Hello is a 2008 Indian Hindi thriller film directed by Atul Agnihotri. The movie is based on the popular novel One Night @ the Call Center by Chetan Bhagat. It features an ensemble cast including Sharman Joshi, Sohail Khan, Gul Panag, Isha Koppikar, Amrita Arora, and Sharat Saxena. The film also includes special appearances by Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.
Plot
The plot of Hello revolves around six friends who work at a call center in Mumbai. The story is narrated by Katrina Kaif, who plays a mysterious storyteller. The film begins with Bollywood actor Salman Khan on a live tour near Delhi. His private jet crashes, but he survives and meets a girl in a lounge who tells him the story of the six friends and their boss.
The main characters are Shyam (Sam), Priyanka (Pearl), Varun (Vroom/Victor), Esha (Elizabeth), Radhika (Rebecca), and Military Uncle (Col. Arvind Tripathi). They work for a Boston-based company that instructs them to never reveal their location and to speak with an American accent. Their boss, Subhash Bakshi, is portrayed as a career-driven individual who plagiarizes software and agrees to lay off 40% of the Indian workforce to relocate to Boston.
Each character faces personal struggles:
- Shyam tries to reconcile with Priyanka after their breakup.
- Esha is annoyed by Varun, thinking he likes her.
- Radhika is heartbroken when her husband Anuj cheats on her.
- Military Uncle wants a visa to see his son and grandson.
One night, the friends are forced to work the night shift until 4:00 AM. During this shift, Shyam realizes the importance of their friendship and the need to stand up against their boss. The story takes a dramatic turn when they receive a call from God, who guides them through their problems.
The film ends with Salman Khan following the mysterious girl out of the lounge, only to find that she has disappeared. He believes in himself, his jet gets fixed, and he flies back home.
Cast
The cast of Hello includes:
- Sharman Joshi as Shyam Mehra (Sam)
- Sohail Khan as Varun Malhotra (Vroom/Victor)
- Arbaaz Khan as Anuj Jha
- Gul Panag as Priyanka Sinha (Pearl)
- Isha Koppikar as Esha Singh (Elizabeth)
- Amrita Arora as Radhika Jha (Rebecca)
- Sharat Saxena as Military Uncle (Col. Arvind Tripathi)
- Anusha Dandekar as Shefali Khandelwal
- Dalip Tahil as Subhash Bakshi
- Suresh Menon as Lokesh Chandaramani (Loki)
- Salman Khan in a special appearance as himself
- Katrina Kaif in a special appearance as the Mysterious Storyteller
- Rishi Nijhawan as Ganesh Acharya
Director, Producer, and Crew
Hello is directed by Atul Agnihotri and produced by Alvira Khan Agnihotri. The screenplay is written by Atul Agnihotri and Chetan Bhagat, based on Bhagat’s novel One Night @ the Call Center. The film’s cinematography is handled by Sanjay F. Gupta, and the editing is done by Umesh Gupta. The music is composed by the duo Sajid-Wajid.
Budget and Box Office
The film had a budget of ₹14 crore and managed to gross ₹17.96 crore at the box office. Despite its moderate financial success, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Some praised its original concept, while others criticized the poorly sketched characters.
Reception
Hello had a fairly strong opening in its first week, grossing approximately ₹60 million in the first three days. However, the film’s reception was mixed. Critics pointed out the lack of depth in character development as a significant drawback. Despite this, the movie’s unique storyline and the performances of the cast were appreciated by some.
Music
The music of Hello is composed by Sajid-Wajid, with lyrics by Jalees Sherwani. The soundtrack includes several songs that were well-received by the audience. Some of the popular tracks from the movie are:
- “Bang Bang”
- “Hello”
- “Caravan”
- “Rab Ka Banda”
Key Highlights of Hello
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Hello |
| Release Date | October 10, 2008 |
| Director | Atul Agnihotri |
| Producer | Alvira Khan Agnihotri |
| Screenplay | Atul Agnihotri, Chetan Bhagat |
| Based on | One Night @ the Call Center by Chetan Bhagat |
| Main Cast | Sharman Joshi, Sohail Khan, Gul Panag, Isha Koppikar, Amrita Arora, Sharat Saxena, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif |
| Plot Summary | Six friends working at a call center in Mumbai face personal and professional challenges, receiving guidance from a mysterious phone call from God. |
| Music | Sajid-Wajid |
| Cinematography | Sanjay F. Gupta |
| Editing | Umesh Gupta |
| Budget | ₹14 crore |
| Box Office | ₹17.96 crore |
| Reception | Mixed to negative reviews; praised for its concept but criticized for character development |
| Special Appearances | Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif |
| Runtime | 2 hours 9 minutes |
| Genre | Thriller, Drama |
| Language | Hindi |
| Notable Songs | “Bang Bang,” “Hello,” “Caravan,” “Rab Ka Banda” |
| Trivia | Based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel; features a unique narrative structure with a story within a story |
Conclusion
Hello (2008) is a film that explores the lives of six friends working at a call center, dealing with personal and professional challenges. Directed by Atul Agnihotri and based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel, the movie features a talented cast and a unique storyline. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film managed to make a mark at the box office and remains a memorable adaptation of Bhagat’s work.
For fans of Indian cinema and those interested in stories about friendship and resilience, Hello offers an engaging watch. The film’s blend of drama, humor, and a touch of the supernatural makes it a distinctive entry in the thriller genre.
Also Read: Kamal Haasan’s “Indian 2” Dominates Box Office on Opening Day, Earns ₹26 Crore Despite Mixed Reviews
