Shor in the City

I wasn't expecting much of Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru's 'Shor In The City'. Despite the rave reviews, I was under the impression that this would be another one of those slick-wannabe crime thrillers. I'm glad that I was wrong because the film positively surprised me.

Intertwined stories are becoming quite common in Hindi cinema and I enjoy them when they're told well. Here the link between them isn't significant in the sense that it's not what the story focuses on. The connection is shown smoothly. Each story has its own strength but for me the best one was that of Tilak which was refreshing and it had a wicked sense of humour. The sequence with the child and the bomb and the scenes that follow (concerning the child) still make me laugh. The scenes between Tilak and his wife are also amusing. The Sawan story presents an interesting theme but I felt the romantic angle was a little melodramatic. The Abhay story has a deja vu feel to it but it's well told and engaging.

The cinematography is stunning. It captures the rawness and authenticity of the title city and citylife very well. The background score, sound and art direction are brilliant. The pacing is slightly uneven as it tends to go slow in the middle. The performances of Zakir Hussain, Sendhil Ranamurthy, Tusshar Kapoor, Nikhil Dwivedi, Sundeep Kishan and Pitobash are good too (in the given order). The women hardly get any scope but Radhika Apte is a delight to watch.

The main highlight of 'Shor In The City' is its detailed screenplay which is also co-written by D.K. and Nidimoru (who have done a fantastic job as directors). Overall, 'Shor in the City' has been a pleasant and funny surprise.

"When the noise is deafening, can you really hear yourself?"

(If you can't hear it, you're OBVIOUSLY dead)

The whole movie is about a chaotic scenario that occurs during the Ganapathi Mahotsav in Mumbai. It's told in a multi linear narrative as there are mainly 3 stories happening the same time… But no attempt is made to forcefully intertwine the stories and that's one interesting and distinct aspect of the film.

All the characters are very well tailored… Undoubtedly Tusshar's best movie till date… But the actor who dazzles here is Pitobash Tripathy as the eccentric small-time goon Mandook, who steals every scene he's in… He is the epicenter of most of the chaos and his role is just a masterpiece…

It's surprising and disturbing and has a vein of rich, dark humor coursing through it. After the unforgettable comedy '99', directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK continue their great job with Shor. The script is crisp, tight and spattered with some smart, funny one-liners and is consistent till the end. There are many occasions to laugh out loudly especially the time bomb sequence. The movie also boasts a rivetingly smart climax.

In short, Shor in the City is a total buzz on!

And one note: Do wait till the end credits finish rolling... The surprises don't end with the film...

Instantly liked the movie. Unarguably, one of the better Bollywood movies of the year. I would count "Phans gaya re Obama" and "Shor" as some of the finest products of coming of age Indian cinema.

If I may take the liberty, I perceive "Shor" as a "Dhobi Ghat" (DB) on crack. While DB is very subtle, understated and subdued, "Shor" is pulsating, vibrant, chaotic and tantalizing. Snippets of dark humor here and there, but nothing surmounting to the backdrop of Mumbai. Again, unlike DB the story lines never cross, nor do the characters inter-wine. However, the crisp editing and repeated cuts to cyclical plots make it seem that way. The film essays eleven days worth of events in the lives of three different sets of inhabitants trying to slug it out in Mumbai City leading up to the festival of Ganesha Chaturthi.

Three bootleggers (Tilak, Mandook and Ramesh) live off cheap thrills, carrying out petty crimes, and following up with debauchery in local bars. An expatriate Abhay, relocates to Mumbai to start a business. And an aspiring cricketer, Sawan, looks to make a big name for himself. It is hard to say weather these guys seek out troubles or is it the other way round. Abhay faces local turbulence in the form of street ruffians who demand protection money, and cannot seem to make the city welcoming. He wants to like it, but can't seem to like it. The cricketers' despair is to overcome the extraordinary competition by bribing the officials with money. And Tilak has a plan for future and sees his business expanding if he takes up more responsibilities.

The only common thread which resonates with the" Shor in the city" is the metamorphosis of these inhabitants. Abhay, does he what he has to do; grows out of his mainstream sophistication and grabs the bull by its horns. Sawan, disowns the loot, that he so meticulously plans, for something better than his obsession. Tilak gets a breather and walks out unscathed, as he watches the kid dance to the tune of Ganesha in full glory. Mandook and Ramesh, cannot seem to let go of their tomfoolery, which leads to their predicaments. In doing so, all of them find themselves closer to their hearts and lovers.

The music is quite good. Most of the tracks play when people are running around or riding their bikes. Then there is beautiful depiction of disorder, as the city itself morphs into a loud and tumultuous world. Edgy direction and low-key actors, excluding Tusshar Kapoor, bounce off the screen as every day folks which are very identifiable in sync with the script. Sendhil Ramamoorthy (Abhay) looks radiant and very different from his Mohindar of "Heroes". Shor is a different movie in a very real sense and a very decent watch.

The movie is a cock-tale of three stories simultaneously taking place in Mumbai within the span of 11 days of Ganesh Chaturthi. The narration consists of three different class and tastes having different background struggling in one or the other way to get a place in the heart of India.

Let me mention one name first of all, Pitobash Tripathy. I remember him right from the 3 Idiots. I knew the man has got the talent and he has accorded himself very well in the character. He brings in the gags in each and every scene he is featured.

The film has got one of the strongest end credits and all thanks to the brilliant scene in the end credit.

Rensil has a descent debut and is same with Preeti Desai.

Stories,though simple, are well narrated. Screenplay is engaging.Writing team comprising Raj Nidimoru, Krishna D.K., Sita Menon has done a good job.

Editing is good.The track fails to show the third story connecting with the other two in the end. Tusshaar Kapoor's track could have been chopped a little.

Music is unconventional.All songs are used in the background score which boosts the movie in a positive way.

In the end, this "Shor" is a must watch!

Shor in the Cit directed by Krishna D.K and Raj Nididmoru is an excellent movie.

With a captivating story,strong performances,stylish narrative, water-tight screenplay makes Shor In The City a must watch!

Story:

Chapter 1: A n NRI Abhay (Snedhil Ramamurthy) faces threats from extortionist (Zakir Hussain) when he opens a small business and goes out with an aspiring model. He refuses to pay, both are stalked, and when he complains to the police, they not only shrug it off but offer 'protection' for a price. With increasing pressure, he must now make a decision to re-locate or submit to their demands.

Chapter 2:

Tilak (Tusshar) and his friends,Ramesh (Nikhil Dwivedi) and Mandook (Pitobash) are career criminals, and sell merchandise that they steal from passengers using public transportation. He also buys best-selling novels, has copies printed, and has them sold at busy traffic signals. Things change when his group find guns and an explosive device in a stolen bag.

Chapter 3:

Sawan Murthy (Sundeep Kishan) wants to be a cricketer and must come up with Rs.10 Lakhs in order to be inducted in the 20/20 team. He has no money, nobody will lend him any, and he considers robbing the Citizen's Co-operative Bank. Just some of the challenges faced by regular Mumbaites and criminals in this crime-laden city.

Each and every chapter has a vibrant story.

The director duo do a marvelous job.

The screenplay is water-tight.

The dialogs are excellent. .Especially the ones delivered by Pitobash.

Performances:

Chapter 1:

Sendhil Ramammurthy delivers a fine performance while Zakir Hussain is menacing as the extortionist.

Chapter 2:

Tusshar Kapoor stands out.Pitobash does a fantastic job.Nikhil Dwivedi is subtle.

Chapter 3:

Sundeep Kishan is good.

All in all,Shor in the City is a movie with power-packed performances,enthralling story and water-tight screenplay.I am going to give a seven on ten.