By: MohnishSingh
Filmmaking is a difficult process and so is finalizing an appropriate title for a film. In Bollywood, it happens more often than not that filmmakers start shooting for a film with a different title, but as the movie races towards its release, they suddenly come up with a totally new title. Today, we have rounded up top ten Bollywood films that changed their title before release.
Jai Ho
Starring Salman Khan and debutante Daisy Shah in lead roles, Jai Ho was originally called Mental. It was after the whole film was completed, the makers decided to opt for a new title, Jai Ho. The title Mental was dropped as, according to the makers, it had negative connotations. In spite of a new title, Jai Ho went on to emerge as a box office dud upon its release on Republic Day 2014.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Directed by Zoya Akhtar and starring an ensemble cast of Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was earlier called Running With The Bulls. But the makers decided to change its title as soon as the movie mounted the shooting floor. The new title was taken from a line in the title song of Rock On!
Luck By Chance
Zoya Akhtar, the daughter of veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar and sister of Farhan Akhtar, made her promising directorial debut with the film called Luck By Chance. When Zoya started work on the movie, it was titled Kismet Talkies, but the project hit a string of roadblocks and was almost shelved until Farhan agreed to play the main lead in it. In the process, the title of the film was changed from Kismet Talkies to Luck By Chance.
Madras Cafe
After the earth-shattering success of his production venture, Vicky Donor, John Abraham decided to produce and star in a dark and gritty thriller. The film, which was based on the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, was called Jaffna as it was set against the backdrop of the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. However, the makers had to rename their film as Madras Cafe due to some pressure from the neighbouring country.
Billu
Featuring Lara Dutta and Irrfan Khan in pivotal roles, Billu was produced by superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The film was initially called Billu Barber as its story revolved around a barber called Billu. However, the barber community of India did not like the title of the film, forcing the makers to choose a new title. The makers dropped Barber from the title as the film hit screens as Billu.
Katti Batti
Well, it’s good that the makers changed its title way before release as the film would have never been cleared by Indian Censor Board with this defamatory title. Yes, Katti Batti was initially called Saali Kutiya. Who had come up with such a derogatory title, we wonder.
My Name Is Khan
Headlined by Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, My Name Is Khan is considered as one of the most important films of Karan Johar’s directorial career. You will be surprised to know that the film was initially titled, Khan. However, Johar changed it to give out a strong message. Upon its success in 2010, My Name Is Khan proved it once and for all that Karan can also direct powerful, message-driven films besides his regular candyfloss.
R…Rajkumar
R…Rajkumar is the film which turned Shahid Kapoor’s fortunes forever. It still remains the most commercially successful film of his career. The film was initially titled, Rambo Rajkumar. However, the makers had to change the title of the film as the makers of the Hollywood movie Rambo didn’t allow them to use Rambo in it.
Veer Zara
One of the most popular romantic films of Shah Rukh Khan’s career, Veer Zara was originally called Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum. It was titled after a song in Yash Chopra’s previous film, Silsila, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha and Jaya Bachchan. However, Chopra decided to change the title as Veer Zara fit the bill perfectly.
Jab We Met
Jab We Met established director Imtiaz Ali as one of the most successful storytellers of modern love stories. The film was earlier called Punjab Express and Ishq Via Bhatinda before the makers zeroed in on Jab We Met.
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