Udaan

With "Udaan", director Vikramditya Motwane has proved that he is here to stay and be the 'change' that we are all desperately seeking. "Udaan" is so brilliantly written, directed and acted that it just mesmerizes you with its story telling. Rohan's journey after being expelled from boarding school in the city of Jamshedpur working under his tyrant father and the way his character evolves simply touches your heart. Little bit of one liners shared between Rohan and his friends stay with you. Rohan's younger step brother is absolutely fabulous and even if he spoke barely few dialogues in the movie, he made an impact by his sly little demeanors. Character of ultra strict father played by Ronit Roy is so well crafted and acted that it is very much believable. To top it all, amazing music from Amit Trivedi gels so well into the movie that it lifts the spirits up by tons. At the end, kudos to the whole team for delivering such a lovely work.

Udaan (2010)

On the main level this is a gripping, realistic, deeply moving story of a sensitive boy with an abusive father growing up in a culturally complex India. This is the main point here, and the reason to see it. The leading part played by this boy, Rohan, is a magnificent acting debut for Rajat Barmecha. He was twenty playing a seventeen year old schoolboy, but he's convincing, and nuanced, with both great emotional vulnerability and flashes of rebellion and fire.

The other level to consider from this movie is as a cultural lens. I write from the U.S. and know only what I see from here, but it seems like a coming of age movie with the tinges of generation gap and young rebellion seen blossoming (in the movies and in life) here in the 1960s and 70s. Rohan's father is "old school" in that he's tough on his son, thinking the son needs discipline and hard work to grow up and be functional. The boy though is a writer at heart (there are several scenes where he recites poems or tells stories and they are spellbinding, if brief), and the father won't hear of that. Raising Rohan without a mother seems to give him so leniency for his stubbornness, but not for his violence, and Rohan, somehow, must react.

The third character of note is not a girl--a nice change from many young men growing up stories--but a little half-brother who Rohan ends up befriend and ultimately kind of mentoring. The little one is super cute and delicate, and the three males with all their problems and conflicts make for a rich, intense interplay.

The other cultural aspect (besides how young people might be seeing their morality shift from their parents and grandparents) for an outsider is to see contemporary India in a rather true, ordinary way. I mean, "Slumdog Millionaire" was amazing and sensational in its own way, but it pushed buttons and pushed boundaries. This movies stays within boundaries to that being edgy isn't interfering with the reality of the story and all its successive stages.

It's really great stuff overall. The one thing that will seem odd, maybe, to some is the inspirational feel-good music with lyrics written for the film. It's almost saccharine it's so idealistic, but then, it's probably when every struggling 16 year old in Mumbai or New Delhi or wherever needs to hear. That part of the movie is not for an outsider at all, which is okay. I think people see the American classic "The Graduate" and have similar problems with the coming of age problems being mid-1960s in flavor, and the music having a pretty tenor not always up a contemporary alley.

So see Udaan for what it is. Rooted in expert and conventional filmmaking and storytelling, but powerful stuff.

Udaan First time director Vikramaditya Motwane has done a brilliant job with Udaan. This film was truly worthy of a screening at Cannes. The simplicity of this movie is probably what makes this movie wonderful. Its a story which is not too uncommon in India, but the way its been shown, is what brings the freshness in the film.

Rohan(Rajat Barmecha) has just been rusticated from his boarding school along with his 3 friends for they were caught watching an adult film of sorts(Kanti Shah ke Angoor) by their dean. As it turns out, Rohan has to go back to his home in the small industrial town of Jamshedpur, To add to his woes we find out that he hasn't met his father(Ronit Roy as Bhairav) in 8 years and he doesn't even know of the existence of a step-brother(Aayan Boradia as Arjun) at his home. Reaching there he learns that he has to work with his father at his factory and enroll in engineering college. And the disciplinarian his father is, he can't even question him. As he is stuck there with his dream of becoming a writer seemingly getting shattered, he learns to cope with life. He learns to love his kid step-brother, manages to write between work and college, sneaks out for a drink or two at night, but inspite of all this, he is getting suffocated. He wants to escape. He wants to fly.

Udaan is a simple, emotional story about a boy in a small town, learning to live with his disciplinarian of a father. It is actually as simple as that. It might not sound interesting like this but the fact is that the way this normal coming of age story has been showed is just brilliant. There is nothing 'bollywood' about this film, its as if this movie was shot with a handy-cam, capturing the lives of a real family. But that doesn't make this one bit boring, because obviously there are some exaggerations, some gags, some drama but all in all its very real and believable. I'm sure everyone one of us would be able to relate to this film in some way or the other.

The high point of the movie is the performances by the leading men(there are hardly any women in this film). Ronit Roy as a single father has done his job with perfection. He drinks, smokes, but still goes for a jog every morning, which also turns out to be a very important aspect in the story. He sometimes loses his cool, uses force in teaching his kids a lesson, but at times we also see that he is caring and probably a little vulnerable. He's acted so well, that you can feel it when he is drunk, you even get scared when he is angry, that good is his screen presence. I was wrong to write off this TV actor. Rajat Barmecha too has done an impeccable job in portraying a kid, who has lived his life in one of the best boarding schools of India and now is stuck in a small town. He does the usual, sneaks out at night for drinks and smoke, steals his fathers cars for doing so, but still makes it on time in the morning for his daily run with his dad. His writings are beautiful too, so credit must go to the original writer as well. But the award must go to Aayan Boradia who is one of the best child actors I have ever come across in Indian cinema. He is so real, so cute and you will just fall in love with him. He is somewhat aware of what is going on but obviously at his age he just can;t do anything about it as his understanding does not go that deep. And then lastly Ram Kapoor as Jimmy, Bhairav's younger brother brings a very good contrast between his authoritarian brother and his practical chilled out of sorts character. He understands Rohan's dreams and aspirations but he can only do so much to convince his big brother to change his mind. A very intriguing relationship between the two brothers I must say.

Running time of over 2 hours, this might at times seem a little slow, but you gradually understand the importance of those long silent shots as the film progresses to its climax. There are scenes that will send chills down your spine. There scenes that will inspire you to 'fly out of a cage' if you are in one, metaphorically speaking of course. Its just filled with those moments that will be with you for sometime to come. It won't be easy to forget this movie soon. And let me assure you, you will come out highly satisfied after watching this movie. A big thumbs up for Motwane! Looking forward for more! Cheers to all the actors as well!

Udaan is simply a heart-warming tale..very good storytelling,particularly immensely engaging in the 2nd half,gr8 acting(the child actors has been a revelation)...and above all superb music..Vikramadiya motwane in his debut film has produced a stunner. Motwane and anurag kashyap's storytelling technique,as always has been impressive. The film has its own moments,particularly the evolution of the relationship between the brothers. The songs are also well placed. The Director carefully brings out the intricacies of teen age mind..Rohit and Aayan,both the actors has been above the mark...The story too ends on a high note..and to be mentioned...Ronit roy was a treat to watch...

Above all this was is a must watch...very few films of this genre are made in Bollywood.this is certainly one of the best of them..I am giving it 10 on 10..

P.S.-Was shocked as well as pained to see the cold response of viewers in the theatre..Perhaps for this only such films are scarce in bollywood.

Ohh Yeah ! It is that good. It is one of the couples of Hindi movies that has managed to move me. Very simple yet heavy on its contents.

After seeing it on many Best of 2010 list, I had to see it. And after watching it has to review it. This very ordinary story stays with you even after hours of watching it. "Udaan" is a story of a boy, who like everyone else dreams and like almost everyone else he had to decided and step up to the hurdle before him. It is also a story of a father who like many tries his best to brought up two kids but fails. Its characters are not heroes or villains.

The performances are pitch perfect. Ronit Roy does it so amazingly that you wonder if his talents were wasted on television. Both kids are so refreshing. The biggest achievement of the film was that you just don't pity the father but kind of understand his actions.

it is a journey that will make you run for your dreams and love ones. Do not miss this fantastic piece of arts.