Shanghai * * *

Dibakar Banerjee's latest is a political thriller based on the contemporary question engaging the best in the country regarding how and where development should happen? And to facilitate this very 'development' what sacrifices are to be made?
But everyone knows who has to make the sacrifice. The lower strata. The movie revolves around this very central idea and comes at a time when there are so many real time agitations to relate to. Post Oye Lucky Lucky oye & LSD, the transition to this genre is not discomforting and Dibakar's fast paced plot makes it look easy.

Setup in a fictitious city called Bharat nagar, it is the struggle between various strands of it's social fabric as a result of a flagship program of the State Government which intends to make an International Business Park(IBP) after relocating the local people.  This IBP is branded as the panacea for the local people giving them everything they ask for. But only a faction of the people can anticipate the truth that it would rather take away whatever they have. Rest is the struggle for justice. On one side we the the govt. and the lobbies that fund them. And the poor and a few good men on the other. And in between is the sandwiched bureaucrat who has a lot of potential but is overdone with the political games. The screen play is very mature and one has to be quite alert to keep up with the pace. Dibakar speaks more with actions this time rather than words. But the first part comes out as a little vaguely edited collage and the audience would find it hard to relate or to get attached. But as we move on one would realize that nothing was random. Everything was part of a brilliantly scripted political thriller. And the climax is just icing on the cake.

This film has many new things to offer. A new and improved Imran Hashmi who finally resorts to acting as he apparently gets time off from the kissing-spree. His wicked smile and his mannerism are the only things that comprise the comic space of the flick.Abhay deol plays the South Indian bureaucrat and boy he does that in some isstyle. Hats off DevD. Kalki does the regular, no special mention. Summing up, an intense fast-paced political thriller with top class direction and some good acting.And a must for those who are aiming to reach the realms of bureaucracy or politics.

Jai Pragati !