Shiv Shastri Balboa Movie Review

Shiv Shankar Shastri (Anupam), a retired bank officer, relocates to Ohio to live out the rest of his retirement with his son, who has settled with a wife and two sons abroad. He encounters a woman who has been traumatised as routine sets in. He becomes far from his ideal destination, the Philadelphia stairs Sylvester Stallone climbed in the Rocky movie's conclusion. He decides to accompany her on her elopement.

Star Cast:  Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Jugal Hansraj, Sharib Hashmi, Nargis Fakhri, & ensemble.

Director: Ajayan Venugopalan

What's Good: Anupam Kher pushes the boundaries of his vulnerability on screen and makes the most of it as Ajayan tells a heartfelt personal narrative.

What's Bad: Despite the film's brief running duration, several careless choices make it appear dragging. However, this flaw is easily overlooked due to the high quality of the final result.

Runtime: 132 Minutes.

Shiv Shastri Balboa Movie Review: Script Analysis

In the film, the youth's wilderness is depicted from all sides. We've had enough of the excitement, the amusement of eloping, and the complexity of it all. But it consistently feels like a breath of fresh air when movies feature older characters who are attempting to escape their circumstances. There is more baggage than any young person ever had. When they choose emancipation over their regular life, they place a wager on their entire existence. The same thing occurs in Shiv Shastri Balboa, but you cannot protest.

This story, which Ajayan Venugopalan himself wrote, was probably inspired by his father. Judging by the story's tone, everything is quite personal. There is a sadness to being alone, but can someone suffering from loneliness find redemption if they are given a family to live with? possibly not In his first film, Ajayan creates the image of a man who has lived a full life in his head. The one want that is yet unfulfilled is his desire to ascend the steps that Sylvester Stallone previously ascended in a Rocky movie. The artful addition of the notion that film not only inspires but occasionally even becomes the purpose for someone's existence is so perfectly expressed.

With Shiv Shastri Balboa, the author successfully strives to represent every elderly parent who, at heart, is still youthful but now bears responsibilities for their children that were never formally handed. The parents are suddenly told to take a backseat while the kids take over as the parents. What if they decide not to? Come and observe Shiv Shastri in action. There is not a shred of malice in the man since he is shaped with such innocence. He is a good man with some extremely troubling views for our day, but that is typical of most of our parents.

The movie explores a variety of topics, including immigrant Indian life abroad, through these two endearing characters. The gaze that brown skin is seen through, how some parents desire an unorthodox existence rather than merely needing the comforts of home. The most important lesson must be that liberation knows no age; anyone can find it at any time, and liberation for some people may come from witnessing the emancipation of others.

Yes, there are flaws in this one. The movie forgets the Rocky viewpoint it so obviously supports in the first half for a very long time and concentrates on several other subplots. There is a whole sequence that is required yet feels out of place. Nargis Fakhri gets to play a role that has no significance. But every time Anupam, who is trustworthy, and Neena, who is fiercely motivated, appear on television, they triumph in every way.

Shiv Shastri Balboa Movie Review: Star Performance

Anupam Kher is a beast and an incredibly adventurous man with over 500 films to his name. Being so open and vulnerable on film is not easy, yet he manages to pull it off for the entire duration. In this story, he is endearing in every way. Even the smallest use of his magic significantly impacts the film.

Elsa, played by Neena Gupta, is endearing. Although she is trapped in trauma, it has not harmed her. She spends eight years collecting money in order to leave her forced employment. Her spoken Hyderabadi doesn't seem naturally authentic, but she makes up for it with her acting. We must watch as the actor in her new phase rises and displays her immense talent.

As Cinnamon, Sharib Hashmi plays the role with enthusiasm and commitment.

Direction and Music of the film Shiv Shastri Balboa

Ajayan Venugopalan directs Shiv Shastri Balboa with a lot of heart since he avoids overdoing anything. He strikes a balance between melodrama and the core of his narrative. Being the director of such accomplished performers in their feature film debut is challenging because you are still determining the exact calibre of talent you will require. They would always have extra to donate, after all. Ajayan performs admirably. This one has very little recall value. Thus the music should have been better.

Shiv Shastri Balbao's simplicity and heartfelt sentimentality make it so beautiful. If you can look past the flaws, let love carry you where the director intends. Take a chance on this one.