When Shah Rukh Khan first stepped onto the screen with kohl-lined eyes and a sharp pathani suit in the Raees movie, the hype was actually deafening. You probably remember the trailer. It was everywhere. It promised a return to the "Anti-Hero" SRK we hadn't seen since the 90s. But then the movie actually came out in 2017, and honestly, the conversation shifted from the film itself to everything surrounding it. Political bans. Casting controversies. Comparisons to real-life gangsters.
Raees is a weird one.
It’s a massive "masala" entertainer that tries really hard to be a gritty crime drama at the same time. Directed by Rahul Dholakia, it tells the story of Raees Alam, a kid who grows up in the dry state of Gujarat and decides that if he can't find a job, he’ll just build an empire.
The Abdul Latif Connection: Fact or Fiction?
If you spend five minutes on the internet looking up the Raees movie, you’ll hit the name Abdul Latif. He was a notorious figure in Ahmedabad during the 80s. People were convinced SRK was playing him. In fact, Latif’s son, Mushtaq Ahmad, even sued the filmmakers for 101 crore rupees, claiming the movie defamed his father.
The makers? They denied everything.
They officially labeled it a "pure work of fiction." But let’s be real—the parallels are hard to ignore. The bootlegging business in a prohibition state, the political ties, the rise from poverty to a "Robin Hood" figure in the local community. It all feels very familiar. However, the film takes massive creative liberties. While the real Latif was linked to much darker incidents, including the 1993 Mumbai blasts, the Raees character is written with a moral compass that makes him easier for a global audience to root for.
It's a classic Bollywood move.
Softening the edges of a criminal to make him a hero is a trope as old as time. In the Raees movie, SRK’s character follows his mother’s philosophy: "No business is small, and no religion is greater than business." It’s a catchy line. It also serves as a convenient shield for his character's illegal activities.
Why the Nawazuddin-SRK Dynamic Worked
Honestly, the best part of the movie isn't the action. It’s the cat-and-mouse game between Raees and ACP Majmudar, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Nawazuddin is brilliant. He doesn't play the cop as a screaming, muscle-bound hero. He’s sarcastic. He’s persistent. He’s basically the only person in the film who isn't intimidated by Raees.
Standout Moments
- The dialogue "Baniye ka dimaag aur Miyanbhai ki daring" became an instant sensation.
- The confrontation scenes in the police station.
- Nawazuddin’s dry humor when he’s being transferred (again).
Their chemistry is what keeps the second half from falling apart. While the script starts to sag under the weight of "Robin Hood" tropes, the tension between the law and the outlaw remains electric. It’s a masterclass in two different acting styles clashing on screen. You've got the King of Bollywood with his signature intensity and a method-acting powerhouse who can steal a scene with a single smirk.
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The Music and the Mahira Factor
We have to talk about Mahira Khan. Her debut in the Raees movie was supposed to be a massive bridge between Indian and Pakistani cinema. Then, political tensions flared up, and she couldn't even promote the film in India. It was a mess.
Despite that, her chemistry with SRK in the song "Zaalima" is top-tier. The soundtrack, composed by Ram Sampath, is actually one of the film's strongest pillars. You still hear "Laila Main Laila" (the Sunny Leone remake) at every wedding and club. It’s a high-energy track that fits the 80s aesthetic perfectly.
Then there's "Udi Udi Jaaye." It’s a rare moment of colorful Gujarati culture in an otherwise dusty, brown-toned movie. It adds a layer of humanity to Raees, showing him as a man who loves his community and his traditions, not just his bank account.
What Really Happened at the Box Office?
Raees didn't have a smooth run. It clashed with Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil. Clashes usually hurt both movies, and this was no exception. While it earned over 270-300 crores globally, many critics felt it didn't live up to the "all-time blockbuster" status people expected from an SRK crime saga.
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The movie has a bit of an identity crisis.
The first half is a tight, gripping rise-to-power story. The second half? It gets bogged down in politics and sentimentality. It tries to make Raees too "good." By the time the ending rolls around—and no spoilers here, but it's a heavy one—the film has shifted from a crime thriller to a tragedy.
Some fans loved the grit. Others wanted more of the romantic SRK.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Viewers
If you’re planning to revisit the Raees movie or watch it for the first time, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch for the 80s Details: The production design is actually incredible. The old spectacles, the rotary phones, and the vintage cars are all period-accurate and help build the world of Fatehpura.
- Focus on the Subtext: The movie subtly critiques the system. It shows how crime doesn't happen in a vacuum—it’s often fueled by corrupt politicians who use men like Raees as pawns until they’re no longer useful.
- Don't Expect a Biopic: Forget the Abdul Latif rumors. Treat Raees Alam as a fictional archetype of the "Angry Young Man" updated for a modern audience.
- Check Out the Deleted Scenes: There are several clips online, including a scene of SRK singing, that didn't make the final theatrical cut but add a lot of flavor to the character.
Raees remains a significant entry in Shah Rukh Khan's filmography because it showed his willingness to play someone gray. It wasn't perfect, but it was bold. It's a film that demands to be seen for the performances alone, even if the screenplay takes a few wrong turns in the second act.
Next Step: To truly appreciate the era, you should look up the making-of documentaries for Raees on YouTube. They show how the crew recreated 1980s Ahmedabad on sets in Mumbai, which is a feat of engineering in itself.