Expectations:
R.Balki debuted in our Hindi cinema with such an unusual subject featuring a love story of a middle aged girl with an old man. Many films based on such subjects were
rejected by the audiences, but’Cheeni Kum’ was widely appreciated and loved by cinema lovers as the movie was very high on the conviction factor. His next film’Paa’,
also had an unusual theme and tried to achieve something which seemed impossible in our Hindi cinema. Thanks to the unusual themes these films have found a great
posterity in the library of good Hindi cinema. R.Balki’s next film’Shamitabh’ is a story of a superstar actor whose voice is of an old man and displays the ego
clashes between them. Right from its title announcement to its promo’s there was a lot of curiosity associated with this movie, thus let’s find out whether’Shamitabh’
will add as a hat-trick of good films by R.Balki or might be an offbeat for our Hindi film lovers due to the artistic theme associated with it.
Story:
’Shamitabh’ is a story of a child, obsessed by movies, who grows up to become an aspiring actor. Daanish(Dhanush) has everything required for a good actor, except for
the fact that he is born dumb, due to which it’s impossible for him to even think of becoming an actor. During his struggling days, he meets an assistant director
Akshara(Akshara Hassan), who recognizes the true talent of Daanish and decides to help him with a unique technology, where he would be able to talk and persevere his
dream of becoming an actor. They short list a voice of an old man Amitabh Sinha(Amitabh Bachchan) and try to convince him to be a part of their team. Daanish and
Amitabh joins hands and what happens next is what the entire film is all about.
Screenplay & Technicalities:
The story is daringly different and something unimaginable, but Balki presents it in such a way that it seems believable and full of conviction. The first half begins
with back to back fantastic scenes like the whole childhood part of Dhanush followed by his madness over films, Dhanush’s stuggling days in film industry, Amitabh
Bachchan-Dhanush-Akshara first meet in the graveyard followed by Dhanush’s audition to Amitabh Bachchan, name formation, Amitabh’s frustration over the awards, Amitabh
Bachchan talking in the graveyard about the real hero, Dhanush-Amitabh Bachchan arguing over the script followed by the drunken scene, Amitabh Bachchan’s monologue,
Amitabh Bachchan’s injection scene followed by practicing of singing a song, Amitabh-Dhanush sex talks, Amitabh Bachchan giving A-Z bad words, Dhanush and Amitabh
Bachchan working in different films at the same time, Dhanush’s speech on truth and many more followed by the heart touching finale moments. On the flip side, the
track where Akshara tries to help Dhanush instantly, seemed unconvincing followed by the repetitive second half. Also, a little more time was required for Amitabh-
Dhanush bonding and conflict, due to which the intensity went a bit missing. The screenplay keeps dragging in the later portions of the second half. Only if these
parts would have been crispier, the end results would have been outstanding. Amitabh Bachchan’s dialogues are fiery and will be cherished by the cinema lovers. Camera
work by P.C. Sreeram is of top notch.
Music & Direction:
Music by Ilayaraja is not as great as per his standards, but is soothing and enjoyable.’Ishq E Phillum’ is mind blowing.’Piddly’ is sweet and enjoyable.’Sha Sha
Sha’ is finely placed.’Sannata’ is unwanted. Background music is of typical Ilayaraja style and is not up to his fine standards.R Balki brings us yet another
fantastic subject with superb perform aces attached to it. It’s only that Shamitabh’ is not at par with his last two releases and has a bit weak screenplay in the
second half of the film. Though, the second half has always been R. Balki’s weak point, the only difference in comparison to his previous films here, is that, the
finale part is heart-touching and beautifully crafted in his film. His skilled direction makes us enjoy the slow moving tension between Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush in
the film. It is because of a good director like R.Balki, we are fortunate to witness some good cinema from our country.
Amitabh Bachchan is outstanding and one falls short of words to describe this, legendary actor. His dialogue delivery, facial expressions, attitude, screen presence is
amazing and will leave you pellbound at many times in the film. The last scene of the film itself is enough to display the great potential of this fine actor of our
country. Dhanush is superb in his part as a struggling actor, followed by tantrums of the superstar actor. Every scene of Dhanush and Amitabh Bachchan are like the
finest moment of the film. Akshara Hassan is good, but few of her scenes seemed forced and unwanted. One will be able to see many celebrities like Rohit Shetty,
Abhishek Bachchan, Rajkumar Hirani, Karan, Swanand Kirkire, Deepak Sawant, Rekha and a few more in a blink and miss scenes.
Final Verdict:
the movie is a must watch for all Amitabh Bachchan, R.Balki and Dhanush’s die hard fans. Such type of films are hardly made in our Hindi cinema and thus deserves to be
watched. The second half dries out of the uniqueness factor and drags a bit due to repetitive scenes. The masala film loving people might shy away from this unusual
theme, but, as for the ones who really love good cinema, ’Shamitabh’ is a must watch for its stupendous theme and dazzling performances.