In the current era of re-releases, yet another iconic Bollywood film is set to grace the big screen once more. We are referring to Vikramaditya Motwane's Lootera, which boasts a dedicated fanbase for various elements, including the music, the performances of Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha, as well as the cinematography and the filmmaker's lyrical direction. Lootera is scheduled to return to theaters on March 7, 2025.

Inspired by O. Henry’s The Last Leaf

Drawing inspiration from O. Henry’s The Last Leaf, the latter part of the 2013 period romantic drama Lootera is influenced by this classic 1907 short story. Following the success of Udaan (2010), this marks Motwane's second feature film.

The narrative centers on a young conman (Ranveer Singh) who masquerades as an archaeologist and becomes enamored with the daughter (Sonakshi Sinha) of a Bengali zamindar. Set in the 1950s, during India's nascent independence, the story unfolds against the backdrop of the Zamindari Abolition Act.

Pakhi and Varun’s love and betrayal

In 1953, Pakhi, the daughter of a noble family, falls for a visiting archaeologist; however, he harbors a secret that threatens to drive them apart. Unbeknownst to her, he leads a double life that jeopardizes their relationship. Similar to The Last Leaf, the poignant love story Lootera explores the lives of two individuals. Despite its elements of tragedy, betrayal, and eventual redemption, it remains a captivating tale.

The film was produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, Anurag Kashyap, and Vikas Bahl. The music and background score were composed by Amit Trivedi, with lyrics penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, and the cinematography was executed by Mahendra J. Shetty.

Praised performances and commercial expectations

Upon its release, the performances of Sinha and Singh in Lootera received widespread acclaim, with the former's portrayal being particularly recognized as a significant breakthrough.

Motwane asserted in a later interview that contrary to popular belief, no one incurred financial losses from that film. There were expectations for a Rs 30-crore opening weekend, given that it was anticipated to be the next project for either Ranveer or Sonakshi, but those expectations did not come to fruition.

Sonakshi Sinha’s transformation into a 1950s Bengali girl

In a conversation with The Hindu, Sinha revealed that she portrays a Bengali girl. Subarna, the film's costume designer, conducted extensive research on the fashion, hairstyles, and cosmetics of 1950s Bengal to ensure authenticity in Sinha's attire. They have made significant efforts to replicate the style. In keeping with the aesthetics of that era, Motwane has opted for a subtle makeup approach, utilizing only kajal, kumkum, and a hint of laali on her lips. This has proven to be Sinha's most demanding shooting experience to date, as every aspect of her appearance, performance, and the settings had to reflect a time period with which she was entirely unfamiliar.

Conversely, Motwane insisted that Ranveer should embody a blend of James Dean's and Dev Anand's fashion sensibilities.

Where to watch Lootera

Currently, Lootera can be streamed on Prime Video and JioHotstar.

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