Taarzan: The Wonder Car is a 2004 Indian Hindi-language supernatural action film written and directed by Abbas–Mustan. Produced by Ratan Jain under the Eros International and Venus Records & Tapes banners, the film stars Ajay Devgn, Vatsal Sheth (in his debut) and Ayesha Takia (also in her debut). The film blends elements of revenge drama, science fantasy and the road movie, with a self-driving, sentient car serving as the central device of the narrative.
Key facts
| Title | Taarzan: The Wonder Car |
|---|---|
| Director | Abbas–Mustan |
| Producer | Ratan Jain |
| Banner | Venus Records & Tapes |
| Music | Himesh Reshammiya |
| Lyrics | Sameer |
| Language | Hindi |
| Year of release | 2004 |
| Lead cast | Ajay Devgn, Vatsal Sheth, Ayesha Takia |
| Genre | Action, supernatural thriller |
Plot overview
The story follows Deven Choudhary (Ajay Devgn), a passionate automobile engineer who designs a unique sports car which he names "Taarzan". After being betrayed and killed by unscrupulous business associates, his soul is reborn in the very car he had built. Years later, the vehicle finds its way to his now-grown son Raj (Vatsal Sheth), who restores it. The car, possessed by Deven's spirit, helps Raj uncover the truth behind his father's death and exact retribution upon the killers, while Raj romances Priya (Ayesha Takia).
Cast
- Ajay Devgn as Deven Choudhary
- Vatsal Sheth as Raj Choudhary
- Ayesha Takia as Priya
- Gulshan Grover
- Pradeep Rawat
- Amrish Puri (in a supporting role)
- Tanaaz Currim
Production
The film marked the debut of both Vatsal Sheth and Ayesha Takia in Hindi cinema. Ajay Devgn appears in an extended special role, with Vatsal Sheth carrying the bulk of the narrative as the protagonist's son. The titular car, custom-built for the film, became a notable promotional element and was widely publicised in the run-up to release. The vehicle was constructed specifically for the production and featured prominently in marketing materials.
Music
The soundtrack was composed by Himesh Reshammiya with lyrics by Sameer. The album was released by Venus Music and was a commercial success, with several tracks attaining popularity on Indian music charts during 2004. Notable songs include "Tera Jalwa", "Dil Mera Tod Diya Usne" and "Maar Jawaan". The success of the soundtrack contributed to Reshammiya's rising profile as a film composer in the mid-2000s.
Reception
At the box office, the film received a mixed commercial response. While the music and the novelty of the central concept drew audience interest, critical reception was lukewarm, with reviewers commenting on the film's narrative similarity to earlier supernatural-vehicle stories in world cinema. The film is, however, remembered for introducing two debutants who went on to build careers in Hindi film and television.
Significance
Taarzan: The Wonder Car is one of the relatively few mainstream Hindi films built around a sentient automobile, placing it in a niche subgenre of Bollywood supernatural cinema. It also stands as an example of Abbas–Mustan working outside their typical thriller template. The film is frequently cited in discussions of early-2000s Hindi cinema for its merchandising of the on-screen car and for the launch of Vatsal Sheth and Ayesha Takia.