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Udta Punjab review: Shahid's latest flies high

Udta Punjab review: Not great, but worth a watch

After nearly two weeks of controversy, Udta Punjab finally hits theatres on time and with its core vision 'uncensored'. But was it all hype or is there any substance to this?

 

We are promised an unflinching look at the drug problem in Punjab. And despite several flinches, blinks and missteps, Udta Punjab mostly delivers. Compared to Bollywood's usual fare, this film is a giant among midgets. But it becomes less exalted, though nothing less than good, when compared to Chaubey's other works.

 

The plot follows three threads. The loudest is of Tommy (Shahid Kapoor), a drug-addicted singer in a spiral of self-realisation even as his career unravels. Then we have Sartaj Singh (Diljit Dosanjh), a sub-inspector who is forced to face the reality of Punjab's drug problem, which his corrupt actions encourage, after one of his own succumbs to it. And lastly we have Alia Bhatt, playing an unnamed farm labourer accidently caught up in a drug and prostitution ring.

 

In a supporting role, we have Dr Preet Sahni (Kareena Kapoor), who is a drug rehabilitation doctor and social activist who gets swept up in a dangerous game thanks to Sartaj.

 

Through the lives of these four people, we get a glimpse in to the grisly drug trade in Punjab and its devastating effect on society.

 

The film is directed by Abhishek Chaubey, who previously directed the fabulous Ishqiya and its sequel and is produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms and Anurag Kashyap's Phantom Films. The combination of Chaubey and Kashyap has produced the same gritty realism that we have seen in films like Gangs of Wasseypur. Everything from the accents and clothes of the actors to long shots of houses and lanes look as real as real life.

 

And the acting is also of the calibre one has begun to expect from such pedigree. Shahid Kapoor is quickly proving that movies like Kaminey and Haider were no fluke. While Alia Bhatt , as the only 'innocent' character in the film, already has the audience on her side. But that doesn't detract from her strong screen presence.

 

Diljit Dosanjh has the most amount of screen time, and if he looks familiar that's because he is a famous Punjabi singer, who has also acted in several hit Punjabi films. This is his debut in Bollywood, and it's a stellar performance. Kareena Kapoor does well but anyone could have played her role since she had very little to do.  

 

The story is the weakest part of the film since it is immensely predictable. A very tight and in-your-face first half sags in the middle. The film doesn't have very much to say, but it takes two and a half hours to say it - so sometimes the butter is spread too thinly on the bread.

 

A perfect example is the climax. There is a point which feels like the perfect spot for the film to end on a hard-hitting note. But the film goes on for another five minutes, diluting it. It seems like an unnecessary afterthought added to soothe audiences.

 

Overall, Udta Punjab is fast-paced, entertaining and packed with intense moments and good acting, so it is worth a watch.  

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