Apr. 04, 2013|India|136 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Bollywood;Drama;Romance
Description: “Lootera,” released in 2013, is a Hindi film inspired by O. Henry’s short story *The Last Leaf*. Set in the charming town of Manikpur, West Bengal, in 1953, the story revolves around Pakhi Roy Chaudhary (Sonakshi Sinha), an aspiring writer, and her father, a wealthy landlord (Barun Chanda). During a jatra performance, Pakhi suffers an asthma attack and is rushed home. As she recovers, her father comforts her with a tale about the invincible king of the Bhil tribe, whose soul resides in a parrot, symbolizing Pakhi as his life’s essence.
One day, while driving the family car, Pakhi accidentally collides with a motorcycle, injuring a young man named Varun Shrivastav (Ranveer Singh). Later, Varun visits their home, introducing himself as an archaeologist interested in studying the land around the temple owned by Pakhi’s father. Over time, Varun charms the family with his intellect and charisma, eventually moving into their mansion with his friend and assistant, Dev (Vikrant Massey).
As Varun and Pakhi bond over their shared love for art and literature, their relationship blossoms into a passionate romance. Pakhi confides in Varun about her dream of becoming a writer, while Varun shares his ambition to create a masterpiece. However, their lives take a turn when an Indian government act strips landlords of their power, threatening the Roy Chaudhary family’s wealth and possessions. Varun assists in selling their ancient artifacts, but his true intentions remain unclear.
As their wedding approaches, Varun’s uncle, A.K. Bajpai (Arif Zakaria), warns him against marrying Pakhi, revealing the peril of Varun’s secret profession. This revelation adds tension and complexity to the story, questioning the future of their love. “Lootera” beautifully intertwines romance, tragedy, and the consequences of hidden truths.
Cast director: Vikramaditya Motwane
Cast actor: Ranveer Singh, Sonakshi Sinha, Adil Hussain, Vikrant Massey, Arif Zakaria, Barun Chanda, Divya Dutta, Shirin Guha, Amit Saha
Original name: लूटेरा