Shamshera Movie Review

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vaani Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and others
Director: Karan Malhotra
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Music: Mithoon
Release Date : July 22, 2022

It has been four long years since we have seen Ranbir Kapoor on screen. He has released a big budget action drama called Shamshera which has been produced by Yash Raj Films. Karan Molahotra has directed it and Vaani Kapoor is the heroine.

Plot

The film is set in the 1800’s. Shamshera(Ranbir Kapoor) is a tribal leader who belongs to the Khameran tribe. They live in the city of Kaza but the residents there look down upon them due to their caste. So, for their survival, Shamshera and his gang start looting the city. Left with no choice, the residents bring in a cop named Shuddh Singh(Sanjau Dutt) to deal with the situation. He cheats Shamshera and gets him killed. Years later, Shamshera’s wife gives birth to Balli(Ranbir Kapoor in a double role). He takes up his father’s case and regains the lost glory.

Performances

The only solace of this film is Ranbir Kapoor’s acting as Shamshera and Balli. He gets to play a double role for the first time in his career and aces it. His look as Shamshera is the best and is riveting during the action sequences. He gives it all but the story and weak characterization in the second half fails him. Sanjay Dutt looks over the top. He looks odd in his getup and the age factor in the action scenes is seen clearly as he is no match for Ranbir. Vaani Kapoor has nothing much to do apart from her skin show.

Technicalities

Yash Raj Films has produced Shamshera on a grand note. The grandeur is shown in each scene and the VFX done is pretty good for the money spent. Neelesh Misra and Khila Bisht’s story is outdated and has scenes copied from Baahubali and KGF. There are a number of scenes which remind us of the above said films. Dialogues are massy especially the ‘karam se dacait, dharam se azaad’, is whistle worthy. Mithoon’s music is a big disappointment. Anay Goswamy’s cinematography is spectacular as the visuals are unreal and solid to view on screen. The editing could have been better in the second half. The Telugu dubbing is also not that proper and looks forced.

Analysis

Director Karan Malhotra has made sure that he mounts Shamshera on a grand note. Visually, the film is grand but that is not the case with his narration. He sets up the first half on a very strong note as the songs, events, and fights look quite good. The story is established properly but once the key story is set, the film falls like a pack of cards.

One character which looks way over the top is sadly Sanjay Dutt. Even though Sanjay Dutt tries hard, his role is not properly etched and has so many logical errors. The conflict between the hero and villain is also not that great. Vaani Kapoor is there for the sake of songs and in no time, she becomes a rebel. Such flawed characters only bore the audience and make the viewing experience even tougher.

The film starts on a good note and there are also few scenes which stand out during the interval block. Ranbir stealing the crown, his mass entry and fight sequences in the first half are neat. But the second half is a big mess. The scenes in the second half are mundane and create no interest for the audience. The much-hyped train sequence and climax also fall flat.

Yash Raj Films have made this film with an intention to make big money. They have spent well and roped in big stars. But the film lacks soul and is narrated on a very pathetic note and looks silly by the end. Even a pro like Ranbir Kapoor cannot do anything about this film which makes you breathe a sigh of relief when it finally ends.

Bottom Line – Aims big but falters badly