Sarfira

Sarfira is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Sudha Kongara and produced by 2D Entertainment, Abundantia Entertainment and Cape Of Good Films starring Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Radhika Madan. It is a remake of Kongara's Tamil film Soorarai Pottru (2020), which itself was an adaptation of G. R. Gopinath's memoir Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey. The film follows a man who sets out to make affordable airlines for low income people, which several enemies try to impede.

The remake was officially announced in July 2021 as Project 1, marking the maiden venture of 2D Entertainment in Hindi, and the official title was announced in February 2024. Principal photography commenced in April 2022. The film has music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. Sarfira marks Akshay Kumar's 150th film in a leading role.

Sarfira was released in theatres worldwide on 12 July 2024.

Plot
Sarfira tells the tale of Vir Jagannath Mhatre, a young man from a modest village in Maharashtra. His ambition is to launch a budget airline, aiming to break down economic and social barriers. Vir clashes with his father, a non-violent teacher whom he sees as hesitant, believing instead that direct action is necessary to effect change. Both father and son are visionaries in their own right, but their conflicting views on activism versus non-violence drive the narrative.

After a argument, Vir departs for the Indian Air Force but soon leaves, joined by two fellow trainees, to pursue his entrepreneurial dream. He pitches his airline concept to Paresh Goswami, a prominent figure in aviation, who initially mocks Vir but eventually becomes his rival. Despite repeated setbacks caused by corruption, bureaucracy, betrayal, and social divisions, Vir persists in his quest to launch his airline, which he humorously refers to as "udta hua Udupi hotel."

Back home, Vir finds support from his wife Rani, who shares his ambition and runs a successful bakery. Their mutual determination to follow their passions, disregarding societal expectations, strengthens their bond. The narrative cleverly establishes early on why Vir remains single and how Rani, after 20 rejections, finds a fitting partner in him.

Development
On 12 July 2021, Jyothika and Suriya, owners of 2D Entertainment, announced that their production venture Soorarai Pottru (2020), was to be remade in Hindi. Furthermore, they stated that the director of the original film, Sudha Kongara, would direct the remake and they would collaborate with Vikram Malhotra, of Abundantia Entertainment, to fund it. Reportedly, one of the actors Ajay Devgn, John Abraham, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan were considered to play the role that Suriya played in the original. The actor was reported to be finalised going by their availability. In August, the co-producer of the original film, Sikhya Entertainment, had approached Madras High Court; as initially the production house was to be co-producing the remake along with 2D Entertainment, however, the latter house sold the rights to Abundantia Entertainment, without the former houses' consent. By early September, the case was closed, with Sikhya Entertainment not involved in the production side. Akshay Kumar was announced on 25 April 2022 to reprise the role played by Suriya. A muhurat puja was held the same day in Mumbai with the presence of the film's cast and crew. Radhika Madan was cast, alongside Kumar. Paresh Rawal, who portrayed the antagonist in Tamil, reprises his role. The official title Sarfira was revealed on 13 February 2024, along with a release date of 12 July 2024.

Filming
Principal photography began with the first schedule on 25 April 2022 in Mumbai. Madan completed filming her portions by 23 October.

Music
The music of the film is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar while Tanishk Bagchi and Suhit Abhyankar serve as guest composers. The lyrics are written by Manoj Muntashir, Shloke Lal and Tanishk Bagchi. In April 2022, Prakash tweeted that he had completed the first song of the soundtrack. The film marks G. V. Prakash Kumar's second collaboration with Sudha after Soorarai Pottru and his second collaboration with Akshay Kumar after Joker. The music rights were obtained by Junglee Music.

The first single titled "Maar Udi" was released on 24 June 2024. And the second song titled "Khudaya" released on June 27, 2024.

Release
Initially the film was planned to release on 1 September 2023 and later 16 February 2024. It was finally released in theatres on 12 July 2024.

Reception
Bollywood Hungama gave 2.5/5 and wrote "On the whole, Sarfira tells an inspiring story in an engaging manner and rests on Akshay Kumar's strong performance." Titas Chowdhury of News18 rated the film 4.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Sudha Kongara's retelling of Soorarai Pottru is as sublime as the original. Sarfira is Akshay Kumar's best performance in recent years." Tushar Joshi of India Today rated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Akshay Kumar delights you with his earnest performance" Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost rated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote, "An inspirational film that will make you cry and clap at the same time!"

Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com rated 2/5 stars and observed "Throughout its 155 minutes, every scene is doused in blaring background music and melodrama. Disappointment alone won't do, it must feel like a full blown catastrophe."

Rishil Jogani of Pinkvilla rated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote "Sudha Kongara, Akshay Kumar and Radhikka Madan breach 'Sarfira' heights with their deeply moving and delightfully inspiring aviation-drama, that warrants a watch on the big screen. Don't miss it." Sonal Pandya of Times Now rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Akshay Kumar's Underdog Remake Retains Its Emotional Impact." Pratikshya Mishra of The Quint rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Akshay Kumar Truly Gets To Explore His Range After a Long Time."