In the film, Bachchan plays a retired theatre actor, Harish Mishra aka Harry, who lives with his live-in partner Vandana (Shefali Shah). He is a little unpredictable, slightly pompous, a wee bit whimsical but totally adorable. He lives for acting, loves theatre, adores Shakespeare and absolutely detests cinema. The couple is living happily in the cubbyholes of Kolkotta, oblivious and invisible to the world. The story is mostly sewn in flashbacks.

Sporting shoulder length white hair and spectacles, Amitabh Bachchan, the veteran is seen chanting Shakespeare throughout the film. As a theatre actor, Harry has portrayed a series of characters from Shakespeare's plays, but his career was cut short a week before the opening of King Lear, in which he was to play the lead role, which he had wanted to do all through his life. His passion is re-awakened, when Siddharth (Arjun Rampal), a young, cool but stubborn director walks up to him and offers the lusty role. He approaches him to play the lead in his next film titled 'The Mask'. When Harry decides to do the film, he changes the lives of everyone involved.

Shabnam, (Priety Zinta), co-star of the ageing actor is a fun loving and unhappily married woman. She is fond of Harry and picks up some tips on acting, Shakespeare and happy living from him. The film set becomes a happy and a lively space. Laughter echoes in the mountains. And then comes along an event that changes everything- the shoot, the mood and the relationships.

Harry is in coma, the punishment of the film shoot. It is the premiere of their film 'The Mask' and the lead actor is not there. His co-star Shabnam is wracked with worry while their director Siddhart refuses to visit his ailing star. The Last Lear pays a tribute to William Shakespeare. The English dialogues, written by the Bengali filmmaker, are spoken sensitively. The shakespearean dialogues in Amitabh's barriton voice is the USP of the film. The cinematography is outstanding. Abhik Mukherjee captures Kolkata and Mussorrie with distinct ease.

Big B excels as Shakespearean actor in the film and this is one of his best performances ever. Arjun Rampal and Priety Zinta, have made their debut in English language film and played their parts perfectly. Shefali Shah as AB's wife has performed brilliantly. Bachchan and Shah share a beautiful bond on screen. Divya Dutta as the benevolent nurse looking after the dying actor have performed her part brilliantly. All the others actors in the film have lend a fair support. Rituparno Ghosh has made sure that he gets the best out of all his actors.

But certain questions remain unanswered, as to what happens to Harry in the end? How did the accident occur? Why didn't Siddhart visit the ailing Harry? Besides these, the movie is a high concept venture and a must watch for people who visit a theatre for something more than entertainment.