IMDb RATING
6.2/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
In the ancient walled city of Delhi, an American-born Indian finds himself on an unexpected inner journey as he learns about himself and his roots.In the ancient walled city of Delhi, an American-born Indian finds himself on an unexpected inner journey as he learns about himself and his roots.In the ancient walled city of Delhi, an American-born Indian finds himself on an unexpected inner journey as he learns about himself and his roots.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Awards
- 11 wins & 26 nominations total
Raghubir Yadav
- Ramleela Narrator
- (as Raghuvir Yadav)
Dayashankar Pandey
- Kumar
- (as Daya Shankar Pandey)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
I think the excellent movie till date from abhishek and great movie with great music ....a "GREAT SCRIPT" nd a great acting from everyone... a very nice movie and ll just say that a must watch movie for all Indians.
NOT just watch the movie but to understand it deepness hidden in it.just wanna say that m not very good in movie criticizing but if i can understand the movie with it deep thought so that every normal human can also understand. I think more of this theme movie also need to make in Bollywood instead of just crap movie with fighting and no story line just with action in them . request to all to like and support this kind of movie and encourage the director for this kind of masterpieces.
NOT just watch the movie but to understand it deepness hidden in it.just wanna say that m not very good in movie criticizing but if i can understand the movie with it deep thought so that every normal human can also understand. I think more of this theme movie also need to make in Bollywood instead of just crap movie with fighting and no story line just with action in them . request to all to like and support this kind of movie and encourage the director for this kind of masterpieces.
I remember the time the song "Masakkali" hit our TV screens. I felt a good vibe about this movie, later found out that it was from the same director who did RDB, one of my favourites. Being a regular IMDb user, the ratings below 7 barely encouraged me to watch it though. Obviously, the movie never achieved the popularity status anywhere near to that of RDB.
But for some reason, almost 4 years later, I decided to give it a try and I have to apologise Mr. Mehra for underestimating him. It is nigh impossible to emulate RDB but Delhi 6 shouldn't have done his prospects any harm. If there was anything like an Indian Oscar, Delhi 6 would have been a strong contender, considering the paucity of quality movies that get made in the biggest film industry in the world. As someone who is relatively familiar to the ways of Indian society and mentality, it was a stark depiction of the intricacies that form the gullies and chowks. The colours and noise and the varieties of personalities just illuminates the first half or so. The latter half shows the dark side, naivety, greed, ignorance, pettiness which can quite easily ruin a society.
Nothing compelled me to write something here other than the fact that moviegoers have decided to rate it 6, which is a pity. No wonder, movies like Dabangg seem to reap financial rewards and recognition and the ones like Delhi-6 are left to stray into oblivion. I loathe bollywood in general, not so bollywood music, but Delhi-6 gives me hope.
But for some reason, almost 4 years later, I decided to give it a try and I have to apologise Mr. Mehra for underestimating him. It is nigh impossible to emulate RDB but Delhi 6 shouldn't have done his prospects any harm. If there was anything like an Indian Oscar, Delhi 6 would have been a strong contender, considering the paucity of quality movies that get made in the biggest film industry in the world. As someone who is relatively familiar to the ways of Indian society and mentality, it was a stark depiction of the intricacies that form the gullies and chowks. The colours and noise and the varieties of personalities just illuminates the first half or so. The latter half shows the dark side, naivety, greed, ignorance, pettiness which can quite easily ruin a society.
Nothing compelled me to write something here other than the fact that moviegoers have decided to rate it 6, which is a pity. No wonder, movies like Dabangg seem to reap financial rewards and recognition and the ones like Delhi-6 are left to stray into oblivion. I loathe bollywood in general, not so bollywood music, but Delhi-6 gives me hope.
A misunderstood film...it shows the culture, harmony, religion, beliefs of the society. A NRI who returns with his grandma to delhi-6 in densely populated area of chandni chowk delhi. A beautifully written story with heart touching music.
10cooluone
I normally very strongly dislike Hindi films. Most people who like intelligent, artful, deep films usually hate films from "Bollywood", and with good reason. There's a reason why Hindi films aren't seriously considered when there is a discussion of great films. Slumdog Millionaire doesn't count for obvious reasons.
Delhi 6 is a film which finally made me believe that there IS potential in India, and a desire to make a film which isn't just meant to be spoonfed to the audience.
For people who have spent their entire lives, watching films which are only what they are at first glance and nothing more, this film will be undoubtedly annoy and bore them. That probably means most of the Indian audience, unfortunately. And that unfortunately means, this film will not do well financially, and will discourage producers from making a wonderful film like this.
Delhi 6 will not make sense to people who take EVERY SINGLE THING in a film literally and don't dig deeper to try and understand the implicit meanings. This film is wonderfully directed, acted, and very evidently produced with heart and love.
I would definitely submit this film as the selection from India for the Oscar foreign film section. It's *that* good.
Don't watch this if you're looking for a "masala" movie. If you're looking for a film which will make you believe in India's ability to make excellent movies, this is it.
Delhi 6 is a film which finally made me believe that there IS potential in India, and a desire to make a film which isn't just meant to be spoonfed to the audience.
For people who have spent their entire lives, watching films which are only what they are at first glance and nothing more, this film will be undoubtedly annoy and bore them. That probably means most of the Indian audience, unfortunately. And that unfortunately means, this film will not do well financially, and will discourage producers from making a wonderful film like this.
Delhi 6 will not make sense to people who take EVERY SINGLE THING in a film literally and don't dig deeper to try and understand the implicit meanings. This film is wonderfully directed, acted, and very evidently produced with heart and love.
I would definitely submit this film as the selection from India for the Oscar foreign film section. It's *that* good.
Don't watch this if you're looking for a "masala" movie. If you're looking for a film which will make you believe in India's ability to make excellent movies, this is it.
While modern India races ahead towards its self-designed glory with aspirations and outlook that are based on the premise of something new and different, the majority still lives in stark contrast to these changes. The Indian society in reality is multi-faced with its culture, customs, traditions, orthodox outlook, communal bitterness, corruption and above all, hypocrisy. Delhi 6 is a mirror shown to us that portrays this Indian society in changing times. Now whether one chooses to believe that the image in the mirror is a story-less facade, a mockery or a genuinely vivid portrayal of the Indian kaleidoscope is a matter more of acceptance than of opinion.
Rakesh OmPrakash Mehra's 'Aks' was a bold venture into the indestructible evil but his distinct narrative style was incomprehensible by the majority. His next film claimed an iconic status for him and 'Rang De Basanti' became a cult movie with outstanding music, technical finesse, brilliant story telling and a soul stirring message. With 'Delhi 6', Rakesh Mehra gives us a view of his childhood locality in Delhi through the eyes of an NRI who finds the warmth and diversity appeal to him as he brings his ailing grandmother back home. Soon he discovers the hypocrisy and backwardness that lies underneath the surface of the society that first gave him love but now leaves him in disbelief of the reality around him. There is a subtle meaning behind every dialog, a satirical take on every reality, a brilliant visual for everything beautiful, a metaphorical implication for our inner selves in parallel plots, the meaningful and unique compositions of Prasoon Joshi with AR Rehman's genius and a narrative so powerful yet subtle in context and delivery. Rakesh Mehra proves yet again, that he is a class apart from the rest.
The narrative is like a rich textured, painfully woven cloth made of fine individual threads of varied colors that exemplify the film's diverse characters. We see Delhi through the eyes of Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan) who shows maturity and greater understanding of the story than simply that of his character. Bittu (Sonam Kapoor-beautiful!) is the concealed modern face of an Indian Idol aspirant whose dreams are caged by her father's orthodox attitude. Waheeda Rehman plays Roshan's grand mom with her natural ability as a veteran actress while she munches on supari, Pan and dances to Genda Phool. Rishi Kapoor is at his charming best as Ali Baig, Roshan's uncle, a reputable citizen of Delhi 6 whose insight into the ways and customs of the society are both didactic and lasting in their impact. Gobar (Atul Kulkarni class act!), the simpleton who is always ridiculed by everyone has an impactive part to play towards the end while Pawan Malhotra and Om Puri play the roles of acrimonious brothers in a manner that is consistent with their brilliant acting prowess. The list of towering performances extends with Vijay Raaz as the typical corrupt and conceited policeman, Deepak Dobriyal as the rancorous victim of his society's inanity, Prem Chopra as the flamboyant moneylender and Divya Dutta as the outcast trash picker whose mockery of the hypocritical 'clean communities' pinches at the conscience of many.
Although the ensemble cast may seem like the film's highlight, it actually is Rakesh Mehra and Prasoon Joshi's script and screenplay that result in the entwined narrative leading to an analogous summation of the story. Running parallel to Roshan's discovery of India and its people is the plot involving the real life incident of Delhi's 'black monkey scare' back in 2001. This Kaala Bandar menace has shaken the very grounds of scientific and logical credibility while leaving the citizens in a fearful state. Who or what really is this Kaala Bandar?? And of what real significance is the symbolic Ramleela play?? The two aspects of the story have a deeper significance in the real message that Rakesh Mehra's nimble direction is trying to convey and is now clearly affirmed as the trademark in all his films.
AR Rehman returns in his best form after RDB. Every song bears resemblance to those of RDB's in an inconspicuous manner while remaining distinct and pertinent to Delhi 6's story. Prasoon Joshi gives us unique lyrics yet again that carry the deeper meaning which not all dialogs could convey. Genda Phool is the most imaginative song which has a rapper tune to it in the most Indian form ever heard. Rehna Tu, in true Rehman style is that one song in his album that remains the most melodious with his own voice.Bhor Bhaye and Tumre bhavan main are brilliantly rendered in classical style. Arziyan is a great composition with outstanding voices of Kailash Kher and Javed Ali. Delhi hai is the catchy theme song that shows Rehman's versatility with modern music and Kaala Bandar is like a musical story in itself in hip- hop style. Masakali is beautifully sung by Mohit Chauhan and the composition reminds us of what Gulzar would have written for a pigeon. Overall, Delhi 6 is the album that is a rare gem even by the maestro.
'Let us look at the mirror, in which we see a message, in which we see our wronged sides, our true conscience'. Delhi 6 is an honest thought; a philosophy that is truly a reflection of what is around us but which we tend to disregard in our own arrogance or ignorance. The movie's true hero is the crazy Fakir who roams around with a mirror in his hand while narrating the film's enduring philosophy "zarre zarre main usika noor hai, jhaankh khud main, woh Na tujhse door hai .." Rakesh Mehra's film- making embodies sheer brilliance in story telling, running parallel narratives, strong and witty script, superlative screenplay that does equal justice to an ensemble star cast and in the end leaves a deductive message that one can ponder over for quite sometime. Just go watch it.
Rakesh OmPrakash Mehra's 'Aks' was a bold venture into the indestructible evil but his distinct narrative style was incomprehensible by the majority. His next film claimed an iconic status for him and 'Rang De Basanti' became a cult movie with outstanding music, technical finesse, brilliant story telling and a soul stirring message. With 'Delhi 6', Rakesh Mehra gives us a view of his childhood locality in Delhi through the eyes of an NRI who finds the warmth and diversity appeal to him as he brings his ailing grandmother back home. Soon he discovers the hypocrisy and backwardness that lies underneath the surface of the society that first gave him love but now leaves him in disbelief of the reality around him. There is a subtle meaning behind every dialog, a satirical take on every reality, a brilliant visual for everything beautiful, a metaphorical implication for our inner selves in parallel plots, the meaningful and unique compositions of Prasoon Joshi with AR Rehman's genius and a narrative so powerful yet subtle in context and delivery. Rakesh Mehra proves yet again, that he is a class apart from the rest.
The narrative is like a rich textured, painfully woven cloth made of fine individual threads of varied colors that exemplify the film's diverse characters. We see Delhi through the eyes of Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan) who shows maturity and greater understanding of the story than simply that of his character. Bittu (Sonam Kapoor-beautiful!) is the concealed modern face of an Indian Idol aspirant whose dreams are caged by her father's orthodox attitude. Waheeda Rehman plays Roshan's grand mom with her natural ability as a veteran actress while she munches on supari, Pan and dances to Genda Phool. Rishi Kapoor is at his charming best as Ali Baig, Roshan's uncle, a reputable citizen of Delhi 6 whose insight into the ways and customs of the society are both didactic and lasting in their impact. Gobar (Atul Kulkarni class act!), the simpleton who is always ridiculed by everyone has an impactive part to play towards the end while Pawan Malhotra and Om Puri play the roles of acrimonious brothers in a manner that is consistent with their brilliant acting prowess. The list of towering performances extends with Vijay Raaz as the typical corrupt and conceited policeman, Deepak Dobriyal as the rancorous victim of his society's inanity, Prem Chopra as the flamboyant moneylender and Divya Dutta as the outcast trash picker whose mockery of the hypocritical 'clean communities' pinches at the conscience of many.
Although the ensemble cast may seem like the film's highlight, it actually is Rakesh Mehra and Prasoon Joshi's script and screenplay that result in the entwined narrative leading to an analogous summation of the story. Running parallel to Roshan's discovery of India and its people is the plot involving the real life incident of Delhi's 'black monkey scare' back in 2001. This Kaala Bandar menace has shaken the very grounds of scientific and logical credibility while leaving the citizens in a fearful state. Who or what really is this Kaala Bandar?? And of what real significance is the symbolic Ramleela play?? The two aspects of the story have a deeper significance in the real message that Rakesh Mehra's nimble direction is trying to convey and is now clearly affirmed as the trademark in all his films.
AR Rehman returns in his best form after RDB. Every song bears resemblance to those of RDB's in an inconspicuous manner while remaining distinct and pertinent to Delhi 6's story. Prasoon Joshi gives us unique lyrics yet again that carry the deeper meaning which not all dialogs could convey. Genda Phool is the most imaginative song which has a rapper tune to it in the most Indian form ever heard. Rehna Tu, in true Rehman style is that one song in his album that remains the most melodious with his own voice.Bhor Bhaye and Tumre bhavan main are brilliantly rendered in classical style. Arziyan is a great composition with outstanding voices of Kailash Kher and Javed Ali. Delhi hai is the catchy theme song that shows Rehman's versatility with modern music and Kaala Bandar is like a musical story in itself in hip- hop style. Masakali is beautifully sung by Mohit Chauhan and the composition reminds us of what Gulzar would have written for a pigeon. Overall, Delhi 6 is the album that is a rare gem even by the maestro.
'Let us look at the mirror, in which we see a message, in which we see our wronged sides, our true conscience'. Delhi 6 is an honest thought; a philosophy that is truly a reflection of what is around us but which we tend to disregard in our own arrogance or ignorance. The movie's true hero is the crazy Fakir who roams around with a mirror in his hand while narrating the film's enduring philosophy "zarre zarre main usika noor hai, jhaankh khud main, woh Na tujhse door hai .." Rakesh Mehra's film- making embodies sheer brilliance in story telling, running parallel narratives, strong and witty script, superlative screenplay that does equal justice to an ensemble star cast and in the end leaves a deductive message that one can ponder over for quite sometime. Just go watch it.
- 9.29 on a scale of 1-10.
Did you know
- TriviaThe role of Roshan Mehra, played by Abhishek Bachchan, was offered to Hritik Roshan, Siddharth (Rang De Basanti (2006) fame), Imran Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Akshay Kumar.
- GoofsThe movie is set in 2001 but there are scenes showing rehearsals for Indian Idol, which did not begin until 2004.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Darling (2010)
- SoundtracksMasakali Masakali, Matakali Matakali
Written by Prasoon Joshi
Composed by A.R. Rahman
Performed by Mohit Chauhan
Courtesy of Super Cassettes Industries Limited (T-Series)
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Delhi - 6
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $879,913
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $602,850
- Feb 22, 2009
- Gross worldwide
- $13,125,579
- Runtime2 hours 21 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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