Arshad Warsi’s blockbuster film that earned five times its budget
Currently, Arshad Warsi is making headlines for his comments about South superstar Prabhas in his blockbuster film “Kalki 2898.” In a recent podcast, Arshad remarked that Prabhas looked like a joker in the film, sparking considerable controversy. Nevertheless, Arshad is a celebrated actor in Bollywood, known for his remarkable performances that have captured the hearts of millions. Today, we will delve into a film that not only marked a turning point in his career but also turned out to be his first solo hit.
Arshad has consistently showcased his dedication to every character he plays, whether it’s Circuit from “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” or Madhav from “Golmaal.” His ability to inhabit various roles with sincerity has earned him a place among the finest actors in the Hindi film industry.
Arshad Warsi’s Debut Film
Arshad Warsi began his acting career with the film “Tere Mere Sapne,” released in 1996. While his debut film was a semi-hit at the box office, it took him 17 years to taste success as a lead hero. His first solo hit was “Jolly LLB.”
The Role of Jagdish Tyagi
“Jolly LLB” hit theaters in 2013 and was a court-room drama infused with comedy elements. Arshad Warsi starred alongside notable actors such as Boman Irani, Amrita Rao, and Saurabh Shukla. The film’s storyline, coupled with stellar performances from the cast, received tremendous applause from the audience. Arshad played the protagonist, a lawyer named Jagdish Tyagi, affectionately referred to as Jolly.
Arshad Warsi’s First Solo Hit
Remarkably, “Jolly LLB” was created on a modest budget and became Arshad’s first solo hit. The film emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of 2013, setting several box office records. Its success led to the production of a sequel titled “Jolly LLB 2,” starring Akshay Kumar, released in 2017.
Inspired by a Hit and Run Case
The film is based on a hit-and-run case where Jolly fights for the victim’s side. Written and directed by Subhash Kapoor, reports suggest that “Jolly LLB” was inspired by the real-life hit-and-run case of Sanjeev Nanda, with references to the Priyadarshini Mattoo case woven into the narrative.
Impressive Box Office Earnings
According to reports, “Jolly LLB” was made on a budget of just ₹10 crores. Upon release, the film garnered nearly five times its production cost. As per Bollywood Hungama, it grossed a worldwide collection of ₹48.7 crores.
Remakes in the South Indian Film Industry
The immense success of “Jolly LLB” led to its remakes in the South Indian film industry. It was adapted into the Tamil film “Manithan” in 2016 and the Telugu movie “Saptagiri LLB” in 2017. The South makers also enjoyed significant box office success with these remakes. Furthermore, “Jolly LLB 2” featuring Akshay Kumar also became a hit.
Upcoming Projects of Arshad Warsi
Currently, Arshad Warsi is working on two major films, both of which star Akshay Kumar alongside him. The first film is titled “Welcome to Jungle,” which is the third installment in the “Welcome” franchise and is set to be released during the Christmas season this year. The second film, “Jolly LLB 3,” is the third part of the “Jolly LLB” franchise, reportedly scheduled for release in April 2025. In this sequel, actors Huma Qureshi and Saurabh Shukla will also reprise their roles. Recently, Arshad was featured in the popular 2023 Geo Cinema series “Asur 2.”
