Shilpa Shetty Kundra
Avni Singh
Overview
A lazy slacker struggles to get along with his diligent sister-in-law - until they must step up and fight together against a common enemy.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Uselessness of Trying
I went into Nikamma expecting a lark—a breezy, forgettable action-comedy where the jokes land just often enough to keep you from checking your phone. What I got instead was a film that feels like it’s actively resisting its own existence. Not in a bold, subversive way, but in the manner of a student who showed up to an exam having skimmed the wrong chapter.
The title, which translates to "useless" or "good-for-nothing," isn’t just a descriptor for the protagonist; it might as well be the film’s mission statement. And yet, buried under the weight of its own inertia, there’s something oddly compelling about its refusal to be anything more than what it is.
The premise is simple enough: a lazy slacker (Abhimanyu Dasani) clashes with his diligent sister-in-law (Shilpa Shetty Kundra) until they’re forced to team up against a common enemy. It’s the kind of setup that’s worked for decades in Hindi cinema, from Hera Pheri to Dhamaal, where mismatched personalities collide in a high-stakes farce. But Nikamma doesn’t so much build on that tradition as it does stumble through it, like a drunk man trying to navigate a maze designed for sober people.
The film’s biggest sin isn’t that it’s bad—it’s that it’s indifferent. It doesn’t seem to care whether its jokes land, whether its action sequences thrill, or whether its characters feel like anything more than placeholders. And yet, that indifference becomes its own kind of statement.
What does it say about a film when its most interesting quality is its own apathy?
Sabbir Khan, the director, has made a career out of high-energy masala films—Heropanti, Baaghi 2—where the action is big, the emotions are bigger, and the logic is optional. Nikamma feels like a film made on autopilot, coasting on the fumes of Khan’s earlier successes. There’s no discernible vision here, no attempt to reinvent the wheel or even grease it. The action sequences are perfunctory, the comedy falls flat more often than it lands, and the pacing lurches from one set piece to the next without rhythm or purpose.
It’s the cinematic equivalent of a cover band playing a song they’ve performed a hundred times before, but with half the enthusiasm.
Audience Opinions
Audience 3.5/10
"A poorly executed action-comedy with weak writing and uninspired performances."
*Nikamma* disappoints, with little originality and poorly developed humor. The action sequences are chaotic rather than engaging, and the leads lack chemistry. The lighthearted attempt at comedy has a few fans, but predictable storytelling and underwhelming execution sink it.
What viewers praise
- Lighthearted attempt A few viewers enjoyed the effort to blend comedy with action, even if it didn't fully succeed.
- Shilpa Shetty’s presence Shilpa Shetty Kundra's screen presence is a highlight, though not enough to salvage the film.
Common complaints
- Weak writing The script is predictable and shallow, making the humor and drama feel forced.
- Uninspired action Action sequences are messy and poorly choreographed.
- Lack of chemistry The lead pair's dynamic is unconvincing, undermining the romantic and comedic elements.
- Over-the-top comedy The humor is cringe-worthy and overdone.
Recommended for
Casual Bollywood comedy fans Shilpa Shetty admirers Low-expectation movie nights
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsShilpa Shetty’s Action-Packed Comeback: The Making of Nikamma
After a 13-year hiatus from lead roles, Shilpa Shetty Kundra returned to the big screen in Nikamma (2022), an action-comedy directed by Sabbir Khan. The film, which also stars Abhimanyu Dasani and Shirley Setia, marked a high-energy comeback for Shetty, blending martial arts, humor, and Bollywood flair. latestnetflix.com's take is that Behind the scenes, Nikamma was as much about Shetty’s personal resilience as it was about its on-screen action.
A Long-Awaited Return
Shetty’s last leading role was in Dhadkan (2000), though she remained in the public eye through reality TV and fitness ventures. Nikamma was positioned as her official return to cinema, and the buzz was immediate. Sources confirm the film was in the works for years, with Shetty training extensively for the action sequences. A behind-the-scenes clip showed her meeting director Sabbir Khan to celebrate the film’s completion, hinting at a collaborative and enthusiastic set.
The trailer launch became a media spectacle, not just for the film but for Shetty’s personal life. Amid Raj Kundra’s legal controversies, she addressed the press at the event, calling it a "new chapter" without directly referencing the scandal. The moment underscored how Nikamma was more than a movie—it was a statement.
Action, Comedy, and a Star-Studded Cast
Nikamma blends action and comedy, a genre Khan has explored in films like Heropanti (2014). The 152-minute runtime suggests a sprawling narrative, though reviews (where available) are mixed. One YouTube reviewer hyperbolically claimed it was "the Bollywood movie which will win an Oscar," though this appears to be tongue-in-cheek. The film’s official trailer teases high-octane fight scenes, slapstick humor, and a love triangle between Shetty, Dasani, and Setia.
The cast includes veterans like Samir Soni and Abhimanyu Singh, alongside newcomers like Shirley Setia, who brought her own fanbase to the project. Shetty’s role reportedly required intense physical prep, with reports (unverified) suggesting she performed many of her own stunts.
Mixed Reception and Box Office Rumors
Despite the hype, Nikamma’s reception remains unclear. Rotten Tomatoes lists the film but provides no critic or audience scores. A French review site, SensCritique, categorizes it as an action-comedy but offers no rating or detailed critique. The lack of concrete reviews suggests the film may have had a limited release or underperformed commercially.
One unverified rumor claims Nikamma struggled at the box office, though no official numbers have surfaced. The film’s June 2022 release coincided with a post-pandemic Bollywood slump, which may have impacted its performance.
**Why Nikamma Matters**
For Shetty, the film was a chance to redefine her career. After years away from lead roles, she embraced the action genre, a departure from her earlier romantic dramas. The project also highlighted her ability to navigate personal and professional challenges simultaneously. While Nikamma may not have been a blockbuster, it solidified Shetty’s return to cinema—and her willingness to take risks.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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