DarleneSeamon8 at 08:39, 2 March 2026

2026-03-02T08:39:37Z

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{{short description|Film by Satish Kaushik}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Kaagaz
| image = Kaagaz film poster.jpg
| caption = Release poster
| director = [[Satish Kaushik]]
| producer = {{Unbulleted list|Ankit Mehta|[[Salman Khan]]|Nishant Kaushik|Vikas Malu}}
| writer = Satish Kaushik
| starring = {{Unbulleted list|[[Pankaj Tripathi]]|[[Monal Gajjar]]|[[Amar Upadhyay]]|Tina Ahuja|[[Lankesh Bhardwaj]]}}
| music = {{Unbulleted list|[[Pravesh Mallick]]|[[Rahul Jain (singer)|Rahul Jain]]}}
| cinematography = Arkodeb Mukherjee
| editing = [[Sanjay Verma]]
| studio = {{Unbulleted list|[[Salman Khan Films]]|The Satish Kaushik Entertainment Production}}
| distributor = [[ZEE5]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2021|1|7|ref1=<ref name="release date"/>}}
| runtime = 109 minutes
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'''''Kaagaz''''' ({{translation|'Paper'}}) is a 2021 Indian [[biographical film|biographical]] [[comedy film]] written and directed by [[Satish Kaushik]] and produced by [[Salman Khan]] and Nishant Kaushik under the banner of [[Salman Khan Films]] and The Satish Kaushik Entertainment Production.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/satish-kaushik-s-next-directorial-titled-kaagaz-118101000483_1.html|title=Satish Kaushik's next directorial titled 'Kaagaz'|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421063013/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/satish-kaushik-s-next-directorial-titled-kaagaz-118101000483_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/salman-khan-to-produce-satish-kaushiks-directorial-kagaz/articleshow/67372222.cms|title=Salman Khan to produce Satish Kaushik's directorial Kagaz|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421063015/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/salman-khan-to-produce-satish-kaushiks-directorial-kagaz/articleshow/67372222.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Salman Khan lends his voice for the first time for a pensive poem in Pankaj Tripathi starrer Kaagaz; WATCH|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/salman-khan-lends-his-voice-first-time-pensive-poem-pankaj-tripathi-starrer-kaagaz-watch-591337|access-date=2021-01-11|website=PINKVILLA|date=9 January 2021|language=en|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109143158/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/salman-khan-lends-his-voice-first-time-pensive-poem-pankaj-tripathi-starrer-kaagaz-watch-591337|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film stars [[Pankaj Tripathi]], [[Monal Gajjar]] and [[Amar Upadhyay]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/pankaj-tripathi-lost-weight-to-play-farmer-in-kaagaz/19965175|title=Pankaj Tripathi lost weight to play farmer in Kaagaz|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421063011/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/pankaj-tripathi-lost-weight-to-play-farmer-in-kaagaz/19965175|url-status=live}}</ref>

The plot of the film is based on the life and struggle of [[Lal Bihari]], a farmer from the small village of Amilo Mubarakpur, who was declared dead on official papers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.mid-day.com/articles/kaagaz-a-pankaj-tripathi-starrer-based-on-the-real-story-of-lal-bihari-mritak/23145230|title=Kaagaz: A Pankaj Tripathi starrer based on the real story of Lal Bihari Mritak|work=Mid Day|date=15 December 2020|access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref> It marked the last directorial venture of Kaushik before his death on 9 March 2023.

At the [[2021 Filmfare OTT Awards]], ''Kaagaz'' received 3 nominations – Best Web Original Film, Best Actor in a Web Original Film (Tripathi) and Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film (Kaushik). The spiritual sequel ''[[Kaagaz 2]]'' was released to positive reviews on March 1 2024.<ref name=Kaagaz2>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kaagaz-2-trailer-satish-kaushik-final-film-anupam-kher-neena-gupta-release-on-march-1-watch-101707478684048.html|title=Kaagaz 2 trailer: Satish Kaushik's final film to release in cinemas on March 1. Watch|date=9 February 2024|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=10 February 2024|archive-date=10 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210014026/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kaagaz-2-trailer-satish-kaushik-final-film-anupam-kher-neena-gupta-release-on-march-1-watch-101707478684048.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Synopsis==
The film depicts the struggle of Bharat Lal Bihari against the Indian bureaucracy after he was declared dead on government records. His fight with the government lasted for 19 years.

==Cast==
*[[Pankaj Tripathi]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pankaj-tripathi-undergoes-major-physical-transformation-to-play-a-farmer/articleshow/66570528.cms|title=Pankaj Tripathi undergoes major physical transformation to play a farmer|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510173344/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pankaj-tripathi-undergoes-major-physical-transformation-to-play-a-farmer/articleshow/66570528.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> as Bharat[[lal Bihari]]
*[[Monal Gajjar]] as Rukmanii
*[[Satish Kaushik]] as Advocate Sadhoram Kewat
*[[Mita Vashisht]] as MLA Asarfi Devi
*[[Brijendra Kala]] as Highcourt Judge
*[[Amar Upadhyay]] as MLA Vidhayak Jaganpal Singh
*[[Lankesh Bhardwaj]] as Sr. Inspector
*[[Neha Chauhan]] as Journalist Sonia
*Garrvil Mohan as Pablo
*Pranay Narayan as Devilal
*Amit Pathak as Harilal
*Sharat Sonu as Rampal
*Ratan Lal as Motiya
*Mahesh Chandra Deva as typist
*Arun Shekhar as Chaman Lal
*Dinesh Sharma as Panditji Pandey
*Yogesh Kumar Shukla as Shukla Ji
*[[Sandeepa Dhar]] Special appearance in ''Laalam Laal'' song<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/spotted-in-mysuru/articleshow/68784599.cms|title=Bollywood actress Sandeepa Dhar reveals her role in Salman Khan film|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-date=19 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519063144/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/spotted-in-mysuru/articleshow/68784599.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Ajay Singh as Tyagi, Peshkaar of High court judge
* [[Lal Bihari]] in a cameo appearance as the man cycling beside Bharatlal

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Kaagaz
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Pravesh Mallick]], [[Rahul Jain (singer)|Rahul Jain]] and ceAzer
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 6 January 2021<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/kaagaz/Gj1kQ,Oq9oM_ |title=Kaagaz – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack |date=5 January 2021 |publisher=Jio Saavn |access-date=7 January 2021 |archive-date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107064253/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/kaagaz/Gj1kQ,Oq9oM_ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| recorded = 2018–19
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 24:26
| language = Hindi
| label = [[Salman Khan Films]]
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}

The film's music was composed by [[Pravesh Mallick]], [[Rahul Jain (singer)|Rahul Jain]] and ceAzer while lyrics written by Aseem Ahmed Abbasee, [[Rashmi Virag]], [[Kunaal Vermaa]] and Shweta Raj.

{{Tracklist
| headline = Track listing
| total_length = 24:26
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Laalam Laal
| extra1 = [[Rajnigandha Shekhawat]]
| music1 = [[Pravesh Mallick]]
| lyrics1 = Aseem Ahmed Abbasee
| length1 = 4:21
| title2 = Bailgadi
| extra2 = [[Udit Narayan]], [[Alka Yagnik]]
| music2 =Pravesh Mallick
| lyrics2 = [[Rashmi Virag]]
| length2 = 4:28
| title3 = Jug Jug Jiyo
| extra3 = [[Rahul Jain (singer)|Rahul Jain]]
| music3 = Rahul Jain
| lyrics3 = Aseem Ahmed Abbasee, [[Kunaal Vermaa]]
| length3 = 4:57
| title4 = Jug Jug Jiyo
| note4 = Reprise
| extra4 = Rahul Jain
| music4 = Rahul Jain
| lyrics4 = Aseem Ahmed Abbasee, Kunaal Vermaa
| length4 = 5:14
| title5 = Bulaave
| extra5 = [[Papon (singer)|Papon]]
| music5 = ceAzer
| lyrics5 = Shweta Raj
| length5 = 3:56
| title6 = Poetry of Kaagaz
| extra6 = [[Salman Khan]], Rahul Jain
| music6 = Rahul Jain
| lyrics6 = Aseem Ahmed Abbasee
| length6 = 2:30
}}

== Release ==
It premiered on 7 January 2021 on [[ZEE5]].<ref name="release date">{{Cite web|url=https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/zee5-exclusive-after-yours-truly-kaagaz-pankaj-tripathis-direct-to-digital-streak-continues-with-kadak-singh/|title=Pankaj Tripathi's 'Kaagaz' to release on ZEE5 in January}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Critical reception ===
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=29|count=7|average=5|consensus=|ref=yes |access-date=26 June 2024}}<ref>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Kaagaz|id=kaagaz
|type=m|access-date=26 June 2024}}</ref>

Pallabi Dey Purkayastha of [[The Times of India]] rated the film 3/5 and wrote "To sum it up, ''Kaagaz'' could have been the go-to movie for those seeking a burst of inspiration, but it ends up being a uni-dimensional masterclass on one man’s acting prowess. Not that we are complaining, but the film had the potential to tug at the heart strings. Alas! It was not to be."<ref>{{Citation|title=Kaagaz Movie Review: Treading On Fragile Ground|newspaper=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/kaagaz/movie-review/80152133.cms|date=7 Jan 2021}}</ref>

[[Saibal Chatterjee]] of [[NDTV]] rated the film 3/5 and wrote "Satish Kaushik's labour of love drives home the plight of a common man up against an administrative system that thrives on running the already dispossessed further into the ground."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kaagaz Review: Pankaj Tripathi, As Dead-On-Paper Bandmaster, Doesn't Let The Film Down|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kaagaz-review-pankaj-tripathi-as-dead-on-paper-bandmaster-doesnt-let-the-film-down-3-stars-out-of-5-2348889|access-date=2021-01-11|website=NDTV.com|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110064719/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kaagaz-review-pankaj-tripathi-as-dead-on-paper-bandmaster-doesnt-let-the-film-down-3-stars-out-of-5-2348889|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gautaman Bhaskaran of [[News18 India|News18]] rated the film 2.5/5 and wrote "''Kaagaz'' goes beyond the realm of parody, and a tighter leash on characterisations and scene conceptualisations could have gone a long way in turning Kaagaz into a more worthwhile watch."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-07|title=Kaagaz Movie Review: Pankaj Tripathi's Emotive Range is Laudable in This Social Commentary|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kaagaz-movie-review-pankaj-tripathis-emotive-range-is-laudable-in-this-social-commentary-3256382.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=News18|language=en|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107075826/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kaagaz-movie-review-pankaj-tripathis-emotive-range-is-laudable-in-this-social-commentary-3256382.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award ceremony
!Category
!Nominee / work
!Result
!Ref.
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[2021 Filmfare OTT Awards|2021]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Filmfare OTT Awards]]
|Best Web Original Film
|''Kaagaz''
|{{nom}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 - Nominations |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2021/nominations |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=filmfare.com |language=en |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118200752/https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2021/nominations |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|Best Actor in a Web Original Film
|[[Pankaj Tripathi]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film
|[[Satish Kaushik]]
|{{nom}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{authority control}}

== External links==
* ''[https://www.zee5.com/global/movies/details/kaagaz/0-0-296370 Kaagaz]'' on [[ZEE5]]
*{{IMDb title|9569610}}

{{Salman Khan}}
{{Satish Kaushik}}

[[Category:Films directed by Satish Kaushik]]
[[Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:ZEE5 original films]]
[[Category:2020s biographical films]]
[[Category:2021 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian legal drama films]]
[[Category:Indian courtroom films]]
[[Category:Films about miscarriage of justice]]

Kaagaz - Revision history

DarleneSeamon8 at 08:39, 2 March 2026