Movie Review
The Kapoor clan is back on the big screen after a four-year hiatus with Yash Raj Films' Shamshera. Expectations were high (it's being billed as one of the most expensive Hindi films ever made), but after delivering a series of flops, does YRF deliver? And more importantly, does the chick-eyed hero of Indian cinema make his presence felt?
Shamshera, in a certain sense, is a tale of two worlds. The first is trust and betrayal, and the second is faith, revenge and redemption. Set in the fictional India of the British Raj, both the tales are headlined by Ranbir Kapoor.
Shamshera is the leader of a once famous warrior tribe that turned to plunder and debauchery during the Mughal era. To the horror of the upper castes, they are tricked by the British army and trapped in an impenetrable fort thanks to a twist and the evil Darogah Shuddh Singh (Sanjay Dutt).
In an attempt to find freedom for his tribe, Shamshera breaks the law and is killed - branded a "bhagora" by his pregnant wife.
After two and a half decades, Bhagora's son has grown up. A happy young man, Baali aspires to become an officer in the same army that killed his father while still enslaved.
A storm of fate and some mischief later (oh! And Vaani romances Kapoor's Sona too) and Baali becomes a messiah, Shamshera along with her merry men will leave no stone unturned to free her people. Raj and Darogah. What happens next, you ask, that's for you to find out, right?
Basics aside, this humble reviewer was a bit concerned about YRF's latest offering. Let's be honest, Aditya Chopra's production house hasn't been maintaining the best record of late (Jayeshbhai Jordaar, Samrat Prithviraj to name a few). But with Shamshera, they could finally make some headway.
Director Karan Malhotra has brought a racy story (similar to the very popular Kannada cinema of recent times) which seems to be the flavor of the season. There is history, music, plot twists, crown theft and a massive and interesting story.
And Ranbir Kapoor, returning to the big screen, presents. All the time Ranbir has been away, there's an ease and fluidity that he brings to his characters that he doesn't have on the big screen And refreshing.
Whether it's Shamshera romancing the much older Iravati Harshe or portraying her son Baali after a few scenes, Ranbir manages to fulfill both mantles with ease. Here is an actor who knows his craft. Vaani Kapoor, who wowed everyone with her act in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui , could have been given a bit deeper role (we know she can deliver) but is taking every opportunity she gets.
Her chemistry with Ranbir is charming, but her character lacks a definitive arc. However, if I am asked to single-handedly pick an actor who steals the show, it has to be Sanjay Dutt as the sly, menacing and heartless Darogah Shuddh Singh.
Sanjay Dutt has just matured like a fine wine with age and has given a great act on screen.
The actor proves once again why he has survived so long in this industry, sometimes taking the spotlight away from our hero, giving a performance full of solid power that will be remembered for years to come. Be it KGF: Chapter 2 or Shamshera, Sanjay Dutt is better than bad in both. Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt prove to be the soul of this cinematic extravaganza by a mile.
Iravati Harshe, Ronit Roy, Saurabh Shukla, though key to the plot development, don't have much to offer.
However, the fallacies are more technical. Could there be a sharper edit? Yes. Could the VFX have been better? Yes. Could we eliminate a few song and dance sequences?
Absolutely yes. But having said all that, this revenge drama set in the 1800s manages to make Ranbir Kapoor relevant once again and gives YRF a much-needed push in the right direction. But watch the movie for Sanjay Dutt. You will not be disappointed.
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