The Great Shamsuddin Family is the kind of film that quietly enters your heart and stays there long after the credits roll. Directed by Anusha Rizvi, who makes a thoughtful return after the acclaimed Peepli Live, the film is now streaming on Jio Hotstar as of December 12. With its strong ensemble cast—Kritika Kamra, Purab Kohli, Farida Jalal, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Juhi Babbar, Sheeba Chaddha, Dolly Ahluwalia, Natasha Rastogi, and Nishank Verma—the film creates a heartfelt, lived-in world set inside a single Delhi home bursting with people, problems, and love.
A Small Film With a Big Heart
At its core, The Great Shamsuddin Family is a warm, lively narrative that proves you don’t need grand visuals or sensational twists to make an impact. With crisp writing and compelling performances, the film turns one house into a universe of chaos, comfort, and conversation.
Rizvi’s steady, unfussy direction makes the story feel intimate yet layered, effortlessly blending humour, honesty, and emotion. In a time when spectacle-driven cinema dominates, this gentle slice-of-life drama stands out for its sincerity.
A Day Inside a Family That Feels Real
The entire story unfolds over a single day, making the pacing brisk—even at under 100 minutes—and capturing the sense of an ordinary family dealing with extraordinary personal challenges.
Each character arrives with their own worries, but the film shows how family becomes a cushion, even when imperfect. It doesn’t rush its emotions; scenes are allowed to breathe, giving viewers a chance to absorb the quiet complexities of relationships. The storytelling is grounded, authentic, and reminiscent of real Indian households, where arguments, laughter, and affection coexist freely.
A Home That Keeps Filling Up
Set in a Muslim household in Delhi, the film opens with Bani Ahmad (Kritika Kamra), a divorced woman trying to finish an academic proposal for an American university. Her day is soon disrupted by the arrival of her cousin Iram (Shreya Dhanwanthary), also newly divorced and distressed after being financially cheated.
Next enters Amitav (Purab Kohli), a professor who has feelings for Bani, accompanied by his student Latika (Joyeeta Dutta). Soon after, Zohaib (Nishank Verma) walks in with Pallavi (Anushka Banerjee), the woman he intends to marry.
And as if the day wasn’t full enough, the elders—Akko (Farida Jalal), Asiya (Dolly Ahluwalia), Safiya (Sheeba Chaddha), and Nabeela (Natasha Rastogi)—join in, filling the house with noise, chatter, and unfiltered affection.
Each new arrival adds chaos but also warmth, capturing the lived experience of extended families where boundaries blur and emotions collide. By the time all the characters gather, the home feels completely alive, pulsating with tension, humour, and heart.
Performances That Elevate the Story
Every actor delivers a pitch-perfect performance. Kritika Kamra and Shreya Dhanwanthary anchor the film beautifully, portraying vulnerability without melodrama. Purab Kohli adds gentle charm, while the senior actors—especially Farida Jalal and Sheeba Chaddha—infuse the film with grace, humour, and depth.
The ensemble dynamic is one of the film’s strongest elements, with every relationship feeling real, textured, and emotionally resonant.
Anusha Rizvi’s Thoughtful Direction Shines
Rizvi’s return to filmmaking is marked by restraint and emotional intelligence. She handles the ensemble with remarkable clarity, ensuring no character feels sidelined. Her direction allows messy, human moments to unfold naturally—moments that stick with you because they feel so true.
The film also quietly comments on divorce, financial vulnerability, family expectations, and the pressures of modern relationships without ever preaching.
Jay-Ho Insider
The Great Shamsuddin Family is a gem—subtle, honest, and filled with the kind of warmth rarely seen in mainstream cinema today. It celebrates the chaos of family life and the quiet strength found in togetherness. With heartfelt performances and assured direction, the film deserves to be discovered and cherished.
