{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox film | name = Ajji | image = Ajji Poster.jpg | alt = <!-- see WP:ALT --> | caption = Film poster | director = Devashish Makhija | producer = {{plainlist| * Vikram Mehra * Siddharth Anand Kumar }} | writer = Devashish Makhija | screenplay = {{plainlist| * Devashish Makhija * Mirat Trivedi * Maya Tideman }} | story = {{plainlist| * Devashish Makhija * Mirat Trivedi }} | starring = {{plainlist| * Sushama Deshpande * Smita Tambe * Sharvani Suryavanshi * Abhishek Banerjee * Sadiya Siddiqui * Sudhir Pandey * Vikas Kumar * Manuj Sharma }} | music = Mangesh Dhakde | cinematography = Jishnu Bhattacharjee | editing = Ujjwal Chandra | studio = Yoodlee Films | distributor = PVR Pictures | released = {{Film date|2017|11|24|df=y}} | runtime = 104 minutes | country = India | language = Hindi | budget = ₹35 million<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/vikram-mehra-on-how-yoodlee-films-is-marrying-good-content-with-smart-budgets-2/|title=Vikram Mehra On How Yoodlee Films Is Marrying Good Content With Smart Budgets|access-date=2017-11-19|language=en}}</ref> | gross = ₹85 million<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3662|title=Ajji - Movie - Box Office India|access-date=18 July 2018|language=en}}</ref> }}
'''''Ajji''''' ({{translation|Granny}}) is an Indian Hindi-language crime-drama film directed by Devashish Makhija.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theindianfeed.in/ajji-by-devashish-makhija/|title="Ajji", An Upcoming Rape Revenge Based Movie Which India Needs To Watch|last=Priyadarshini|first=Ananya|date=2017-11-05|work=The Indian Feed|access-date=2017-11-14|language=en-US|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114145402/https://www.theindianfeed.in/ajji-by-devashish-makhija/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indiaindependentfilms.com/2017/10/06/cancers-of-devashish-makhija-ajji/|title=The Cancers of Devashish Makhija's "AJJI" - India Independent Films|website=indiaindependentfilms.com|date=6 October 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-14}}</ref> The film stars Sushama Deshpande,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thereel.scroll.in/853372/sushma-deshpande-on-transforming-herself-into-a-vengeful-grandmother-for-ajji|title=Sushma Deshpande on transforming herself into a vengeful grandmother for 'Ajji'|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|work=Scroll.in|access-date=2017-11-14|language=en-US}}</ref> Sharvani Suryavanshi, Abhishek Banerjee, Sadiya Siddiqui, Vikas Kumar, Manuj Sharma, Sudhir Pandey, Kiran Khoje, and Smita Tambe in major roles.<ref>{{Citation|last=Makhija|first=Devashish|title=Ajji|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6471054/|others=Manuj Sharma, Sudhir Pandey, Kiran Khoje|accessdate=2017-09-19}}</ref> "Ajji" has been positioned as a dark take on the classic fairy tale, "Red Riding Hood". The film is backed by Yoodlee Films, a production venture of Saregama.
The film was released theatrically in India on 24 November 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/pti-news/2017/nov/15/ajji-to-release-country-wide-on-november-24-1701955.html|title='Ajji' to release country wide on November 24|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-11-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2017/nov/14/9254/festival-film-ajji-to-be-released-in-theatres-on-24-november|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116190409/https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2017/nov/14/9254/festival-film-ajji-to-be-released-in-theatres-on-24-november|url-status=live|archive-date=16 November 2017|title=Festival film Ajji to be released in theatres on 24 November|last=Pandya|first=Sonal|website=Cinestaan|access-date=2017-11-16}}</ref> It is now available on Amazon Prime Video.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ajji(Granny) |url=https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0SZSEK0XNEPHHON91RP7V5HS4F/ref=atv_hm_hom_c_cjm7wb_2_1?jic=8%7CEgNhbGw%3D |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=Amazon Prime Video}}</ref>
== Synopsis == When Ajji's 10-year-old granddaughter is raped, she finds that the police are unable to arrest the culprit as he is a local politician's son. Ajji decides to take matters into her own hands.
==Cast== * Sushama Deshpande as Ajji * Smita Tambe as Vibha * Sharvani Suryavanshi as Manda * Sadiya Siddiqui as Leela * Trimala Adhikari as Dolly * Rasika Agashe as Ayurved * Sudhir Pandey as Sharafat * Shrikant Yadav as Dhavle Senior * Abhishek Banerjee as Dhavle Junior * Vikas Kumar as Inspector * Manuj Sharma as Umya * Shreyas Pandit as Milind * Kaamod L. Kharade as Gawli * Kiran Khoje as Dhavle Junior's wife * Afreen Shaikh as Mukta
== Development == Jishnu Bhattacharjee is the cinematographer of the film. The film has been edited by Ujjwal Chandra, while the casting credits go to Abhishek Banerjee and Anmol Ahuja. Sikander Ahmad, Shamim Khan and Tiya Tejpal are the production designers of the film.
== Soundtrack == The music of the film has been given by Mangesh Dhakde with Kaamod Kharade working as sound designer and Aditya Yadav as sound editor.
== Critical reception == The film majorly received positive reviews from critics.
The Hollywood Reporter termed it as one of India's strongest independents this year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/ajji-film-review-busan-2017-1048999|title='ajji': Film Review {{!}} Busan 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2017-11-27|language=en}}</ref> Renuka Vyavahare of The Times of India rated the film 4 out of 5 stars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/ajji/movie-review/61759685.cms|title=Ajji Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2017-11-27}}</ref> Kunal Guha of Mumbai Mirror also rated it 4 stars out of 5, saying "Devashish Makhija's film manages to keep one on the edge."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-review/ajji-movie-review-devashish-makhijas-film-manages-to-keep-one-on-the-edge/articleshow/61764743.cms|title=Ajji movie review: Devashish Makhija's film manages to keep one on the edge - Mumbai Mirror -|work=Mumbai Mirror|access-date=2017-11-27}}</ref> Subhash K. Jha said that "cinema cannot get any more basic or honest than this" and gave the movie 4 out of 5 stars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://skjbollywoodnews.com/ajji-horrifying-mirror-image-poverty/|title=Ajji Is A Horrifying Mirror Image Of Poverty - SKJ Bollywood News|website=skjbollywoodnews.com|date=22 November 2017 |language=en-GB|access-date=2017-11-27}}</ref> Movie Talkies gave the film 4/5 stars and wrote that "the cinematographer deserves a pat on the back for highlighting the dark and dingy underbelly of Mumbai."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.movietalkies.com/movies-reviews/ajji/|title=Grandma's Recipe For Revenge - Movie Talkies|work=Movie Talkies|access-date=2017-11-27|language=en-US}}</ref>
Deccan Chronicle gave the movie 3.5 out of 5 stars calling it a standout film with a medieval, moral soul.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/251117/ajji-movie-review-a-standout-film-with-a-medieval-moral-soul.html|title=Ajji movie review: A standout film with a medieval, moral soul|date=2017-11-25|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2017-11-27|language=en}}</ref> Giving Ajji 3 stars out of 5, Anupama Chopra said that "Devashish is a master of atmosphere. He skillfully sets up a deep dread."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.filmcompanion.in/article/ajji-movie-review-anupama-chopra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127013017/http://www.filmcompanion.in/article/ajji-movie-review-anupama-chopra|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2017|title=Ajji Movie Review|access-date=2017-11-27|language=en}}</ref> Movie critic Rajeev Masand said, "It took me a long time to get the film out of my head" and gave it 3/5 stars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/ajji-while-potent-and-rattling-this-film-is-not-for-the-faint-hearted-1586741.html|title=Ajji: While Potent and Rattling, This Film is Not For the Faint-Hearted|work=News18|access-date=2017-11-27}}</ref> Daily News and Analysis gave the movie 3.5 out of 5 stars stating that "Ajji is not for the faint hearted."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/review-review-ajji-is-not-for-the-faint-hearted-2562446|title=Review: 'Ajji' is not for the faint-hearted {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2017-11-25|work=dna|access-date=2017-11-27|language=en-US}}</ref> Glamsham called it a "bloody gruesome 'cut' above indie and rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in.glamsham.com/en/movie-review-ajji-a-bloody-gruesome-cut-above-indie|title=Movie Review: AJJI - A bloody gruesome 'cut' above indie|website=Glamsham|access-date=2017-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034231/https://in.glamsham.com/en/movie-review-ajji-a-bloody-gruesome-cut-above-indie|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rohit Vats of Hindustan Times gave the film 3 out of 5 stars calling it "An unpretentious revenge saga served with proper dose of blood and gore"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/ajji-movie-review-you-ll-be-mad-with-rage-and-root-for-a-brutal-revenge/story-TAu71sloECZutmLN9PmRFN.html|title=Ajji movie review: An unpretentious revenge saga served with proper dose of blood and gore|website=Hindustan Times|date=24 November 2017 |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
Filmfare rated the movie 2.5 out of 5 stars and called it "a film strictly for fans of dark and delicious cinema."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.filmfare.com/reviews/movie-reviews/ajji-movie-review-powerful-but-problematic-25273.html|title=Movie Review: Ajji|work=filmfare.com|access-date=2017-11-27|language=en}}</ref> Trade analyst Komal Nahta said that "Ajji is too dark and depressing to make a mark at the box office".<ref>{{Citation|last=Filmy Box Office|title=Ajji Movie Review by Komal Nahta on Z Etc {{!}} Story, Screenplay & Direction Review of Ajji Movie.|date=2017-11-24|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SpzvTu2NYA|accessdate=2017-11-27}}</ref>
== Film Festival Screenings == The film won the Fresh Blood competition at the Beaune International Thriller Film Festival, France 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/yoodlee-films-ajji-wins-prestigious-awards-at-international-film-festivals/1265400|title=Yoodlee Films' 'Ajji' wins prestigious awards at international film festivals {{!}} Free Press Journal|date=2018-04-26|work=Free Press Journal|access-date=2018-07-24|language=en-GB}}</ref> Sushama Deshpande, who played the title role, won The Flame Award at the UK Asian Film Festival and received a special jury mention for her performance at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-devashish-makhija-s-ajji-receives-global-acclaim-for-its-hard-hitting-and-realistic-content-2608742|title=Devashish Makhija's 'Ajji' receives global acclaim for its hard-hitting and realistic content|date=2018-04-26|work=dna|access-date=2018-07-24|language=en-US}}</ref> "Ajji" was officially invited to compete at the 2017 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/ajji-invited-to-compete-at-busan-international-film-festival-1042195-2017-09-11|title=Ajji invited to compete at Busan International Film Festival|access-date=2017-09-19}}</ref> and was showcased in the New Currents section of the 22nd Korean film extravaganza.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ajji-invited-to-compete-at-busan-international-film-festival-117091100434_1.html|title='Ajji' invited to compete at Busan International Film Festival|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2017-09-11|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2017-09-19}}</ref> The film was also a part of the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) which took place 12–18 October and was played as part of the India Gold category.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/injustice-finds-its-way-into-most-of-my-stories-4882433/|title='Injustice finds its way into most of my stories'|date=2017-10-10|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-11-14|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/09/18/mumbai-film-festival-2017-your-guide-to-picking-the-best-films-from-the-line-up_a_23213107/|title=Mumbai Film Festival 2017: Your Guide To Picking The Best Films From The Line-up|date=2017-09-18|work=Huffington Post India|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en-IN}}</ref> The film was also an official selection for Dharamshala International Film Festival, Singapore International Film Festival<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/the-brawler-ajji-to-screen-at-singapore-film-festival-117102500254_1.html|title='The Brawler', 'Ajji' to screen at Singapore Film Festival|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2017-10-25|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2017-11-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.sg/top-6-films-28th-singapore-international-film-festival-19044|title=Top 6 films at 28th Singapore International Film Festival|last=S|first=Sahana|work=International Business Times, Singapore Edition|access-date=2017-11-14|language=en}}</ref> and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. The film was nominated for the Netpac Award at the 2018 Rotterdam International Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000569/2018/1/|title=Rotterdam International Film Festival (2018) - IMDb|website=IMDb|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
== References == <!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --> {{reflist}}
== External References == * [http://www.news18.com/news/movies/ajji-to-compete-at-busan-film-fest-1515923.html news18.com] * [https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/busan-diary/299518 outlookindia.com] * [http://www.asianage.com/entertainment/bollywood/191017/a-stark-take-on-a-dark-reality.html asianage.com] * [https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/ajji-to-release-country-wide-on-november-24/1188877 outlookindia.com/newsscroll]
== External links == * {{IMDb title|6471054}} * {{Bollywood Hungama movie|ajji}} * [http://www.saregama.com/yoodleefilms/ajji.html ''Ajji''] at Saregama
Category:Films about rape in India Category:2017 Hindi-language films Category:2017 Indian films Category:Indian rape and revenge films Category:Indian drama films Category:Hindi-language drama films Category:2017 drama films Category:2017 films Category:Yoodlee Films films