Review: Shamitabh

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush, Akshara Haasan

Direction: R Balki

R Balki has again come up with a different concept after Cheeni Kum and Paa. It talks about the relationship between two people – one is the voice of another, one cannot do without the other. One becomes a superstar with another’s voice. How that need-based relationship is overpowered with complexities like ego, rivalry, unhealthy competitiveness, conflicts, hunger for identity, fame, recognition etc. The concept is uniquely presented with two great actors on screen, though drag is felt in some parts of the movie.   

It is the story of mute Daanish (Dhanush) who dreams of only and only Bollywood right from his childhood. When the teacher teaches in school in regard to Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, he relates to Ben Kingslay and Rohini Hattangidi. Daanish expresses himself with great intensity through actions. ‘Actions speak louder than words’ fits him. Daanish reaches Mumbai with lot of dreams in his eyes. He gatecrashes to meet different directors, but all in vain. Then enters into the scene Akshara Haasan, an assistant to a filmmaker. She is able to identify the intensity in Daanish and genuinely wants to help him to get a break.

Akshara becomes instrumental in getting the voice of Amitabh Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan) for Daanish with the medical advancement. Amitabh is alcoholic and eccentric in this movie, plays a failed actor, who was snubbed due to his baritone voice, lives in a graveyard.

And a superstar Shamitabh is born– combination of Daanish and Amitabh. Why the name Shamitabh was chosen and how the technology supported Daanish with Amitabh’s voice, let me not convey everything.

The movie is about the ups and downs faced by Shamitabh. The movie also talks about how important it is to realize that an Individual’s success is never his or her only success, but many are instrumental in one’s success. If we stop acknowledging others’ contribution towards our success, we might not be able to sustain the success. It is all about completing one another.

How Amitabh faces the identity crisis when Daanish becomes a celebrity? How Daanish at times gets thankless and opportunist is also projected in the movie. How both of them deal with one another have some interesting moments.

The unconventional story line along with the cast could have done more wonders. I felt that the relationship between Amitabh and Daanish could have been explored a little more. I also felt that the song Piddli by Amitabh Bachchan was diluted with the way it was shot (may be the need of the script). Also, the drag in certain scenes could have been avoided.  

Akshara is good. Dhanush is very good, whose face speaks volumes. Amitabh, does he even need any comments???

Shamitabh, electrifying combination of Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush, rocks and is dedicated to the living legend and superstar of the century Amitabh Bachchan.

Rating: 3.5/5 (Good +)