Naam Shabana

Naam Shabana is a 2017 Indian action thriller film directed by Shivam Nair and produced by Neeraj Pandey and Aruna Bhatia. The movie stars Taapsee Pannu, Akshay Kumar, and Manoj Bajpayee in lead roles. It is a spin-off of the 2015 movie Baby, and focuses on the character Shabana Khan, played by Taapsee Pannu, and her journey into becoming a spy.

The movie opens with Shabana Khan, a college student, who is leading a normal life until a fateful night when she is attacked, and her boyfriend is killed. The incident leaves Shabana in shock, and she is determined to seek revenge for her boyfriend's death. She seeks help from a government agency that deals with undercover operations to join them and take down the people behind the attack.

The agency is led by Ranvir Singh, played by Manoj Bajpayee, who is initially reluctant to recruit her because she has no prior training. But Shabana proves her worth by acing the physical and mental tests, and she is finally recruited. Along with the agency's top agent, Ajay Singh Rajput played by Akshay Kumar, she is sent on a mission to take down a dangerous arms dealer who has been threatening national security.

Naam Shabana is an action-packed thriller that keeps the audience at the edge of their seats. The film has some breathtaking action sequences, including a chase sequence shot in Malaysia, that will leave the audience amazed. Taapsee Pannu delivers a captivating performance as Shabana Khan, and clearly steals the show. She brings a freshness to the role, making it her own and giving it the required depth.

Akshay Kumar makes a cameo appearance in the film, but his character is significant to the plot. He plays the mentor to Shabana and trains her to become a spy. Kumar's character is pivotal to the story and brings in some much-needed comic relief in the midst of all the action.

Manoj Bajpayee shines in his role as Ranvir Singh, the head of the agency. His performance is restrained, yet powerful, and he effortlessly portrays the dilemma of a person who has to take tough decisions for the sake of national security. He is the perfect foil to Taapsee's character, providing a calm and composed counterbalance to her aggression.

The film has some hard-hitting dialogues, especially in the scenes where Shabana is interrogated by the agency. These dialogues give a glimpse into the mindset of a spy and what it takes to become one. The movie also touches upon themes of female empowerment, and how women can break free from societal norms and do things that were traditionally considered to be a man's job.

The music of the film is composed by Rochak Kohli and is average. The background score, however, complements the action sequences well, and keeps the audience engaged throughout.

In conclusion, Naam Shabana is an entertaining, action-packed thriller that is a must-watch for fans of the genre. The movie boasts of some excellent performances, especially from Taapsee Pannu, who proves why she is one of the most promising talents in Bollywood today. The film's pacing is perfect, and it is edited well, keeping the audience engrossed in the story. Overall, Naam Shabana is a well-made movie that delivers on its promise of being an edge-of-the-seat thriller.