Raees (2017)
Story overview
Raees is a 2017 Indian crime thriller set in Gujarat during the 1980s-90s. It follows the fictional rise of Raees, a bootlegger who builds a powerful criminal empire through ambition and cunning, while a determined police officer relentlessly pursues him. The film explores themes of power, corruption, and moral ambiguity within a gritty, period-specific context.
Parent Guide
A gritty crime drama with intense violence, criminal enterprise themes, and complex moral ambiguity. Not suitable for children or young teens due to graphic content and mature subject matter.
Content breakdown
Frequent and intense violence including shootings, beatings, stabbings, and gang violence. Graphic depictions of injuries and blood. Characters are killed execution-style. High-tension confrontations and peril throughout.
Disturbing criminal activities including bootlegging operations, corruption, and organized crime. Tense police raids and confrontations. Some scenes of intimidation and threat. The overall criminal enterprise atmosphere may be unsettling.
Strong language in Hindi including profanity and crude expressions. Some insults and aggressive dialogue. The intensity of language matches the criminal setting.
Brief romantic moments and suggestive dialogue. Some scenes show characters in revealing traditional clothing during song sequences. No explicit sexual content or nudity.
Central theme revolves around illegal alcohol production and distribution (bootlegging). Frequent depiction of alcohol consumption, brewing operations, and the alcohol trade. Characters drink regularly in social and business contexts.
High emotional stakes with themes of ambition, betrayal, loyalty, and moral conflict. Intense family dynamics and relationships under pressure. The cat-and-mouse game between criminal and police creates sustained tension. Characters face life-or-death consequences.
Parent tips
This film contains intense violence, criminal activity, and mature themes unsuitable for young viewers. Recommended for mature teens 16+ with parental guidance. Discuss the consequences of illegal actions and the glamorization of crime portrayed. Be prepared to address complex moral questions about power and justice.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
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- What makes Raees both a sympathetic and problematic character?
- How does the film balance showing criminal activity while condemning it?
- What real-world consequences do illegal businesses have on communities?
- How does the police officer's determination contrast with Raees' ambition?
- What historical context about 1980s-90s Gujarat is important to understand?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Raees' is a tragic exploration of systemic failure and the cyclical nature of violence. It's not a glorification of crime, but a damning indictment of the prohibition-era Gujarat that creates its own outlaws. Raees Alam's rise is driven by a primal need for respect and agency denied to him by his socioeconomic status and religious identity. The film argues that when legitimate avenues are blocked by corruption and prejudice, the underground economy becomes the only viable ladder. His downfall isn't just due to a cop's pursuit, but the inevitable consequence of operating within a system designed to consume its most successful products. The real antagonist is the hypocritical state machinery that profits from prohibition while destroying those who fulfill the public demand.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The film employs a gritty, sun-bleached aesthetic that roots the drama in a specific time and place. Cinematographer K.U. Mohanan uses a desaturated color palette dominated by earthy browns and dusty yellows, visually mirroring the dry, oppressive landscape of Gujarat. The camera often adopts a documentary-like, handheld intimacy during tense sequences, making the violence feel immediate and visceral. Conversely, Raees's moments of power are framed with wider, more stable shots, emphasizing his growing control over his territory. The action is brutal and functional, devoid of stylized slow-motion, reinforcing the film's grounded, realistic tone. Visual symbolism is subtle, like the recurring motif of glasses—Raees's trademark spectacles represent his vision and intellect, which ultimately become his identifiable weakness.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
Shah Rukh Khan underwent a significant physical transformation, gaining weight and adopting a distinct Gujarati accent for the role. The film is loosely inspired by the life of Gujarati bootlegger Abdul Latif, though names and specific events are fictionalized. Major portions were shot in real locations across Gujarat, including Bhuj and Mandvi, to capture authentic backdrops. The iconic 'Raees' dialogue 'Baniye ka dimaag, Miyanbhai ki daring' was improvised by Shah Rukh Khan during filming. Nawazuddin Siddiqui's character, Inspector Majmudar, was written specifically for him after the director saw his previous work, leading to their dynamic on-screen rivalry.
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Trailer
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