Zokkomon is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language superhero film released by Disney World Cinema, written and directed by Satyajit Bhatkal. Starring Darsheel Safary in the lead role, Zokkomon is Disney's fourth involvement in a production for the Indian market (after the animated Roadside Romeo, the Tollywood movie Anaganaga O Dheerudu, and the live-action Do Dooni Chaar). The music has been composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy.[1] The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences alike who praised the performances, most notably Safary, Fadnis, and Kher but had criticism towards the story and noted that the film didn't make full use of its potential.
| Zokkomon | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Satyajit Bhatkal |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Keshav Prakash |
| Edited by | Suresh Pai |
| Music by | Songs: Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Background Score: Hitesh Sonik |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | UTV Motion Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 109 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (September 2024) |
Kunal (Safary), an orphaned boy, discovers how cruel life is when he is abandoned by his heartless uncle, Deshraj Kumar (Kher). Left to fend for himself, Kunal soon realizes the hero within and begins his epic journey of adventure and transformation to become Zokkomon.
Cast
edit- Darsheel Safary as Kunal Kumar / Zokkomon[2]
- Manjari Fadnis as Kittu Chopra
- Anupam Kher as Deshraj Kumar (Kunal's uncle)
- Sheeba Chaddha as Rajrani Kumar (Kunal’s aunt)
- Atisha Naik as Arju's Mother
- S. M. Zaheer as Dr. Vivek Roy
Soundtrack
editThe music is composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. Lyrics are penned by Ramesh, Lakshmi, and Javed Akhtar
| Zokkomon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 25 March 2011 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Label | Buena Vista | |||
| Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy chronology | ||||
| ||||
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Lyrics | {{{extra_column}}} | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | "Jhunjhunamakadstrama" | Ramesh | Anushka | |
| 3. | "Suno Brother" | Anirudh | Lakshmi | |
| 4. | "Tum Bin Yeh Dil Ghabraye" | Javed Akhtar | Shaan | |
| 5. | "Zokkomon" | Javed Akhtar | Shankar Mahadevan | |
| 6. | "Zokkomon - I" | Javed Akhtar | Alyssa Mendonsa, Shankar Mahadevan |
Release
editThe film was originally scheduled for release on 7 May 2010, but due to scheduling conflicts with Bumm Bumm Bole, another film starring Safary, the release date was moved to 22 April 2011.[3][4]
Home media
editThe film was released by Buena Vista Home Entertainment on DVD, digital Download, and on demand on 26 July 2011.[5][6]
Reception
editCritical response
editZokkomon received mostly favorable reviews from film critics. Kevin Thomas of Los Angeles Times gave the film 4 out of 5, describing the film as a "lively and engaging family film" that has "more substance and cohesiveness than much Bollywood fare."[7] Robert Koehler of Variety calls the production package under Satyajit Bhatkal's direction "thoroughly pro," while Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter says that the first live-action film from Disney Studios India is "designed to give Indian kids their first superhero."[8][9]
Conversely, Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave the film 2 stars out of 5, writing ″Too bad Zokkomon doesn't make full use of its potential.″[10] Anuj Kumar in his negative review for The Hindu called the film ″Low on IQ, high on saccharine!″. He further wrote ″We never get to know the logic behind rechristening Kunal Zokkomon in a place where people speak chaste Hindi and the kids are not shown watching any cartoon channel. A name like Zokkomon sounds out of place in such territory, but Bhatkal never substantiates it in the script. Perhaps Disney wants to promote Zokkomon as a long-lost Indian cousin of Doraemon or Pokemon if the film does well. But for now, it comes across as a misplaced marketing move. Darsheel is the best thing about the film. Kher hams big time and Manjari overdoes the cute act.″[11]
References
edit- ^ "Walt Disney Studios Launch Zokkomon". Glamsham. Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
- ^ "Meet the youngest superhero in the world". Rediff. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Bansal, Robin (29 January 2010). "Working with Darsheel was an amazing experience: Zokkomon director". Hindustan Times. HT Media Limited. Archived from the original on 19 March 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
- ^ Jha, Subhash K. (12 May 2010). "I jist want my fans to love me: Darsheel". The Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
- ^ "Walt Disney Unveils Three Indian Movies In North America". The Economic Times. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
- ^ "Disney Releasing 3 Indian Films in North America". Deccan Herald. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
- ^ Thomas, Kevin (25 April 2011). "Movie Review: Zokkomon". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ Honeycutt, Kirk (19 April 2011). "Zokkomon: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ Koehler, Robert (20 April 2011). "Zokkomon". Variety. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ "Zokkomon - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com.
- ^ "Zokkomon or Bore-mon?". The Hindu. 23 April 2011. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via www.thehindu.com.