Reason why 'Shanghai' didn't work - Page 4

Originally posted by: guess_wh0

I think the biggest reason for the film not living up to expectations is:

Its too SMART. First, the film gets right into it. Nothing is dumbed down. You have to have a working knowledge of Politics, coalitions, Indian bureaucracy, NGO'S and so on. The movie is based on the relationship between these organisations and it helps to know a little bit about them.

Lots of irony is used. There's a scene in the film where there's a serious discussion going on about a murder case and a kid chasing his ball barges in. You can take it any way you want but its a shot at the judicial procedings in small town india. The next scene Abhay is shown slipping on a wet floor.Even the climax the same driver that bumped off the NGO speaker is shown bringing down the first house. You can't expect the aam junta to really follow stuff like that. Most people want entertainment, not have to think about stuff. Kahani had a good script but was pretty simple compared to Shanghai

Secondly, Shanghai doesn't have a happy ending which Kahani did. It shows you the true India and then in the end says. This is how it is and there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing is going to change. So live with it. Don't bother changing anything. This is true and a masterstroke but nobody wants to see it.

Shanghai suffers because its too intelligent and too real.

I think you're right, in that the film expects its viewers to pay attention.
At the same time, I think the Indian audience does engage with films that require close attention. After all, wasn't Inception a big hit in India? But perhaps they reserve that attention for Hollywood films.

Originally posted by: guess_wh0

That is the meaning most people are going for and its apt. But since Dibakar is all about "irony" Shanghai also has another meaning. Its literal meaning is "kidnapped" or " induced to do something by means of fraud"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghaiing

Both meanings work for the film and thats the reason it was chosen.

Interesting fact, the producers wanted the title " Bharat Mata ki Jai", which would have worked better for the film at the Box office. Shanghai confused a lot of people even though there's not a better title for the film having the double meaning that it does.

Thanks for the info. I did think of being 'Shanghai'-ed, but then I thought I was stretching it. Good to know it was on Dibakar's mind.
As for 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', that is a good title too. But that one would have attracted hooligan attention for sure.

Originally posted by: dkdc

I think you're right, in that the film expects its viewers to pay attention.
At the same time, I think the Indian audience does engage with films that require close attention. After all, wasn't Inception a big hit in India? But perhaps they reserve that attention for Hollywood films.

Originally posted by: guess_wh0

Its pure brilliance. As brilliant as Inception IMO. Just like Inception, it has so many layers and you can take whatever you want from the film. I was just discussing this with a friend whose taking film-making and she was in absolute awe of the film unlike any bollywood film she's seen before.

Everything is brilliant. Even Emraan and Abhay are two sides of the same coin. Part of the same country but yet so different and the casting is brilliant as well because Abhay is the multiplex hero and Emraan is the single screen hero who the multiplex audience look down upon just like the roles they play in the film.

I agree. The social observation is bang on. Emraan, Abhay, Prosenjit and Pitobhash are all types that one observes in India, and yet they are more than stereotypes. Emraan is perfectly cast as the low-caste runaway who's come to the big city as an escape, just as Abhay's Tamil conscientious officer is such a familiar figure.
I think you'll enjoy this blog:
http://jaiarjun.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/some-thoughts-on-shanghai.html

Personally speakin I loved da movie a lot...somethin dat u can ponder on & yea I actuly understood it better wen I saw it twice... yea call me dumb 😆 it was a movie dat stayed wid me even aftr I left... it was a mirror for us to see our society & question dat is every grp in India risin???

The performances were Bang on,every1 was soo gud bt I found Kalki a lil weak cz of no variations inexpression bt yea Abhay n Emraan both have outdone demselves... more den nething I want this movie to b a success so oder directors can see a future in such kinda cinema,... oderwise no one will take guts to make another Shanghai...so Kudos to DB for tryin sumthin unique widout thinkin much abt the moolah @ BO

Originally posted by: dkdc

I agree. The social observation is bang on. Emraan, Abhay, Prosenjit and Pitobhash are all types that one observes in India, and yet they are more than stereotypes. Emraan is perfectly cast as the low-caste runaway who's come to the big city as an escape, just as Abhay's Tamil conscientious officer is such a familiar figure.
I think you'll enjoy this blog
http://jaiarjun.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/some-thoughts-on-shanghai.html

Apart from the first theaterical nothing was interesting about this movie. I usually go for small budget hatke films but this one couldnt entice me unlike Kahaani or VD. Emraan and Abhay looked like misfit. EH anyways looks ordinary. Why make him look so weird. And why cant Abhay's TamBram character have to have the ridiculous mushtache?

Originally posted by: -ksh-

Apart from the first theaterical nothing was interesting about this movie. I usually go for small budget hatke films but this one couldnt entice me unlike Kahaani or VD. Emraan and Abhay looked like misfit. EH anyways looks ordinary. Why make him look so weird. And why cant Abhay's TamBram character have to have the ridiculous mushtache?

Anyways such films to work promos have to be really outstanding. Like Ishaqzaade's promos were good so the first weekend went well and it earned well despite the poor WoM.

I think all ur inhibitions abt Emraan & Abhay will b cleared wen u see da film... I kno promo was a flop... posters were bad, songs were avg bt the MOVIE will blow u off... ofcourse only if u like realistic cinema 😊

I don't agree with BOI at all. Box office has nothing to do with the quality of a film.

Originally posted by: dkdc

You're welcome.
I really loved the title of the movie. It suggests India's aspirations - to be like China, to be shiny, and glitzy, with impressive looking offices - and what it removes - an area of poverty called Bharatnagar - to get there.

I know...we indians want to be everything else ...other than being Indian...