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Naam Shabana (2017) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 8 May 2026

Naam Shabana
FLOP

Naam Shabana(2017)

Hindi · Action, Drama, Thriller

2h 27m · 31 Mar 2017

Music: Rochak Kohli, Manmeet Singh, Harmeet Singh | DOP: Sudhir Palsane | Writer: Neeraj Pandey, Rajshri Sudhakar

Thriller

Ratings

123Telugu123TeluguAI3.25
Times of IndiaTimes of IndiaAI3.5
IBTimesIBTimesAI3
KoimoiKoimoiAI3
IMDbIMDb6.2

Our Rating

2.25

📖 Story

Naam Shabana is a prequel to the film Baby, focusing on the backstory of Shabana Khan, an ordinary girl who transforms into a skilled spy. The story follows her journey from being a carefree college student to becoming an undercover agent after a personal tragedy. The film explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and empowerment as Shabana trains and undertakes dangerous missions to protect her country.

🔍 Analysis

Naam Shabana offers a compelling narrative that blends action and drama with a strong female protagonist at its core. The screenplay is tightly woven, maintaining a brisk pace especially in the second half where the stakes escalate with intense action sequences. The first half effectively sets up Shabana's character and motivations, though it occasionally lingers on slower emotional beats.

The film's music, composed by Rochak Kohli, Manmeet Singh, and Harmeet Singh, complements the mood well but does not stand out as a highlight. The background score effectively enhances the tension and suspense throughout the film, particularly during the espionage and action scenes. Cinematography by Sudhir Palsane captures the gritty and realistic tone of the narrative.

Overall, Naam Shabana succeeds as a female-led spy thriller with solid performances and a screenplay that balances character development with thrilling sequences. The pacing is mostly consistent, though the first half could have been tighter. The songs are situational and blend into the narrative without disrupting the flow.

🎭 Performances

Taapsee Pannu: Strong and convincing portrayal of Shabana, effectively showcasing her transformation from a vulnerable girl to a determined spy.

Prithviraj Sukumaran: Provides a grounded and intense performance as the mentor figure, adding depth to the training and mission sequences.

Manoj Bajpayee: Delivers a nuanced performance with a commanding presence, enhancing the film's serious tone.

Akshay Kumar: Makes a brief but impactful appearance, lending star power and continuity from the original film Baby.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Strong female lead performance
  • Tightly woven screenplay with engaging action
  • Effective background score enhancing suspense
  • Realistic and gritty cinematography

Weaknesses

  • First half pacing slightly slow
  • Songs are situational but not memorable
  • Some emotional scenes feel prolonged

🎬 Direction & Writing

Shivam Nair delivers a focused and taut direction, balancing character-driven moments with high-octane action. The writing is crisp, though occasionally the emotional depth could have been trimmed for better pacing.

🛠️ Technical Aspects
  • - Cinematography by Sudhir Palsane
  • - Music by Rochak Kohli, Manmeet Singh, Harmeet Singh
  • - Editing maintaining brisk pace in second half
  • - Background score enhancing tension

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
123Telugu123Telugu
3.25 / 5
IBTimesIBTimes
3.00 / 5
Times of IndiaTimes of India
3.50 / 5
KoimoiKoimoi
3.00 / 5

Our Rating

2.25/5

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive60%
Neutral25%
Negative15%

Critics

Critics generally praised Taapsee Pannu's performance and the film's attempt to present a female-centric spy thriller. The action sequences and background score were highlighted as strong points, while some noted the film's pacing issues in the first half. Overall, the film was seen as an engaging entertainer with a fresh perspective in the genre.

Final Box-Office Result

FLOP

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Naam Shabana release in theatres?

Naam Shabana released on 31 March 2017 (2017).

Is Naam Shabana a hit or flop?

Naam Shabana is declared a FLOP at the box office.

Where to watch Naam Shabana online? OTT release date?

Naam Shabana is available on Netflix, ZEE5. OTT date will be updated soon.

Who directed Naam Shabana?

Naam Shabana directed by Shivam Nair. Produced by Shital Bhatia, Neeraj Pandey.

Who are the main cast members of Naam Shabana?

Naam Shabana stars Taapsee Pannu, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manoj Bajpayee, Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher.

What is the Tollybo rating for Naam Shabana?

Tollybo rates Naam Shabana 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP.

Who composed the music for Naam Shabana?

Music for Naam Shabana composed by Rochak Kohli, Manmeet Singh, Harmeet Singh.

What is the genre and runtime of Naam Shabana?

Naam Shabana — Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, Runtime: 147 minutes, Language: Hindi.

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