Shamitabh - Movie Review - A Masterclass display of Acting

Shamitabh
Cast : Amitabh Bachchan,Dhanush,Akshara Hassan.
Direction : R.Balki
Music : Ilayaraja
Cinematography : P.C.Sreeram.
Tagline : War of egoistic talents.

Expectation:
Coming from the stable of Balki, who previously delivered 2 hits - both featuring Amitabh Bachchan in lead role, with unique plots (a 60 year old's love with 30 year old in Cheeni Kum and the life of a 12 year old boy with a rare disorder -  progeria - in Paa), Shamitabh yet again features Amitabh, accompanied by South star Dhanush, who created impact with his performance in last year's successful Raanjhanaa and Kamal Hassan's second daughter Akshara(debut).From the trailer and the teaser, one could easily grab the premise where Shamitabh is set. Let's explore who actually is Shamitabh.

Plot:

A small town boy Daanish(Dhanush) wants to make it big in the showbiz. He gets to meet assistant director Akshara who wants to help him, and though Daanish is an extremely talented actor, there's one thing that prevents him from getting a break in the industry - Daanish is mute. Enters Amitabh ,(an aspiring actor himself, in his prime), who decides to lend his majestic voice for Daanish. Daanish and Amitabh combine with the aid of voice transfer technology, to create "Shamitabh" and achieve huge success.

Stardom gets into Daanish's head, while lack of recognition for his voice, and the disrespect Daanish gives him angers Amitabh. Selfishness, arrogance, anger and ego weakens the bonding, and the duo eventually break up. Their individual attempts fail big time, and Akshara decides to bring a patch up between the talented artistes. Who won the clash of egos, and whether Daanish and Amitabh reunited to recreate the magic of Superstar Shamitaabh is a fun filled emotional ride to be witnessed on screen.

Performances:

Dhanush and Amitabh compete with each other throughout the movie, and though the contest is evenly poised for most part, towards the end Amitabh proves he's a powerhouse performer. Dhanush, after his impressive act in Raanjhaana has taken the bold decision of not just sharing screen space with a veteran, but also getting his voice dubbed by him. Flawless acting performance by both
Dhanush and Amitabh, and you just cannot take your eyes off even for a moment. Dhanush impresses with his energetic performance as a mute guy, who aspires to become the superstar in the intial stages of the film, and later as the selfish and arrogant superstar. His body language and mannerisms, combined with Amitabh's voice (though you initially feel the voice not matching Dhanush's lean frame, as the movie progresses, it just gets better) assert the fact that he's not a one film wonder, and is here to stay.

Amitabh gets to mouth all the powerful, rhyming, satirical and emotionally charged lines in the movie, and he is at his best!! His angst at being at the background with no recognition, and the desperation that leads to his Ego clash with Daanish are expressed perfectly. Watch out for the climax when he almost overshadows the impact created by Dhanush throughout the movie. Akshara, making her debut in a role which is almost her real self, perfectly fills the bill. Her expressions while attempting to patch up the egoistic duo is apt. A much better artiste than Shruthi !!


Technical Departments and Direction:

Balki's love for Raja continues in Shamitabh as well. Background score by Ilayaraja lifts the mood of Shamitabh, and of his compositions, Bachchan's baritone rendition of Piddly and Stereophonic sannata make the impact with picture perfect visuals. P.C.Sreeram makes Shamitabh a watch-worthy experience. He has captured the emotions of both the leading actors perfectly, and since this is one movie where the actors take precedence over props and locales, Sreeram has done a commendable job.

Balki yet again proves that his success in the bollywood industry isn't a flash in the pan, and re-establishes that he's one creative director who could make unique characterizations and plots. His screenplay doesn't drag or hold uninteresting sequences. His flair for wit and habit of inculcating humor within the screenplay is appreciable, and he even takes a lot of digs on the industry
-casting couch, the name "Bollywood" itself copied..err...inspired from hollywood.etc among others.

Though the piddly number and the following sequence between Dhanush and Rukmani are crass and unwarranted, Balki makes the latter one crowd-pleasing with Amitabh mouthing a counter dwarfing Dhanush. Though the premise is well known even from the trailers, Kudos to Balki for coming up with  an engaging screenplay laced with many light-hearted moments, and sustaining the audience interest throughout, thanks to the magnetic and expressive performances of both Dhanush and Amitabh.

Though laced with all such positive factors, Shamitabh has its own shortcomings as well - one of them being the forced end which just doesn't fit in considering the fun filled screenplay. All said , Shamitabh is Balki brand entertainment with Amitabh and Dhanush sharing the acting honors.

What works :
Dhanush-Amitabh, witty dialogues, the novel, unique plot and tight screenplay by Balki.

What doesn't :
The climax which seems forced (though it essentially is aimed at showing destruction of ego in both the men), the sequence involving Dhanush and Rukmani which follows Piddly, Amitabh's pointless conversation to the dead Gomes at cemetary.

Verdict:
Top notch performances and a near perfect screenplay with an underlying deep message makes this Shamitabh taste victory !! Sure to leave an emotional impact.

7.8/10