Language - Hindi/Punjabi
Director - Abhishek Chaubey
Run Time - 2 hours, 30 minutes
Genre - Drama
Starring - Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareen Kapoor and Diljit Dosanjh
After a lot of controversies and political mud-slinging, the Bombay High Court finally cleared the film which was one of the most awaited films of 2016. And the hype was worth the wait.
The film is dark and intense and some might even use the word 'heavy', but it is a wonderfully made film covering a real topic which is widely ignored in the state as well as the country. As the film portrays (and the title too), Punjab is the drug capital of India, with more than 70% of the youth addicted. Abhishek Chabeu has successfully made an entertaining movie, while delivering a crucial message, a feat that is rarely achieved.
Udta Punjab is a dark and grim adventure that follows the story of 4 people whose fate have become intertwined in the dark web of the drug trade and abuse in Punjab. Shahid Kapoor plays Tommy Singh, the reel version of our very own 'Yo Yo HoneySingh', who sings and preaches about heroin, coke and cock. Alia Bhatt is a laborer from Bihar, who in her desperation to escape poverty, falls into another trap. Diljit Dosanjh is a corrupt cop, who does not give a second look at the drug problems in the state until it hits own home and lastly, we have Kareena Kapoor playing Dr Preet Sahni, a doctor who runs a rehab clinic. Where does each end up?
What makes the movie interesting is the personality change we see in all our characters as the plot progresses, each realizing the effects of their actions. And the acting of Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor is truly magnificent, mark my words, both shall receive lots of awards for their respective roles. I believe Kareena had quite a weak character, and that is one place where the film lacks.
What works for the movie apart from the serious tone, we have some chase sequences, and also have some moments of laughter which take the serious tone for a while. Also, certain scenes are so powerful, like the time went Shahid is taken to jail, or when Alia's craving for drugs starts.
The music is electrifying and keeps one 'amped-up' throughout. Kudos to Amit Trivedi.
Abhishek Chaubey, a director who has shown his talent in Ishqiya, has certainly escalated his levels. It is commendable how he manages to converge different characters and plotlines into a single story, something which Guy Ritchie has managed to excel in (Snatch, RocknRolla). But the first half of the movie was much-much more interesting that the second half, as it seemed like the movie was going towards the documentary route.
Nevertheless, this is not a movie one should miss out on.
My Rating - 8.6/10
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