Vedaa

Vedaa
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Nikkhil Advani
Written by	Aseem Arora
Produced by	Umesh KR Bansal Monisha Advani Madhu Bhojwani John Abraham
Starring	John Abraham Sharvari Abhishek Banerjee Ashish Vidyarthi
Cinematography	Malay Prakash
Edited by	Maahir Zaveri
Music by	Amaal Mallik Manan Bhardwaj Yuva Raghav–Arjun (songs) Kartik Shah (score)
Production companies	Zee Studios Emmay Entertainment JA Entertainment
Distributed by	Zee Studios
Release date	15 August 2024 (2024-08-15)
Running time	151 minutes[1]
Country	India
Language	Hindi
Box office	est. ₹10.41 crore[2]

Vedaa is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language action drama film directed by Nikkhil Advani and produced by Zee Studios, Emmay Entertainment and JA Entertainment. The film stars John Abraham, Sharvari (in the titular role), Abhishek Banerjee and Ashish Vidyarthi. The film is inspired by true events.^[3][4]

Vedaa was theatrically released on 15 August 2024.^[5][6] The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed over ₹10 crore at the box office.^[2]

Vedaa centers on a Dalit girl who is being abused by the upper caste & how Abhimanyu played by John plays a crucial role in her life.

The filming began on 20 June 2023 in Rajasthan.^[9][10] The shoot was wrapped up in Kashmir in December 2023.^[11] The makers of the film announced their concerns on 25 July 2024 via social media that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had not yet screened the film, despite the application being submitted a month earlier. Following that, it was noted that the CBFC's Examining Committee viewed the film on 22 June, but feedback was not provided to the makers until the film was referred to the Revising Committee on 25 June.^[12][13] The Revising Committee screened the film on 29 July, which led to the deletion of 9.14 minutes and the implementation of certain changes. After these modifications, Vedaa was granted a U/A certificate on 6 August 2024, with a final runtime of 151 minutes.^[14][15]

The music of the film is composed by Amaal Mallik, Manan Bhardwaj, Yuva and Raghav–Arjun while the background score is completed by Kartik Shah. The first single titled "Holiyaan" was released on 3 August 2024.^[16] The second single titled "Mummy Ji" was released on 7 August 2024.^[17] The third single titled "Zaroorat Se Zyada" was released on 10 August 2024.^[18] The entire album featuring 6 tracks was released on 13 August 2024.^[19]

Vedaa was theatrically released on 15 August 2024 on Independence Day with dubbed versions in Tamil and Telugu, clashing with Khel Khel Mein and Stree 2.^[20][21]

Vedaa received mixed critical reviews. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10.^[22]

Rishabh Suri of the Hindustan Times commented, "John Abraham and Sharvari's thriller on caste system gets you thinking, delivers a hard-hitting message." He opined that the film marks a significant shift for director Nikhil Advani, tackling the heavy themes of casteism and honour killings with a blend of action and drama, although it falters with unrealistic character survivals and weak music. While John Abraham delivers a passable performance as a grieving officer, Sharvari shines in her role as the resilient titular character, culminating in a climactic court battle that effectively highlights the film's core message.^[23] Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost gave the film 3/5 stars, remarking, "Flawed, but a brave film on Dalit rights." She pointed out that the film tackles the pressing issue of Dalit rights with a compelling narrative; yet, its impact is diminished by excessive violence overshadowing the social message. While John Abraham delivers a predictable performance, it is Sharvari and Abhishek Banerjee who shine, bringing depth to their roles in a film that ultimately leaves the audience reflecting on societal inequalities.^[24]

Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV India rated the film 2.5/5 stars, commenting, "John Abraham's film manages occasionally to tide over its troughs." According to him, the film is a caste oppression thriller that stands out in mainstream Bollywood by centring on a young Dalit woman's struggle for dignity and equality, with John Abraham's character supporting her quest. Despite its reliance on genre tropes and a somewhat diluted narrative, the film effectively highlights the harsh realities of caste violence while showcasing strong performances, particularly from Sharvari as the determined protagonist.^[25] Sana Farzeen of India Today gave the film 2.5 stars, stating, "John Abraham's film makes you wish for a fast-forward button." She noted that the film attempts to tackle the significant issue of caste in India but ultimately falters due to a slow pace and underdeveloped character arcs, particularly in Sharvari's titular role. While John Abraham shines in action sequences, the film lacks impactful moments and emotional depth, making it a forgettable experience despite its noble intentions.^[26] Troy Ribeiro of The Free Press Journal gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "It’s a mixed bag—a cinematic attempt to grapple with weighty issues while delivering the action-packed thrills that John Abraham fans expect. The result is a film that entertains but falls short of providing a knockout blow, leaving the audience with a lingering sense that the fight, much like Vedaa’s journey, isn’t quite over yet."^[27]

Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 2/5 stars, commenting, "Sharvari breaks the mould as John Abraham gets to slice and dice." In her view, the film presents a commendable yet flawed narrative centered on a young Dalit woman's struggle against caste oppression but ultimately succumbs to the conventional Bollywood trope of sidelining its female lead in favour of male heroism. Despite Sharvari's strong performance and the film's poignant moments, the predictable plot and character arcs dilute its impact, leaving audiences questioning whether Vedaa's journey truly receives the focus it deserves.^[28] Sreeparna Sengupta of The Times of India gave the film 3.5/5 stars, stating, "Film with a message, packed with a solid punch." She noted that the film effectively combines a compelling narrative against caste-based injustices with high-octane action, showcasing John Abraham's impressive physicality and Sharvari's emotional depth as the title character. While the film occasionally falls into predictable tropes and features a convoluted climax, its gritty atmosphere and adrenaline-pumping sequences make it an engaging watch.^[29]

Vedaa grossed ₹8.12 crore on its opening day at the box office.^[2]

• Vedaa at IMDb
• Vedaa at Bollywood Hungama