Main Hoon Part Time Killer (2014): watch the full film free, legally

A title changed after a court battle

Main Hoon (Part-Time) Killer is an Indian Hindi-language spoof film written and directed by Faisal Saif and produced by Mrs. Saroj for Varsha Production House. Initially titled Main Hoon Rajinikanth, it was announced as Saif’s third comedy spoof film and described as a tribute to Rajinikanth, identified as a living superstar and cultural icon of Tamil cinema. The film marked South Indian actor Adithya Menon’s Bollywood debut.

The production was originally intended for release in 2014, but Rajinikanth approached the Madras High Court seeking to stop its release because his screen name appeared in the title. Business of Cinema placed it among its Top 10 banned films of Bollywood, alongside Bandit Queen, Black Friday, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love and Kissa Kursi Ka. Following a lengthy court battle, Saif changed the title under pressure from the producer.

The makers then planned a 24 April release. That plan was delayed when the Madras High Court ordered India’s Central Board of Film Certification to re-censor the film because it contained direct references to Rajinikanth and his family. It was subsequently scheduled alongside Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet. After Salman Khan received a five-year prison sentence, Saif postponed the film by a further week in support of him. Main Hoon (Part-Time) Killer was released on 22 May 2015 by Dimension Pictures across North India. It was not released in South India in order to avoid further legal disputes.

A contract killer follows the money

Adithya Menon plays Rajinikanth, a funny and wicked C.B.I. officer who is also a contract killer. He receives an undercover assignment from millionaire Bachchan, played by Shakti Kapoor, who is likewise described as stupid, funny and wicked. Bachchan wants ₹50 million in cash returned to him after corrupt police officer Hariprasad Venkatesh Naidu, played by Shabbir Ali, captures it.

The assignment becomes more complicated after Naidu dies while with Mallika, his beloved sex worker, played by Kavita Radheshyam. Mallika is a devoted fan of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, and recognises an opportunity to take the bag of cash and flee. She waits at Hanumangarh Railway Station for a train to her village, Bhanpur. Rajinikanth comes looking for her, intending to kill her and return the money to its owner.

Casting choices and early critical response

Kavita Radheshyam was approached and hired for the leading role opposite Adithya Menon. Her part was described as similar to that of the late Silk Smitha. Reema Lagoo was approached to play a spoof version of herself, although her involvement was later termed a surprise appearance. Marathi cinema actor Smita Gondkar, described as controversial, was signed for an important role.

The film opened on 100 screens in North India. It reported collections of 50 percent of gross capacity across the Mumbai, Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan circuits. Box Office Collections gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote that it was better than Rajinikanth’s Lingaa. The publication said Faisal Saif might not be an outstanding technician, but called him a director who had made a good entertaining package that would become a cult film in coming times. The Daily Star also awarded 3.5 out of 5 stars, identifying the cinematography and acting as strengths.

Film details from the Wikipedia article “Main Hoon Part-Time Killer”. Text adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.