CityLights
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHansal Mehta
Screenplay byRitesh Shah
Based onMetro Manila
by Sean Ellis
Produced byMukesh Bhatt
StarringRajkummar Rao
Patralekha
CinematographyDev Agarwal
Edited byApurva Asrani
Music bySongs:
Jeet Gannguli
Background score:
Raju Singh
Production
company
Distributed byFox Star Studios
Release date
  • 30 May 2014 (2014-05-30)
Running time
119 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguagesHindi
Rajasthani
Budget₹90 million
Box office₹90 million

CityLights is a 2014 Indian drama film directed by Hansal Mehta starring Rajkummar Rao and actress Patralekha in the lead roles. It is a remake of the BAFTA nominated British film Metro Manila (2013).[2] The film was presented by Fox Star Studios in association with Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt.[3]

The story is about a poor farmer from Rajasthan coming to Mumbai in search of livelihood.[4] The film released on 30 May 2014, and won rave reviews from most critics. In spite of releasing in just 350 screens, CityLights became a success due to its low cost of production and consistent collections at the box office.[5]

Plot

Deepak Singh's (played by Rajkumar Rao) life as a former driver in the Indian Army in a village in Rajasthan who owns a garment store is tangled in the web of poverty, hope and despair. Deepak's family consists of his ever-supporting wife, Rakhi (played by Patralekha), and their little daughter, Mahi. They tag along on his journey to Mumbai as he is unable to repay the money he owes for his store. With no contacts or addresses, except that of his friend Omkar, Deepak takes extreme measures to search for him when arriving to Mumbai.

Deepak is tricked by two con-men who offer to sell him a flat for Rs 10,000 and decamp with the money. With no details on them, the Mumbai police refuse to file an F.I.R. His wife meets an escort working at a night bar, who provides them with temporary accommodation in a building and convinces her to work as a bar dancer until Deepak finds a job.

Deepak gets hired as a driver for a privately owned security bureau with a monthly pay of Rs 15,000. Deepak's senior colleague, Vishnu (played by Manav Kaul) realizes that he is gullible, and does various favours for him in order to gain his trust. Vishnu later reveals a plans to loot a parcel being transported by the security agency. When Deepak vehemently opposes the idea of the theft, Vishnu blackmails him by revealing that he has hidden a box that he previously stole, in Deepak's house. Feeling cornered, Deepak agrees to the risky plan of stealing the keys for this box. However, Vishnu is attacked and killed in the course of the robbery. Meanwhile, Rakhi loses her job. Deepak finds the box stolen by his senior in his house and comes up with a plan to ensure Rakhi and Mahi's safe return to their village.

The movie ends when his attempt to steal the keys from the agency cost him his life but through a shrewd tactic he is able to pass on Rakhi the imprint of the key for the stolen box. Rakhi and Mahi return to the village with Rakhi lost in memory of Deepak and their happy past.

Cast

Production

CityLights marked actress Anwita Paul's debut, known by her screen name Patralekha. As Paul was in a relationship with the lead actor Rao, the production house did not disclose her name until the trailer was released. When press kept questioning about the lead actress, the filmmakers dismissed the question.[6]

While the film was originally set to be directed by Ajay Bahl, due to creative differences he was replaced by Hansal Mehta.[7] In December 2013, it was announced that shooting would begin in Rajasthan.[3][8]

The film was first scheduled to release on 1 May 2014, which was subsequently shifted to 30 May.[9] On 5 May 26 minutes of footage was previewed at a Mumbai event.[3]

Soundtrack

CityLights
Soundtrack album by
Jeet Gannguli
Released12 May 2014 (2014-05-12)[10]
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length32:18
LabelSony Music India
ProducerMukesh Bhatt
Jeet Gannguli chronology
Youngistaan
(2014)		 CityLights
(2014)		 Singham Returns
(2014)

The songs were composed by Jeet Gannguli with lyrics by Rashmi Singh. Rashmi Singh received Best Lyricist award at the 60th Filmfare Awards for her lyrics to the song "Muskurane."[11]

The film score was composed by Raju Singh.

Track listing

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Muskurane"Arijit Singh5:34
2."Darbadar"Neeti Mohan4:22
3."Ek Charraiya"Arijit Singh4:46
4."Citylights" (Title Song)Ustad Rashid Khan3:23
5."Soney Do"Arijit Singh4:27
6."Ek Charraiya" (Unplugged))Jeet Gannguli4:47
7."Muskurane" (Unplugged)Mohammad Irfan Ali4:59
Total length:32:18

Critical reception

Times of India reviews the cinematography of "Citylights" by Dev Agarwal is wonderful. Shots of the family sleeping against a rubbish pile, a '3BHK' in a construction site, Deepak staring at an ocean of pure despair, a fallen cycle in a courtyard, stand out. The family's migration stays with you as a vivid new experience – but its city sojourn occasionally reminds you of familiar moments.[12]

Sweta Kaushal writes in a Hindustan Times review that Hansal Mehta's direction makes Citylights "intensely gripping and thought-provoking, the interplay of emotions and how the couple copes with city's hardships are the high points of the film."[13]

Box office

The film collected ₹90 million (US$1.1 million) against a similar production budget.[14]

Awards and nominations

Award Category Recipients and nominees Result Ref.
7th Mirchi Music Awards Song of The Year "Muskurane" Nominated [15][16]
Album of The Year Jeet Gannguli, Rashmi Singh
Male Vocalist of The Year Arijit Singh – "Muskurane"
Music Composer of The Year Jeet Gannguli – "Muskurane"
Lyricist of The Year Rashmi Singh – "Muskurane"
Upcoming Lyricist of The Year Rashmi Singh – "Muskurane" Won
Raag-Inspired Song of the Year "Soney Do"
Listeners' Choice Song of the Year "Muskurane"

References

  1. ↑ "Citylights – Movie – Worldwide Gross & Budget". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "'The Fault in Our Stars' to Get Bollywood Remake". The Hollywood Reporter. 6 August 2014. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Hansal Mehta unveils 26-minute footage of 'Citylights'". The Times of India. 6 May 2014. Archived from the original on 9 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Hansal Mehta begins shooting Citylights this month". December 9, 2013. India Today. Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "Citylights (2014)". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "Rajkummar Rao's girlfriend to debut in Citylights". Indian Today. 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Hansal Mehta replaces Ajay Bahl for 'City Lights'". November 5, 2013. MID DAY. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  8. ↑ "Hansal Mehta to shoot 'Citylights' in Rajasthan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  9. ↑ "Citylights". The Times of India. 12 March 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "Citylights (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. 12 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "60th Britannia Filmfare Awards 2014: Complete list of winners". The Times of India. 1 February 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "Citylights Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2015.
  13. ↑ Hindustan Times
  14. ↑ "Citylights". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  15. ↑ "MMA Mirchi Music Awards". MMAMirchiMusicAwards. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  16. ↑ "MMA Mirchi Music Awards". MMAMirchiMusicAwards. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
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