Shamitabh

Shamitabh

Promotional Poster
Directed by R. Balki
Produced by Sunil Lulla
R. Balki
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
R. K. Damani
Amitabh Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Sunil Manchanda
Shobha Kapoor
Ekta Kapoor
Dhanush
Written by R. Balki
Starring Amitabh Bachchan
Dhanush
Akshara Haasan
Music by Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography P. C. Sreeram
Edited by Hemanti Sarkar
Production
company
Distributed by Eros International
MAD Entertainment Ltd[1]
Release dates
  • 6 February 2015[2][3]
Country India
Language Hindi
Budget INR40 crore (US$6.3 million)[4]
Box office INR38 crore (US$6.0 million)[5]

Shamitabh is a 2015 Indian drama film written and directed by R. Balki.[6][7] The film features Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush and Akshara Haasan, in her debut, in the lead roles.[8] The film is jointly produced by Sunil Lulla, Balki, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, R. K. Damani, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sunil Manchanda and Dhanush under their respective production banners. Ilaiyaraaja composed the soundtrack album and background score, while cinematography was handled by P. C. Sreeram.[9]

Plot


Daanish (Dhanush), a mute whose childhood dream was to become a Bollywood actor, reaches Mumbai to fulfill his dream. He tries to enter the film city there, but gets stopped by the guards there. He trespasses the gate and comes across an Assistant Director, Akshara Pandey (Akshara Haasan), who is amazed by his acting. She approaches a director for requesting a role for Daanish in a film, but the director refuses after he comes to know that Daanish cannot speak.

Daanish and Akshara go to a voice hospital to get his check-up, but doctors declare his vocal chords are fully paralyzed and are unable to be treated. But, they assure him that with their advanced technology, Danish could have a 'voice transfer'. They fit a chip inside Daanish's larynx with which a person could transfer their voice into the chip, and when the person would speak, the words would also come from Danish's mouth. They set out to search for a person who could speak for Daanish every time, when they come across an old drunkard, Amitabh Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan), lying on the footpath. Amitabh also wanted to become an actor but was rejected because of his voice.

Daanish approaches the director again, who agrees to launch him this time, but wanted him to change his name. Daanish searches for a name and concludes on Shamitabh (a portmanteau of DaaniSH and AMITABH), giving credit to the person who provided him with voice. Daanish makes a couple of films and turns out to be a hit actor to which Amitabh realises was only because of him and an ego problem between the two starts to rise which comes to a head after Amitabh pulls a gun on a police and is jailed while Daanish is at London for a lecture at a university. They both separate after a confrontation at the airport and start making their own films, where Daanish plays the role of a mute person and Amitabh dubbing the voice for another actor. Both films fail commercially.

Akshara makes both of them realise they are nothing without each other and gets them together for a film titled Sorry, which she is directing. Meanwhile, Akshara and Daanish tell that they like each other. Amitabh and Daanish are on the way to the venue of the press meet for Sorry, and on the way become engrossed in a fun conversation when their car is hit by a trailer; the accident kills Daanish and damages Amitabh's larynx, rendering him mute.

Some time later, Amitabh paces around Daanish's grave with the script of Sorry, imagining that Daanish is still alive and practising his lines for the film.

Cast

Cameo appearances

Production

Development

In August 2013, reports announced that Dhanush would play the lead role in R. Balki's next film.[10] But Balki denied them as rumors, citing that they may have arisen when he had shot for an advertisement featuring.[11] In November 2013, Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush were announced as feature in the lead roles. The film also marked the acting debut of Kamal Haasan's second daughter, Akshara Haasan.[12] In addition to portraying one of the film's central characters, Amitabh Bachchan had also bankrolled the venture.[13] In May 2014, Balki revealed that the film would be titled Shamitabh, which also sounded similar to the Bollywood star's name,[14] whilst also revealing that half the film's shooting had been completed.[15] Amitabh Bachchan lent his voice to Dhanush, who plays a dumb aspiring actor in the film.[16] The film's title derived from the duo’s names in which 'Sh' from Dhanush was added as a prefix to Amitabh, therefore becoming Shamitabh.[17]

Casting

Besides the lead cast,[12] it was confirmed in February 2014 that actor Rajeev Ravindranathan would appear in a small role in the film.[18] Rajeev confirmed the same again in July 2014.[19] In August 2014, it was reported that director Mahesh Bhatt had acted in a cameo role in the film.[20][21] Later it was reported that not only Mahesh Bhatt, but Karan Johar, Anurag Basu, Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, Rajkumar Hirani, Gauri Shinde, along with lyricist Javed Akhtar and producers Boney Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor would do cameos in the film.[22] Actress Abhinaya of Nadodigal (2009) fame was selected to play a crucial role in the film.[23] Actress Rekha was selected to play a supporting role.[24] Vandita Shrivastava, an MBA-turned-actress, stated that she had a role in the film.[25]

Filming

Principal photography commenced on February 2014 in Igatpuri.[9][26] Amitabh Bachchan began shooting for his portions in the film in April 2014.[27] Shamitabh became the first Bollywood film to be shot in the Lapland region of Finland and in Helsinki.[28][29] The crew shot some scenes at the Seven Hills Hospital, the same place where Amitabh Bachchan underwent two abdominal surgeries and saw the birth of Aaradhya, his granddaughter.[30] Some scenes were also shot in London.[31] The team took a break in mid-July 2014 to celebrate Dhanush's birthday and the success of his 25th film, Velaiyilla Pattathari (2014).[32] In mid-August 2014, Amitabh Bachchan stated that he had completed his portions for the film,[33] whilst also confirming that 90% percent of the film's shooting had been completed.[34] Dhanush reportedly did a few dastardly stunts in the film.[35] The film's cinematographer P. C. Sreeram was fascinated by Akshara's acting capability and lack of nervousness while shooting with Dhanush and Amitabh Bachchan and lauded her as a "woman of substance".[36] Akshara did her own choreography for her dance.[37]

During the shooting of the film in Finland, a snow storm hit the area where shooting was going on for a dance sequence in the film and had to immediately walk back towards a safer environment. Hence, they walked for about 10 kilometers with their heavy equipment. Choreographers Bosco-Caesar decided to continue with it and shot the song the next day since a delay would have caused permission trouble.[38]

Music

Shamitabh: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by Ilaiyaraaja
Released 16 January 2015
Length 25:40
Language Hindi
Label Eros Music

The soundtrack album and background score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[9] Illaiyaraaja began work for the film's songs on 6 January 2014 in Mumbai.[39] Amitabh Bachchan had lent his voice to a song in the film. The album received positive response from critics and topped the i-Tunes charts.[40]

Shamitabh (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)[41]
No. TitleLyricsSinger(s) Length
1. "Ishq E Phillum"  Swanand KirkireSuraj Jagan 04:30
2. "Sha Sha Sha Mi Mi Mi"  Swanand KirkireCaralisa Monteiro 05:20
3. "Piddly Si Baatein"  Swanand KirkireAmitabh Bachchan 05:09
4. "Stereophonic Sannata"  Swanand KirkireShruti Haasan 04:59
5. "Thappad"  Swanand KirkireSuraj Jagan & Earl D'Souza 04:07
6. "Lifebuoy"  Swanand KirkireSuraj Jagan 01:54

Release

The film released worldwide on 6 February 2015.[2][3][42] Shamitabh was made with a Budget of INR40 crore (US$6.3 million) from which INR25 Crores is Production Cost while EROS International acquired Worldwide Distribution Rights for INR45 crore (US$7.1 million).

Marketing

The first look of the lead actors Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush were released on 23 July 2014,[43] and 25 July 2014,[44] respectively. A video trailer of Amitabh sitting in a toilet and singing "piddly si baatein", a catchy, peppy song while holding the script, was released on 31 December 2014. An extended version of the trailer was released on 7 January 2015.[45] Amitabh Bachchan had been reportedly seen sporting a rugged look and wearing shabby clothes,[46] Bachchan found the look quite difficult to preserve throughout the shooting of the film.[47] Bachchan described every film he made with Balki as "novel, out of the ordinary and most challenging" and Shamitabh is "no different".[48] A still featuring the lead actors was released by Amitabh Bachchan on Twitter on 20 August 2014.[49] Eros International distributed the film worldwide.[50]

Critical Reception

Srijana Mitra Das of Times of India gave it 3.5 stars out of 5 and stated, "Shamitabh has a doubly dramatic act - but less emotion".[51] Indian Express gave the movie 2 stars.[52] Rajeev Masand of IBNLIVe gave the movie2.5 stars stating "The promising film comes undone by the curse of the second half".[53] The Guardian gave average reviews describing the movie "Amitabh Bachchan in affectionate but incoherent satire".[54]

References

  1. ↑ "Eros International's big plans involve Superstar Rajinikanth, Ilayathalapathy Vijay, and Thala Ajith". Behindwoods. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Suparno (7 August 2014). "Amitabh Bachchan's 'Shamitabh' Release Date Declared!". Oneindia Entertainment. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Seshagiri, Sangeetha (7 August 2014). "Dhanush-Amitabh Bachchan's 'Shamitabh' to Release on 6 February 2015". International Business Times. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "'Shamitabh' 2 Days Collection at Box Office: Amitabh Bachchan-Dhanush Starrer Earns ₹4.75 Crore on Saturday". International Business Times. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Top Worldwide Grossers 2015". Box Office India. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Mitra, Tathagata (29 May 2014). "R Balki's next starring Big B titled 'Shamitabh'". India Today. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "Movie Review: 'Shamitabh'" (Post.jagran.com). Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Amitabh Bachchan nervous to shoot R Balki’s next". The Indian Express. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Goyal, Divya; Sharma, Sarika (25 February 2014). "Dhanush, Akshara Haasan shoot for Balki’s film". The Indian Express. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  10. ↑ Iyer, Meena (21 August 2013). ready for R Balki?". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  11. ↑ K. Jha, Subhash (6 March 2013). "No Shah Rukh Khan, only Amitabh Bachchan in R. Balki's next". Daily News and Analaysis, India Edition. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Big B-Dhanush-Akshara Haasan In R Balki’s Next". Box Office India. 16 November 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  13. ↑ Baksi, Dibyojyoti (9 April 2014). "Amitabh Bachchan to co-produce R Balki's next". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "R. Balki's next titled 'Shamitabh'". Zee News. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "R. Balki's next titled 'Shamitabh'". Sify. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "Amitabh Bachchan to give voice-over to Dhanush". The Indian Express. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Amitabh Bachchan’s Next With R Balki Is Titled 'Shamitabh'". Koimoi. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  18. ↑ Sampath, Parinatha (4 February 2014). "Rajeev Ravindranathan begins shoot for R Balki's next". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  19. ↑ Talukdar, Taniya (23 July 2014). "Why is Rajeev Ravindranathan tight-lipped about his next film?". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  20. ↑ "Check out: Mahesh Bhatt does a cameo in 'Shamitabh'". Bollywood Hungama. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  21. ↑ "Mahesh Bhatt turns actor for R Balki's 'Shamitabh'". India Today. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  22. ↑ Gupta, Priya (22 August 2014). "R Balki gets 6 directors to do a cameo in 'Shamitabh'". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  23. ↑ Borah, M. Prabalika (1 September 2014). "Going places, quietly". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  24. ↑ "One more legend for Dhanush". Behindwoods. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  25. ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/The-Shaukeens-actress-Vandita-to-be-seen-in-Shamitabh/articleshow/45468155.cms
  26. ↑ "Dhanush kick starts Balki film!". The Times of India. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  27. ↑ Dubey, Rachana (22 April 2014). "Big B begins shooting for R Balki's film". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  28. ↑ Jha, Sumit. "‘Shamitabh’ will be the Bollywood's first movie to be shot in Finland". The Times of India. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  29. ↑ K. Jha, Subhash. "‘Shamitabh’ to be shot in Helsinski". Bollywood Hungama. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  30. ↑ "Amitabh Bachchan's encounter with reality on 'Shamitabh' sets". IBNLive. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  31. ↑ "Dhanush shoots in London with Amitabh Bachchan". The Times of India. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  32. ↑ "Dhanush celebrates with Big B and Akshara Haasan". The Times of India. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  33. ↑ "Amitabh Bachchan wraps up R. Balki's 'Shamitabh'". India Today. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  34. ↑ Pathak, Ankur (18 August 2014). "Amitabh Bachchan's final impact". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  35. ↑ "Dhanush goes crazy!". Behindwoods. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  36. ↑ "Akshara Haasan a woman of substance". The Times of India. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  37. ↑ K. Jha, Subhash (16 September 2014). "Akshara Haasan turns choreographer for 'Shamitabh'". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  38. ↑ "Amitabh Bachchan’s 'Shamitabh' cast and crew face storm trouble in Finland". The Indian Express. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  39. ↑ M. Suganth (13 January 2014). "Ilaiyaraaja in Mumbai to compose for Balki’s film". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  40. ↑ Arora, Kiran (16 July 2014). "Amitabh Bachchan to sing in 'Shamitabh'". Oye! Times. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  41. ↑ "Shamitabh tracklist". Saavn. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  42. ↑ "Dhanush reveals 'Shamitabh' plans". The Times of India. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  43. ↑ Nagwekar, Santosh (22 July 2014). "Revealed: Amitabh Bachchan's New Look in R Balki's". NDTV. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  44. ↑ "First Look: Big B & Dhanush in 'Shamitabh'". The Free Press Journal. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  45. ↑ "Amitabh Bachchan & Rekha Meet Again - Watch Shamitabh ExtendedTrailer".
  46. ↑ "Snapshot: A disheveled Amitabh Bachchan is spotted wearing shabby clothes on the sets of 'Shamitabh'". IBNLive. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  47. ↑ "Big B shares 'Shamitabh' look, says difficult to preserve". Deccan Herald. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  48. ↑ Joshi, Priya (10 July 2014). "Amitabh: 'Shamitabh' is out of the ordinary like all R Balki films". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  49. ↑ "Amitabh Bachchan reveals Dhanush and Akshara's look from 'Shamitabh'".The trailer was released on 6th January 2015 Daily News and Analaysis, India Edition. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  50. ↑ "Eros International and R Balki team up for 'Shamitabh'". Business Standard. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  51. ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/Shamitabh/movie-review/46140842.cms
  52. ↑ http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/shamitabh-movie-review-swings-between-being-intelligent-and-banal/
  53. ↑ http://ibnlive.in.com/news/shamitabh-review-the-promising-film-comes-undone-by-the-curse-of-the-second-half/526978-47-84.html
  54. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/09/shamitabh-amitabh-bachchan-bollywood-review

External links