Shanghai

Some five years ego when I first saw Kosta Gavra's classic political thriller "Z" I thought it has all the ingredients to be made into Indian scenario. Even though the film is five decades old the scenarios fits into contemporary India. It digs into the political machinery and their double standards as they talk about Industrial developments. With land acquisition, truth behind special economic zone (SEZs), red-tapism, bureaucratic machinery all molded in a thriller format had everything going for Indian audience. When Dibakar Banerjee announced Shanghai which is based on the Greek novel "Z' by Vassilis Vasilikos I was thrilled. Banerjee successfully adapted the novel and used it to portray a dark of political India.

Set in fictional BharatNagar "Shanghai" starts with Dr Ahmadi , a socialist worker being bumped off as he protest against the land acquisition and warns aam-janata to look into the real motives of the politicians and industrialists. Circumstances brought in Jogi Parmer, a rustic porn film maker who falls for the gori lady and how got himself caught in the web of deceit. It is through the investigation of Ahmedi's murder the journey of unmasking of those in the system begins as we came to know about the truth behind the game of industrialization. Symbolically it reflects the rotten Indian system in a realistic fashion which will shock audience and let them think. With India being claimed as potential future super power of the world the big shots inside the system is robbing her from within at every level leading towards a greater economic divide.

Dibakar Banerjee showed immense potential in earlier three films (khosla ka ghosla, oye lucky lucky oye, LSD) and each of them he used ample dose of dark humor to bring out some prevailing problem in the society. He does the same and succeeds in "Shanghai".He has compromised less interns of story telling and kept many scenes subtle enough for further interpretation. His detailing of sequences needs to applaud. Indeed he is one of the finest story teller of the country and together with Anurag Kashyap,Vishal Bhardwaj can elevate the Indian cinema whereby getting appreciation from world audience as something meaningful yet entertaining. Teaming up with Urmi Juvekar, the duo has done a splendid job in keeping the dialogs real, subtle yet catchy. Being a thriller the happenings keep you engaged to the screen. Like Kahaani this is another taut thriller which can compete with any world cinema. Nikos Andritsakis cinematography deserves standing ovation. His usages of occasional shakes, close-ups elevate the screenplay. The sepia tone set it perfect for the rustic India. Namratha Rao's editing is top notch and she proved that Kahaani was just not one flash in the pan. Vandana Kataria's production design is effective and creates the atmosphere for a dark, thrilling ride. Atul Mongia's unique ensemble casting needs recognition. Vishal-Shekhar's music works. "Bharat mata ki jaye" is true satirical song which is helped by some brilliant choreography.

Acting wise every single person involved has given a superlative performance. Emraan Hashmi as Jogi Parmer is revelation. He proved his detractors wrong and gave a new life to himself as he joined the league of meaningful cinema. Prior to this his mass films (though huge Hits) didn't get him accolades from all section of society but this film will make people realize his potential. Abhay Deol is a superb actor and as always he is at his subtle paced. He fits into a character like chameleon and together with the choice of films he makes he is there to make some change in Indian cinema. As IAS Krishnan he has given one of his career best roles. Just check the climax when he confronts with Farooq Sheik. The scene is a marvel and deserves standing ovation. Kalki Koechlin succeeds as the disturbed foreign return Indian Shalini. Her relationship with Dr Ahmedi as well as Jogi Parmer has been portrayed sensitively. Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee excels as socialist worker Dr Ahmedi. The movie surrounds his character and in a comparatively small role he leaves his marks. Pitobash as usual is exceptional. With Shor in the city, I am Kalaam and now Shanghai he will definitely land up in more meaty roles in near future. He is a power house of talent. Veterans Farooq Sheik and Supriya Pathak were always known for their acting potential and here also they lived up to their names. Tilottoma Shome as Mrs Ahemdi fits the bill as well.

Overall Shanghai is another powerful cinema which comes out from Bollywood. In a thriller mode it raises very pertinent questions on the way the Indian political system works. The film is dark, real yet entertaining that will keep the audience (though it might not appeal to many cine-goers who loves unreal commercial cinema) engaged till the end. It is another landmark film which is to be experienced, a masterpiece. Indeed it has all the stamps that are associated with a film which has been co-produced by NFDC.

P.S : I agree with the first reviewer in IMDb with the statement that one should watch this film "And next time you end up comparing why do Bollywood standards do not reach Hollywood, stay quite! You don't deserve a word!".. Indeed I think Kosta Govra would have been proud to see this adaptation

Shanghai is a delight from head to toe. Dibakar Banerjee is without a doubt my favourite bollywood director of recent times. Already it's a hell of a job matching the standards of LSD, Oye Lucky and Khosla still he manages to pull off a gritty tale with such panache which compels me to compare him with the Hollywood great Quentin Tarantino. The city of Bharat Nagar is about to have a turn of fate as the ruling government tries to convert it into an infrastructure marvel but then there's a proclaimed personnel and social activist Aahmedi played by Bengal's very own Prosenjit Chatterjee. But the ruling party has other plans for him as he is brutally injured in a hit and run case which leaves Shalini(Kalki Koechlin) to fight it out to the find the truth behind the proclaimed accident. Imran Hashmi plays Joginder Parmar who's a videographer come pornographer who has some evidence that might help things fall into place for Aahmedi. The real kick comes when Krishnan(Abhay Deol) in given the responsibility to find out the truth. What works for Shanghai is that even though so much is going around all the time there is this definite attention given to each and every detail that you are just kept glued to the screen. Plus there is the fine twist in the end as well. The scenes without any background score, a Dibakar Banerjee trend I suppose, the gritty yet amicable screenplay everything is I personally love. You actually can feel through the scenes as they pass.

The performances are exceptional be it Abhay Deol, Kalki or even Hashmi as he steps inside shoes which one would never consider to fit him. But then that's the sheer genius of Dibakar Banerjee. Still though call me greedy I expected a little tiny bit more drama. But then nothing is perfect. After 'Kahaani' it is in my opinion the second best movie I have set my eyes upon in 2012. Take A Bow Mr.Director!

There is only one word to describe the cinematography, the set designs and the dialogues, and that is Exceptional! You don't just watch the scenes happening, you feel them. The movie is a real thrill ride. The action scenes are well pictured and the music is electronically haunting. Never, in the run time of the movie, you will get a chance to move your eyes from the screen to any other object.

The film is hardly one hour-fifty minutes long, and you wish that there was no interval. You don't need one when you are watching a crisp and thrilling film like this one! It's an engaging thriller with a political backdrop, and the performances are mind blowing. Kalki Koechlin is fabulous. Pitobash Tripathy is superb. Abhay Deol has captured the nuisances of the south Indian accent perfectly. He is restrained and strong. But the star of the show is Emraan Hashmi. It might turn out to be too intelligent for Emraan Hashmi fans who generally come to see him smooch his leading lady. So we will have to wait and see if a brilliant film like this is lapped up at the box office or not. Shanghai shocks, engages and makes a powerful statement. Dibakar lives up to the standards he has set for himself.

I really enjoyed watching this latest Political thrillers like the west since our cinema mostly aims at only entertainment as an escape from the real life. The acting is great, the storyline is well written with adequate character development to let you get emotionally invested. The film is based on Greek writer Vassilis Vassilikos' political novel "Z" on which director Costa-Gavras also made his project titled "Z" (French) in 1969, which means "He is Alive" in a symbolic form. But SHANGHAI actually scores much higher than all the earlier political thrillers made in the country mainly due to its subtle and calm treatment of an intense plot which keeps you engrossed especially in its second half.Emraan Hashmi has shown real talent that he is much more capable of apart from smooching leading lady. If you love true cinema, go for SHANGHAI.

Take any of your favorite political thrillers. What you'd find is political insight and compelling suspense, seamlessly woven to demystify your flimsy notions and beliefs about that subject. While the protagonist peels the layers off falsehood, you experience the joy of veils dropping. You get more than just the solution of a mystery; a new interpretation of the event, a shocking perspective. Dibakar Banerjee's Shanghai is one such political thriller. This terrific film hits you like a hurricane and terrifies you to bits. It has an abiding effect that will haunt you even hours after you've left the theater. If you enjoy true cinema, go for SHANGHAI.. Else, better wait for SRK or FARAH KHAN's next POPCORN FLICK!! Go for SHANGHAI for Kalki Koechlin, for Emraam Hashmi,for Abhay Deol, for the Music & for everything you want from a masterpiece! And next time you end up comparing why do Bollywood standards do not reach Hollywood, stay quite! You don't deserve a word!

10/10