Political thriller 'Shanghai' released on Friday is hugely attracting the crowds. Emraan Hashmi who was popularly touted as the hero of the masses has proved his detractors wrong and walked away with stellar reviews for his performance in the film. Below are some of the views expressed by critics and trade analysts:
Taran Adarsh - It's a new Emraan that you witness here in Shanghai [paunch, blackened/stained teeth], which is in sharp contrast to his on-screen romantic representation. Influenced by Dibakar's thought process, Emraan takes the plunge and wholly submits to the director's visualization. This is a defining moment in his career and I am sure, even Emraan must've rediscovered himself in this variety of film-making.
Rajeev Masand - Emraan Hashmi he steals the flms as the gauche, stain-toothed pornographer with a selfless heart. It’s easily the film’s most winning performance, and Hashmi doesn’t once miss the mark.
Raja Sen - Emraan delivers a knockout punch as he masters a complicated role- From his infuriatingly goofy laugh to poor attempts at making conversation, Hashmi proves himself the best of a very fine ensemble. It's a throwaway grunt but Hashmi nails it.
With biggies like Dibaker Banerjee, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor and Mahest Bhatt vouching for his acting prowess not to mention star pull, the actor is well on his way to join the big league of intellectual actors with his latest choice of films starting with Shanghai. Now, critics are saying that Shanghai could do for Hashmi what Omkara did for Saif Ali Khan.
Mahesh Bhatt tweeted, 'The rise and the rise of Emraan Hashmi. Emraan is brilliant in SHANGHAI. Even the highbrows have embraced his performance.'