The Great Shamsuddin Family Movie Review: THE GREAT SHAMSUDDIN FAMILY is decent.

The Great Shamsuddin Family Review {2.5/5} & Review Rating

Director: Anusha Rizvi

The Great Shamsuddin Family Movie Review Synopsis:
THE GREAT SHAMSUDDIN FAMILY is the story of a woman having the most manic day of her life. Bani (Kritika Kamra) stays alone in an apartment in Delhi. Jobless and divorced, she applies for an interesting opportunity in the United States. She has to submit a report within the next 12 hours to bag the job. Bani begins work on the report but is interrupted first by the arrival of her cousin Iram (Shreya Dhanwanthary). She enters unannounced with Rs. 25 lakhs in cash that she wants to deposit in the bank urgently. Her other cousin, Humaira (Juhi Babbar Soni), arrives next, followed by the matriarchs, Asiya (Dolly Ahluwalia) and Akko (Farida Jalal). If that is not enough, Bani's cousin brother, Zohaib (Nishank Verma), comes with his wife-to-be, Pallavi (Anushka Banerjee). His secret and inter-community love affair leads to anger and shock in the Shamsuddin family. To add to the madness are Bani's friend Amitav (Purab Kohli) and his much-younger love interest, Khushi (Joyeeta Dutta). What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The Great Shamsuddin Family Movie Story Review:
Anusha Rizvi's story is unusual but has the trappings of a fine entertainer. Anusha Rizvi's screenplay is captivating but could have been tighter. Anusha Rizvi's dialogues are very conversational.

Anusha Rizvi's direction is absorbing. The idea is interesting and since it's set in one house in a day and involves an extended family, it can be best described as a cross between BHEJA FRY and KAPOOR & SONS. The humour is well-infused and also the conversations seem quite straight out life. What adds to the relatability factor are the characters. Everyone will be able to relate to one of the characters or will know someone who is similar to the people shown in the film. The religious angle also plays an important part and that further makes the film a product of today.

On the flipside, a few jokes don’t land properly. In fact, there was a lot more scope for humour. The developments seem very unconvincing and at times, even superficial. Despite the ensemble cast, the goings-on seem off in a few places. The ending is sweet, but it is also convenient and even abrupt.

The Great Shamsuddin Family Movie Review Performances:
Kritika Kamra plays the lead part with panache. Her character works the most and one can sense her frustration, thanks to her acting. Shreya Dhanwanthary is entrusted with a challenging part and she comes out with flying colours. Juhi Babbar Soni is quite graceful and it’s a pleasure to see her on screen. Farida Jalal makes a rare appearance and as expected, she’s top-class. Dolly Ahluwalia also puts her best foot forward. Purab Kohli is aptly cast. Nishank Verma, Anushka Banerjee and Joyeeta Dutta lend able support. Sheeba Chadha (Safiya) has a late entry and yet leaves a mark. Natasha Rastogi (Nabeela) is decent and doesn’t get much scope. Anup Soni (Tousif) is fair in a cameo.

The Great Shamsuddin Family movie music and other technical aspects:
'Koi Deewar' is forgettable. However, 'Mane Woh Galiyaon Dikhla' is catchy. Simran Hora's background score is well-woven into the narrative.

Debashish Remy Dalai's cinematography is simple and non-experimental, which works well for a film set mostly indoors. Madhusudan N's production design and Shuchi Love Bhatia's costumes are authentic. Konark Saxena's editing is slick.

The Great Shamsuddin Family Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, THE GREAT SHAMSUDDIN FAMILY is a decent, intermittently engaging family dramedy that shines in its performances and slice-of-life humour but stumbles due to its uneven writing and convenient, rushed finale. It works in parts rather than as a wholly satisfying film.