‘It felt like summer holidays at my grandparents’ house’: Kritika Kamra on shooting The Great Shamsuddin Family | Bollywood

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**Rephrased Title:** "Finding Family in Fiction: Kritika Kamra on The Great Shamsuddin Family" **Rephrased Article:** In a cinematic landscape where grandeur and spectacle often take center stage, The Great Shamsuddin Family stands out as a refreshing change of pace. This intimate comedy-drama, written and directed by Anusha Rizvi, tells the story of a loving family navigating life's ups and downs. At its heart is a powerful performance by Kritika Kamra as Bani, a character whose quiet strength and vulnerability resonate deeply. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Kritika opens up about the overwhelming response to her character, her personal connection to Bani, and the warmth of shooting the film like a real family. "My inbox is flooded with messages from women who see themselves in Bani," she says. "They share scenes and moments that resonate with them, just like I felt when I read the script." Kritika's connection to the character was instant, and she identifies with Bani's frustrations and responsibilities. The film's set, filled with talented female actors, was a welcoming space for Kritika. "It felt like a family holiday," she recalls. "We'd eat together, laugh, and sing songs. No one went back to their vanity vans." Farida Jalal and Sheeba Chaddha, veterans of the industry, impressed Kritika with their ease, passion, and work ethic. "They're great actors, yet they're so easygoing and fun," she says. "Watching them perform and observing their discipline teaches you more than any verbal advice ever could." Kritika believes that stories written by women carry a unique emotional truth. "This is a woman's story told by a woman, which makes all the difference," she says. "Our writer-director is a Muslim woman, and the story is inspired by her personal experiences. That's why the characters feel so rounded." She feels that scripts like these are rare, and that women writing women is essential for creating authentic, layered characters. The Great Shamsuddin Family is a testament to the power of small, intimate stories. Written and directed by Anusha Rizvi, this comedy-drama premiered on JioHotstar on 12 December 2025, and features an ensemble cast including Kritika Kamra, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Sheeba Chaddha, Farida Jalal, and Purab Kohli.