The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir
{{short description|2018 film by Ken Scott}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir
| image = The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Ken Scott
| producer = {{plainlist|
- Luc Bossi
- Jon Goldman
- Saurabh Gupta
- Aditi Anand
- Gulzar Chahal
- Grégoire Lassalle
- Genevieve Lemal
- Jaime Mateus-Tique
}}
| writer = {{plainlist|
- Romain Puertolas
- Luc Bossi
- Ken Scott
}}
| based_on = {{based on|The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe|Romain Puertolas}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
}}
| music = Nicolas Errèra
Amit Trivedi
| cinematography = Vincent Mathias AFC
| editing = Yvann Thibaudeau
| studio = {{plainlist|
- Brio Films
- Vamonos Films
- Scope Pictures
- Little Red Car Films
- TF1 Studio
- Sony Pictures Entertainment France
- Aleph Motion Pictures
- M! Capital Ventures
- Impact Films
- RTBF
- Digital District
- Cactus World Films
}}
| distributor = {{plainlist|
- Sony Pictures Releasing (France)
- AA Films (India)
- Scope Pictures (Belgium)
}}
| released = {{film date|df=yes|2018|5|30|France and Belgium|ref1=|2019|6|21|India|ref2=}}
| runtime = 92 minutes
| country = {{plainlist|
- France
- India
- Belgium}}
| language = English
}}
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is a 2018 adventure comedy film directed by Ken Scott and written by Scott, Romain Puertolas, and Luc Bossi. It is based on the French novel The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe by Puertolas. The film stars Dhanush in the lead role, with Bérénice Bejo, Erin Moriarty, Barkhad Abdi, Gérard Jugnot, and Ben Miller as the supporting cast. The premise follows a street magician from Mumbai who embarks on a global journey to find his father. The film was shot in India, Belgium, France and Italy. This film marked Dhanush's international debut.
The film released in France on 30 May 2018 and in India, USA, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia on 21 June 2019. Alongside the English original version, a subtitled French version and a Tamil dubbed version was released owing to the popularity of Dhanush.{{Cite news |last=Keslassy |first=Elsa |date=2017-11-01 |title=Ken Scott's 'The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir' Lures Flurry of Buyers (EXCLUSIVE) |language=en-US |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/global/ken-scotts-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-lures-flurry-of-buyers-exclusive-1202603971/ |access-date=2018-05-31 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612223933/https://variety.com/2017/film/global/ken-scotts-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-lures-flurry-of-buyers-exclusive-1202603971/ |url-status=live }}
Plot
Ajatashatru "Aja" Lavash Patel, who has lived all his life in a small Mumbai neighborhood, is a street magician and trickster who tricks people into believing that he possesses special magic powers. He narrates his story to three kids caught by police and are now going for a four year judicial custody.
After his mother's untimely death, he sets off on a journey to find his estranged father in Paris with a fake EUR 100 note. There, he meets a woman named Marie Riviere in a furniture store whom he initially swindles, but is quickly attracted to her personality. Aja then experiences a series of wide-ranging adventures around the world, initially in an IKEA wardrobe to London, England, then a Louis Vuitton suitcase to Rome, Italy, and a hot air balloon to a ship heading to Tripoli, Libya. In the ship, he gets robbed the money he earned by selling the shirt on which he wrote an emotional incident from his childhood. In Libya, he meets a Somali man named Wiraj, an illegal immigrant whom he met on the way to London. Together with Wiraj and group of other friends he gets back the money. In the refugee camp where Wiraj lives, he distributes all the money to the people in the camp. He has just enough money for a fake passport and ticket to India. But before going to India he goes to Paris where he meets Marie, who is now dating another guy.
He comes back to India and starts working as a teacher in school. One day Marie comes to the school and tells Aja that she has left her fiance, and then they kiss. And with this he ends his story to the three kids. He then offers those kids to be pardoned for the four year custody if they attend Aja's school daily, which they agree to.
Just before the movie ends, one of Aja's colleagues asks "Was that a true story?" and Aja replies "Yes, all of the important bits."
Cast
{{cast listing|
- Dhanush as Ajatashatru "Aja" Lavash Patel
- Hearty Singh as young Aja
- Bérénice Bejo as Nelly Marnay
- Erin Moriarty as Marie Rivière
- Barkhad Abdi as Wiraj
- Gérard Jugnot as Gustave Palourde
- Ben Miller as Officer Smith
- Abel Jafri as Captain Fik
- Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse as Rose
- Kay Greidanus as Pieter
- Amrutha Sant as Siringh, Aja's mom
- Harshad Kumar as vegetable vendor
- Rakesh Jaiswal as Doctor
- Romain Puertolas as Thomas Grégoire
}}
Production
The film was launched in January 2016 with Iranian director Marjane Satrapi and actors Dhanush, Uma Thurman, and Alexandra Daddario in the lead roles.{{Cite magazine |last=Robinson |first=Will |date=25 January 2016 |title=Uma Thurman, Alexandra Daddario cast in Marjane Satrapi film Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/01/25/uma-thurman-alexandra-daddario-marjane-satrapi/ |access-date=21 June 2019 |archive-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621173329/https://ew.com/article/2016/01/25/uma-thurman-alexandra-daddario-marjane-satrapi/ |url-status=live }} However, the director left the project and was replaced by Canadian director Ken Scott. Thurman's role was given to French actress Bérénice Bejo.{{Cite web |date=25 February 2018 |title=Dhanush's Hollywood debut to release in May |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/hollywood/report-dhanush-s-hollywood-debut-to-release-in-may-2588156 |access-date=21 June 2019 |website=Daily News and Analysis |archive-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621173439/https://www.dnaindia.com/hollywood/report-dhanush-s-hollywood-debut-to-release-in-may-2588156 |url-status=live }} The filming began in May 2017 in Mumbai. In its first schedule the principal photography took place in India, Brussels, Paris and Rome.{{Cite news |date=2 November 2017 |title=The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir poster: Dhanush's look from Hollywood debut released |language=en-US |work=Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/dhanushs-first-look-released-from-his-hollywood-debut-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-4189067.html |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-date=7 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607200937/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/dhanushs-first-look-released-from-his-hollywood-debut-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-4189067.html |url-status=live }}
Soundtrack
{{Infobox album
| name = The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = Amit Trivedi
| cover =
| alt =
| released =
| recorded = 2019
| venue =
| studio = A T Studios
| genre = Feature film soundtrack
| length = 11:25
| language = Hindi
| label = Zee Music Company
| producer = Amit Trivedi
| prev_title = India's Most Wanted
| prev_year = 2019
| year = 2019
| next_title = Mission Mangal
| next_year = 2019
| misc =
|
}}
The score is composed by Nicolas Errera
The music of the songs is composed by Amit Trivedi, with lyrics by Anvita Dutt. The Zee Music Company holds the right.{{Cite web |title=Angrezi Luv Shuv – The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir {{!}} Dhanush {{!}} Amit Trivedi & Jonita Gandhi |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=phWF2NjKwCw |access-date=7 June 2019 |website=YouTube |publisher=Zee Music Company}}
{{Track listing
| headline = English Track listing (features Hindi songs)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Angrezi Luv Shuv
| extra1 = Amit Trivedi, Jonita Gandhi
|lyrics1 = Anvita Dutt
| length1 = 3:39
| title2 = Madaari
| extra2 = Vishal Dadlani, Nikhita Gandhi, Rajiv Sundaresan, Suhas Sawant
| lyrics2 = Anvita Dutt
| length2 = 3:59
| title3 = Maila Maila
| extra3 = Mame Khan, R Venkatraman
| lyrics3 = Anvita Dutt
| length3 = 3:37
| total_length = 11:25
}}
{{Track listing
| all_lyrics = Madhan Karky
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Maayabazaaru
| extra1 = Nikhita Gandhi, Benny Dayal
|lyrics1 =
| length1 = 2:53
| title2 = Saalakaara
| extra2 = Anthony Daasan
| lyrics2 =
| length2 = 2:45
| title3 = Engleesu Lovesu
| extra3 = Dhanush, Jonita Gandhi
| lyrics3 =
| length3 = 2:32
| total_length = 07:30
}}
Release
The film trailer for Australia was launched in August 2018 by Icon Films Australia & New Zealand on YouTube.{{Cite web |date=6 August 2019 |title=EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF THE FAKIR {{!}} Official Australian Trailer |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SylItu9-D0I |website=YouTube |publisher=Icon Films Australia & New Zealand |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606132042/https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SylItu9-D0I |url-status=live }} For release in India the official trailer was launched on 3 June 2019 by Zee Music Company.{{Cite web |title=The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir {{!}} Official trailer {{!}} Dhanush {{!}} Ken Scott {{!}} 21 June 2019 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H1WASu-s4eA |access-date=3 June 2019 |website=YouTube |publisher=Zee Music Company |archive-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606122835/https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H1WASu-s4eA |url-status=live }}
The Extraordinary Journey of The Fakir released on 30 May 2018 in France as L'Extraordinaire Voyage du Fakir.{{Cite web |title=Tamil version of Dhanush's 'The Extraordinary Journey of The Fakir' to release in July – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/tamil-version-of-dhanushs-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-to-release-in-july/articleshow/64221889.cms |access-date=9 April 2019 |website=The Times of India |archive-date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029164718/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/tamil-version-of-dhanushs-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-to-release-in-july/articleshow/64221889.cms |url-status=live }}
The film was released in India, USA, Canada, UK, Singapore and Malaysia on 21 June 2019.{{Cite web |date=3 June 2019 |title=After garnering rave reviews worldwide, Dhanush to launch Indian trailer of 'The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/after-garnering-rave-reviews-worldwide-dhanush-to-launch-indian-trailer-of-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir/articleshow/69633258.cms |access-date=6 June 2019 |website=The Times of India |archive-date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603233505/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/after-garnering-rave-reviews-worldwide-dhanush-to-launch-indian-trailer-of-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir/articleshow/69633258.cms |url-status=live }} The film was also dubbed in Tamil as Pakkiri ({{Translation|Fakir}}) benefiting off Dhanush's popularity.{{Cite web |last=Suganth |first=M. |date=20 June 2019 |title=Pakkiri Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/pakkiri/movie-review/69876250.cms |access-date=20 June 2019 |website=Times of India |archive-date=22 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622084049/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/pakkiri/movie-review/69876250.cms |url-status=live }} The makers had previously considered the title Vaazhkaiyai Thedi Naanum Poren ({{Translation|I too will go in search of life}}) for the dubbed version, which was a based off the song "Udhungada Sangu" from Velaiyilla Pattathari (2014) also starring Dhanush.{{cite web |title=தனுஷின் புதிய பாடலிவுட் படம் 'பக்கிரி' ஜூன் 21ல் ரிலீஸ்! |trans-title=Dhanush's new Bollywood film 'Pakkiri' releases on June 21! |url=https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/movie-news/dhanush-new-movie-fakir-will-release-on-june-21/articleshow/69436760.cms |website=Samayam Tamil |access-date=19 February 2022 |language=ta |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219060747/https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/movie-news/dhanush-new-movie-fakir-will-release-on-june-21/articleshow/69436760.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/dhanushs-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-crosses-million-dollar-milestone-at-french-box-office-4611601.html|title=Dhanush's The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir crosses million dollar milestone at French box office|website=Firstpost|access-date=9 September 2022|archive-date=18 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718144438/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/dhanushs-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-crosses-million-dollar-milestone-at-french-box-office-4611601.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2018/May/17/tamil-version-of-dhanushs-hollywood-film-out-in-july-6065.html|title=Tamil version of Dhanush's Hollywood film out in June|first=C. E.|last=Features|date=17 May 2018|website=Cinema Express}} Dhanush sang that same song while promoting the film in Paris.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dSGeOI58Js|title=Dhanush Singing Udhungada Sangu at The Fakir Premiere Show|work=YouTube|date=22 May 2018}} The film was made available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Critical reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The critics consensus reads, "The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is undermined by its mawkish indulgences, but Dhanush's charming central performance is difficult to resist."{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_extraordinary_journey_of_the_fakir|title=The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2018)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date|df=dmy}}|archive-date=11 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611174656/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_extraordinary_journey_of_the_fakir|url-status=live}} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 8 critics.{{Cite web |title=The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir |access-date=21 February 2020 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210215611/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir |url-status=live }}
The New York Times stated that the film is "a bustling, whimsical voyage.”{{Cite web |last=Kenigsberg |first=Ben |date=20 June 2019 |title='The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir' Review: A Bustling, Whimsical Voyage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/movies/the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-review.html |access-date=21 June 2019 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620231358/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/movies/the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-fakir-review.html |url-status=live }}
Box office
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir fared poorly at the box office, grossing $3.26 million against a $20 million budget. This movie was a box office bomb.
Awards and nominations
The film won two international awards:
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Award ! Category ! Outcome ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|References}} |
|---|
| 2018
| Norwegian International Film Festival | Ray of Sunshine Award | {{won}} |
| 2019
| Barcelona Sant-Jordi International Film Festival | Best Comedy | {{won}} |
References
{{Reflist|}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|5371168}}
{{Ken Scott}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir}}
Category:2010s adventure comedy films
Category:English-language French films
Category:Films based on French novels
Category:Films directed by Ken Scott
Category:Films shot in Brussels
Category:French adventure comedy films
Category:2010s English-language films