After much hype, controversy & headlines, 'Udta Punjab' is finally out & has been watched. And fortunately, this is a Well-Made Film, Directed Honestly by Abhishek Chaubey. Also, the Performances are SUPERB by all. Despite flaws, 'Udta Punjab' dares to tell a horrifying truth, without sugarcoating! Commendable!
'Udta Punjab' revolves around the drug abuse in the affluent north Indian State of Punjab and how 4 four lives intervene, involving A Cop (Diljit Dosanjh), A Doctor (Kareena Kapoor Khan), a Bihari migrant (Alia Bhatt) & A Rockstar (Shahid Kapoor).
'Udta Punjab' gets into the grassroots of the doomed state & explores the journey's of its characters. You watch a naive girl sell drugs & later pay for it in a horrifying way. You watch a Rockstar fading due to his fatal addiction. You also watch the Cop's younger sibling succumb to drugs. 'Udta Punjab' is a relentless tale on the dark side of Punjab & how the drugs are ruining the state. If you thought Punjab on celluloid is all about Yash Chopra's clean green fields, well then, 'Udta Punjab' shows an all new side altogether.
However, 'Udta Punjab' doesn't soar entirely. The pacing is inconsistent, while the romantic-angle in the second-hour, doesn't work. Despite such intensity, watching the narrative shift (though only for a brief time) into shy romance, just doesn't fit in & appears forced. 'Udta Punjab' has a terrific first-hour (despite inconsistency of its pacing) where things get uglier & more affecting, but the second-hour is flawed. A better second-hour would've made this daring attempt, even deeper.
Sudip Sharma & Chaubey's Screenplay is great, but in parts. The Writing isn't as strong the subject it tackles & one certainly feels slightly underwhelmed by that. Nonetheless, The Writing has some genuine merit. The Dialogue are excellent & YES the Cuss Words add to the narrative massively. Chaubey's Direction is Honest. He directs 'Udta Punjab' without any inhibitions & presents a story, that's dark & also disturbing. Kudos to Chaubey for delivering his story with sincerity. Cinematography is perfect. Editing is sharp, but could've been tighter. Art & Costume Design are superb. Make-Up is well-done. Amit Trivedi's Score is Brilliant.
Now Coming To The Performances! Alia Bhatt steals the show & how! If you thought Highway was the actress at her finest, wait till you watch 'Udta Punjab'. As the tormented & drug-addicted Bihari migrant, Alia transforms into the part. Her Bihari dialect is flawless & the range of emotions she displays, are simply awe-inspiring. Its a Knockout Performance all the way!
Coming next in line is Shahid Kapoor, who ignites the screen with sheer madness. As the obnoxious Tommy Singh, Shahid is at his most zaniest, delivering a delightful turn, although a change of heart in his character (in the second-hour), isn't convincing enough. Nonetheless, Shahid Shines!
Diljit Dosanjh lends maturity as well as intensity as the honest & concerned cop, while Kareena Kapoor Khan is wonderfully restrained as the caring & lovable doctor. And although their romance doesn't leave an impact, both the actors lend weight to their parts.
A special mention for the Impeccable Satish Kaushik, who's astounding as Shahid's uncle/manager.
On the whole, 'Udta Punjab' is definitely worth a watch, despite some flaws. And it needs to be watched at the CINEMA. NOT anywhere else.
'Udta Punjab' revolves around the drug abuse in the affluent north Indian State of Punjab and how 4 four lives intervene, involving A Cop (Diljit Dosanjh), A Doctor (Kareena Kapoor Khan), a Bihari migrant (Alia Bhatt) & A Rockstar (Shahid Kapoor).
'Udta Punjab' gets into the grassroots of the doomed state & explores the journey's of its characters. You watch a naive girl sell drugs & later pay for it in a horrifying way. You watch a Rockstar fading due to his fatal addiction. You also watch the Cop's younger sibling succumb to drugs. 'Udta Punjab' is a relentless tale on the dark side of Punjab & how the drugs are ruining the state. If you thought Punjab on celluloid is all about Yash Chopra's clean green fields, well then, 'Udta Punjab' shows an all new side altogether.
However, 'Udta Punjab' doesn't soar entirely. The pacing is inconsistent, while the romantic-angle in the second-hour, doesn't work. Despite such intensity, watching the narrative shift (though only for a brief time) into shy romance, just doesn't fit in & appears forced. 'Udta Punjab' has a terrific first-hour (despite inconsistency of its pacing) where things get uglier & more affecting, but the second-hour is flawed. A better second-hour would've made this daring attempt, even deeper.
Sudip Sharma & Chaubey's Screenplay is great, but in parts. The Writing isn't as strong the subject it tackles & one certainly feels slightly underwhelmed by that. Nonetheless, The Writing has some genuine merit. The Dialogue are excellent & YES the Cuss Words add to the narrative massively. Chaubey's Direction is Honest. He directs 'Udta Punjab' without any inhibitions & presents a story, that's dark & also disturbing. Kudos to Chaubey for delivering his story with sincerity. Cinematography is perfect. Editing is sharp, but could've been tighter. Art & Costume Design are superb. Make-Up is well-done. Amit Trivedi's Score is Brilliant.
Now Coming To The Performances! Alia Bhatt steals the show & how! If you thought Highway was the actress at her finest, wait till you watch 'Udta Punjab'. As the tormented & drug-addicted Bihari migrant, Alia transforms into the part. Her Bihari dialect is flawless & the range of emotions she displays, are simply awe-inspiring. Its a Knockout Performance all the way!
Coming next in line is Shahid Kapoor, who ignites the screen with sheer madness. As the obnoxious Tommy Singh, Shahid is at his most zaniest, delivering a delightful turn, although a change of heart in his character (in the second-hour), isn't convincing enough. Nonetheless, Shahid Shines!
Diljit Dosanjh lends maturity as well as intensity as the honest & concerned cop, while Kareena Kapoor Khan is wonderfully restrained as the caring & lovable doctor. And although their romance doesn't leave an impact, both the actors lend weight to their parts.
A special mention for the Impeccable Satish Kaushik, who's astounding as Shahid's uncle/manager.
On the whole, 'Udta Punjab' is definitely worth a watch, despite some flaws. And it needs to be watched at the CINEMA. NOT anywhere else.