Josh was released on 9 June 2000, and emerged a moderately successful venture at the box office, grossing ₹35.06 crore (US$4.1 million) worldwide. It received mixed reviews from critics with praise for its music, cinematography, action sequences and cast performances, but criticism for its script. At the 46th Filmfare Awards, Josh received five nominations, including Best Film and Best Director.[6]
Plot
Two rival street gangs - Eagles, who are local residents, and Bichhoos (Scorpions), who are immigrants, reside in the town of Vasco, Goa. The Bichhoos are led by Prakash Sharma, while Eagles are led by Max Dias.
Prakash, a delinquent, uses his gang to engage in underhanded activities within the Vasco real estate market. Max and his twin sister Shirley are orphans belonging to a local motorcycle crew together with the other members of the Eagles. The gangs are sworn enemies and have demarcated the town in order to avoid altercations. They are usually stopped from fighting by Fr. Jacob or the town Inspector.
Rahul, Prakash's brother and a well-educated masterchef working in Mumbai, arrives to visit Vasco after two years, intending to take his family back to Mumbai with him. Rahul decides to tour Vasco and rediscovers his love for the city. While in the territory of the Eagles Gang, Rahul spots Shirley and eventually falls in love with her, deciding to settle in Vasco and open a pastry shop. Rahul unknowingly becomes part of the Eagle - Bichchoo rivalry and gets closer to Shirley, but Max and the Eagles, not approving of Rahul having moved in, destroy the shop and put Rahul in severe debt to the landlord.
Prakash, in desperate need of money, plans to take over the village ground. The ground historically belonged to Alberto Vasco, the landlord of the entire village and the man after whom the town is named. Rahul finds out that the ground was passed from Alberto to a woman named Mary Anne Louise. Unaware of Prakash's schemes, Rahul visits the address listed for Mr. Vasco and it is revealed that Mary was a renter in the Rose villa at 13, Churchill Road, which belonged to Lady D'Costa twenty two years ago. Rahul learns from Mrs. D'costa that Mary is Max and Shirley's mother and the twins are the illegitimate children of Alberto Vasco, born in 1958.
Rahul plans to reveal this information to Shirley in the form of a letter, but it falls into the hands of Prakash. Prakash plots to get Rahul married to Shirley and also kill Max in order to receive Alberto Vasco's valuable land worth ₹20 lakhs. When Prakash tries to kill Max, a bloody fight breaks out and Max accidentally shoots Prakash, while defending himself. Max is arrested and his trial puts a rift between Shirley and Rahul as he believes Prakash went to Max just to ask Shirley for him and Max killed him without reason. Before Max receives his verdict, Rahul learns the truth and defends Max in court and also acknowledges Prakash's real intentions, by providing documents which proved the land, Prakash tried to obtain, were Max and Shirley's legacy as Alberto Vasco, their real father who distanced himself from his children, put it in their mother's name. Upon hearing this, the judge concludes Max's action as an act of self-defense. Max is released and asks Rahul for forgiveness and his hand in marriage with Shirley, thereby uniting the Eagles and Bichhoos with each other.
Director Mansoor Khan made a comeback to filmmaking with Josh after a hiatus of five years. Director Mansoor Khan had initially approached Salman Khan for the role of Max Dias, but Khan declined the film as at the time he was dating Rai and was uncomfortable playing her brother, therefore he signed Shah Rukh Khan.[7] Mansoor was keen on bringing Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan together for Josh, approaching him for the role of Rahul Sharma, eventually played by Chandrachur Singh but the latter rejected the film as he found the role given to him too small.[8]
To enhance his on-screen resemblance to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan donned blue contacts for the film. The production journey of "Josh" spanned four years, unveiling a meticulous creative process.[9]
A. R. Rahman was signed in as the music composer at first, but opted out due to scheduling conflicts with other films.[10] After Rahman opted out, Mansoor Khan roped in Anu Malik to complete the music quickly and release the film on time. The song "Hai Mera Dil" is based on "Sealed with a Kiss" written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld, and "Djobi Djoba" performed by Gipsy Kings.[11] In a notable debut, Shah Rukh Khan showcased his vocal talent by singing the song "Apun Bola". According to Box Office India, with around 18,00,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack was the year's ninth highest-selling album.[12]
Josh grossed ₹30.05 crore (US$3.5 million) in India and $1.127 million (₹5.01 crore) in other countries, for a worldwide total of ₹35.06 crore (US$4.1 million), against its ₹16 crore (US$1.9 million) budget. It had a worldwide opening weekend of ₹8.82 crore (US$1.0 million), and grossed ₹15.81 crore (US$1.9 million) in its first week.[13]
In India, the film opened on Friday, 9 June 2000, across 300 screens, and earned ₹1.25 crore (US$150,000) nett on its opening day. It grossed ₹3.71 crore (US$430,000) nett in its opening weekend, and had a first week of ₹7.25 crore (US$850,000) nett. The film earned a total of ₹17.83 crore (US$2.1 million) nett, and was declared "Average" by Box Office India.[13] It is the 5th-highest-grossing film of 2000 in India.[14]
Among overseas territories, Josh had an opening weekend of $575,000 (₹2.55 crore) and went on to gross $800,000 (₹3.56 crore) in its first week. The film earned a total of $1.127 million (₹5.01 crore) at the end of its theatrical run.[13] Overseas, It is the 9th-highest-grossing film of 2000.[15]
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama noted "On the whole, Josh is a well-made film with great performances and a hit musical score. But the Goan ambience will restrict its prospects in some states due to lack of identification. Also an average second half and a weak climax are major limitations".[16]
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