Udta Punjab

There was only one way to find out if the film, a topic of controversy since late May this year, was worthy of all the fuss: to watch it. And it was a genuinely poignant experience to watch Ishqiya-fame Abhishek Chaubey's crime drama unfold and speak volumes about a state in grave peril.

Tommy (Kapoor) is a London-bred Punjabi rock-star who goes by the name Gabru among his fans. Cocaine is a prime ingredient in his lavish lifestyle which soon becomes evident to the viewers who witness his and his crew's eccentricity and madness. One of his little-known fans is Bali (Prabhjyot) who regards Gabru as his idol and cocaine as his medicine. The person who has no idea about Bali's frequent bouts of psychedelic enjoyment is his brother Sartaj (Dosanjh), a cop and a minor yet ignorant player in the corrupted law-enforcement system of Punjab. Dr. Sahni (Khan) is the only major character in the story who doesn't do drugs, and is more of a crusader against them than a medical practitioner. Slightly deviated from all these personages is a Bihari migrant and hockey ace (Bhatt) who was promised a national-level tournament but was handed an insecticide spraying machine instead. Things take a virulent turn for all of them when, one by one, Tommy gets jailed, Bali gets hospitalized, Sartaj gets taunted by Dr. Sahni for his role in the drug problem, and the migrant getting entangled in a petty peddling issue.

It doesn't take much time for the writers to set the scene and let drugs take on the remaining part. And it is also evident what they really had in mind: to explicitly showcase the drug menace in the state and its horrendous consequences, some of which are worse than death. Perhaps the best scene of the film and a scene where the viewers will definitely get a jolt if they are paying attention is when Gabru finds himself locked up in a shared jail cell where also are sitting two of his hardcore teen fans who were arrested for hitting their own mother after she refused to give them money to buy drugs, a habit which they directly imbibed from their rock-star. Brilliant!

The score is absolutely stunning as it supports the sequences in unleashing their total effect. With some fabulous sampling of songs, the narration is pretty straightforward, if not crisp. It does go haywire a couple of times, but they are brief and were probably mandatory for easy flow of the script. Outstanding performances by Kapoor and Bhatt. It is isn't easy to portray such characters. Dosanjh is fine and so is his co-actor who seemed to go into Jab We Met mode at times. Supporting cast is good, especially Satish Kaushik.

With a fast-paced climax, the film is gritty, dark, gory, and tragic for all the stories that intertwine towards the end shut shop once the idea is successfully resonated. It doesn't establish nonsense.

BOTTOM LINE: Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab is an important film that only cares about exhibiting the current scenario of a state embroiled in a drug menace. It almost makes you believe in the story, which everyone knows is at least partially true. Go watch it in your nearest theater.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? NO

so last few days,the outrage about this movie being under such circumstances and all.. has finally released..and the movie is so honest.. being a resident of Punjab i can say that yes!! this is Punjab.. Punjabi's are not what Bollywood used to show before doing "bale bale Shava Shava....oh Bhaji oh Bhaji" no its not Punjab.. this is Punjab.. 70% of Punjab's youth consume drugs.. and this is unstoppable off course.. Phantom has done it again.. The creativity of Abhishek Chaubey,Vikrmadatiya Motwane,Anurag Kashyap and Vikas Behl is not the new thing i m amazed with..they are the best Shahid Kapoor-oh my god..what a performer what a dedication..what a choice of role he has made.. Diljit Dosanjh- Sir welcome in Bollywood i knew u gonna rock..superb role..as usual.. Alia Bhatt-a way to go lady..this performance is for decades.. i am her biggest fan After Highway Kareena Kapoor-finally madam a good movie for you to prove yourself that why are you ruling millions of Heart from Years.. A salute to film makers yes.. the environment the movie is set in is disturbing.. People follow the Punjabi singers that talk about drugs and all.. Punjabi singers talk about riffles luxury cars and all.. while in reality the Punjab is all about (Jameen ban jar Te Aulaad Kanjar) god bless Punjab and may the political environment encouraging the drugs soon be out of our "used to be" prosperous state.. :) thanks phantom

I have watched a movie and It is amazing. As i am a Punjabi and I have seen lot of Druggist in Punjab. And What movie has shown is totally correct/similar. Nothing was there that censor have to ban. And Only few movies are there in Bollywood who have shown this kind of reality without any fear. Hats of to the Director.

Initially, All were saying that there is some political character that should not be there in the movie. That is totally wrong. There is nothing like that in the movie.

Also Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have superb role in this. Diljit had played well as this was his first movie. In short I have totally enjoyed the movie.

Movie portrays the drug problem that Punjab is facing these days, it shows the impact of this drug dealing on lives of four different people: a policeman ASI, a migrant worker from bihar, a doctor and a Punjabi Rock-star. What's Good: -Lead stars giving awesome performance, Diljit Dosanjh making the best bollywood debut of this year. -Powerful dialogues. -You'll able to relate the people, the situation, the dialogues if you have visited the present Punjab. -Gives out social messages by showing the reality of Stars like Tommy Singh and politicians.

What's Not:

-Too much Punjabi being a Bollywood movie. -Climax is not up to the mark. Disappointing. -Too much offensive at times.

Our Ratings: Story: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10 Music: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10 Direction, editing and screenplay: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10 Star Performances: ★★★★★★★★★★ 10/10 Overall: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10

Final Verdict: It's a must watch in theater not only because movie is damn good but also to ensure that movies like this release in future, for this it's important that Udta Punjab do well at the box office.

I am feeling proud that someone thought to make this kind of movie, which seriously shows what punjab is now. I am not feeling proud for what punjab is, but sure m proud of the team who decides to show it present identity and also the team who suffers from censor board's decisions and Hon'ble High Court decisions and now fighting with the unstoppable pirecy. Feeling very shameful for this person who pirated the copy before release shame on you man. You spoil the whole hard work of this team. But i watched this in theater and seriously different movie and awesome script. I wish it may be inspirational for the addicted of Punjab and other states. I wish all the best to all the team for next movie and hope for these kind of innovations from the all team and cast. I love the movie good luck.