Indian politics, be it from the independence era or the current scenario has been one of the favorite themes for film-makers. But, very few of them, ex. Prakash Jha & Anurag Kashyap have been able to do justice. Shanghai is one such challenging, yet brilliant attempt by Dibakar Banerjee.
The plot begins in Bharatnagar, a fictitious town in India. The ruling political party in this town, head by Madamji (Supriya Pathak Kapur) & Kiran Karmarkar has a strong hold over the activities. Soon, they announce a proposed project IBP (India Bana Pardes / International Business Park), which they claim, would lay the foundation of transforming Bharatnagar,toShanghai.
IAS Officer T A Krishnan ( Abhay Deol), who is close to Madamji & her principal secretary Kaul (Farooque Sheikh) is appointed Vice Chairman of the project. To add icing to the cake, he is due for a promotion, post the project launch.
Dr Ahemadi (Prasenjit Chatterjee) , a communist leader (former teacher) is of the opinion that the project is not progressive, and would deprive the low income groups of access to natural resources viz. land water, electricity. He and his group strongly oppose the project, through rallies & speeches. Shalini Sahay (Kalki Koechlin), former student & admirer of Dr Ahemadi, is also a part of his group. Dr Ahemadi is just about to address a rally in Bharatnagar, when he is brutally attacked, and seriously injured. Eye witnesses to the attack are Shalini, Dr Ahemadi’s group, and Jogi Parmar (Emraan Hashmi) a video-grapher covering the rally. An enquiry to investigate this case, is called for, and Krishnan is appointed to probe the case. How these three characters try to resolve the case, by connecting the dots, and how their personal lives are affected thereon, is what forms the CRUX of the story.
Banerjee, a master story teller succeeds in maintaining a realistic feel throughout the film, as well as the connectivity between the central plot & sub-plots. The narrative follows a ’raw intensity’.Editing by Namrata Rao is razor sharp! Nikos Andritsakis’ cinematography deserves applause.
Background score by Micheal McCarthy, music by Vishal Shekhar set the mood of the film. Lyrics are ’caustic’, esp. the Bharat Mata Ki Jai number!
The lead actors’ performances are USP of the film, though they underplay themselves a little too much. Abhay Deol plays IAS officer Krishnan with the utmost ease & restrain. The actor doesn’t try to overdo the tamil accent or south Indian background. Emraan Hashmi is a complete revelation. The actor clearly shows a glimpse of his untapped potential.
Kalki Koechlin emotes well. Pitobash is excellent!
Senior actors Kiran Karmarkar, Anant Jog, Prasenjit Chaterjee, Supriya Pathak Kapur & Farooque Sheikh excel in brief roles. It was a in fact a delight to watch Supriya ji & Farooq sahab together on screen after almost 30 years (last appearance in Bazaar 1982)!!
Overall, a good film undoubtedly. However, including some hard core power packed scenes would have added the right punch!!
Rating: ***1/2
We The People 