Movie Preview – Shanghai

Story line: A small town somewhere in India is poised to become the next Shanghai. Billions of dollars are being poured into an upcoming International Business Park. On the eve of its launch a drunk truck driver mows down a prominent social activist. A lone girl believes it to be a murder, supported by a porn film maker who claims to have the proof that will bring the government down. A high ranking bureaucrat is brought in to investigate the accident. Shanghai, a political thriller, follows the journey of these unlikely heroes as they come together to find justice in the labyrinth of Indian democracy. In a bustling Indian city gearing up for the latest celebrated political elections, 4 individuals find themselves tied up into a gruesome game of crime and politics. A young activist encounters a shocking and disturbing road accident which leaves a prominent political figure in critical condition. A lone girl on the street believes it to be a murder. A porn film maker claims to have documented proof that will bring the government down. A high ranking bureaucrat is brought in by the government for damage control. As days go by, the individuals discover a hidden secret in the governments sector: a vision of a new metropolis, a pipe dream, a dream called “Shanghai”.

My Gut Feel and comments : Dibakar Banerjee had made three out of the box thought process driven movies like Khosla ka Ghosla , Oye Lucky ! Lucky oye ! and Love Sex and Dhokha. One common fact in all three movies were that screenplay was unconventional and characterization was as such that a masses were able to relate to them. Now same seems to be the case with his current offering Shanghai. Its promos indicates its be a power house with some dazzling performances by Abhai Deol and Emraan Hashmi. Abhai has already established him as a great performer and now Emraan Hashmi has also shocked the cine goers in his last four five performances and improved a lot which increased his fan following and he gain respect gradually as an performer. With no major releases in pine line for coming weeks there is a greater chance of Shanghai becoming a box office success. I am expecting it to be a sensible fast pace thriller drama and would give movie three and a half from five before its release.