Finchbill Motion Pictures, Rocking Rickshaw and Contento Media’s Shadow Assassins (A) is based on real-life incidents. Set against the backdrop of militancy in Assam by ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) in 1998, it is the story of a young ambitious boy, Nirbhay Kalita (Anurag Sinha), who gets sucked into the world of vengeance when his near and dear ones are assassinated.
Nilaanjan Reeta Datta has written the story which borrows liberally from the real-life happenings. Since the drama is based in Assam of 1998, it will not appeal much to the audience outside of that state. Nilaanjan Reeta Datta and Rohit Kumar’s screenplay is average as the drama holds appeal for a thin section of the audience (those living in Assam) only. Of course, the drama is intense. Since the story moves on one track, boredom creeps in quite early. Dialogues (by Raghav Dar; additional dialogues by Bhushan Ingole) are alright.
Anurag Sinha does a fair job in the role of Nirbhay Kalita. Mishti Chakraborty is okay. Manoj Borkotoky passes muster. Rakesh Chaturvedi Om lends able support as the police inspector. Hemant Kher is adequate as Dr. Dhiren Kalita. K.P. Sandhu, Saharsh Kumar Shukla, Soumya Mukherjee, Akash Sinha, Ranjeev Lal Baruah, Stuti Choudhury, Mrigendra Konwar, Ranjita Baruah, Violet Nazir Tiwari, Bibhuti Bhushan Hazarika, Rohit K.P. and the others pass muster.
Nilaanjan Reeta Datta’s direction is quite nice but the narration holds appeal for class audiences mainly. He has not been able to make a film which can keep the audience across the board engrossed. Music (Ashu Chakraborty) has hardly any appeal. Lyrics (Raaghorshee Dey and Amrendra Vats) are functional. Gargey Trivedi’s cinematography is alright. Judo Ramu’s action and stunt scenes afford some thrill. Art direction (Bhaskarjyoti Kalita) is in keeping with the film’s mood. Navnita Sen’s editing is quite crisp.
On the whole, Shadow Assassins is for a thin section of the audience in Assam only, because the story is about happenings in that state. For the rest of the world, there’s precious little in the film. Flop.
Released on 9-12-’22 at PVR Lower Parel (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru August Entertainment. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was very dull everywhere.