Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India(1995)
Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India is a 1995 Hindi musical parody film directed by Ketan Mehta. The cast includes Shah Rukh Khan, Deepa Sahi, Jaaved Jaaferi, and Amrish Puri. The story follows a prostitute and a struggling actor who discover a plot to auction India to the highest bidder. The entire narrative unfolds over a single night in Mumbai. The film uses satire and farce to criticize political corruption and the commodification of the nation. It features a theatrical style with frequent musical numbers. Despite a poor box office performance, the film gained a cult following for its bold concept and energetic performances. It was released on August 11, 1995.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Netflix
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1995
- Director
- Ketan Mehta
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 40m
- Rating
- 4.2/10
Storyline
A prostitute named Miss India and a nameless actor spend a night roaming Mumbai. They accidentally stumble into a secret auction where a fake President is selling India. They must stop the sale before dawn with the help of a mad swordsman.
“India is for sale. Who will buy?”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India
Cast reunions in this film: Anupam Kher & Kader Khan (21 films together), Anupam Kher & Paresh Rawal (19 films together), Anupam Kher & Amrish Puri (17 films together), Amrish Puri & Kader Khan (14 films together), Paresh Rawal & Kader Khan (13 films together), and Paresh Rawal & Amrish Puri (10 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title is a playful nod to the Beatles song 'Oh! Darling' from their 1969 album 'Abbey Road'.
- It was one of the first major Hindi films to be shot extensively on location in Mumbai at night, capturing the city's after-dark atmosphere.
- Actor Shah Rukh Khan made a special cameo appearance, playing himself in a fantasy sequence within the film.
- The movie's plot was seen as a sharp satire on the rising consumerism and political corruption in India during the 1990s.
- Despite its star cast, the film was a major commercial failure and did not recover its production costs.
- Director Ketan Mehta is known for his offbeat films, and this was his attempt at a mainstream commercial satire after 'Maya Memsaab'.
- The soundtrack, composed by Ranjit Barot, featured a mix of experimental music that was unusual for its time in Bollywood.