts and addresses, except that of his friend, Omkar, Deepak takes extreme measures when arriving to Mumbai while searching for him.

He is easily tricked by two con-men who sold him a Flat for 10,000 RS, only to find out while searching them for the documents. With no details on them, the Mumbai police refuse to file an F.I.R. His wife meets an escort working at a night bar who provides them an unconstructed flat for time being and convinces her to be a bar dancer till Deepak becomes stable.

Deepak gets hired as driver for a security bureau with a monthly pay of 15,000 Rs. Deepak's senior realizes that he is far too innocent and does various favours for him in order to gain his trust to loot the security agency. Deepak is extremely against the theft when the senior first mentions it. Then the senior blackmails him saying that a previously stolen box is currently kept in Deepak's house. Feeling cornered, Deepak agrees to the risky plan of stealing the keys for this box when suddenly they are both robbed again and the senior is killed. Meanwhile, Rakhi loses her job tragically. Deepak finds the box stolen by his senior in his house and comes up with a plan to ensure Rakhi and Mahi's safe return to their village.

The movie ends when his attempt to steal the keys from the agency cost him his life but through a shrewd tactic he is able to pass on Rakhi the key for the stolen box. Rakhi and Mahi return to the village with Rakhi lost in memory of Deepak and their happy past.

Cast

Production

CityLights marked actress Anwita Paul's debut, known by her screen name Patralekha. As Paul was in a relationship with the lead actor Rao, the production house did not disclose her name until the trailer was released. When press kept questioning about the lead actress, the filmmakers dismissed the question.[6]

While the film was originally set to be directed by Ajay Bahl, due to creative differences he was replaced by Hansal Mehta.[7] In December 2013, it was announced that shooting would begin in Rajasthan.[3][8]

The film was first scheduled to release on 1 May 2014, which was subsequently shifted to 30 May.[9] On 5 May, 26 minutes of footage was previewed at a Mumbai event.[3]

Soundtrack
CityLights
Soundtrack album by
Jeet Gannguli
Released12 May 2014 (2014-05-12)[10]
GenreFeature Film Soundtrack
Length32:18
LabelSony Music India
ProducerMukesh Bhatt
Jeet Gannguli chronology
Youngistaan
(2014)		 CityLights
(2014)		 Singham Returns
(2014)

The songs were composed by Jeet Gannguli with lyrics by Rashmi Singh. Rashmi Singh received Best Lyricist award at the 60th Filmfare Awards for her lyrics to the song "Muskurane."[11]

The film score was composed by Raju Singh.

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Muskurane"Arijit Singh5:34
2."Darbadar"Neeti Mohan4:22
3."Ek Charraiya"Arijit Singh4:46
4."Citylights" (Title Song)Ustad Rashid Khan3:23
5."Soney Do"Arijit Singh4:27
6."Ek Charraiya" (Unplugged))Jeet Gannguli4:47
7."Muskurane" (Unplugged)Mohammad Irfan Ali4:59
Total length:32:18

Critical reception

Times of India reviews the cinematography of "Citylights" by Dev Agarwal is wonderful. Shots of the family sleeping against a rubbish pile, a '3BHK' in a construction site, Deepak staring at an ocean of pure despair, a fallen cycle in a courtyard, stand out. The family's migration stays with you as a vivid new experience - but its city sojourn occasionally reminds you of familiar moments.[12]

Sweta Kaushal writes in a Hindustan Times review that Hansal Mehta's direction makes Citylights "intensely gripping and thought-provoking, the interplay of emotions and how the couple copes with city's hardships are the high points of the film." [13]

Box office

The film collected ₹90 million (US$1.3 million) against a similar production budget.[14]

Awards and nominations
Award Category Recipients and nominees Result Ref.
7th Mirchi Music Awards Song of The Year "Muskurane" Nominated [15][16]
Album of The Year Jeet Gannguli, Rashmi Singh
Male Vocalist of The Year Arijit Singh - "Muskurane"
Music Composer of The Year Jeet Gannguli - "Muskurane"
Lyricist of The Year Rashmi Singh - "Muskurane"
Upcoming Lyricist of The Year Rashmi Singh - "Muskurane" Won
Raag-Inspired Song of the Year "Soney Do"
Listeners' Choice Song of the Year "Muskurane"
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References
  1. "Citylights - Movie - Worldwide Gross & Budget". Box Office India. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  2. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fault-stars-get-bollywood-remake-723691
  3. "Hansal Mehta unveils 26-minute footage of 'Citylights'". The Times of India. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  4. "Hansal Mehta begins shooting Citylights this month". December 9, 2013. India Today. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  5. "Citylights (2014)". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  6. "Rajkummar Rao's girlfriend to debut in Citylights". Indian Today. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  7. "Hansal Mehta replaces Ajay Bahl for 'City Lights'". November 5, 2013. MID DAY. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  8. "Hansal Mehta to shoot 'Citylights' in Rajasthan". December 11, 2013. Times of India. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  9. "Citylights". The Times of India. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  10. "Citylights (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes.
  11. "60th Britannia Filmfare Awards 2014: Complete list of winners". The Times of India. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  12. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/citylights/movie-review/35786597.cms
  13. http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/movie-review-watch-citylights-for-rajkummar-rao-patralekha/article1-1224391.aspx#sthash.umUJfJkG.dpuf
  14. "Citylights". Box Office India. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  15. "MMA Mirchi Music Awards". MMAMirchiMusicAwards. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  16. "MMA Mirchi Music Awards". MMAMirchiMusicAwards. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
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