Bollywood often is known for making masala films,revenge stories, romantic films, SHANGHAI is a political thriller unlike most political films
The story may sound similar and straightforward but the way the film is written and directed, it's spectacular.
The film is an adaptation from the novel Z which was made into a film in 1969 in Hollywood, Dibakar Banerjee who gave us KHOSLA KA GHOSLA(2006), OYE LUCKY LUCKY OYE(2008) and LSD(2010) comes back with another winner.
When I first heard of the film, I was surprised seeing the cast, as Emraan and Abhay belong to 2 different sensibilities in filmmaking and do different kinda films, Am a big fan of DB and was awaiting too see how this trio will make a great film.
The film is not too easy to understand and many places it is left to the audiences to figure out and it may get taxing for our audiences who are used to seeing spoonfed masala films like the recent ROWDY RATHORE.
The film starts off well and the story moves well, The twist is well handled, the entire political scandal, Emraan Hashmi's story and also Abhay Deol's doing an inquiry are well handled.
The games played in politics are well played here, the film mostly refrains from melodrama, Also certain scenes are ahead for the audiences like the kiss between Kalki and Prosenjit and also several more. The film refuses to take sides which also is different.
the film keeps you engrossed throughout though it may get dry for our audiences yet the director also does keep his trademark smart humour scenes which do work. The twist in the climax is superb and also the ending.
Direction is superb Music is superb, there are only 2 songs in the film Imported Kammariya is okay, Bharat Mata Ki Jai is superb with Emraan dancing like never before. Morcha is used in the background Dialogues are superb
Emraan Hashmi keeps startling you, just after his predictable JANNAT 2 he returns in a new avtar, with dirty teeth and his paunch but his dedication to the work is superb, He is simply superb in his role in both light and dramatic scenes, this film may shut up his detractors, He has no kiss, the only grey element is that he directs porn movies. Earlier he used to get good roles only in Bhatt films, the rest always relied on his kissing skills but nowdays he is doing good roles mostly from outside banners while Bhatts still show him in same routine. Abhay Deol excels yet again, showing his versatility, he gets into the skin of character perfectly his tamil does seem a bit fake Kalki repeats her act from last few films and needs to go beyond her shocked expressions but does well in several scenes. Prosenjit leaves a mark Pitobash is effective, a true natural Farooque Sheikh makes a terrific comeback, he is simply outstanding Supriya Pathak leaves a mark in a cameo while Kiran Karmarkar is good too It's a relief to see Anant Jog who was seen in stupid politician roles in SINGHAM and ROWDY RATHORE do something worthwhile and he does a great job rest all are good too, especially the servant and the actress playing Prosenjit's wife
The story may sound similar and straightforward but the way the film is written and directed, it's spectacular.
The film is an adaptation from the novel Z which was made into a film in 1969 in Hollywood, Dibakar Banerjee who gave us KHOSLA KA GHOSLA(2006), OYE LUCKY LUCKY OYE(2008) and LSD(2010) comes back with another winner.
When I first heard of the film, I was surprised seeing the cast, as Emraan and Abhay belong to 2 different sensibilities in filmmaking and do different kinda films, Am a big fan of DB and was awaiting too see how this trio will make a great film.
The film is not too easy to understand and many places it is left to the audiences to figure out and it may get taxing for our audiences who are used to seeing spoonfed masala films like the recent ROWDY RATHORE.
The film starts off well and the story moves well, The twist is well handled, the entire political scandal, Emraan Hashmi's story and also Abhay Deol's doing an inquiry are well handled.
The games played in politics are well played here, the film mostly refrains from melodrama, Also certain scenes are ahead for the audiences like the kiss between Kalki and Prosenjit and also several more. The film refuses to take sides which also is different.
the film keeps you engrossed throughout though it may get dry for our audiences yet the director also does keep his trademark smart humour scenes which do work. The twist in the climax is superb and also the ending.
Direction is superb Music is superb, there are only 2 songs in the film Imported Kammariya is okay, Bharat Mata Ki Jai is superb with Emraan dancing like never before. Morcha is used in the background Dialogues are superb
Emraan Hashmi keeps startling you, just after his predictable JANNAT 2 he returns in a new avtar, with dirty teeth and his paunch but his dedication to the work is superb, He is simply superb in his role in both light and dramatic scenes, this film may shut up his detractors, He has no kiss, the only grey element is that he directs porn movies. Earlier he used to get good roles only in Bhatt films, the rest always relied on his kissing skills but nowdays he is doing good roles mostly from outside banners while Bhatts still show him in same routine. Abhay Deol excels yet again, showing his versatility, he gets into the skin of character perfectly his tamil does seem a bit fake Kalki repeats her act from last few films and needs to go beyond her shocked expressions but does well in several scenes. Prosenjit leaves a mark Pitobash is effective, a true natural Farooque Sheikh makes a terrific comeback, he is simply outstanding Supriya Pathak leaves a mark in a cameo while Kiran Karmarkar is good too It's a relief to see Anant Jog who was seen in stupid politician roles in SINGHAM and ROWDY RATHORE do something worthwhile and he does a great job rest all are good too, especially the servant and the actress playing Prosenjit's wife