Serious Men is an Indian Hindi-language satirical comedy-drama film directed by Sudhir Mishra. It is based on the book of the same name by Manu Joseph[2] and features Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role. The film is produced by Bombay Fables and Cineraas Entertainment.[3] It was released on Netflix on 2 October 2020.[4] Exploring the themes of class, caste, and prejudice, the film is a reminder of the challenges that Dalit people face in India.[5][6]
| Serious Men | |
|---|---|
 Netflix release poster | |
| Directed by | Sudhir Mishra |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | Serious Men by Manu Joseph |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Alexander Sukala |
| Edited by | Atanu Mukherjee |
| Music by | Karel Antonin |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
|
Running time | 114 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
At the 2021 Filmfare OTT Awards, Serious Men received three nominations, including Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film for Aakshath Das, and won two awards: Best Web Original Film and Best Actor in a Web Original Film (Siddiqui).
Synopsis
editThe film follows Ayyan Mani, a middle-aged man working as an assistant to an astronomer at the National Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai. He lives in a slum with his wife and son. Furious at his situation in life, Ayyan develops an outrageous story that his ten-year-old son, Adi, is a science genius.
Adi, though a bright boy, is no genius. Ayyan coaches him on what to say and do in public, and he uses a Bluetooth hearing aid to provide the boy with answers. Ayyan's scheme works, and Adi soon becomes a local celebrity. He is invited to give talks at schools and universities and is even featured on national television.
Ayyan's success attracts the attention of a local politician, who sees Adi as a potential asset for his party. He offers Ayyan a large sum of money if he can convince Adi to endorse the politician's party in the upcoming elections. Ayyan agrees but soon realizes that he has made a mistake.
In the end, Ayyan's deception is revealed. The family moves to a seaside village to live a simpler life.
Cast
edit- Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Ayyan Mani
- Indira Tiwari as Oja Mani
- Aakshath Das as Adi Mani
- Nassar as Dr. Arvind Acharya
- Sanjay Narvekar as Keshav Dhavre
- Shweta Basu Prasad as Anuja Dhavre
- Vidhi Chitalia as Oparna
- Pathy Aiyar as Udayan
- Sameer Khakhar as Ganesh Tawde
- Uday Mahesh as Dr. Namboodri
- Manu Joseph as Journalist at press conference
Production
editThe film is based on the book Serious Men by Manu Joseph.[2] The makers of the film decided to cast Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the lead in June 2019.[7] Principal photography commenced in September 2019.[8]
Release
editThe film was released on Netflix on 2 October 2020.[4]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[9]
Accolades
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Asian Academy Creative Awards | Best Editing | Atanu Mukherjee | Won | [10] |
| Best Cinematography | Alexander Surkala | Won | |||
| International Emmy Awards | Best Actor | Nawazuddin Siddiqui | Nominated | [11] | |
| Filmfare OTT Awards | Best Web Original Film | Serious Men | Won | [12][13] | |
| Best Actor in a Web Original Film | Nawazuddin Siddiqui | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film | Aakshath Das | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "Serious Men (2020)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer Serious Men to release on Netflix". The Indian Express. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui to star in Netflix's Serious Men, directed by Sudhir Mishra". Hindustan Times. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Serious Men teaser: Nawazuddin Siddiqui takes charge of his son's destiny in 30-second video, watch". Hindustan Times. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Manu Joseph's controversial tale of caste wins Indian literary prize". theguardian.com. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ "'Serious Men' movie review: For all the primitive minds". thehindu.com. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui bags lead role in Netflix's 'Serious Men'". ANI News. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Netflix starrer Serious Men shoot begins". IWMBuzz. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ "Serious Men". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "Asian Academy Creative Awards 2021". Indian Express. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "International Emmy awards: Nominations for Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vir Das and web series 'Aarya'". Scroll.in. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ "My Glamm Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Nominations". Filmfare. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Winners". Filmfare. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
External links
edit- Serious Men at IMDb
- Serious Men on Netflix
