MSG: The Messenger#Critical reception
{{short description|2015 Indian Hindi film by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Insan}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = MSG: The Messenger
| image = MSG_The_Messenger_of_God_Poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = {{Plainlist|
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
- Jeetu Arora
}}
| producer = Ravi Verma {{small|(Supervising)}}
| writer = Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
- Daniel Kaleb
- Flora Saini
- Jayshree Soni
- Olexandra Semen
- Gaurav Gera
- Jay Singh Rajpoot
- Raju Pandit
}}
| music = Amar Mohile
| cinematography = {{Plainlist|
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
- Vineet Sapru
- Mangal
}}
| editing = {{Plainlist|
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
- Sanjay Kumar Singh, Kajal Naskar(Co Director)
}}
| studio = Hakikat Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
| distributor = Hakikat Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2015|02|13}}
| runtime = 191 minutes
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| budget = {{INR}}30 crore{{better source needed|reason=BOI includes print and advertising costs, which are never included in a film's production budget|date=November 2019}}
| gross = Disputed{{cite news|last1=Mehta|first1=Ankita|title=Box Office Collection: 'MSG: The Messenger' ?100 Crore Earning is Fake?|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/box-office-collection-msg-messenger-100-crore-earning-fake-624158|access-date=27 February 2015|work=International Business Times|date=21 February 2015}}
}}
MSG: The Messenger (also known as MSG: The Messenger of God) is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language action comedy film written by and starring Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in his film debut. He is also credited as co-director, co-cinematographer, co-editor, songwriter and stuntman.{{cite news|title=A Bollywood entertainer that attempts to spread the message of God|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/A-Bollywood-entertainer-that-attempts-to-spread-the-message-of-God/articleshow/45535299.cms|access-date=19 December 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=17 December 2014}} The film was released worldwide on 13 February 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/dera-chief-gurmeet-ram-rahim-makes-big-screen-debut-with-messenger-of-god-on-january-16/articleshow/45580439.cms|title=Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim makes big-screen debut with Messenger of God on January 16|first=Raghav|last=Ohri|date=20 December 2014|access-date=10 February 2020|newspaper=The Economic Times}}{{cite web|title=Shooting of MSG The Messenger Completed in a record 67 days|url=http://www.derasachasauda.org/msg-the-messenger-of-god-releasing-worldwide-in-4-languages-simultaneously|access-date=19 December 2014|publisher=Dera Sacha Sauda|date=13 December 2014}} It follows a spiritual leader, played by Singh and largely based on himself, on a quest to eradicate drugs and gender-related issues.
MSG: The Messenger received largely negative reviews from critics, who accused it of being a propaganda film promoting Singh's teachings, while also severely criticising its quality. It was also controversial for being allegedly insulting towards Sikhs.{{cite news|title=Furious Sikh Groups Demand Ban on the Dera Chief's Messenger of God Film Stunt|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Furious-Sikh-Groups-Demand-Ban-on-the-Dera-Chief%27s-Messenger-of-God-Film-Stunt/2014/12/28/article2591483.ece|access-date=13 January 2015|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=28 December 2014}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/sikh-organisations-hold-protests-in-punjab-against-controversial-film-messenger-of-god/|title=They came for their hero's movie, didn't matter it wasn't shown|date=17 January 2015|work=The Indian Express}} Box office estimates indicated that the film grossed approximately {{INRConvert|16.65|c}} on a budget of {{INRConvert|30|c}}, although the producers claimed {{INRConvert|126|c}}.{{Cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/Movies/movie_detail/msg__the_messenger_of_god#.VuNJtvkrKUk|title=Boxoffice|date=18 November 2015|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118172801/http://boxofficeindia.com/Movies/movie_detail/msg__the_messenger_of_god#.VuNJtvkrKUk|archive-date=18 November 2015}} It was followed the same year by a direct sequel, MSG-2 The Messenger, and later by two more instalments, The Warrior Lion Heart and Hind Ka Napak Ko Jawab, with Singh similarly involved in all of them.
Synopsis
Guruji is a spiritual leader who has a huge follower base. He has accepted the challenge of eradicating social evils including drugs and gender-related issues that have been prevailing in society. Those with vested interests and apathy towards the welfare of society are now disturbed as there's someone who has taken control of the situation. They conspire to kill him.{{Cite web|url=https://aajtak.intoday.in/story/rise-of-a-new-superhero-in-2015-meet-messenger-of-god---gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-insaan-1-792890.html|title=MSG: बॉलीवुड के नए सुपरहीरो बाबा राम रहीम!|website=aajtak.intoday.in|date=25 December 2014 |access-date=10 February 2020}}
Cast
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as Guruji
- Daniel Kaleb as Jalebi Bai
- Flora Saini as Muskan
- Jayshree Soni as Kasam
- Olexandra Semen as Alice
- Gaurav Gera as Bhondu
- Jay Singh Rajpoot as Jet Bhai
- Himanshu Tiwari as Tiwari Don
- Raju Pandit as Khurana
Production
The film was shot at various locations in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. The movie also features 1 million, three hundred-thousand extras. The film was completed in 67 days. The cast had almost no training in film or acting. For the song 'Never Ever' about 125,000 performers continued their shot for three days, and on a count of three, 70 thousand candles were lit within 45 seconds.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/MSG-The-Messenger-to-hit-screens-on-February-13/articleshow/46173601.cms|title=' MSG The Messenger' to hit screens on February 13|website=The Times of India|date=9 February 2015 |access-date=10 February 2020}} Singh held a three-day concert at the Shah Satnam Ji Stadium in Sirsa, Haryana, from 16 August, which is part of the movie.
Certification
The film was denied a release certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification and was sent to a revising committee. The members of the CBFC objected to the portrayal of Singh as a God in the movie.{{cite news|title=Dera Sacha Sauda chief's film 'The Messenger of God' denied certification |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Dera-Sacha-Sauda-chiefs-film-The-Messenger-of-God-denied-certification/articleshow/45857550.cms |access-date=13 January 2015 |work=The Times of India |date=12 January 2015}} On 15 January 2015 the film was cleared for screening by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. Singh denied that he had called himself God in the film (at the time the film was titled, MSG: Messenger of God). He further added that there was nothing objectionable in his film and that the CBFC had muted just two words.{{cite news|title=I have not called myself God in 'MSG - Messenger of God', says Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/i-have-not-called-myself-god-in-msg--messenger-of-god-says-dera-chief-gurmeet-ram-rahim/523273-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119225655/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/i-have-not-called-myself-god-in-msg--messenger-of-god-says-dera-chief-gurmeet-ram-rahim/523273-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 January 2015|access-date=11 March 2015|work=IBN-Live|agency=CNN-IBN|date=16 January 2015}} Punjab and Haryana High Court also allowed the release of the film.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-refuses-to-stay-release-of-controversial-film-msg-starring-dera-chief-736967|title=Punjab and Haryana High Court Refuses to Stay Release of Controversial Film 'MSG' Starring Dera Chief|website=NDTV.com|access-date=10 February 2020}} The film was fully cleared by the board with a U Certificate and released on 13 February 2015.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/messenger-of-god-sant-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-release-date-237483-2015-01-27|title=MSG gets a Friday the 13th release|date=January 27, 2015 |magazine=India Today|access-date=10 February 2020}}
Promotion
The trailer of the film was released on 19 December 2014 and crossed over 1 million views on YouTube within 24 hours.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/five-reasons-why-censor-board-should-clear-msg-the-messenger-of-god-235798-2015-01-15|title=Five reasons why censor board should clear MSG: The Messenger of God|author=Shruti Kapoor |date=January 16, 2015 |magazine=India Today|access-date=10 February 2020}} On 16 January 2015, MSG: The Messenger premiered at Leisure Valley ground, a large park in Gurgaon city used for exhibitions and conventions. A team from Asia Book and India Book of Records recorded the official number of people gathered as 157,231 for the promotion.{{cite web|url= https://www.msgthefilm.com/msg-the-messenger-of-god-premier-set-milestone-in-asia-book-and-india-book-of-records/?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C4918533271 |title= MSG The Messenger Premier Set Milestone in Asia Book and India Book of Records }}
Reception
=Critical response=
The film received mostly negative reviews.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-31450646|title=MSG Messenger of God: Indian critics pan guru film|publisher=BBC News|date=13 February 2015}} Criticism focused on the self-aggrandizing nature of the film. Raja Sen, writing for Rediff, refused to rate the movie. "This is not a movie," he said. He described the film as a "propaganda piece" for "self-styled spiritual leader" Singh and stated that the film "might be a theatrical release, but this can, by no means, be called a piece of cinema."{{cite web|url=http://m.rediff.com/movies/review/review-msg-the-messenger-is-not-a-movie/20150213.htm|title=Review: MSG The Messenger is not a movie|date=13 February 2015|work=Rediff}} The Indian Express described the film as "excruciatingly awful only for non-believers."{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/experiencing-msg-the-film-is-excruciatingly-awful-only-for-non-believers/|title='MSG' review – The 'film' is excruciatingly awful only for non-believers|date=13 February 2015|work=The Indian Express}} DNA called the film "three hours of torture so painful that you start laughing at yourself".{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-msg-review-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-insan-will-test-your-patience-and-leave-you-with-a-splitting-headache-2060752|title=MSG review: Three hours of torture so painful that you start laughing at yourself!|work=dna|date=14 February 2015}}
Rohit Vats reviewing for Hindustan Times urged readers to "watch it only if your survival depended on it".{{cite news|author1=Rohit Vats|title=MSG review: Watch this only if your survival depends on it|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/reviews/msg-review-megalomania-thy-name-is-grrs/article1-1316324.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213065634/http://www.hindustantimes.com/reviews/msg-review-megalomania-thy-name-is-grrs/article1-1316324.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 February 2015|access-date=14 March 2015|work=Hindustan Times|date=14 February 2015}} Bollywood Hungama stated that the film "can be watched once... purely for the dynamics and the histrionics of the endearing Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan".{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/1916211|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120013909/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/1916211|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 January 2015|title=MSG The Messenger|website=Bollywood Hungama}} Times of India rated it one out of five stars, commenting that "the one star is strictly for Babaji's intriguing choice of outfits. A multi-coloured crochet two-piece (tight tees and knee-length pants) takes the cake."{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/msg-the-messenger/movie-review/46233425.cms|title=Movie MSG: The Messenger 2015, Story, Trailers | Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=10 February 2020}}
=Box office=
The box office gross of the movie has been contested. Bollywood Hungama, Box Office India, and other industry sources reported figures as low as {{INRconvert|10|c}}, while sources associated with the film reported results as high as {{INRconvert|120|c}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3028|title=MSG: The Messenger - Movie - Worldwide Gross|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=13 November 2016}}{{cite web|title=MSG THE MESSENGER GROSS COLLECTION 126 CRORE BY THE END OF SECOND WEEK.|url=http://www.msgthefilm.com/msg-the-messenger-gross-collection/|website=msgthefilm.com|access-date=11 April 2015}}{{cite news|title=MSG-The Messenger collects Rs 100 cr, really?|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/msg-the-messenger-collects-rs-100-cr-is-false-news-20762.html|access-date=11 March 2015|work=India TV News|date=24 February 2015}}{{cite news|title=MSG: The Messenger makes Rs 10.91 crore in three weeks|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/MSG-The-Messenger-makes-Rs-10-91-crore-in-three-weeks/articleshow/46596054.cms|access-date=2 April 2015|work=Times of India|date=17 March 2015}}
A report by the Business Standard gave tentative opening day figures of {{INRconvert|2.5|c}}, citing the limited appeal to non-believers, distribution to less expensive theatres, and competition from Roy as reasons for the relatively weak opening. The 2015 Cricket World Cup, which kicked off the following day, was also expected to detract from later ticket sales.{{cite news|author1=Urvi Malvania|title=Gurmeet Ram Rahim's MSG off to slow start at the box office|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/gurmeet-ram-rahim-s-msg-off-to-slow-start-at-the-box-office-115021401073_1.html|access-date=2 April 2015|work=Business Standard|date=14 February 2015|location=Mumbai}}
=Protests=
Various Sikh groups protested the release of the movie and demanded that it be banned on the basis that it was offensive to Sikhs.{{cite news|title=Now, Baljit Singh Daduwal too demands ban on 'Messenger of God'|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Now-Baljit-Singh-Daduwal-too-demands-ban-on-Messenger-of-God/articleshow/45847385.cms|access-date=13 January 2015|work=The Times of India|date=12 January 2015}} However, a Dera Sacha Sauda spokesperson responded, "There is nothing against which the protests need to be done."
Soundtrack
{{Infobox album
| name = MSG: The Messenger
| type = Soundtrack
| longtype = to MSG The Messenger
| artist = {{unbulleted list|Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh|Amarpreet Insan}}
| cover =
| alt =
| caption = Soundtrack cover
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2015|1|7}}{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/msg-the-messenger-of-gods-music-album-launched/|title=MSG – The Messenger of God's music album launched|date= 7 January 2015|publisher=The Indian Express|access-date=7 November 2016}}
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Feature film soundtrack
| length = {{Duration|m=32|s=16}}
| label = Sony Music India
| producer = Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
The music was composed by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, and a sequence of the movie takes place as a live concert. The soundtrack album consists of 7 songs, all written and sung by Singh, himself.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Messenger-Of-God-music-aims-to-connect-with-todays-youth/articleshow/45667184.cms|title=Messenger Of God music aims to connect with today's youth |website=The Times of India|date=29 December 2014 |access-date=10 February 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.com/buzz/msg-the-messenger-of-god-song-raatan-baatan-guru-ji-kills-goons-by-playing-a-mouth-organ-239877/|title=MSG: The Messenger of God song Raatan Baatan: Guru ji kills goons by playing a mouth organ!|first=Akshata|last=Shetty|date=6 January 2015|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News | India.com|access-date=10 February 2020}}
=Track listing=
Sequels
Three sequels have followed, the first MSG-2 The Messenger, was released on 18 September 2015.{{cite news|title=Punjab theatre owners give MSG-2 a miss|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/punjab-theatre-owners-give-msg-2-a-miss/story-4ywU8Nvbzqf5tf8YD9mXXP.html|access-date=17 October 2015|work=Hindustan Times|date=18 September 2015}} Followed by MSG: The Warrior Lion Heart (2016) and Hind Ka Napak Ko Jawab: MSG Lion Heart 2 (2017).
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.msgthefilm.com/}}
- {{IMDb title|id=4107858}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes|id=msg_the_messenger_of_god|title=MSG: The Messenger of God}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Msg: The Messenger of God}}
Category:2010s Hindi-language films
Category:Hindi-language thriller films
Category:Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh albums
Category:Religious controversies in film
Category:Religious controversies in India
Category:Films about social issues in India
Category:Films shot in Maharashtra
Category:Films shot in Karnataka
Category:Indian propaganda films
Category:Film censorship in India
Category:Sikhism-related controversies
Category:Art works that caused riots