Let's be real for a second. When A Gentleman 2017 movie first hit the trailers, everyone thought they knew exactly what it was. A glossy, high-octane Bollywood action flick with Sidharth Malhotra looking sharp and Jacqueline Fernandez looking stunning. Standard stuff, right? Well, not quite.
The movie was a massive gamble by the director duo Raj & DK. These guys are now the kings of the Indian streaming space—think The Family Man or Farzi—but back in 2017, they were trying to bring that same quirky, subversive energy to a big-budget tentpole. It didn't land. At least, not in the way the producers' bank accounts wanted it to. It was a "disaster" at the box office. Total flop territory. But if you look at how people talk about it today on Reddit or Twitter, you’d think it was a misunderstood masterpiece.
The Identity Crisis of Gaurav and Rishi
The plot is basically a double-identity trope done with a wink. On one hand, you have Gaurav. He’s the "sundar and susheel" (beautiful and well-behaved) guy living in Miami. He wants a house, a minivan, and a wife. He’s boring. On the other hand, there’s Rishi. Rishi is a lethal operative for a rogue unit called Unit X, led by a very grumpy Suniel Shetty.
Most Bollywood movies would make this a "long-lost twin" thing. Or maybe a "spy with amnesia" thing. Raj & DK decided to play with the timeline instead. They let you believe these are two different people for a good chunk of the first act. It’s a clever narrative trick that actually rewards you for paying attention.
Honestly, Sidharth Malhotra’s performance here is underrated. He’s often criticized for being a bit wooden, but the contrast between the nervous, suburban Gaurav and the cold, efficient Rishi actually works in his favor. He doesn't have to overact. He just has to be two different versions of the same physical shell.
Why the Marketing Killed the Momentum
If you look back at the promos for A Gentleman 2017 movie, they sold it as a generic romantic action comedy. The title itself—A Gentleman—is forgettable. It sounds like a clothing brand or a cologne ad.
The audience that goes to see a Sidharth Malhotra movie usually wants a straightforward hero story. They want the songs (and "Disco Disco" was a banger, let's be honest), the romance, and the bad guys getting punched. What they got was a meta-commentary on action movies. There’s a scene where a character complains about how hard it is to actually dispose of a body in a suburban neighborhood. It’s funny. It’s dry. But it wasn't what the 2017 theatrical audience in India was looking for.
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They wanted Bang Bang! but they got something closer to Mr. & Mrs. Smith mixed with Pineapple Express.
The film also suffered from a weird release window. It came out in August 2017. The industry was in a slump. People were tired of big-budget films that felt hollow. Even though this film had more soul than its competitors, it got lumped in with the rest of the year's disappointments.
The Raj & DK Signature
You can see the seeds of their future success everywhere in this movie.
- The dialogue is conversational, not filmy.
- The action is tactical. People actually reload.
- The villains aren't just shouting; they have mundane problems.
Suniel Shetty’s role as Colonel Vijay Saxena is a bit underutilized, but his presence gives the film some much-needed weight. He’s the "serious" anchor in a movie that’s constantly trying to crack a joke.
The Technical Perks: Miami and Beyond
Visually, the movie is slick. Like, really slick. Roman Jakobi, the cinematographer, shot Miami in a way that feels hot and expensive. It doesn't look like a typical Bollywood "abroad" shoot where they just show the landmarks. It feels lived-in.
And then there's the soundtrack by Sachin-Jigar. "Bandook Meri Laila" is still a top-tier gym track. It’s moody, electronic, and perfectly captures the "Rishi" side of the film. Most Bollywood albums are a mix of different genres to please everyone, but this one felt cohesive. It felt like a vibe.
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Comparing it to the "Unofficial Prequel"
There was a lot of talk about whether this was a sequel to Bang Bang! starring Hrithik Roshan. The filmmakers denied it. They called it a "reboot" of the idea of a gentleman, but legally and narratively, it’s its own thing. Comparing the two is actually pretty interesting. Bang Bang! is a high-flying, logic-defying spectacle. A Gentleman 2017 movie is much more grounded. It’s about a guy who just wants to stop being a spy so he can buy a specific type of kitchen appliance.
That relatability is why it’s found a second life on streaming. When you’re watching at home, you appreciate the small jokes. You appreciate the fact that the hero is tired.
The Action Choreography
We need to talk about the fight scenes. Most Indian action movies at the time relied heavily on "South-style" physics—men flying through the air after a single slap. This movie went the John Wick route. Well, John Wick-lite.
There’s a fluidity to the hand-to-hand combat. The stunt team focused on close-quarters grappling and using the environment. In the kitchen fight or the climax in the office building, the stakes feel real because the movements are fast and messy. It’s not a dance; it’s a struggle.
Why It’s Better Than You Remember
If you haven't seen it since 2017, or if you skipped it because the reviews were "meh," it’s worth a re-watch.
- The Chemistry: Jacqueline Fernandez and Sidharth have genuine spark. It’s not just "we are two hot people in a frame." Their comedic timing, especially when she’s trying to figure out if he’s a criminal, is actually charming.
- The Supporting Cast: Hussain Dalal and Rajit Kapur add layers that most action movies skip. They aren't just there to move the plot; they feel like people who existed before the cameras started rolling.
- The Pacing: It’s a lean movie. It doesn't overstay its welcome. At roughly 130 minutes, it moves fast.
What We Can Learn From the Failure
The failure of A Gentleman 2017 movie taught the industry a lot about expectations. You can't market a "cool, niche action-comedy" as a "mass-market masala film." You end up disappointing the people who show up and missing the people who would actually like it.
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It’s a case study in how a film can be "too early" for its market. If this movie had been released as a direct-to-streaming original in 2021, it would have been a massive hit. The audience's palate has changed. We like our heroes a little bit flawed and our action a little bit more realistic now.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Movie Night
If you're planning to revisit this or watch it for the first time, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Watch it for the craft: Pay attention to how Raj & DK handle the transitions between Miami and Mumbai. They use color palettes to distinguish the two worlds without being obnoxious about it.
- Don't expect a typical "double role" story: It’s not about two people; it’s about the evolution of one man’s identity. Looking at it through that lens makes the story much more satisfying.
- Check out the "making of" clips: If you can find the behind-the-scenes footage of the action rehearsals, it really shows the effort the actors put into the stunt work.
- Stream it on a good setup: The sound design in the action sequences is surprisingly layered. Use headphones or a decent soundbar.
The legacy of the film isn't its box office collection. It's the fact that it paved the way for more experimental storytelling in mainstream Indian cinema. It showed that you could take a massive budget and still try to do something "different," even if the immediate payoff wasn't there. It’s a fun, stylish, and occasionally very funny movie that deserves a spot on your "underrated" list.
Go into it with zero expectations. Ignore the 2017 critics who were looking for a different kind of movie. Just enjoy the ride for what it is—a slick, slightly weird, and very entertaining piece of action cinema.
Final Check for Your Viewing
Check the regional availability on platforms like Disney+ Hotstar or Amazon Prime, as streaming rights for 2017-era Fox Star Studios films often shift between these services. Ensure you are watching the uncensored version to appreciate the choreography in the "Unit X" sequences.