The Bollywood heist that traveled from the North Pole to New Zealand
In short: In 2012, the Indian action thriller Players attempted a cinematic feat of unprecedented scale. A remake of The Italian Job, it featured a massive budget, a multi-star ensemble, and locations ranging from the Russian tundra to the Arctic Circle—marking a historic first for Bollywood filmmaking.
Directed by the duo Abbas–Mustan, the film was an ambitious attempt to 'Indianise' the 2003 American remake of The Italian Job. The production was massive in scope, involving a team of criminals—including a hacker, an explosives expert, and a magician—planning to steal ₹10,000 crore (US$1.0 billion) worth of gold from a moving train. To achieve this, the crew filmed in diverse international locations, including New Zealand, Russia, and even the North Pole, where the extreme cold was so intense that the crew had to rely on soup packets for sustenance.
The production was fraught with logistical hurdles and casting shifts. While Abhishek Bachchan led the cast, the directors faced several near-misses with female leads; stars like Katrina Kaif and Sonakshi Sinha were linked to the project before Sonam Kapoor eventually took the role. The filming in Russia required 25 interpreters to navigate language barriers, and the New Zealand leg involved significant coordination with the Wellington City Council to close streets for complex traffic sequences. In one high-stakes stunt, a plane was required to fly inches above three Mini Coopers driven by the cast.
Despite the heavy promotion and the physical dedication of the actors—including Bachchan performing dangerous stunts atop trains traveling at 100 km/h—the film's reception was polarized. While it was one of the most anticipated films of 2012, critics gave it mixed reviews, and it struggled at the box office despite a wide release. The film remains a notable entry in Bollywood history for its technical scale and its attempt to push the geographical boundaries of Indian cinema.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Players (2012 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-players-2012-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
