A high-speed train, a massive ransom, and a cinematic disaster in the making
In short: The 2012 action thriller Tezz promised a taut, high-stakes race against time involving a bomb-rigged train. Despite an ambitious premise and international filming locations, the production faced severe logistical hurdles, creative interference, and a critical reception that ultimately left the film struggling at the box office.
Directed by Priyadarshan, Tezz follows the story of Aakash Rana, an illegal immigrant deported from the UK who returns to orchestrate a bomb threat on a high-speed train. The plot centers on a demand for 10 million euros, with anti-terrorism officer Arjun Khanna and railway control officer Sanjay Raina attempting to thwart the scheme. While the film was marketed as an emotional action thriller, lead actor Ajay Devgn insisted his character was a man seeking justice against a broken system rather than a traditional terrorist.
The production process was fraught with complications. Filming, which began in 2010, was interrupted for six months by extreme cold, eventually wrapping in July 2011. British authorities initially denied work permits to 14 crew members due to the film's terror-related theme, forcing the director to clarify the project's non-ideological nature. Furthermore, the film suffered from significant post-production issues; Priyadarshan claimed he lost control over the final edit when producers took over the process in Mumbai, leading to a narrative that many critics found difficult to follow.
Upon its release on 27 April 2012 across 1,950 screens, the film received mixed to negative reviews. While some critics praised the action sequences—choreographed by Gareth Milne—others labeled it an epic failure, citing poor writing and pacing. The film ultimately emerged as a box-office bomb. Interestingly, the project's legacy is marked by its technical preparation, including the filming of three different climaxes, and its soundtrack, which drew polarized reactions ranging from mild amusement to harsh dismissal. The film remains a case study in how creative vision can be diluted by production-side interference.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Tezz
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