Shahenshah review :
The films title became synonymous with Amitabh Bachchan and he is still referred as the Shahenshah of Bollywood. There are kings and stars in Hindi cinema but Shahenshah is only one!! Directed by Tinnu Anand who had worked with Bachchan earlier in the super hit Kaalia (1981), Shahenshah went through its share of delays and got involved in bit of controversy as a certain political party threatened to ban it in wake of Big B's alleged involvement in the Bofors scam.
Coming nearly two years after his Aakhree Raasta (1986), Shahenshah was highly anticipated by Bachchan's fans and in one of the many such incidences, police had to be called in to control the rampaging crowd for advance booking at Badal Bijlee cinema, Matunga.
The film itself was total paisa vasool with Amitabh playing a seemingly corrupt pan chewing cop Vijay Srivastava as well as his alter ego Shahenshah who is a separate kanoon in himself!! "Rishte mein toh hum tumhare baap lagte hai. Naam hai Shahenshah!!" is still mimicked by all and sundry..
Amrish Puri was outstanding as JK, the baddie who frames Vijays police wala dad (Kader Khan in a memorable cameo) and later, emerges wet out of a pool in his short trunks to burn down the neighborhood gareebon ki basti. The whisky guzzler occassionally changes his brand from Chivas Regal to Black dog whenever he spots a gori titli in his regular bar. Haha!!
This is one of the few films where I liked Meenakshi Seshadri, playing a street smart chorni in a complete departure from her bholi bhaali kamzor aurat image!! She looked great here opposite Big B as well.
Tinnu Anand's direction was super competent with focus on Bachchan's mass appeal. Not many may know that the story concept was by Jaya Bachchan. Amar Utpal's dashing musical score - "Jaane do mujhe jaana hai", "Hey you!" and ofcourse the evergreen title song sung by Kishore Kumar - is another positive factor.
Shahenshah remains a favorite of all Amitabh Bachchan fans. The film defines his aura, his style and his super stardom in more ways than one. Unmissable!!!
Regards,
Sumeet Nadkarni.
