“Shiv Shastri Balboa” Movie review

Plot

“Shiv Shastri Balboa” revolves around the journey of two underdogs, Shiv and Elsa, who discover the meaning of life after retiring. The film is reminiscent of “Sharmaji Namkeen” as it features protagonists who retire and then discover themselves. Shiv, a die-hard fan of Rocky Balboa, moves to the US to live with his son's family but feels alienated there. He then embarks on a madventure to Philadelphia with Elsa, a house help he befriends, and chooses life over mere existence.

Acting

Anupam Kher is earnest in the role of Shiv Shastri, which is in his comfortable zone. Neena Gupta delivers another fabulous performance as Elsa, the Hyderabadi house help who, with a couple of pegs down the hatch, can withstand anything life throws at her. Sharib Hashmi manages to surprise in a few scenes despite having limited scope. His energy levels and comic timing are worth their weight in gold. The rest of the cast serves its purpose reasonably well.

Cinematography

Directors of photography Joshua Osley and Binendra Menon complement Venugopalan's taut direction and screenplay, showcasing the quaint and serene American landscape and even the rough biker neighborhood. Alokananda Dasgupta and Utkarsh Umesh Dhotekar's guitar-laced music adds gravitas to the narrative.

Direction

Ajayan Venugopalan's first feature film emphasizes the emotions of the characters and keeps the narrative simple. He wisely decided to focus on the dynamics between Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, and Sharib Hashmi, and their chemistry makes the film engaging. He retained the gentle humor and remarkable lack of melodrama throughout the film.

Overall

“Shiv Shastri Balboa” is a sweet dramedy that makes a case for letting seniors live with dignity. The film is not just about boxing but about rediscovering oneself after retirement and enjoying life to the fullest. Watch it for Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta’s delightful performances. The movie is a complete family entertainer that also touches upon alienation, racism, culture shock, and the third generation's growth amid increasing intolerance. The film might not deliver a knockout punch despite the promising premise, but it’s worth a watch.

Rating

We are going with 3 stars out of 5 for “Shiv Shastri Balboa”.

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