Song launch: Hum Yahin from Kunal Kemmu's directorial debut Madgaon Express is about youthful dreams, hopes

Director Kunal Kemmu with the cast of Madgaon Express, at the film's trailer launch. (Image source: X / Excel Entertainment @excelmovies)

Actor Kunal Kemmu has donned at least four hats for his upcoming directorial debut film Madgaon Express: writer, director... and lyricist-singer. A song from the film, Hum Yahin, launched on the YouTube channel of Zee Music earlier today. Composed by Ankur Tewari, the song has lyrics and vocals by Kemmu.

The song talks about dreams of making it big, flying in charter planes and becoming known as lions instead of donkeys, but remaining rooted to yahin - this place, where they started out.

Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment Madgaon Express seems to reference Dil Chahta Hai, a 2001 film - also produced by Excel - in which three rich friends successfully complete a road trip to Goa.

In Madgaon Express, the three friends travelling to Goa - essayed by actors Divyenndu (Mirzapur), Pratik Gandhi (Scam 1992), Avinash Tiwary (Bulbbul) - find their reel fantasies crashing against middle-class realities.

Expectation vs reality of every Goa trip ever. #MadgaonExpress releasing on 22nd March in cinemas near you.@divyenndu @pratikg80 @avinashtiw85 @norafatehi @Upendralimaye @CKadam24187 @kunalkemmu @ritesh_sid @FarOutAkhtar @roo_cha @J10kassim @vishalrr #Olly @adilafsar… pic.twitter.com/PXkFY47ETu

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— Avinash Tiwary (@avinashtiw85) March 17, 2024

First, they are unable to secure a convertible for the trip. Then a car accident forces them to drop the idea of road travel altogether. Once they get on a train to Goa, more things go wrong and the friends find themselves in a world of pain.

Madgaon Express to Madgaon... and Anjuna?

As always, people are heading to the ever-popular sunshine State and Goa is in the news again. This time for Madgaon Express – no, not the train, but a comedy film, written and directed by Kunal Kemmu. About three childhood friends - Pinku, Ayush and Dodo, played by Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwary and Divyenndu, a la Dil Chahta Hai - the trio embark upon a trip together to Goa, aboard the train Madgaon Express, but the journey goes hopelessly off-track.

Madgaon Express doesn’t only stop at Madgaon, but strangely heads to Anjuna too, as one of the songs - ‘Not Funny’ - in the film, picturised on Nora Fatehi and Divyenndu, is aesthetically shot at Lollo Rosso, a chic new restaurant in Anjuna Goa, nestled amidst lush green paddy fields and known for its food - think Palestinian Eggplant, Gochugaru and Sesame Chicken Little Bowl, Stroganov Bowl, Buffalo Chicken Sushi and eclectic hand-crafted cocktails.

Kunal Kemmu chose Goa as the backdrop for his film as he loves Goa, and according to him, it is the most relatable place and resonates with everyone owing to the fun and beaches and for boys from Mumbai, it is so aspirational.

With ace-dancer, Nora Fatehi in an important role, adding to the glamour quotient of the film, there are several racy numbers, well-picturised, to look forward to.

From an intended relaxing getaway to a chaotic adventure, Madgaon Express proves to be a series of misadventures and bizarre incidents for the trio heading to Goa.

Whether in Goa or any other place in India, watching this comedy film, could spell nostalgia for friends and urge them to plan a trip together.