Mumbai Express(2005)
Mumbai Express is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language black comedy film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and produced by Kamal Haasan. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Manisha Koirala, and Pasupathy in lead roles. It follows a group of slum-dwellers in Dharavi who plan a kidnapping but accidentally grab the wrong boy — the illegitimate son of a police officer. The film is notable for its deadpan humor, slapstick sequences, and clever screenplay co-written by Kamal Haasan and Saurabh Shukla. It received mixed reviews upon release but has since developed a cult following for its unique comedic tone. The film was released on April 14, 2005, in India.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Amazon Prime Video, Sony LIV, YouTube, Plex, YuppTV
- Theatrical Release
- 15 April 2005
- Director
- Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 32m
- Rating
- 6.4/10
Storyline
A deaf bike rider named Avinash is forced to join a kidnapping plan by his sister. The target is the son of a rich builder. But the group grabs the wrong boy — the secret son of a police inspector. The kidnappers must now escape the law while dealing with their own incompetence.
“A kidnapping gone hilariously wrong”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Mumbai Express
Cast reunions in this film: Kamal Haasan & Ilayaraja (60 films together), Nassar & Ilayaraja (49 films together), Nassar & Kamal Haasan (17 films together), Kamal Haasan & Singeetham Srinivasa Rao (9 films together), Ilayaraja & Ramesh Aravind (7 films together), and Ilayaraja & Singeetham Srinivasa Rao (6 films together).
Trivia
- This film was originally planned as a bilingual in Tamil and Telugu, but the Telugu version was not completed.
- Director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao is known for pioneering India's first silent film in decades, but this was a mainstream comedy.
- The movie features a cameo by veteran actor Nagesh, who plays a small but memorable role.
- It was shot extensively in Mumbai, capturing the city's local trains and streets for authenticity.
- The film's soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, marking a rarer collaboration for a Mumbai-set story.
- Despite the action-comedy genre, the plot revolves around an accidental kidnapping, a theme popular in 2000s Tamil cinema.
- Actor Kamal Haasan was initially considered for the lead role, but the part eventually went to a younger star.