# Wake Up Sid

Wake Up Sid is a 2009 Indian Hindi-language coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Dharma Productions. It stars Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma. Set in contemporary Mumbai, the film tells the story of a careless rich college brat (Kapoor) taught the value of owning up to responsibility by an aspiring writer (Sen Sharma) from Kolkata.
Wake Up Sid was released on 2 October 2009, and proved to be a commercial success at the box office. It received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with critical acclaim for its novel concept, themes, direction, story, screenplay, soundtrack, and cast performances.
At the 55th Filmfare Awards, Wake Up Sid received 9 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director (Mukerji), Best Actor (Kapoor) and Best Supporting Actress (Pathak), and won 3 awards – Best Actor (Critics) (Kapoor), Best Debut Director (Mukerji, tying with Zoya Akhtar for Luck by Chance), and Best Female Playback Singer (Kavita Seth for "Iktara").

## Plot

Siddharth “Sid” Mehra a gifted yet lethargic and aimless young man, is in his final year of college, indifferent toward academics despite his prodigious intellect. The son of a wealthy businessman, Ram Mehra, Sid enjoys an indulgent lifestyle, enabled by his mother, Sarita, who, despite her frustrations, continues to coddle him. His approach to academics is abysmally negligent—barely studying the night before his final exams. As he struggles through his test, tormented by imagined mockery from classmates, he clings to the hope of scraping a pass. After the exams, he indulges in extravagant shopping and dining with friends, blissfully oblivious to the ramifications of his lackadaisical attitude.
Sid’s father attempts to instill responsibility in him by offering to gift him a Porsche if he works at the family business for a month. Initially enticed, Sid reluctantly agrees but quickly finds himself disenchanted with the monotonous corporate environment. He quits in frustration, relinquishing his claim to the coveted car.
At his college’s farewell party, Sid meets Aisha Banerjee, an ambitious writer newly arrived from Kolkata, determined to carve a career at Mumbai Beat, a prestigious magazine. Intrigued by her independence and clarity of purpose, Sid takes her to a beach, questioning her resolve in facing the challenges of Mumbai alone. Undeterred, Aisha affirms her unwavering commitment to her aspirations.
Soon after, Aisha seeks accommodation, struggling with deplorable hostel conditions. Sid assists her in house-hunting, leading them to an apartment owned by the flirtatious Sonia. While Sid is appalled by the dilapidated state of the room, Aisha sees potential and embraces the challenge of revitalizing the space. With Sid and his friends’ help, she transforms the apartment, cementing a bond of friendship. When Sid tentatively broaches the idea of a romantic relationship, Aisha dismisses the notion, stating that he lacks ambition and does not align with her ideals.
Aisha secures her position at Mumbai Beat under the urbane Kabir Chaudhary, while Sid, upon receiving his exam results, is devastated to learn that he has failed. Unable to cope with his disappointment, he lashes out at his friends and returns home in frustration. Matters escalate into a heated argument with his parents, culminating in Sid storming out of the house. With no financial support or shelter, he turns to Aisha, who, despite her initial reservations, allows him to stay temporarily.
Their cohabitation is rife with challenges—Sid, unfamiliar with domestic responsibilities, struggles with cooking and maintaining order, while Aisha, immersed in her demanding job, finds his presence increasingly exasperating. A particularly stressful day leads to an altercation where Aisha chastises Sid for his incompetence, prompting him to reevaluate his approach to life. He gradually takes on household chores and rekindles his passion for photography, capturing candid moments of the world around him. Recognizing his potential, Aisha introduces him to Amit, a photography director at Mumbai Beat, who, impressed by Sid’s work, offers him an internship.
Sid’s transformation is profound. He embraces discipline, proactively contributes to household management, and immerses himself in his newfound career. During a photography assignment, he encounters a mother and child, evoking nostalgia for his own maternal bond. This compels him to reconcile with his mother, offering a heartfelt apology. His growth is further underscored by mending ties with his estranged friends.
Encouraged by his progress, Sid aspires to prove his worth by securing his own feature in Mumbai Beat. Meanwhile, Aisha’s article gains approval for publication, marking a milestone in her career. Though she initially dates Kabir, she soon realizes their incompatibility and, more poignantly, recognizes her deepening affection for Sid.
Sid’s perseverance culminates in professional validation—he is promoted to assistant photographer and receives his first paycheck. Overjoyed, he visits his father’s office, acknowledging his past defiance and expressing gratitude. His father, moved by Sid’s newfound sense of purpose, embraces him with pride. Determined to rebuild familial ties, Sid decides to return home, leaving Aisha’s apartment. Unbeknownst to him, Aisha is heartbroken by his departure but refrains from confessing her feelings.
Back home, Sid stumbles upon Aisha’s shirt among his belongings, an inadvertent keepsake of their time together. As he reads the latest issue of Mumbai Beat, he discovers Aisha’s article—a poignant narrative of her experiences in Mumbai and her affection for an unnamed individual. Realizing that the article is about him, Sid is struck by the depth of her emotions.
Determined to seize his moment, he rushes through the rain-soaked streets of Mumbai, certain that Aisha would be at their cherished beach spot. As he finds her, he professes his love, and she reciprocates with equal fervor. They embrace, marking the beginning of their love story, symbolizing Sid’s evolution from an aimless slacker into a man of substance and purpose.

## Cast

* Ranbir Kapoor as Siddharth "Sid" Mehra
* Konkona Sen Sharma as Aisha Banerjee
* Anupam Kher as Ram Mehra
* Supriya Pathak as Sarita Mehra
* Rahul Khanna as Kabir Choudhary
* Kashmera Shah as Sonia Gill
* Shikha Talsania as Laxmi Inder Advani
* Namit Das as Rishi Atul Raheja
* Krutika Bolaki as Neha, Rishi's love interest
* Rahul Pendkalkar as Sanjay "Sanju" Bapat
* Sanat Sawant as Jay Mehra
* Shruti Bapna as Debbie
* Nitin Chatterjee as a restaurant steward
* Kainaz Motivala as Tanya Lathia
* Mukesh Rawal as Mr. Lathia, Tanya's Father, Ram Mehra's close friend
* Atisha Naik as Sanju's mother
* Asif Ali Baig as Raj
* Munir Kabani as Amit, Head Photographer at Mumbai Beat
* Mohsin Ali Khan as Chhotu, Sid's servant
* Huzefa Gadiwala

## Production
### Shooting

Wake Up Sid was entirely shot in Mumbai, covering the areas of South Mumbai and Bandra. The college sequence was shot at H. R. College of Commerce and Economics near Churchgate, Mumbai.

## Release
### Theatrical release

Wake Up Sid released on 2 October 2009, coinciding with the Gandhi Jayanti extended weekend.

### Television Rights

Wake Up Sid's television rights were sold to Colors at the time of its premiere, whence it would subsequently premiere on UTV Movies, and later Bindass. Eventually, after the Disney acquisition of Star India, the film began premiering with multiple slot re-runs on Star Gold Select.

### Home Video

Wake Up Sid's DVD was published by UTV Home Video.

### Game

UTV Indiagames also released a mobile video game based on the film.

## Reception
### Box office

Wake Up Sid opened well in India and overseas markets. Its opening weekend gross was ₹215 million (US$2.5 million) of which the domestic gross was ₹170 million (US$2.0 million). It was number one in the box office during its first and second weeks, number four during its third week, and number three during its fourth week.
In the United Kingdom, the film collected US$165,934, while in the US, the collections were US$717,977. By its fourth week, it grossed $348,351 in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Do Knot Disturb also released during the same time, but Wake Up Sid got a larger portion of the audience.

### Critical reception

Wake Up Sid received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with high praise for its novel concept, themes, direction, story, screenplay, soundtrack and performances of the cast.
Subhash K. Jha from Bollywood Hungama gave Wake Up Sid a rave review stating that it is, "a triumph on many levels [...] Ayan Mukerji takes the age-old dramatic conflicts of our commercial cinema into understated corridors. Similarly, Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave the film 4 out of 5 stars as well as a "thumbs up" stating that it is "strongly recommended." Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, stating that Wake Up Sid "has its heart in the right place and marks the breakout of a bright, shining star who has come into his own so early in his acting career. Watch it, and be awestruck by Ranbir."
Mayank Shekhar of Hindustan Times gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars and states, "Wake Up Sid belongs to a sweet genre that, without doubt, flows on from Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai (2001): part-Hollywood; part-Bollywood; mostly coming-of-age; subtly romantic; largely original; authentic in feel; light in weight; English in expression; Hindi in language." Avijit Ghosh of The Times of India gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars and suggests that, "Wake Up Sid becomes a sort of template of how GenNow navigate their lives: deal with their own little rebellions, find meaning to their own definitions of independence and handle their own set of mistakes. It feels good when the two friends finally meet in driving rain under the grey skies by the sea. Refreshing and heart-warming, Wake Up Sid really puts you in the mood for love." Noyon Jyoti Parasara of AOL India gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars and praised the director saying, "Ayan Mukerji arrives in style and manages to leave his own mark on the film despite having a producer like Karan Johar whose other productions always tend to have his stamp. Wake Up Sid really puts you in the mood for love."
Joginder Tuteja of the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) calls the film "flawless" and gave it 3.5 stars out of 5. He states: "There are 5 things that make Wake Up Sid a delightful affair. It has a constant flow throughout; no over-the-top or understated drama; no ultra-emotional strangulation of audiences; absolutely no yuppie cool dude act; and last but not the least, this is an original and refreshing story." Rachel Saltz of The New York Times argues that: "With no big production numbers (songs play over montage sequences), a quiet style and credible characters, Wake Up Sid is Bollywood in an indie mood, a film for people like Aisha and Sid: young and educated. It may not be as hip as Bombay Beat, the magazine where the two work, but it shows that Mr. Mukerji is a director to watch."
In one point of criticism, Sudhish Kamath of Chennai's The Hindu labeled the closing moments as a "stock-ending" and noted that, despite the film's overall effectiveness, the ending "leaves you a little disappointed." Variety's Joe Leydon found the film "instantly forgettable", but praised the performances of Sharma and Kapoor, as well noting how "effortlessly appealing" the film is, stating: "...this atypically low-key Bollywood romantic comedy somehow manages to remain pleasantly diverting throughout its 138-minute running time."

### Controversy

On 2 October, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supporters protested to halt the screening of Wake Up Sid in Mumbai and Pune. The MNS objected the use of the word "Bombay" instead of "Mumbai" in the film.

## Accolades

| Award | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result |
| 55th Filmfare Awards | Best Director | Ayan Mukerji | Nominated |
| 55th Filmfare Awards | Best Debut Director | Ayan Mukerji | Won |
| 55th Filmfare Awards | Best Actor | Ranbir Kapoor | Nominated |
| 55th Filmfare Awards | Best Actor (Critics) | Ranbir Kapoor (also for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year) | Won |
| 55th Filmfare Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | Kavita Seth for "Iktara" | Won |
| 55th Filmfare Awards | Best Film | Wake Up Sid | Nominated |
| 55th Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Supriya Pathak | Nominated |
| 55th Filmfare Awards | Best Music Director | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Nominated |
| 55th Filmfare Awards | Best Lyricist | Javed Akhtar for "Iktara" | Nominated |
| Screen Awards | Most Promising Debut Director | Ayan Mukerji | Nominated |
| Screen Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | Kavita Seth for "Iktara" | Won |
| Stardust Awards | Superstar Of Tomorrow – Male | Ranbir Kapoor (also for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani) | Won |
| Stardust Awards | Hottest New Director | Ayan Mukerji | Won |
| Stardust Awards | Best Film Of The Year – Drama | Wake Up Sid | Nominated |
| Stardust Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Supriya Pathak | Nominated |
| Stardust Awards | New Musical Sensation – Female | Kavita Seth for "Iktara" | Nominated |
| Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Debut Director | Ayan Mukerji | Won |
| Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Director | Ayan Mukerji | Nominated |
| Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Story | Ayan Mukerji | Nominated |
| Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Ranbir Kapoor | Nominated |
| Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Konkona Sen Sharma | Nominated |
| Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Anupam Kher | Nominated |
| Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Supriya Pathak | Nominated |
| Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Costume Design | Manish Malhotra | Nominated |
| Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Art Direction | Amrita Mahal | Nominated |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | Kavita Seth for "Iktara" | Won |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Director | Ayan Mukerji | Nominated |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Story | Ayan Mukerji | Nominated |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Actor | Ranbir Kapoor | Nominated |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Supriya Pathak | Nominated |
| 2nd Mirchi Music Awards | Listeners' Choice Song of the Year | "Iktara" | Won |

## Soundtrack

The music was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy with lyrics by Javed Akhtar. The soundtrack was released on 21 August 2009 to positive reviews. Amit Trivedi, who provided the film's background score, guest-composed the song "Iktara", its reprise and extended version, all of which were written by his frequent collaborator Amitabh Bhattacharya. Song "Boondon Ke Moti", an extension to Iktara, sung by Salim Merchant remains unreleased till date.