Shanghai- A let down

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Hopes and hopes and hopes, after three immensely successful and redefining movie from Dibakar, you feel cheated. It is a let down indeed. Let's quickly get done first with the sore points. The script was very very good, unfortunately never holds it's characters. For that matter none of the characters stands out. Everyone seems to be making an earnest attempt, however, it is the scope of the character and the screenplay that runs them down. Let's start with Pitobash, since the films starts with him. The character had an element of casualness yet some hint of dilemma that was ethereal to the overall frame, yet in the end we suddenly seem to loose grip of him, even that of Anant Jog, as the driver caught in the trap. Everyone fails, Kalki, Abhay, Supriya and Prosenjit. Prosenjit (Dr. Ahmedi) seems to be in some kind of a war with IBP (the fictitious aspect or party or colony looming around). What is the origin of the war? There are stray references to New York! The whole thing never really comes to the surface. It is a palpable tension that has to come out, Dibakar makes an honest attempt, but he also probably gives up at the end.
With a wonderful story Z from where the movie is inspired from, it is unfortunate that the director could not do justice, with a repertoire such as his.
What stands out? Surprise, to me it is Emraan Hashmi! The role is cut out for him and I think he wanted to prove a point, that he is beyond the kisses and the sufiyana stuff and all. He makes a mark and that comes out quite strongly. His conversations with Kalki (initially) are honest attempts and very rare from a person like Emraan. The other aspect that stands out in the movie, Farooq! It is a delight to just watch him. Even though Dibakar did not have too much scope to offer to a person like Farooq Sheikh, but it is indeed a pleasure to just watch him after so many years on the screen.
Come on, all you new age directors, you need to write roles for people like Farooq, Naseer, Om Puri and even Amitabh Bachchan. They are institutions of learning in acting and should I say method acting.
Coming back to Shanghai, besides these two silver lining, I slept through most of the movie!
Some questions, why did Abhay have to have an accent? Why could he not play a north Indian bureaucrat (let's leave it to the creative license or patent perhaps of Dibakar)? My submission, what major difference did it bring? A talent wasted? Kalki (Shalini) and her relationship with both Mr. and Mrs. Ahmadi? What is the town permanently celebrating? An election win or a pre election campaign or it is a joie de vivre?
Dibakar, we were looking forward to a full justice done to Costa Gavras! We wait...

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