Udta Punjab, directed by Abhishek Chaubey, is far beyond the cacophony of rock and pop culture, mired in the trance of drugs. It is a realistic take on a generic social evil, set in the backdrop of Punjab. Artistically woven, Udta Punjab exudes a warmth from the opening shot till the end. The whims of the rock band, on a perpetual high, just serves as an introductory medium but what is in store is a pulsating storyline brimming with all sorts of human emotions.
Behind the frenzied revelry is the stark reality of drugs, which is the silent but the deadly marauder of the society. And Chaubey executes it with an uncanny deftness and an aesthetic élan.
The film holds from beginning to the end the beauty of unpredictability, nerve-wracking suspense, subtle comic nuances and at the same time, portrays the relentless juggernaut of fate. The whole course of events are dexterously arranged and is complemented with a superb background score. Above all, it is the meticulous performances by the actors that lend the film its due marvel.
Shahid Kapoor as Tommy Gabru, the enigmatic and eccentric drug addict pop singer, Alia Bhat as the rustic but street-smart lass Pinky, Kareena Kapoor as the socially responsible doctor, Diljit Dosanjh as Sartaj Singh, the straight-forward cop, Satish Kausik as Tayaji, the mentor-patron of Tommy, Prabhjyot Singh as Bali, the hapless drug addict victim, all captivate the viewers, thoroughly.
Songs by Amit Trivedi and the background music by Benedict Taylor provide an excellent ensemble to the whole narrative. The way silence and the soft notes are played out give certain scenes an ethereal beauty. The frames of Rajeev Ravi are in fact a visual treat. The film is definitely an arresting experience one would love to indulge in more than once, though one may miss out on some of the Punjabi slang in the dialogues.
Onmanorama Rating: 3.5/5
