Movie Review: Shanghai

What do you do when you love something and dislike it at the same time?

Shanghai is one such movie. I loved the intensity, the cast, and the performances. I disliked the message the movie leaves with the audience, and the potential impact it can have on the youth of this country.

In small town Bharatnagar, trouble is brewing. An unholy nexus of politicians, goons, builders, bureaucrats and the police is coming together to take away the land from the poor and build the "International Business Park". India Bana Pardes screams the banner behind the item girl at one of the launch parties. Jai Pragati, they say to each other as greeting.

One determined activist (Prosenjit Chaterjee in an amazing role, short but tremendously effective and memorable!), and a bunch of his followers (including the as-always-interesting Kalki) are fighting a losing battle. Things take a deadly turn when the activist in run down in a ghastly accident immediately after a protest meeting, a camera man with some damning footage is round dead in an "accident" by the side of the road.

The CM institutes an inquiry commission, headed by an honest, upright IAS officer (Bobby Deol) to look into the "accident". But it is soon clear that the commission is just a sham, aimed at sweeping things under the carpet.

When Kalki teams up with Emraan, who flirts with Kalki with his innocent stained teeth smile, shoots porn videos for a living, dances with goons at the drop of a hat, and yet, is willing to risk his life in the pursuit of truth, they unearth proof that ends up finally exposing the corrupt CM and her plan, breaks the uneasy coalition of the state with the center, and justice is finally done. Bharatnagar is free from the clutches of the developers and the politicians.

But is it really?

The closing scene is pivotal, and most will even miss it... the picture of the slain activist's wife on the huge posters, the bull dozers flattening the "huts" of Bharatnagar. It's simply a choice between the devil and the deep sea.

As a movie, it's highly entertaining, although serious. The performances are truly memorable, and if Emraan doesn't get recognized for Jannat 2, he should definitely get it for Shanghai. Far from a serial kisser, this guy is a real good actor! Prosenjit is stunningly effective, and Kalki, of course, does what she is best at. Farooq Sheikh also plays his role of the corrupt, senior IAS officer with absolute élan. Bobby is effective too, as the upright Tamilian. The police officers, the goons, the chamchas... everyone is brilliant.

There is an item song that fits in perfectly with the story. The background score is almost missing, and is never missed! The camera keeps you riveted with it's close shots, the detailing is absolutely wonderful.

What leaves me disappointed is the negativity it ends with. Telling the youth of the country to oppose development projects, and then, telling the youth that even if they oppose it, there is really no salvation!

I believe that as celebrities, as movie makers, people who have the power and the ability to reach out to millions and influence them, also have a responsibility to mentor and inspire. Pass on the right message, move the country into action. Simply touching hearts, but leaving them impoverished and depressed, is no way to go!