Official ‘RAEES’ (2017) Trailer Provides A Crime Drama Hidden Within Blockbuster Superficiality

A Shah Rukh Khan movie used to be one of the most anticipated events of the year. After a few years of luke warm releases like 'Chennai Express' and 'Dilwale', that esteemed anticipation has since faded. But the release of the next King Khan film may change all that, as it looks like one of his better films in a long time.

Check out the full official Trailer for 'Raees', and share your thoughts in the comments.

'Raees' features Shah Rukh Khan as an alcohol smuggler operating in the prohibition state of Gujrat in India during the 80's. The films tells the story of his criminal rise to fame, as well as his foil in a police officer played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, hell bent on bringing him down. The film also stars Pakistani star Mahira Khan as Khan's character's love interest, as well as Atul Kulkarni in a pivotal role.

Khan's 'Raees' has all the makings of a commercially and critically successful film. The trailer does an amazing job of giving every demographic of Bollywood audience something to look forward to. The backdoor political corruption of fans of thinking cinema, the masala song and dance coupled with badass action of the masses, as well as the toe tapping, catchy tunes of a love story for the romantics. Not only is this perfect blend of genres great for the film, but it's a revelation from director Rahul Dholakia.

Dholakia has tried his hand at a few different film genres, but really hit his stride in the critically acclaimed 'Parzania', a story set during the Gujrat riots. Seems like Dholakia is sticking with subject matter he's familiar with, which should be a strength for 'Raees'.

The most impressive aspect of 'Raees' though, has to be Shah Rukh Khan's portrayal of a character that feels like an anti-hero, dabbling in shades of grey, to borderline being a villain altogether. While it's usually Nawazuddin Siddiqui playing the role of the villain, this time it's his police officer on the right side of the law, while Khan's character plays the criminal.

It's also impressive that Khan doesn't seem to be playing that larger than life a character than he's used to. While there definitely seem to be shots of stylized super cool Khan, there are also many humanizing elements of a Khan squatting over tea with friends, the romantic scenes with Mahira Khan; essentially sequences where the superstar Shah Rukh Khan seems to be getting lost in the character. The character also doesn't seem to be that of a major crime boss, but rather a mid-level criminal who still has to answer to politicians and other higher ups, which should make for interesting drama.

Expectations from 'Raees' have been very high, as outlined even by me in an article from last year. But the film may go the distance and possibly be the most dramatically different film that Shah Rukh Khan has done in years. A dramatic crime story set in a period era, with a director known for hard hitting subject matter, is a departure that has been a long time coming for the talented actor. Only time will tell if the unconventionality of 'Raees' will pay off for King Khan.

'Raees' releases January 25th, 2017. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Mahira Khan & Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

What did you think of the full 'Raees' Trailer?