# Badmaash Company

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2010 film by Parmeet Sethi

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Badmaash Company Theatrical release poster Directed by Parmeet Sethi Written by Parmeet Sethi Produced by Aditya Chopra Starring Shahid Kapoor Anushka Sharma Vir Das Meiyang Chang Anupam Kher Cinematography Sanjay Kapoor Edited by Ritesh Soni Music by Songs: Pritam Score: Julius Packiam Production company Yash Raj Films Distributed by Yash Raj Films Release date 7 May 2010 (2010-05-07) Running time 130 minutes Country India Language Hindi Budget ₹210 million[1] Box office ₹530 million[2]

***Badmaash Company*** (transl. Illicit Company) is a 2010 Indian [Hindi](/source/Hindi)-language [crime](/source/Crime_film) [comedy drama](/source/Comedy_drama) film written and directed by [Parmeet Sethi](/source/Parmeet_Sethi) in his directorial debut, and produced by [Aditya Chopra](/source/Aditya_Chopra) under the [Yash Raj Films](/source/Yash_Raj_Films) banner. The film stars [Shahid Kapoor](/source/Shahid_Kapoor), [Anushka Sharma](/source/Anushka_Sharma), [Meiyang Chang](/source/Meiyang_Chang), and [Vir Das](/source/Vir_Das), and follows four young friends from middle-class backgrounds in [Mumbai](/source/Mumbai) who form an illicit business venture that quickly escalates into a high-stakes international con operation.

[Principal photography](/source/Principal_photography) took place in locations across India, [Thailand](/source/Thailand), and the United States.

*Badmaash Company* was released on 7 May 2010 and received mixed reviews from critics who praised the cast performances—particularly Kapoor's—and the film's youthful tone, but criticised the screenplay and pacing. Despite this, the film proved to be a commercial success, grossing ₹530 million (US$11.8 million) worldwide.

## Plot

1994 [Bombay](/source/Mumbai), Karan Kapoor, a [middle-class](/source/Middle_class) college graduate, dreams of starting his own business, much to the disapproval of his father, Sajjan Kapoor, who insists he pursue an [MBA](/source/Master_of_Business_Administration). While on a trip to [Bangkok](/source/Bangkok) with his friends Zing and Chandu, Karan meets Bulbul Singh, an aspiring model. Encouraged by her belief in big ideas over big money, Karan returns to India with a renewed drive to succeed.

When Sajjan suffers a [heart attack](/source/Myocardial_infarction) and the family struggles with medical expenses, Karan is motivated to change his fortunes. He devises a [smuggling](/source/Smuggling) operation for imported goods that avoids customs duties by exploiting loopholes. Along with Zing, Chandu, and Bulbul, he establishes a venture called "Friends and Company." The group becomes wealthy by repeating similar schemes.

After a confrontation with his father over the illegal nature of his work, Karan moves in with Bulbul and expands their operations to the [United States](/source/United_States), aided by his uncle Jazz. There, the group continues their exploits through real estate scams and high-end goods [arbitrage](/source/Arbitrage). However, their success breeds excess. Zing's drinking leads to domestic violence on his girlfriend Linda and fight with Chandu. Karan, meanwhile, enters a fraudulent marriage for a [green card](/source/Green_card), leading Bulbul to leave him. The group disbands amid personal rifts.

Isolated and consumed by guilt, Karan returns to India and witnesses his father being honored for his integrity. This inspires him to abandon his unethical ways. He returns to America, serves a [jail sentence](/source/Sentence_(law)), and is bailed out by his former friends, who also forfeit their shares in the company. 6 months later, Karan is released from jail and begins anew by working at his uncle's firm.

When a failed shirt consignment threatens Jazz's company, Karan reunites with Bulbul, who is now pregnant with his child, along with Zing and Chandu to spin the defect as an innovative “color-changing” feature, reigniting consumer interest. It is also shown that Linda eventually married Chandu. The gimmick is further popularized during a [Michael Jackson](/source/Michael_Jackson) concert, where Linda, now a [backup dancer](/source/Backup_dancer), helps market the shirt. The company's fortunes reverse, and the original team reunites to launch a legitimate business.

The film ends with "Friends and Company" flourishing as a [public enterprise](/source/State-owned_enterprise) and Karan finding personal and professional fulfillment, having reconciled with his father and built a life grounded in integrity.

## Cast

- [Shahid Kapoor](/source/Shahid_Kapoor) as Karan Kapoor

- [Anushka Sharma](/source/Anushka_Sharma) as Bulbul Singh

- [Vir Das](/source/Vir_Das) as Chandu

- [Meiyang Chang](/source/Meiyang_Chang) as Zing

- [Anupam Kher](/source/Anupam_Kher) as Sajjan Kapoor, Karan father

- [Kiran Juneja](/source/Kiran_Juneja) as Maya Kapoor: Karan's mother

- [Shalini Chandran](/source/Shalini_Chandran) as Anu Kapoor: Karan's sister

- [Pavan Malhotra](/source/Pavan_Malhotra) as Jazz: Karan's maternal uncle

- [Jameel Khan](/source/Jameel_Khan) as Archie Bhai

- Alexandra Vino as Linda

- John Marenjo as Charlie

- Obaid Kadwani as the Lawyer

## Production

*Badmaash Company* marked the directorial debut of [Parmeet Sethi](/source/Parmeet_Sethi), who also wrote the screenplay. Sethi reportedly completed the script in just six days, drawing inspiration from real-life individuals for the film's four main characters.[3] He later stated that he was disillusioned with television and eager to transition into filmmaking.

[Principal photography](/source/Principal_photography) took place across various international and domestic locations, including [New York City](/source/New_York_City), [Atlantic City](/source/Atlantic_City%2C_New_Jersey), [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), [Bangkok](/source/Bangkok), [Mumbai](/source/Mumbai), and [Hyderabad](/source/Hyderabad).

## Reception

### Box office

*Badmaash Company* opened to decent collections despite facing stiff competition from the multi-starrer *[Housefull](/source/Housefull_(2010_film))*. It earned approximately ₹208.4 million by the end of its first week. The film continued to perform steadily in domestic markets and ultimately grossed ₹529.8 million at the end of its theatrical run, emerging as a commercial success.[2][4]

### Critical response

*Badmaash Company* received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with praise for its entertainment value and performances but criticism directed at its predictability and narrative.

[Taran Adarsh](/source/Taran_Adarsh) of *[Bollywood Hungama](/source/Bollywood_Hungama)* rated the film 3 out of 5, calling it "a watchable experience" that "offers solid entertainment but doesn't insult your intelligence."[5] Gaurav Malani of *[Indiatimes](/source/Times_Internet)* gave it 3.5 out of 5, praising [Shahid Kapoor](/source/Shahid_Kapoor) and calling the film “a good entertainer. Worth a watch!”[6] [Nikhat Kazmi](/source/Nikhat_Kazmi) of *[The Times of India](/source/The_Times_of_India)* rated it 3 out of 5, noting that while it had "riveting scenes," the plot followed a predictable arc of crime and redemption.[7]

On the other hand, some critics were more reserved. [Komal Nahta](/source/Komal_Nahta) gave it 2.5 out of 5, appreciating Kapoor's performance but calling the film uneven.[8] [Sukanya Verma](/source/Sukanya_Verma) of *[Rediff.com](/source/Rediff.com)* rated it 2 out of 5, writing that the film started off with promise but got bogged down in clichés.[9] [Rajeev Masand](/source/Rajeev_Masand) of *[CNN-IBN](/source/CNN-News18)* was particularly critical, giving it 1.5 out of 5 and calling it “outrageously silly.”[10]

Additional reviews ranged from mixed-to-negative. [Anupama Chopra](/source/Anupama_Chopra) of *[NDTV](/source/NDTV)* labeled it “staggeringly tedious,” while [Raja Sen](/source/Raja_Sen) of *[Rediff.com](/source/Rediff.com)* remarked that “there's not a single scene in the film that actually works.” [Mayank Shekhar](/source/Mayank_Shekhar) of *[Hindustan Times](/source/Hindustan_Times)* noted the film's decline after the interval, calling it “half-written,” and gave it 2 out of 5.[11] The review aggregator *ReviewGang* gave it an average score of 4/10, reflecting the divided critical opinion.[12]

## Accolades

Award Date of the ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref. Zee Cine Awards 14 January 2011 Most Promising Director Parmeet Sethi Nominated [13] Best Male Debut Meiyang Chang Nominated Vir Das Nominated Stardust Awards 6 February 2011 Breakthrough Performance – Male Meiyang Chang Nominated [14]

## Soundtrack

Badmaash Company Soundtrack album by Pritam Chakraborty Released 7 May 2010 (2010-05-07) Genre Film soundtrack Length 30:43 Label YRF Music Pritam Chakraborty chronology Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? (2010) Badmaash Company (2010) Action Replayy (2010) External audio Audio Jukebox on YouTube

The soundtrack of *Badmaash Company* was composed by [Pritam](/source/Pritam), with lyrics written by [Anvita Dutt Guptan](/source/Anvita_Dutt). The [film score](/source/Film_score) was composed by [Julius Packiam](/source/Julius_Packiam).[15]

No. Title Artist(s) Length 1. "Ayaashi" KK 04:24 2. "Jingle Jingle" Mohit Chauhan, Master Saleem, Monali Thakur 04:27 3. "Chaska" Krishna Beura 05:14 4. "Fakeera" Rahat Fateh Ali Khan 04:38 5. "Badmaash Company" Benny Dayal, Anushka Manchanda 03:58 6. "Ayaashi" (Remix) KK 04:12 7. "Chaska" (Remix) Krishna Beura 03:49

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-budget_1-0)** ["How Badmaash Company Seamlessly Intertwines Comedy and Serious Drama"](https://www.airtel.in/blog/entertainment/how-badmaash-company-seamlessly-intertwines-comedy-and-serious-drama/). *Airtel*. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-boxoffice_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-boxoffice_2-1) ["Badmaash Company Box Office Collection"](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/badmaash-company/box-office/). *Bollywood Hungama*. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["The four characters of 'Badmaash Company' picked from real life"](http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-four-characters-of-badmaash-company-picked-from-real-life/608785/). *The Indian Express*. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Domestic Box Office Winners 2010"](http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=2408&nCat=box_office_news). Boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 5 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Adarsh, Taran. ["Badmaash Company: Movie Reviews"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100311034320/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/14138/index.html). *[Bollywood Hungama](/source/Bollywood_Hungama)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/14138/index.html) on 11 March 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Badmaash Company: Movie Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100510022049/http://movies.indiatimes.com/Badmaash-Company-Movie-Review/moviereview/5902575.cms). Indiatimes. Archived from [the original](http://movies.indiatimes.com/Badmaash-Company-Movie-Review/moviereview/5902575.cms) on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Kazmi, Nikhat (7 May 2010). ["Badmaash Company: Review"](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Badmaash-Company/movie-review/5902462.cms). *Times of India*. Retrieved 7 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Review: This company is worth keeping"](http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_review-this-company-is-worth-keeping_1380402). DNA. 8 May 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100510002504/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_review-this-company-is-worth-keeping_1380402) from the original on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Is Badmaash Company really THAT bad?"](http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/may/10/is-badmaash-company-really-that-bad.htm). Rediff. Retrieved 16 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Masand: 'Badmaash Company', outrageously silly"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100510055846/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masand-badmaash-company-outrageously-silly/114820-8-84.html). Ibnlive.in. Archived from [the original](http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masand-badmaash-company-outrageously-silly/114820-8-84.html) on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Mayank Shekhar's Review: Badmaash Company"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100510002142/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mayank-Shekhar-s-Review-Badmaash-Company/Article1-540670.aspx). *Hindustan Times*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mayank-Shekhar-s-Review-Badmaash-Company/Article1-540670.aspx) on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Badmaash Company Reviews"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100510080811/http://www.reviewgang.com/movies/58-Badmaash-Company-Reviews). Reviewgang.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.reviewgang.com/movies/58-Badmaash-Company-Reviews) on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Nominations for Zee Cine Awards 2011"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110105041016/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2011/01/01/6977/index.html). *[Bollywood Hungama](/source/Bollywood_Hungama)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2011/01/01/6977/index.html) on 5 January 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Hungama, Bollywood (22 January 2011). ["Nominations of Stardust Awards 2011 2011 : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama"](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/nominations-of-stardust-awards-2011/). *[Bollywood Hungama](/source/Bollywood_Hungama)*. Retrieved 29 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Badmaash Company music review"](https://www.filmibeat.com/music/reviews/2010/badmaash-company-music-review-120410.html). 12 April 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121227132423/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/music/reviews/2010/badmaash-company-music-review-120410.html) from the original on 27 December 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.yashrajfilms.com/microsites/bc/fullpage.html)

- [*Badmaash Company*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1602476/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [*Badmaash Company*](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/badmaash-company/cast/) at [Bollywood Hungama](/source/Bollywood_Hungama)

Authority control databases MusicBrainz release group

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