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A Wednesday

  • 2008
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
85K
YOUR RATING
Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah in A Wednesday (2008)
A retiring police officer reminisces about the most astounding day of his career. About a case that was never filed but continues to haunt him in his memories - the case of a man and a Wednesday.
Play trailer1:17
1 Video
29 Photos
Suspense MysteryActionCrimeDramaMysteryThriller

A retiring police officer reminisces about the most astounding day of his career and a case that was never filed but continues to haunt his memories: the case of a man and a Wednesday.A retiring police officer reminisces about the most astounding day of his career and a case that was never filed but continues to haunt his memories: the case of a man and a Wednesday.A retiring police officer reminisces about the most astounding day of his career and a case that was never filed but continues to haunt his memories: the case of a man and a Wednesday.

  • Director
    • Neeraj Pandey
  • Writer
    • Neeraj Pandey
  • Stars
    • Anupam Kher
    • Naseeruddin Shah
    • Virendra Saxena
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    85K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Neeraj Pandey
    • Writer
      • Neeraj Pandey
    • Stars
      • Anupam Kher
      • Naseeruddin Shah
      • Virendra Saxena
    • 170User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 11 wins & 19 nominations total

    Videos1

    A Wednesday trailer
    Trailer 1:17
    A Wednesday trailer

    Photos29

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    Top cast32

    Edit
    Anupam Kher
    Anupam Kher
    • Prakash Rathod
    Naseeruddin Shah
    Naseeruddin Shah
    • The Common Man
    Virendra Saxena
    Virendra Saxena
    • Babu
    • (as a different name)
    Mahesh Kanual
    • Stranger at Police Station
    • (as Mahesh Kanwal)
    Gaurav Kapoor
    Gaurav Kapoor
    • Ajay Khanna
    • (as Gaurav Kapur)
    Aamir Bashir
    Aamir Bashir
    • Jai Singh
    Seema Malik
    • Anu
    Jaywant Wadkar
    Jaywant Wadkar
    • Traffic Constable
    Deepal Shaw
    Deepal Shaw
    • Naina Roy
    Snehal Dabi
    Snehal Dabi
    • Sambhu (Electric Baba)
    • (as Snehal Dabhi)
    Alok Narula
    • Raj Sharma (Cameraman)
    Jani Karan
    • A Man Behind Sambhu
    Jimmy Shergill
    Jimmy Shergill
    • Arif Khan
    Manish Mundra
    • Munna (Informer)
    Sabudeen
    • Constable 1275
    Namrata Sawhney
    • Common Man's Wife
    Rajendra Chawla
    Rajendra Chawla
    • PA Assistant
    Aayam Mehta
    • Chief Minister's PA
    • Director
      • Neeraj Pandey
    • Writer
      • Neeraj Pandey
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews170

    8.184.5K
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    Featured reviews

    9TuFNuT

    An Engrossing Affair!

    A Wednesday' is a brave attempt which makes a commentary about the social and political fabric of India. In the recent past, many Hindi movies have treaded along this path and sought to bring in a revolution in at least the way people think about issues. 'A Wednesday' is a welcome addition to that league.

    It mocks the government, reminding it of the duties it ought to be performing as the caretaker of the common people. Another thumbs up for showing the power of the common man and stating in no uncertain terms that religion is secondary to nationality.

    And the best part is that all this social commentary isn't preachy so to speak. All this is a byproduct of an engrossing edge of the seat thriller with great performances by veterans - Nasseruddin Shah and Anupam Kher. Even the lesser knowns - Jimmy Shergill, Aamir Bashir and Deepal Shaw shine in impactful roles.

    A well scripted affair; it has some masala and cheesy lines which has enough juice to get the sub-urban masses whistling.

    It caters to every Indian -- Niche or Urban and should not be missed.
    9motorguitarist

    Excellent movie, apt review.

    Brilliant movie. A complete and wholesome masterpiece. A realistic and commendable approach to the ticking time bomb that is the resilience of the Mumbai population. I hope movies such as this, "Aamir", "Mumbai Meri Jaan" and others of this rank keep coming because movies such as these makes me proud of the Indian cinema fraternity.

    The acting done by greats like Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah cannot go unnoticed. The movie has a rather slow pace in the beginning but with time the movie grips and keeps you at the edge of your seat. Watch out for excellent dialogs exchanged in the end of the movie. Noteworthy performance by Jimmy Shergill and Aamir Bashir.

    An absolute must-watch for everyone.
    9yogesh-kalyankar

    A Must See

    There are a few movies that entertain, there are a few movies that give message and then there are a few movies that you can relate to. A Wednesday is definitely one such movie.

    The story revolves around an anonymous man (Shah) who calls up the commissioner of police (Kher) and informs him about the bombs that he has placed. Bomb blast is something that I personally am scared of. It had ripped Mumbai in 1993 and then in local train and bus. Only people stood by each other. It followed thru out the country. And what can one common man do? .

    The story line is fantastic. Its hard to believe that this is Neeraj Pandey's first movie and he has taken a gigantic leap without including any songs. The movie itself is only one and a half hours - half of what Bollywood movies usually are. Then he has not shown the police administration either as corrupt or the bookish kind of honest. He has probably taken the real view of police department And then the cast. Naseerudding Shah is one actor who can crawl under the skin of any character. Be it the coach in Iqbal or the pirate in The League of Extra-ordinary gentlemen. Then there is Anupam Kher whose acting abilities are still not tapped to the best by any director. These two stalwarts make-up this movie. And this movie does not have him in a stereo typical dads role. Aamir Bashir as Jay and Jimmy Shergill as Arif are just outstanding. Nothing in the movie is out of context. Well-acted, well-directed, well-scripted, well-executed.
    9KarthikStallone

    Great Eye Opener

    Great Movie, Good thriller and always maintains the intensity. There is no part in the movie which gets you bored. Its full time Entertainment. The movie is short but up to the point. This is a movie where Naseerudin Shah is like a One Man Army who takes over the whole of Bombay police. I really enjoyed it. We need more movies like this. Very Creative.

    Technically very correct and the movie has a lot of logic. The Direction is superb. Unlike other movies, there are no songs in the movie. The movie can be viewed by family and even teens and I think its for all type of age groups. The whole movie is like the game of chess. Its a puzzle till the end which bursts out at last releasing a shock wave across the movie theatre.
    8Peter_Young

    A picture that is both relevant, important and entertaining.

    What can be said about this film? Like many other films made recently, this one is different from the typical Hindi masala flicks (nothing against them, I think they're enjoyable), there are no songs, there is no combination of different genres in one film, it is not a three-hour film. It's a simple, small film of merely 90 minutes, yet it succeeds at telling its story and conveying its intended message in this limited time.

    The story begins as an ordinary thriller about a common man who calls the police and informs them about 5 bombs he has allegedly placed all over Mumbai, which he'll get exploded if they don't release four terrorists. The way every scene is carried by the director is very impressive and the dialogues are realistic. The film flows as a great thriller as time passes by, but then unexpectedly becomes into a dramatic story as it unfolds the motives of this common man.

    The film does not want us to side any party, it wants us to understand the consequences of war, violence and hatred. It wants us to understand how it affects ordinary people. The story is not bigger than life, nor does it intend to be one. The fact that Naseeruddin Shah's character is unnamed only contributes to the universal message of the film.

    There are many sequences of different people shown in different portions of the film which are just amazing. The one when the officer played by Anupam Kher asks the policeman played by Aamir Bashir about his family status, and his willingness to find the bomb. The guy answers that he's married with a recently born baby girl, yet he'll do anything to find the bomb. Another, when Naseer recalls the young nice guy he met every day in the train, the one who was preparing to marry someone, and gets killed the following day at the 2006 Mumbai train bombings. People must get what happens as a result of terror.

    The characters in this film are very well defined: a great and respected Police Commissioner, an ambitious journalist, a hot-tempered policeman who takes his job seriously, a common man who feels hurt, and many other policemen who'd give their life for the country. The film depicts national pride and the passion different people have for their work without going to large extents and unnecessary melodrama. It's done in a very realistic manner.

    The entire cast is wonderful, from leading actors to extras. Naseeruddin Shah does not know how to give a bad performance. He doesn't have to speak a lot or make strange facial expressions to be convincing. He doesn't have to play a grandiose king to make his role bigger than life. His dialogues come from the heart. It is yet another unforgettable performance from Naseer, the one and only. Anupam Kher is restrained and brilliant. The difference between the way he portrays serious yet sensitive men and the way he portrays comic and funny people is thrilling and incredible. Jimmy Shergill is amazing in a small yet pivotal role of a intransigent, hot-tempered, angry, disciplined and serious policeman. So is Aamir Bashir. Deepal Shaw is effective.

    Well, in conclusion, A Wednesday is an entertaining film with a universal message. Watch it, you'll enjoy it.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The character of Anupam Kher was inspired by real-life Mumbai cop Rakesh Maria.
    • Goofs
      At approximately 18 minutes in, Rathod introduces Jai Singh as a Sub Inspector (SI). But the epaulets would make Singh an Inspector, one rank above an SI.
    • Quotes

      Prakash Rathod - Commissioner of Police: He told me his name, but I won't let you know it, because people often search for the religion in the name.

    • Crazy credits
      The names of both the primary actors Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah appear together.
    • Connections
      Featured in 54th Filmfare Awards (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Bulle Shah
      Written by Irshad Kamil

      Composed by Sanjoy Chowdhury

      Performed by Tochi

      Courtesy of Super Cassettes Industries Limited (T-Series)

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    FAQ

    • How long is A Wednesday?Powered by Alexa
    • What was the song playing in the background when Naina Roy was getting ready to interview the person who fell into the hole? It starts with the word "Come On".

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 5, 2008 (India)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Languages
      • Hindi
      • Urdu
    • Also known as
      • A Common Man
    • Filming locations
      • India
    • Production companies
      • Anjum Rizvi Film Company
      • Friday Filmworks
      • UTV Motion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,256,911
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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