72 Hoorain

72 Hoorain is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language supernatural film^[1] written and directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan. The film had a delayed theatrical release in India on July 7, 2023, to positive reviews.^[2][3][4] However, it emerged as a modest earning independent film.^[5]

72 Hoorain
Threatical release poster
Directed by	Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan
Written by	Anil Pandey
Produced by	Gulab Singh Tanwar Ashoke Pandit Kiran Dagar Anirudh Tanwar
Starring	Saru Maini Aamir Bashir Pavan Malhotra Rasheed Naz Ashok Pathak Namrata Dixit Mukesh Agrohari Bhavani Bashir Yasir Narottam Bain Vijay Sanap
Cinematography	Chirantan Das
Edited by	Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan Sandeep Singh Bajeli Sandeep Beera
Production companies	Saarthie Entertainment Aliens Pictures
Release dates	November 2019 (2019-11) (IFFI) 7 July 2023 (2023-07-07)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	India
Language	Hindi

The film was earlier premiered at the 50th IFFI 2019, where it received standing ovation, and won the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal-Special Mention for Best Film on peace and inter-cultural dialogue; and Best Direction - Feature Film at the 67th National Film Awards 2021.^[6][7]

Plot

The film follows two fedayeens Hakim and Bilal, who get killed after committing a suicide bombing at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. They find themselves in a purgatory state, waiting to enter heaven. They are told that they will be rewarded with 72 virgins, known as the "Houri". However, as they wait, they begin to have doubts about the existence of the Hoorain and the afterlife. They also start to question the reasons why they were trapped in a deadly illusion of 72 virgins, and embark on a path of destruction, ultimately meeting a gruesome fate.

Cast

• Saru Maini as Meher
• Pavan Malhotra as Militant Hakim Ali
• Aamir Bashir as Militant Bilal Ahmed
• Rasheed Naz as Maulvi, who discusses the concept of Houri
• Bhavani Bashir Yasir as Maulvi
• Narottam Bain

Release

72 Hoorain was released in English and 10 other Indian languages – Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu.^[8][9] Official trailer was released on 28 June 2023.^[10][11]

CBFC rating

The filmmakers objected to CBFC's denial of certification to the trailer of this movie.^[12] However, the Censor Board in a released press note said "Misleading reports are being circulated in certain sections of media that a film and its trailer titled 'Bahattar Hoorain (72 Hoorain)' has been refused certification by Central Board of Film Certification. Contrary to the reports, CBFC states that the film 'Bahattar Hoorain (72 Hoorain)' was granted 'A' certification and the certificate was issued on 4-10-2019".^[13]

Reception

Box office

72 Hoorain hit screens on July 7, generating buzz but not significantly impacting ticketing on its opening day. It collected 0.35 crore rupees with the overall occupancy of 8.98%.^[14] On Day 2, the film earned Rs 0.45 crore, reaching a total collection of Rs 0.80 crore, and it had a 11.60% occupancy in the Hindi belt.^[15] On day 3, the film grossed Rs 1 crore, minted 47 lakh, and had a 12.35% occupancy in the Hindi box office.^[16][17] On Day 4 it earned 25 Lakhs.^[18]

Critical response

The Outlook rated the film 4/5 and stated "It is all the more necessary that audiences hardwired to entertainment also watch this film, for it exposes the nexus between religion and terrorism brilliantly, and brings the debate over religious fanaticism to the centrestage".^[19] Abhishek Srivastava of Times of India rated the film 3.5/5 and cited "This thought-provoking film reiterates that extremism has no positives".^[20] Anuj Kumar of The Hindu wrote "Nothing controversial about this cautionary tale. Chauhan is razor-sharp in his focus and delivers a strong and timely message. It serves as a wake-up call".^[21] Umesh Punwani of Koimoi rated the film 2/5 and said "All said and done, this film winning a National Film Award in 2021 only goes on to show how there’s a dearth of films made with good intent backed by equally strong story and screenplay."^[22]

Accolades

50th International Film Festival of India

• UNESCO Gandhi Medal - Special Mention for Best Film on peace and inter-cultural dialogue

67th National Film Awards

• Best Direction - Feature Film

References

1. "72 Hoorain: Film Sparks Debate About The 72 Virgins Myth". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
2. "'72 Hoorain' movie review: Nothing controversial about Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan's cautionary tale". The Hindu. 7 July 2023 – via www.thehindu.com.
3. "72 Hoorain Movie Review : This thought-provoking film reiterates that extremism has no positives". The Times of India.
4. "'72 Hoorain' Movie Review: Pavan Malhotra-Aamir Bashir's Gut-Wrenching Saga Will Shake You Up From Within As You Watch The Ghastly Acts Of Terrorism".
5. "72 Hoorain Box Office Collection Day 1: Ashoke Pandit's Film Rakes In LESS Than Rs 1 Crore On Opening Day". TimesNow. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
6. "Rajinikanth, Isabelle Huppert to Be Honoured at IFFI 2019". 2 November 2019.
7. "67th National Film Awards: Kangana Ranaut, Sushant Singh Rajput's Chhichhore win. See complete list of winners here". Hindustan Times. 22 March 2021.
8. "Teaser of Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan's '72 Hoorain' out in 10 languages". ANI. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
9. "'72 Hoorain' official teaser to be released in 10 languages". The Times of India. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
10. "'72 Hoorain' Trailer Hasn't Been Denied Certification, Says Censor Board". NDTV. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
11. "'Misleading', CBFC sets record straight on '72 Hoorain' trailer". The Siasat Daily. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
12. "'Media should ask questions to Prasoon Joshi': '72 Hoorain' producer Ashoke Pandit gets angry at censor board for not certifying trailer". Business Today. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
13. ""'72 Hoorain' Trailer Hasn't Been Denied Certification, Says Censor Board". NDTV.com. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
14. "72 Hoorain Box Office Collection Day 1: Ashoke Pandit's Film Rakes In LESS Than Rs 1 Crore On Opening Day". TimesNow. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
15. "72 Hoorain box office collection Day 2: Film struggles to touch Rs 1 crore". India Today. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
16. "72 Hoorain box office collection Day 3: Ashoke Pandit's controversial film falls flat". India Today. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
17. "72 Hoorain Box Office Collection Day 1: Ashoke Pandit's Film Rakes In LESS Than Rs 1 Crore On Opening Day". TimesNow. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
18. "72 Hoorain Box Office Collection Day 4: Pavan Malhotra Film FAILS Crucial Monday Test". TimesNow. 11 July 2023.
19. "'72 Hoorain' Movie Review: Pavan Malhotra-Aamir Bashir's Gut-Wrenching Saga Will Shake You Up From Within As You Watch The Ghastly Acts Of Terrorism".
20. "72 Hoorain Movie Review : This thought-provoking film reiterates that extremism has no positives". The Times of India.
21. "'72 Hoorain' movie review: Nothing controversial about Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan's cautionary tale". The Hindu. 7 July 2023 – via www.thehindu.com.
22. Punwani, Umesh (8 July 2023). "72 Hoorain Movie Review: A Failed 'Arthouse' Attempt Of Saying The Most Generic Thing In The Most Bizarre Way Possible!". Koimoi. Retrieved 8 July 2023.

External links

• 72 Hoorain at IMDb