Release date: 08 June 2012
		Bollywood3.com Rating : 3.25/5
		Director : Dibakar Banarejee
		Producer : PVR Pictures
		Music Director : Vishal Shekhar
		Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin.

Popular director of films like Oye Lucky Oye, Khosla ka Ghosla and Love Sex Aur Dhoka, has come up with his next release ‘Shanghai’ this week. Always known to make films with interesting subjects. Dibakar has chosen a novel titled ‘Z’ written by a Greek writer. He has set the political thriller based in a small town in India. Shanghai has Dibakar’s favorite hero Abhay Deol and the man with the mass appeal Emraan Hashmi, doing a different kind of a role in the movie. The movie which was much in news even before its release has finally hit the screens today and let’s see how it fares.

Story:

Bharatpur is a small town in India which is all set for elections. An independent candidate Dr Ahmadi(Prosenjit Chatterjee) starts campaigning in Bharatpur to win this time’s elections. Unfortunately he is killed in the campaign rally. His friend and follower Shalini(Kalki Koechlin) believes it as an murder. An small time TV reporter Jogi Parmer(Emraan Hashmi) claims he has the total footage of the incident. Mr T A Krishnan( Abhay Deol ) a high level bureaucrat is assigned as the head of the inquiry commission for this incident. Rest of the story forms as to how Jogi manages to deal with the important evidence he has, and whether Krishnan manages to solve the entire mystery?

Plus Points:

The major plus point of the movie is the script itself. Dibakar has chosen a very interesting subject and succeeded into bringing it onto celluloid. Characterizations are the major highlight and every one is apt for their part. Emraan Hashmi steals the show with his weird looks and grungy dialogue delivery. He is surely turning out to be one the decent actors in recent times. He plays his character of a small time TV reporter to ease and perfection, and is exceptionally good with his facial expressions. Abhay Deol looks authoritative in his role and Kalki does a decent supporting role. What catches your imagination is the flow of the film. There is never a dull moment and the mystery is held up till the fag end of the movie. Total credit has to be given to the director for making a political thriller based in a small town so natural and real. The director does a great job in molding the whole story and intervening the characters in the film. Confrontation scenes between Abhay Deol and Farooq Sheikh are really worth praising.

Minus Points:

Since this a political thriller there are absolutely no commercial elements in the movie. Prosenjit Chatterjee is good but doesn’t get much scope in a short-lived character. Abhay Deol’s Tamil accent is not that convincing in the movie. Pacing of the movie is slightly slow in the earlier stages of the second half. Movie runs on a very serious note and there are no fun elements which could have been designed for Emraan’s character. Supriya Pathak in the Chief Ministers role doesn’t look convincing at all.

Technical Aspects:

Cinematography needs to a have special mention. The way the entire film is shot is brilliant. Camera work is really good in close up shots. The rural feel of a small town getting ready for its elections is shown beautifully. Though there are fewer songs in the movie, Vishal-Shekhar manages to give a hit number ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Choreography of the song is a delight to watch as the song is canned in the most natural way. Lyrics of this song are also very catchy. Screenplay is the heart of the movie and lets you glued on to the screen right till the end. Editing of the movie is apt and never leaves you confused. Dibakar Banerjee has nicely managed to build up the suspense element right till the end. All the actors in the movie have submitted themselves to the director and the director has successfully tapped the performance of the each of the stars.

Verdict:

On the whole, Shanghai belongs to those kinds of films where there are very less fun elements but the movie totally engrosses you in its narration. It is absolutely a great watch for those who love political potboilers. Though not a regular mainstream film, Shanghai successfully manages to strike a chord with the viewer and entertains you right till the very end and is surely worth a Watch.

Bollywood3.com Rating : 3.25/5

Reviewed by Avad

Legend:

5 – Flawless

4 – Must Watch

3 – One Time Watch

2 – Wait for the DVD

1 – Stay Away

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