Shamitabh

One thing that helps Shamitabh in making it a decent watch is a new story line. The concept itself is not yet tried in Bollywood. The trailer pretty much speaks about the story yet watching it unfolding on screen can be interesting.

The second great thing about Shamitabh is the performances of Amitabh and Dhanush. Dhanush just nails it again and manages to get noticed even when he shares the frame with Indian legend Amitabh Bachchan. Kudos!

On the flip side you might have wanted the screenplay of the movie to be more tight as there are few dull moments in the movie which at times hamper the narrative.

Nevertheless, Shamitabh is a one time watch owing to fresh new story and decent performances by its lead protagonists.

I love when they make films about films, the reason I love some of those offbeat Indian indie flicks (the most recent one being Sulemani Keeda (2014)). So when R Balki came out of the cave and collaborated with personalities of two very different generations, the end result turned out to be a spectacle.

The film starts with a proper flashback montage telling a concise story of a mute, aspiring actor and film enthusiast Danish (Dhanush). The fact that he is a superstar now increases the excitement. He meets Akshara (same name), an assistant director and what follows is although slightly unbelievable (literally, in its premise), it is immensely enjoyable. The muteness vanishes and we welcome Amitabh's (same first name) baritone voice talking for Danish while he acts his character.

The only things that bothered me are one, why would an amateur assistant director help out an aspirant? and two, the voice technology. Of course, it is not a foolproof way for a mute person to speak his feelings. But, all these thoughts withers away as the narrative indulges you into it, demanding your attention about a consequential rags-to-riches story coupled with a mysterious source of envy.

The film amazingly addresses issues of that of envy and ego and how these two feelings can cause self-destruction, creating waves that also affect the people closer to one. The singleton phenomenon Shamitabh turns into two different entities as the film unfolds toward climax. The film basically acts as an intellectual spoof of the cinema industry, and it does it with finesse.

Dhanush is marvelous, and the measure of his excellence is only competed by his co-star Bachchan Sr, who displays a splendid air of being a drunkard wannabe. His mystery could have been demystified, given the importance it plays in the story construction, but it is forgivable. Akshara Haasan did not impress me much because clearly she cannot pull off romantic scenes properly. She may be the chip off the old block, but has a long way in order to master the art of acting.

Other than having a literally impossible setup, Shamitabh excels in all other departments, from the beautiful art setup and production sets to the beat music (by the maverick Illayaraja), from a fine camera job to inventive writing by Balki. He has carved out a fine plot, often taking potshots at recent filmmaking trends viz. masala nonsense, illogical songs (and even more illogical videos), etc. But, these potshots are not cringe-worthy, instead they will make you laugh. The film has a great amount of humor if you watch closely, and helped by Bachchan's fabulous dialogs delivery, you will roll on the floor laughing.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite a drag in the funnier second half, Shamitabh does not disappoint at all. Bachchan's few solo sequences made me yawn, but I am ready to call this the first good Bollywood film of the year. Go watch the next show, because this is one drama we have all been talking about haven't seen. You will be enthralled by the catchy songs.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES (if few expletives from the mouths of Bachchan Sr and Haasan's second daughter are okay with the heads of the family).

i watched in which no STORYLINE is there and seriously END is so low with no result and sadness...and this HASSAN don't know acting..I bet....!! this is the first movie I watched in which no STORYLINE is there and seriously END is so low with no result and sadness...and this HASSAN don't know acting..I bet....!! this is the first movie I watched in which no STORYLINE is there and seriously END is so low with no result and sadness...and this HASSAN don't know acting..I bet....!! This is the first movie I watched in which no STORYLINE is there and seriously END is so low with no result and sadness...and this HASSAN don't know acting..I bet....!! this is the first movie I watched in which no STORYLINE is there and seriously END is so low with no result and sadness...and this HASSAN don't know acting..I bet....!! this is the first movie I watched in which no STORYLINE is there and seriously END is so low with no result and sadness...and this HASSAN don't know acting..I bet....!!

"Shamitabh," directed by R. Balki, is a satire that brings together an unusual yet captivating collaboration of talent, starring Dhanush and Amitabh Bachchan. Released in 2015, this film dared to tread a path few would have imagined, especially during a time when patriotic films, action dramas, and biopics were dominating the Indian cinema landscape. This unique narrative features a South Indian actor from the Tamil industry, Dhanush, in his second Hindi film, working alongside the legendary Amitabh Bachchan in a film that stands out for its originality and unconventional storytelling.

The film follows Danish (played by Dhanush), a small-town boy with a dream of becoming an actor, despite having no voice, no connections, and an unassuming appearance. Danish's character defies the typical Bollywood hero archetype, which usually demands good looks, height, and a commanding screen presence. Danish's journey is filled with obstacles, not only due to his lack of voice but also because of societal expectations.

Enter Akshara Pandey (played by Akshara Haasan), who becomes the catalyst for Danish's transformation. With the help of her father's technological prowess, Danish is equipped with a voice modulator. The search for the perfect voice leads them to Amitabh Sinha (played by Amitabh Bachchan), whose deep, resonant voice becomes Danish's own. This unlikely partnership between a mute aspiring actor and a disillusioned, alcoholic voice artist forms the crux of "Shamitabh."

Dhanush delivers an impressive performance as Danish, capturing the character's vulnerability and determination with finesse. His portrayal of a man battling physical limitations and societal prejudices is both poignant and inspiring. Amitabh Bachchan, as always, is exceptional. His portrayal of Amitabh Sinha, a man grappling with his own demons, adds depth to the film. The dynamic between Dhanush and Bachchan is electrifying, creating a compelling narrative that keeps the audience engaged.

Akshara Haasan, in her debut role, adds a refreshing presence to the film. Her character, Akshara Pandey, is pivotal in bridging the gap between Danish and Amitabh, and she handles the role with grace and confidence.

R. Balki's direction is commendable, as he successfully navigates the film's unique premise, blending satire with drama seamlessly. The screenplay is sharp, with moments of humor and introspection that resonate deeply. The film's music, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, complements the narrative beautifully, enhancing the emotional depth of the story.

However, "Shamitabh" is not without its flaws. The pacing of the film, especially in the second half, could have been tighter. Some subplots feel underdeveloped, and the climax, while emotionally charged, might not satisfy everyone.

In conclusion, "Shamitabh" is a bold and innovative film that explores themes of identity, ambition, and the power of voice. It stands out for its originality and the stellar performances of its lead actors. While it may not have achieved commercial blockbuster status, it remains a significant film for its daring narrative and the memorable collaboration between Dhanush and Amitabh Bachchan. It's a must-watch for those seeking a break from conventional storytelling and looking for a film that challenges norms and expectations.

The film is another salute to the phenomenon by director R. Balki who previously presented Amitabh in two unconventional roles superbly in CHEENI KUM and PAA. Though in SHAMITABH, he once again brings in a fresh concept that in fact is not an easy one to shoot with all the voice and expressions matching to be done perfectly. Still the basic theme of the storyline is much thinner than his last two projects, which in turn makes it look like an overstretched, uneven film having few highs and lows together till its sudden and sad climax.

It begins with a great promise from a star studded premier of a film called LIFEBUOY attended by celebrities giving supportive TV bites and then introduces Dhanush the new star of the industry more famous for his heavy & impressive voice along with the acting. During his speech on the stage we are taken back to his flashback introducing another exceptional child artist who is a treat to watch (in a mute appearance) in those 10 opening minutes accompanied by an apt, catchy song with the lyrics "Salaam-E-Fillam" talking about the love for cinema in the general public. The intercuts of more flashbacks further introduce us to a grown-up Dhanush (as a bus conductor in a small city), who cannot speak but is confident enough to be a Hindi film hero rushing to Mumbai.

After this fine start the first unconvincing phase of SHAMITABH comes as Akshara meats Dhanush (who is just an Assistant Director) and she at once decides to help him out by even sending the struggling actor to foreign land for a costly operation of planting a voice box into his throat. A device, that enables him to lip-sync someone else's voice with a kind of micro recorder/transmitter working between two persons within a range of a few 100 meters. Now though the proceedings try hard to explain the procedure clearly, still the explanation remains a confusing one and the viewer has to accept that OK, let's assume that its possible!

Anyway the brilliance returns on the screen when the enigmatic Amitabh Bachchan is introduced as a drunken, beggar like defeated personality living in a graveyard and from here on we have the few worth watching sequences of the film written and enacted impressively. Both Akshara and Dhanush choose Amitabh to be the voice behind Dhanush's face and the fun begins as SH from Danish (Dhanush's name in film) and AMITABH together becomes SHAMITABH. Their first movie together becomes a hit and then the ego clashes begin claiming who he is the bigger star among the SH and AMITABH from the SHAMITABH.

The story progression featuring a hit film-star (who cannot speak) living a celebrated life, fooling the entire industry, successfully hiding the man behind his famous voice in the closet, turns out to be unconvincing repeatedly. And so does the character of Dhanush, who doesn't seem to be caring about anybody around like an arrogant celebrity proud of his instant success. As a result the ride becomes even more bumpy post intermission with uninteresting sequences coming at regular intervals like the use of bathroom pots in the immensely likable "Pidlee" song, Amitabh giving voice to a rival producer's B-grade film without any issues raised, his unnecessary dialogue with Robert De Niro poster leading to jail abroad, a lot of brand endorsement made in its various sequences and then the investigating reporter track left in the middle.

Yes, no doubt the director comes with many realistic characters with a visible effort of delivering a fine product based on a thin but fresh plot line particularly in the film's first half. Yet overall its only the superfine performances that actually carry the film forward much ahead than any other department of music, cinematography, background score or art direction. Promoted as the maestro Ilayaraja's 1000th film as a composer, the soundtrack has both good and average songs together with Swanand Kirkire's theme related lyrics.

In the performances, as I already mentioned it's a film once again proving the Shehenshah status of Amitabh Bachchan in the industry, who gives another worth watching and worth cheering performance as the deserted man with a golden voice. And I must say that I haven't seen anyone doing a better drunkard act in Hindi films ever with so much ease, elegance and conviction winning hearts right away. Also another appreciable feature of Amitabh's act remains that he never tries to outshine the co-actors giving them much space to perform too. And that's what proves the greatness of this 'Actor of the Millennium' evidently. Dhanush, the 'on-screen' hero of SHAMITABH confidently manages to stand in front of the magnetic persona of the Big B throughout and wins your heart in the early part of the movie before becoming the Superstar. Plus he also leaves a highly emotional impact on the viewer after the sudden, unexpected tragedy striking in the climax. Akshara Haasan makes a stunning as well as sincere debut amongst two towering personalities and so does the actor playing the landlord of Amitabh in the Graveyard hut.

Though the film revolves around a few characters only, here we also have some smartly inserted cameos by the industry figures too such as Mahesh Bhatt, Karan Johar, Raj Kumar Hirani, Rohit Shetty, Ekta Kapoor, Javed Akhtar, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Boney Kapoor and many more along with Rekha giving an award to Dhanush on the stage smilingly calling him SHAMITABH.

On the whole, SHAMITABH certainly cannot be rated as a close to perfection project as Balki's CHEENI KUM or PAA but it does have its appreciable highs along with the avoidable lows (offering a novel, inventive plot), making it a one-time watch for sure, especially for its enjoyable performances led by Amitabh Bachchan and his cult baritone voice.