ShAmitabh-Story of a mute wannabe and Jahanpanah!Its a story of dreams, aspirations, ego clashes and partnerships. Let’s begin the operation!
Story:
The movie begins with Dhanush attending a Q&A session with the press reporters at the launch of his(first) movie “Lifebuoy”(strange name.there is a story behind this nomenclature too.will come to that later).As you must have guessed from the promos, face is of Dhanush but the voice is of Big B.During the Q& A sessions, we are introduced to Dhanush’s background.
Danish(Dhanush) is a boy from Igatpuri who aspires to be a film actor right from his kindergarten days.After his mom’s demise, he gets a chance to visit the city of dreams. His struggling phase begins and then Akshara Hassan comes into his life. Due to Danish’s inability to speak, they search for a person who can lend his voice to the aspiring actor.Voila!Here comes Amitabh.Together they become “ShAmitabh”(Mind you, Sh is in a font smaller than the rest of the name!)
Here begins the roller-coaster ride of Danish and Amitabh.Ego clashes and fight for recognition ensues soon after. I will not disclose the climax as its totally unexpected and something to look forward in the flick.
Direction and Editing:
R Balki and his obsession/love for Big B is a known fact. His movies have always been brilliant(besides being an ode to Amitabh). Shamitabh is no less.The uniqueness and logic in naming the movie & movie’s character is praise-worthy.I wish he had exercised similar brilliance during certain scenes.Akshara’s readiness to help Danish and the extended Robert De Niro’s scenes are stretched and somewhat unconvincing.
Most of the scenes of the movie have been directed well and keep you engrossed .Hemanti Sarkar could have done a better job at editing the extended scenes to keep up the pace of the movie.Post interval section needs serious attention from the director/editor.
One specific scene which could have been treated in a different and effective way was about the journalist who came to know about Danish’s impairment and threatened to reveal the truth. I felt cheated the way suspense was half-heartedly presented.
Barring 3-4 black marks, R Balki scored well. I personally liked the way he raised the issue of “Women’s sanitation”. The picturization of “Piddly” song was quite funny though!
Star cast[Lets start with Dhanush.as the saying goes, best for the last]
Dhanush-He is a good actor(definitely) but his talent was not completely exploited in the flick.It was more of an Amitabh’s movie with Dhanush tagging along. He seemed to be acting at two extreme ends of the spectrum-either overexcited and super happy or extremely dull and boring.[I liked his smile and shirt with film’s print on it though!]
Akshara-Well done girlie!She is maha cute .her voice is soft and she shined through all the scenes with grace.Tomboyish image suited her role as an AD completely.Attagirl.
Amitabh-
How can I judge a legend?Let me try!The moment he entered the flick(as a drunkard?), he took it to different heights.Be it his signature baritone, his story about rejection by Radio guys(which happens to be a true story incidentally), ”Tandurusti ki raksha karta hai lifebuoy “ scene, he explaining the importance of whisky vs water or be it the climax scene.he nailed it completely.
He looked handsome as ever.
He is THE “SHEHENSHAH”[or should I say Jahanpanah!].Period.
The guy playing the role of Graveyard owner essayed his role with ease and definitely left an impact on the viewers too.
Music:
Illyaraja’s music was average.The movie doesn’t boast of any major chartbusters but the title track is hummable. There are chances that the viewers may come out of the cinema hall whistling to the tunes of “Piddly “ track!
Memorable scenes:
1)Kid Dhanush enacting a scene in his school
2)Name of Gandhiji’s wife being “Rohini Hattangidi”.Umm…Ben Kingsley connection there!
3)Amitabh and Dhanush enacting “Tandurusti ki raksha” scene.
4)Scene when Dhanush and Amitabh return from London and they response given to press reporters!
5)Climax
Negatives:
1)Length of the movie
2)Few unconvincing scenes
Final verdict:
The movie has 40% negative vs 60% positive points in it .Thus I will undoubtedly give it 3 stars.( as against the 57% water and 43% Whisky combination)
Disclaimer:
To the Bollywood aspirants—“please don’t try the vanity van trick ever! It may get you jailed.”