Shahid

"Go and watch the film – it is one of the most important films to come out of Mumbai in a long, long time. Shahid deserves more than just a standing ovation. It deserves accolades for standing up to be counted and narrating the kind of story that is usually buried under mainstream media cacophony."

"Shahid will not be forgotten. Catch the film right now."

"The film itself is brave and unflinching, and oozes the kind of sincerity that you long for in most Hindi films. I'm going with four out of five for Hansal Mehta's 'Shahid'. Well made, and gripping till the very end."

"If Mehta directs unsparingly, Raj Kumar Yadav acts unflinchingly. His Shahid is a man who grows in front of us, the audience. He does a course correction and changes direction. For a Hindi film protagonist, this kind of arc is rare. So is this story, which calls a spade a shovel, and names names."

"Ultimately however, Shahid is Raj Kumar's triumph. His Shahid has strength, anguish and a controlled anger but also real charm. His smile lights up the frame. See Shahid for him. I'm going with three and a half stars."

"Unlike the commercial hogwash that sloshes around movie screens every week, Shahid is a brave and ballsy film made for grown-ups who like a little intelligence in their entertainment."

"Book your tickets, first day, first show! Cinema at its best."

"Clearly Hansal Mehta has put in his best and has managed to touch the right chord with the viewer. This is his best work so far! Shahid will take you by surprise. Book your tickets now because a film like this is rare! It's a must watch!"

"Shahid, after all, is the story of every Indian citizen who gets overwhelmed by their own circumstances, go astray and yet come back to do what their conscience asks them to do. Don't miss the film."

"...salutes the man who walked a unique path, almost as if he were destined. Powerful, engaging and thought-provoking, the film does full justice to the man and his extraordinary life. Watch!"

"Watch this movie if you have the appetite and sense to digest certain gritty, uncomfortable realities. Not often do we get the opportunity to watch a relevant movie that depicts the times we live in, with unblinking directness. But if you think movies are just about shallow entertainment, and truth makes you uncomfortable, then don't bother."

"An honest film made on a difficult subject like this is rare to find. Not many in the Bollywood factory would want to touch a subject like this. Do yourself a favour - watch Shahid, you will come out enriched!"

"... is a compelling story, intense and engaging, definitely a must watch."

"Shahid shakes you from within compelling you to think, something not many films can boast of doing these days. A compulsory watch for anyone who relishes intelligent cinema."

"Shahid Azmi should be one of the most memorable dissidents of recent times and Hansal Mehta's film Shahid does justice in paying the perfect tribute to the slain activist! Quite aptly named, Sahid did turn out to be an angel for many who were serving years behind the bars based on needless false accusations! The film is a gripping-ly told story of courage that ends on a pertinent note teaching us the crucial lesson about the dichotomy of right and wrong. It is extremely essential in a multifaceted country like ours to be fair and the film subtly preaches the diktats of the man – the film pays tribute to – who was haplessly slain at the tender age of 32! It is a captivating film that makes me assign a 3.5/5 for this one! Some stories have that enchanting quality in them and Shahid stands as one of the potent examples in recent times."

"Raj Kumar is superb; he peels layers to strip to the core of his character. He magnifies the most intense scenes with sheer brilliance of an understated, realistic performance. It warrants applause. And an unadulterated encore. Catch it if real cinema is what you crave."

"SHAHID is a brave film. Its gripping story, exceptional execution and bravura performances continue to reverberate much after the screening is over. Strongly recommended!"

"Unlike lead actors in Hindi films who attempt to shine through their sheer energy, or by underplaying, or simply carrying off a certain look; Raj Kumar Yadav bares his soul like few others have in the past."

"Shahid is not just gritty and gripping but also a highly inspirational and emotionally stirring. One of the must watch films of the year."

"Watch Shahid for its indie charm and a fantastic performance by Raj Kumar."

"Full credit goes to Hansal Mehta and his team for crafting a superior film. Apart from the screenplay, it is the acting which deserves an applause. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub as the brother is a natural born actor and surely we'll see more of him in the days to come. The star though is Raj Kumar Yadav who had delivered one of the best performances of the year. Shahid deals with issues that concern all of us, those who are concerned about any such things, should not miss this film."

"...it isn't often that the conviction and passion of the director and his team shines through in a film that clearly faced a number of obstacles in its making. Just for that, Shahid is a film that deserves to be seen on the big screen."

"Traditionally, Bollywood is known to turn biopics into hagiographic accounts of the subjects. But Shahid stops short of hero worship and is a fitting tribute to an inspiring figure."

"It's in how Mehta captures the psyche of the Indian Muslim in the changing, increasingly polarised India. Shahid's lower-middle-class Muslim family, its highs and lows, toget­herness and differences, are portrayed with war­mth and simplicity."

"Shahid is a well-made and well-enacted film but it has very limited appeal. It is basically for the high-gentry audience who frequent high-end multiplexes in the big cities only. It will have to depend almost totally on mouth publicity to make a mark. Its low budget is a big point in its favour."