Aitraaz

Aitraaz tells the story of a man accused of sexual harassment by his female superior, and was released on 12 November 2004 to positive reviews.

However, at the company’s anniversary, Ranjit Roy, the chairman, arrives with his much younger wife, Sonia, who appoints his friend Rakesh as the new CEO, while Raj joins the board of directors.

A flashback shows Raj’s past in Cape Town, South Africa, where he worked for MTN Mobile Company.

In the present, Rakesh informs Raj about a defect in their new mobile handset, causing calls to connect to random people.

The following day, she then falsely accuses Raj of sexual harassment and attempted rape, and Ranjit demands his resignation to avoid the downfall of the company.

Advocate Ravi Patel tries to humiliate Raj by revealing past drunken comments and showing scratches on his back to paint him as guilty.

It is revealed that Sonia married Ranjit for money and power but sought to rekindle her relationship with Raj when her marriage didn’t satisfy her.

The cast is listed below:[5] The director duo Abbas–Mustan took inspiration from National Basketball Association player Kobe Bryant, who was accused of rape by a fan;[6] they began developing the film after reading about his sexual-assault case in the newspapers.

[8] The film was announced in October 2003 by producer Subhash Ghai, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his production company Mukta Arts.

[9][10] Kumar was cast as Raj, a working man accused of rape at his workplace; Kapoor portrayed his supportive wife, who goes to extremes to defend him.

[10] She plays a woman, married to a business magnate more than twice her age, who seeks revenge by falsely accusing her former lover of raping her.

Chopra was initially apprehensive about such a bold character, due to the controversial theme of sexual harassment, but Abbas–Mastan and Subhash Ghai convinced her to accept the role.

[17] The music video of the title track "Aitraaz – I Want to Make Love to You" with Kumar and Chopra was shot in one take with a Steadicam.

The vocals were performed by Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Adnan Sami, K.K., and Alisha Chinai.

Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama rated the album 3 out of 5, praising "I Want To Make Love To You" (all three versions): "Sunidhi Chauhan is excellent in this wonderfully-composed track that shocks everyone with the intensity of the lyrics and the music".

[23] Made on a production and marketing budget of ₹80 million, Aitraaz released on 375 screens on 12 November 2004 during the festive Diwali weekend.

[36][37] Writing for the BBC, critic Jay Mamtora praised the film's theme, music and performances, and remarked that "Abbas-Mustaan have done a good job in 'Indianising' the whole concept".

[36] Like Mamtora, Adarsh believed that the film belonged entirely to Priyanka Chopra, and was impressed with her understanding of the character, writing that "She sneaks her way through the role like an expert, drawing audience hatred the way a magnet collects iron filings.

[36] Patcy N of Rediff.com noted the film's appeal to the general public, finding its subject matter "something different from the standard fare on offer".

"[37] Subhash K. Jha criticised the film's "dishy digressions" and "peripheral sub-plots", rating it 2 out of 5 overall, but was impressed with the court scene, which he considered "splendid".

Jha believed that Kareena was miscast and seemed a little awkward in a non-glamorous role, but "comes into her own in the climactic courtroom sequence",[41] a sentiment echoed by Jitesh Pillai in his review for The Times of India.

A photograph of Aitraaz team looking forward, smiling and posing for the camera
The cast of Aitraaz photographed on the sets
A photograph of Priyanka Chopra looking forward, smiling and posing for the camera
Critics were particularly appreciative of Priyanka Chopra 's performance.