UDTA PUNJAB MOVIE REVIEW

Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor and Diljit Dosanjh get high on a dosage of well thought out script directed by Abhishek Chaubey and co written by Sudeep Sharma in Udta Punjab. Cinematography has been handled by Rajeev Ravi, editing by Meghna Sen, songs by Amit Trivedi and background scores by Benedict Taylor and Naren Chandavarkar.
 

The plot follows the lives of four- Tommy Singh aka Gabru (Shahid), Alia Bhatt (whose real name is the subject of a minor suspense in the story), Dr.Preet (Kareena) and Inspector Sartaj Singh (Diljit). The setup of the film is quickly explained through the opening song. Punjab, drugs, politics and the youth. Fake idols, corrupt system and distressed families. That’s about what the movie talks of right from the beginning. Tommy Singh is an idolized Hip Hop celebrity who likes his drugs. Alia is a Bihari who migrates to Punjab in search of livelihood. Kareena is a doctor who offers counselling to those affected by drug addiction. Diljit is a Sub Inspector taking care of his family after his dad’s death. What makes up the entire plot is the effect the thronging drug menace has on the lives and dreams of each one. And yes, of course, each one’s path does converge at a point in the plot.
 

Hard work in brainstorming certain scenes by the team is evident, as it is neatly brought to screen by the cast and technical crew. A lot of thought and creativity seems to have been poured out into making this concoction. There are some really intelligent scenes such as the opening scene that describes how ‘athletically’ drug packages are smuggled between the border. Abhishek Chaubey at the helm has taken care to give equal importance to each role and, looking at the tanned face of Alia, much seems to have been extracted from the cast.
 

Shahid Kapoor steals the show and neatly portrays a rebellious drug aficionado whose personally logical antics seem comic to everyone inside and outside the screen. At certain points in the film, if one is able to understand the behavioral pattern of people who are under the infulence of drugs, the film will work perfectly. Alia Bhatt's role is second in weightage as she plays out the role of a Bihari migrant rooting at an escape to good life and gets caught in one of life’s many quicksands. Kareena and Diljit play their roles diligently and pass on batons perfectly throughout the screenplay. Special mention to Prabhjyot Singh who plays an important character Balli in the film. There is an ending scene where Balli is shown weeping uncontrollably. This is a marvellous depiction of what the wickedness of drugs can do. Songs by Amit Trivedi are of the splendid cadre and aid the somewhat poetic visuals that manifest now and then.
 

While the first half of the film soars high, it is as if the plot has touched its peak and is returning during the second half. Certain sequences such as a budding romance between Kareena and Diljit cme off more like a CCD commercial, and most certainly could have been constructed better. The characterization of Alia in spite of her costume and makeup seemed to  lack the right amount of depth. With that being said credits to makers for bringing up the issue to light in spite of controversies, that too wrapped neatly inside commercial colors.


Overall, Udta Punjab is an anti drug film, neatly compounded with elements of emotion, drama and comedy, thus making it worth all the ruckus at the courts and most importantly, worth a watch.