| CityLights | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Hansal Mehta |
| Screenplay by | Ritesh Shah |
| Based on | Metro Manila bySean Ellis |
| Produced by | Mukesh Bhatt |
| Starring | Rajkummar Rao Patralekha |
| Cinematography | Dev Agarwal |
| Edited by | Apurva Asrani |
| Music by | Songs: Jeet Gannguli Background score: Raju Singh |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Fox Star Studios |
Release date |
|
Running time | 119 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Hindi Rajasthani |
| Budget | ₹90 million |
| Box office | ₹790 million |
CityLights is a 2014 Indiandrama film directed byHansal Mehta, starringRajkummar Rao and actressPatralekha in the lead roles. It is a remake of theBAFTA-nominated British filmMetro Manila (2013).[2] The film was presented byFox Star Studios in association withMahesh Bhatt andMukesh Bhatt.[3]
The story is about a poor farmer fromRajasthan coming to Mumbai in search of a livelihood.[4] The film was released on 30 May 2014, and won rave reviews from most critics. In spite of releasing on just 350 screens,CityLights became a success due to its low cost of production and consistent collections at the box office.[5]
Deepak Singh's (played byRajkumar 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 byPatralekha), 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 in Mumbai.
Deepak is tricked by two conmen 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 FIR. His wife meets an escort working at a nightclub, 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 byManav Kaul), realizes that he is gullible and does various favours for him to gain his trust. Vishnu later reveals a plan 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.
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 inRajasthan.[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]
The songs were composed byJeet Gannguli with lyrics byRashmi Singh.[10]Rashmi Singh receivedBest Lyricist award at the60th Filmfare Awards for her lyrics to the song "Muskurane."[11]
Thefilm score was composed byRaju Singh.
Times of India reviews the cinematography of "Citylights" byDev 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 aHindustan Times review that Hansal Mehta's direction makesCitylights "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]
The film collected₹90 million (US$1.1 million) against a similar production budget.[14]
| 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" |
