
Shamitabh review by Anupama Chopra: Magic of cinema
SHAMITABH
Direction: R Balki
Actors: Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush, Akshara Haasan
Rating: 2.5/5
Shamitabh is an original, bittersweet fable about the magic of cinema, the giddy ride of fame and the downfall that inevitably arrives when hubris and ego get in the way. Dhanush plays Daanish, a mute bus conductor from Igatpuri who is obsessed with cinema.
His mother lies about her health to prevent him from running away to Mumbai to become an actor. But eventually, she dies and he takes the bus to the city of dreams.
This is where the film starts to wobble. An assistant director (Akshara Haasan) takes him on as a project. She and her father send him to Finland where, through something called live voice transfer technology, Daanish is enabled to speak with someone else’s voice.
Enter Amitabh Sinha, a failed actor played by Amitabh Bachchan. Amitabh is an alcoholic, hollowed out by rejection. But somehow, together, these two nonentities create a superstar named Shamitabh.
Balki captures our mad passion for movies. And he pays a fitting homage to the great Amitabh Bachchan baritone — a voice that has fuelled our cinematic fantasies for more than 40 years.
There’s also the interminable length. Daanish and Amitabh are well-enacted, strong characters. Shamitabh is a lovingly crafted film that doesn’t quite pan out. Which is a shame, because there is much to savour here.

Devoleena Bhattacharjee: You don’t have to be a part of any groups or camps

Mira Rajput is beach-ready in new pics from Goa, but where is Shahid Kapoor?
- Mira Rapjut has shared new photos and videos from her Goa vacation with husband, actor Shahid Kapoor. Check them out here.

Kangana shares clip of allegations against Sajid, hints he has ‘mafia' support
- Kangana Ranaut shared a video of Jiah Khan's sister levelling serious allegations of sexual harassment against Sajid Khan. She suggested that he has the 'full support' of the 'mafia' in the film industry.

Minissha Lamba opens up about her separation: 'If it's not working, part ways'
- Actor Minissha Lamba has said that there is no longer any stigma attached to separation, and if a relationship isn't working, it is advisable to part ways amicably.

Gauahar Khan, Zaid Darbar enjoy honeymoon in Udaipur, share pics

Shah Rukh Khan jokingly objects to KKR’s birthday wish for Juhi Chawla’s husband
- Shah Rukh Khan jokingly took offence as the official Twitter handle of Kolkata Knight Riders declared Juhi Chawla’s husband Jay Mehta as the 'most affable gentleman'.

'Tandav is a work of fiction, it's a piece of entertainment first': Sunil Grover
- Sunil Grover has insisted that Tandav is a work of fiction, and that it was shot before many of the incidents it shows transpired in real life.

Sonam Kapoor is having a blast on set, dad Anil Kapoor feels he's missing out
- Actor Sonam Kapoor has shared a new image from the Glasgow sets of her upcoming film, Blind. Her dad, Anil Kapoor, left a comment on her post.

Ajith goes on a road trip to Sikkim on bike, pics go viral

Tamil sci-fi film Indru Netru Naalai 2 launched with a puja ceremony, see pics

Mona Singh reminisces about husband Shyam Gopalan’s ‘super bad’ wedding proposal

Justin Timberlake announces birth of second son with Jessica Biel, reveals name
- Celebrity couple Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel have welcomed their second child, a year after he publicly apologised for inappropriate behaviour amid cheating rumours.

Priyanka Chopra confesses her love for Albela Aam, Chulbuli Imli and Pan Pasand

Neha Kakkar warns Rohanpreet Singh’s ex-girlfriend not to call him. Watch video
