In Anusha Rizvi's "The Great Shamsuddin Family," Kritika Kamra portrays Bani Ahmed, a writer whose meticulously planned day is upended by a series of family emergencies. Reflecting on the experience, Kamra likened the shooting to a "grandparents' summer break". The film, which premiered on JioHotstar on December 12, 2025, features an ensemble cast, including Shreya Dhanwanthary, Sheeba Chaddha, Farida Jalal, and Purab Kohli.
Kamra, who spent a significant part of her life in Delhi, credits her deep connection with the city for helping her immerse herself in her character. "This film felt like coming home in so many ways," Kamra told IANS. She emphasized the familiarity of Delhi, its language, tone, and humor, noting that these elements are ingrained in her. Playing a character from a typical Delhi middle-class family felt natural and lived-in. Every shooting location held a memory, and every street echoed her own life, making the process enjoyable and authentic.
Set over a single day in Delhi, the film revolves around Bani, who is trying to meet a crucial deadline. Her routine is disrupted when her cousin, Iram (Shreya Dhanwanthary), arrives unexpectedly, having withdrawn a large sum of money from her mother's account and given it to a man she claims is her boyfriend. Soon after, Bani's older sister reveals that she was the one who forged the signature. As mothers, aunts, cousins, and former romantic interests descend upon Bani's apartment, each bringing their own emergencies, she must navigate interfaith complexities, generational conflicts, and family expectations. She also faces a choice between pursuing international career opportunities and staying with her family.
Kamra noted the organic and relatable vibe on set, praising Anusha Rizvi for creating a real and warm world. Working with an amazing ensemble of women made the process even more memorable, fostering an instant connection with the story and the city. Juhi Babbar, who plays Bani's older sister Humaira, and Kamra emphasized the relatability of the film's family dynamics, highlighting that these are universal and connect with viewers across backgrounds. Babbar explained that while the show is rooted in a specific cultural setting, the themes it explores—love, disagreements, support, generational gaps, and shared memories—are familiar to audiences everywhere. Kamra added that the balance of humor, drama, and heartfelt moments helps make the characters feel like part of the audience's own world.
"The Great Shamsuddin Family" explores themes of intolerance, mob violence, interfaith issues, generational conflicts, and family expectations. The film reminds viewers how the average Indian family is united in its foibles and virtues, defying stereotypes about minorities. It captures the chaotic, loud, yet loving atmosphere of a joint family, where members bicker and argue but always support each other.
