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Critics Review
3.00
The performances drive it through
Balki manages to do once again though is extract brilliant performances from both Amitabh and Dhanush. As the drunkard road life, Amitabh is loveable and cocky. His expressions, his nuances, everything is a master class in acting as we see the super star in a meaty role after long.Dhanush on the other hand plays the simpleton good hearted guy with ease, bringing in an endearing charm to his part. New comer Akshara too impresses with her energy and screen presence. Melodious music, lovely dialogues, performances pull through this film that otherwise would have sunked without a trace. It definitely is not Balki�s best work, but is a good watch nonetheless. (more)
Source: Ameet Bhuvan, MovieCrow
3.50
Shamitabh is a treat for Amitabh Bachchan fans
What works is the unconventional story and Balki's style of story telling. This film displays Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush's talent, for fans of both these actors it's quite a treat. Bachchan has quite a few scenes where he gets to perform and he does it like no one else can! Dhanush's simplicity works. Newcomer Akshara haasan is cast well as a young assistant director and an aspiring filmmaker, she does a fine job. (more)
Source: Rohit Khilnani, India Today
3.00
The film is a treat for all Amitabh Bachchan as well as Dhanush
Shamitabh is a novel idea and needs to be credited for its out of the box idea and presentation. If marveling an interesting plot was any less, Shamitabh raises the bar even higher with stellar performances from Dhanush and Amitabh Bachchan. The film comes with a much-needed fresh script in times of cheap South-Indian masala remakes, once again bringing back our faith in honest and thoughtful writing(more)
Source: Surabhi Redkar, Koimoi
2.50
SHAMITABH has an out-of-the-box and unusual plot that will appeal only to a niche audience. Go for it only if you are a hardcore Bachchan fan.
R. Balki, who had earlier directed the legendary Amitabh Bachchan in two of the path breaking films viz., CHEENI KUM and PAA, has really tried his best to continue this 'tradition' with SHAMITABH as well. Even though Balki has tried his level best to define every moment of the film, the viewers may find something amiss (esp. in the second half). The characters in the film are very relatable and very real, however, the film's weak storyline falters the film. While he establishes all the characters reasonably well in the first half, the dragging second half seems to take the steam off. The ego battle between the characters shall appeal to niche audiences, if not the masses.(more)
Source: Bollywood Hungama News Network, Bollywood Hungama
3.50
SHAMITABH HAS A DOUBLY DRAMATIC ACT - BUT LESS EMOTION
So, Shamitabh has a lovely concept - a boy falls in love with the movies and dreams of becoming a star. He has pizzazz, passion, presence - but no voice. Daanish (Dhanush) is born mute, his soul, like the film-mad lad of Cinema Paradiso, finding utterance with movies, Igatpuri's bus conductor (rather like a certain Rajini Sir) determined to achieve stardom. Daanish hits Film City and impresses assistant director Akshara (Haasan) but directors reject a mute hero.(more)
Source: Srijana Mitra Das, Times Of India
2.00
Swings between being intelligent and banal
�Shamitabh� had the potential to use irony and knowingness and a self-awareness, and the presence of the most durable star in Bollywood whose velvet-and-iron rumble has become partof the national soundtrack, to give us an unforgettable story of ego and identity, rejection and acceptance, success and failure. There are a few moments which sparkle, and we laugh in acknowledgement. But the rest of it is overpowered by unabashed reverence.(more)
Source: Shubhra Gupta , Indian Express
2.50
Shamitabh is recommended only for its storyline, the quality of the performances and its technical brilliance.
Shamitabh is embellished with great music (Ilaiyaraaja), some outstanding camerwork(P C Sreeram) and many impressively deft directorial touches. The bright flashes are, however, eventually lost in a miasma of excesses that leave avoidable pockmarks on the otherwise imposing edifice. It is the unique story that lends Shamitabh much of its weight until it loses its way somewhat in pursuit of the brazenly implausible. A geriatric wreck who has nothing to lose and an Igatpuri youngster who has everything to gain if the two men can sink their temperamental differences and fill in for what the other lacks. All through the history of cinema, such odd pairs have yielded great chemistry on the big screen, but only when the balance between the pivotal figures has attained perfection. Shamitabh does not quite make that grade.(more)
Source: Saibal Chatterjee , NDTV Movies
