After a New Years vacation in Dubai with his family, SRK is back to work on Raees.  And I am excited!  My theory is, this is the movie that Dilwale was pro-actively making up for.  That is,  Dilwale has just the right amount of stupid romantic fun to balance the amount of deep thoughtful seriousness that will be in Raees.

Also, Raees is being directed by Rahul Dholakia, who’s previous film, Parzania, sounds so politically hard-hitting and emotionally draining that I have never even seen it.  Both Parzania and (supposedly) Raees will be set in Gujurat, which is another political statement.  Could this be Shahrukh’s artistic follow-up to his birthday “Intolerance” broadside attacks?

Anyway, pictures!

First this, from set:

No big surprise here, it is basically the same persona we already saw in the teaser trailer.  Bearded, traditional but practical clothing, commanding presence.

Today, there is a new photo out, from shooting on location on the docks at Navi Mumbai (where I have been!  It’s like we’re the same person!  Well, not the docks, but the town in general)

He’s on a boat, with boxes.  He is supposedly playing a bootlegger, so let’s say those boxes are full of alcohol.  He’s looking thoughtful, but still the center of the group, even while seated.

So, you ready for my wild assumptions and guesses about the plot?  They are very likely inaccurate!  But who cares, we have to amuse ourselves somehow until Fan comes out!

So, based on the boat photo, I’m saying we are going to get at least one “coming to power” sequence.  He is already thoughtful and powerful, so it’s not going to be one of those “weak man reaching beyond his grasp” kind of coming to power things, but more an already confident and powerful guy who rapidly rises to his appropriate position in the world.

But, based on the somewhat dark trailer, and the previous films of the director, it’s not going to be totally happy.  So, I’m going to say that the first photo comes later chronologically and shows him trying to control things that are ultimately out of his control.  Police, politicians, whatever.  It will be one of those fables where the “bad guy” ends up coming up against and being destroyed by the forces of society which are ultimately more ruthless and amoral than he.  Like Bombay Velvet, but good.

And, if it is that kind of plot, the Gujurat setting does just barely open the door for a possibly almost invisible Modi message.  Corrupt and ruthless Gujurat politicians, anyone?