Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- anguished
- tense
- politically charged
- political cinema night
- socially conscious viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a politically astute, tense, socially realistic thriller with a distinctive voice, while some felt it fell short of greatness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Krishnan's inquiry reveals coordinated falsehoods surrounding the death of a project opponent.
The film places bureaucratic investigation, electoral power, protest, and media narratives within contemporary India.
Its darkly ironic political atmosphere and public mourning critique the treatment of citizens as expendable.
The apparent road accident becomes a contested account as evidence and testimony undermine the initial story.
Films like Shanghai, and why
A Wednesday!
political corruption, investigative suspense, and grounded social realism
No One Killed Jessica
political thriller tension, institutional power, and morally compromised investigation
Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi
socially engaged crime drama, systemic corruption, and an anguished national atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Dibakar Banerjee
- Release Date
- 2012-06-08
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (58)
Cast
- Abhay Deol
- Emraan Hashmi
- Kalki Koechlin
- Prosenjit Chatterjee
- Supriya Pathak
- Pitobash
- Farooq Shaikh
- Tillotama Shome
- Chinmay Mandlekar
- Anant Jog
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Shanghai about?
- An anguished Hindi political thriller follows a state investigator through the manufactured truths surrounding a suspicious death tied to a major development project.
- What is Shanghai like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Shanghai as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Shanghai violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Shanghai as moderate.
- What did critics think of Shanghai?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a politically astute, tense, socially realistic thriller with a distinctive voice, while some felt it fell short of greatness.
- Which films are like Shanghai?
- Films with a similar feel include A Wednesday!, No One Killed Jessica, and Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi.
- How long is Shanghai?
- Shanghai runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch Shanghai?
- In United States, Shanghai is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
