Will ‘Patiala House’ mark bullish turn for Akshay?

After a disappointing last year when most of his films saw a bearish turn at the box-office, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is hoping that his first release of the year, cricket based family-drama “Patiala House”, witnesses a bullish trend in the movie business. The film is releasing Friday.

Directed by Nikhil Advani and jointly produced and distributed by Hari Om Productions, T-series and People Tree Films Credence Motion Pictures, “Patiala House” shows how difficult it is for a Sikh boy, played by Akshay, in a patriarchal set up to fulfill his dreams.

And as they say behind every successful man there is a woman and something similar happens to this boy after he meets a girl, Anushka Sharma, who gives him the strength to stand up for what he believes in.

Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Indian rapper and hip hop singer Hard Kaur and Prem Chopra completes Akshay’s family in the movie.

The story revolves around the Kahlon family, who has been living in Southall, London for the past four generations. It is ruled by autocratic and stubborn Bauji played by Rishi.

Since he is the head of the family, others have no choice but to adhere to what he says. Scarred by a racial incident that took place 20 years ago, which led to the murder of his mentor and guardian Saini, Bauji hates the British and everything that the country and its people stood for.

The dilemma, however, is that his son Parghat Singh Kahlon aka Gattu (Akshay) wants to be a cricketer and play for the British cricket team. But Gattu doesn’t have the courage to stand up to his father therefore drops the idea.

Then enters Simran (Anushka) in Gattu’s life and brings in both courage and hope to fulfil his long cherished dream.

Akshay’s role in “Patiala House” is said to be inspired by England cricket team’s Sikh member Monty Singh Panesar, the first Sikh to join England cricket team and the spinner is the crowds’ favourite.

Panesar’s parents migrated to London from Punjab.

Made with an approximate budget of Rs.21 crore, the film has been shot in Mumbai and places like Southall, Middlesex, Trent Bridge, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Ian Botham, former England test cricketer and captain, makes his Bollywood debut with a cameo appearance in “Patiala House”.

Music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy compositions also make “Patiala House” an entertaining album. Music buffs are already dancing to the tunes of hit Punjabi song “Laung da Lashkara” sung by Jasbir Jassi.

Post “Singh Is Kinng” Akshay’s only hit has been “Housefull”. So, the star is banking heavily on this film to give him a hit after a string of duds last year – “Tees Maar Khan”, “Action Replayy” and “Khatta Meetha”.

Along with “Patiala House, “Ashiqui.in” and choreographer Ganesh Acharya’s production venture “Angel” will also hit the screens Friday.

“Angel”, a love story between a boy and a handicapped girl, is the debut movie of Sanjay Dutt’s nephew Nilesh Sahay and actress Sheila Sharma’s daughter Madalta.

“Ashiqui.in” will also introduce new faces Ishaan Manhas and Ankita Shrivastava. The film is about two people – Cyrus and April – who chat online and become closer without revealing their true identities.