Phas Gaye Re Obama(2010)
Phas Gaye Re Obama is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language satirical black comedy film directed by Subhash Kapoor. The cast includes Rajat Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, Sanjay Mishra, Manu Rishi, and Amole Gupte. The story follows Om Shastri, an Indian-American businessman bankrupted by the 2008 global recession, who travels to Uttar Pradesh to sell ancestral property. He is kidnapped by local gangsters who are also struggling financially. The film uses dark humor to critique the impact of the US-originated recession on Indian society and the criminal underworld. It received positive reviews for its witty script and performances, particularly Sanjay Mishra's comedic role, which won him a Star Screen Award for Best Comedian. The film was released on 3 December 2010 and was later remade in Telugu as Sankarabharanam in 2015.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Hotstar, Prime Video
- Theatrical Release
- 3 December 2010
- Director
- Subhash Kapoor
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 1h 51m
- Rating
- 6.9/10
Storyline
Om Shastri, an Indian-American businessman, loses everything in the 2008 recession. He travels to a small town in Uttar Pradesh to sell his last asset. There, he is kidnapped by a group of gangsters who are also broke. Om must use his wits to survive and escape, turning his kidnappers against each other in a series of hilarious deals.
“Even gangsters feel the recession.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Phas Gaye Re Obama
Cast reunions in this film: Sanjay Mishra & Brijendra Kala (7 films together), Neha Dhupia & Rajat Kapoor (3 films together), Rajat Kapoor & Brijendra Kala (3 films together), and Brijendra Kala & Amit Sial (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title is a pun on the phrase 'Phas Gaye' (got trapped) and Barack Obama, reflecting the 2008 financial crisis.
- Director Subhash Kapoor said the story was inspired by real news of NRI kidnappings during the recession.
- Actor Sanjay Mishra, who plays a gangster, improvised many of his humorous lines during filming.
- The movie was shot in just 28 days, mostly in actual locations in and around Mumbai to keep costs low.
- It was initially released in only a few theaters but gained popularity through word-of-mouth and DVD sales.
- The film uses a fictional US-based TV show 'Obama's America' as a plot device about the economic downturn.
- Music director Raghav Sachar composed the score and also performed all the wind instruments himself.