# Shortcut Romeo

Shortcut Romeo is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language action crime thriller film directed and produced by Susi Ganesh, under the banner of Susi Ganesh Productions. It is the Hindi remake of the director's own Tamil film Thiruttu Payale (2006), starring Neil Nitin Mukesh in the title role with Puja Gupta as his love interest, and Ameesha Patel in a negative character. The theatrical trailer of Shortcut Romeo was unveiled on 25 January 2013. The film was screened at Marche du Film at Cannes Film Festival on 22 May 2013. It released on 21 June 2013 to a mixed reception.

## Plot

Suraj (Neil Nitin Mukesh) is a good-for-nothing youth who throws his weight around his house with his violent attitude. One day, in a fit of rage, he injures his younger brother, following which he is sent off from Goa to Mumbai to his uncle's house. Suraj chances upon Monica. She is the wife of a rich man and comes to learn golf, but her coach becomes interested on her and they make love in a golf park. He records this act on a video camera. He then finds out that it is an extramarital affair and that the lovers, Monica (Ameesha Patel) and Ashish, are rich. Despite Monica offering large sums of money for the tape, Suraj refuses to part with it. His demand is much greater. He wants an assurance from her that she will provide him with a luxurious life.
Monica has no choice; she succumbs to Suraj's blackmail and Suraj foots his holiday in Kenya along with his friends. Monica tries to outsmart Suraj at every stage. Suraj meets Sherry (Puja Gupta) a rich but lonely girl and falls in love with her. That's when he begins to realize that there are things more important than money in life. The cat and mouse game between Monica and Suraj, and the way one alternately checkmates the other in every round goes on till Rahul, Monica's husband, hires a private detective. Sherry gets caught in this cross-fire. The later part of the story ends with an interesting twist and turns.

## Cast

* Neil Nitin Mukesh as Suraj
* Ameesha Patel as Monica
* Puja Gupta as Sherry / Raathikha
* Yogender Kumar as Suraj's best friend
* Rajesh Shringarpure as Rahul
* Jatin Grewal as Ashish
* Susi Ganeshan as Detective Agent (Cameo)
* Errol Marks
* Meherzan Mazda
* Vrajesh Hirjee
* Mumaith Khan
* Bikramjeet Kanwarpal as a Police inspector
* Ashutosh Kaushik
* Himesh Reshammiya in a special appearance in a song

## Production
### Casting

Post Kanthaswamy (2009), Susi Ganeshan announced plans to make his debut in Bollywood by remaking his own Tamil film Thiruttu Payale (2006). It was rumoured that Emraan Hashmi was approached to play the title role, while Bipasha Basu and Deepika Padukone were contenders to play a negative role. However, Ganeshan put a rest to these rumours stating that none of the rumoured actors have been considered for his film. In September 2011, it was announced that Neil Nitin Mukesh and Ameesha Patel were the finalized as the protagonist and antagonist. The film went on floors in November, with Richa Gangopadhyay playing Mukesh's love interest. However, after differences with the director, she dropped out and the role was offered to Puja Gupta. Once Puja was on board, the film's shooting progressed swiftly. A special song was also shot on the lead pair to music by Himesh Reshammiya.

### Filming

Principal photography started in November 2011. The major portion of the first schedule was filmed mainly in Mumbai and a few other places in India. The second schedule began in January and was filmed in Kenya. The schedule lasted for more than 20 days covering the Masai Mara and a few neighbouring places.

## Soundtrack

The soundtrack of the film was composed by Himesh Reshammiya and the music is sold to T-Series. Lyrics are penned by Sameer, Shabbir Ahmed, Manoj Yadav and Sanjay Masoom.

## Release and reception

Shortcut Romeo got a minuscule release by its producer and hence opened to a low 5 million response on opening day and ended its 1st week with a nett domestic collections of just 22.7 million.
A critic from Rediff.com wrote that "Well shot, with laudable performances from Neil Nitin Mukesh and Ameesha Patel, Shortcut Romeo makes up for loose ends and bizarre twists in the plot by means of sheer masala power". Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama rated the film three out of five stars and wrote that "On the whole, SHORTCUT ROMEO is a well-made, stylish crime story with high-voltage drama as its highpoint. It may not boast of A-listers in its cast, but it has ample entertainment and edge-of-the-seat moments to offer. I suggest, give this one a chance!" A critic from The Times of India wrote that "Susi Ganesh has attempted to ‘Bollywoodize’ his first Hindi film (remake of Tamil film Thiruttu Payale). Desperately throwing in Munnis, Sheilas & Jalebi bais – of Kenyan origin. There are twists and (blind) turns, over-dramatized scenes with little shock value that’s mostly predictable".