UT69

UT69 is a funny, fun, and emotional story beautifully told. The cinematography, the music, the acting, the directing, the editing, all of it is so fantastic! 10 stars!!! The cinematography has a Wes Anderson type style. It takes place in a jail and they figured out a way to make it look visually captivating through the art direction and cinematography. And the film is great for an international audience. The humor translates across languages, I watched with English subtitles. I'm sure there are some jokes I missed but it was very enjoyable and funny with subtitles. I really enjoyed this film and recommend it to people who haven't seen it yet.

UT69 is a well-executed dark comedy feature film offering a surprisingly sweet and fun peek into the detention system of citizens under trial in Mumbai through the brilliant lens of director, Shahnawaz Ali, who translates the experience across languages, classes, and barriers into a beautiful story about what really matters in life. In the sea of content we currently find ourselves in, Ali charters a worthwhile course for both his characters and audience walking a delicate line between cultural commentary and politics, and balancing his genre between comedy and tragedy. Definitely worth watching!

I was apprehensive about watching this film, Kundra in a film, not the most exciting proposition. Yet the film was watched, enjoyed and cried about.

The film begins with Kundra entering the jail and his comical introduction to the reality of it. From jail food to jail loos (or the lack of it) the truth of his situation hits him hard. His mind hallucinates and his stomach perpetually grumbles. On top of that, he is shoved into a crowded cell and not the private celebrity kinds. This is where the story changes and brings in, its beautiful and eccentric characters who pull this comedy forward. The story no longer remains about Kundra but about the people of this jail and the bond they form to keep afloat despite the grimness of their lives.

This film was so surprising as unlike the presumptions about whitewashing, Kundra became just another guy waiting for a hearing and bail with a life no different than that of his fellow cell mates.

The acting is brilliant, even Kundra seemed to be quite genuine. The direction, story, camerawork all seem to fall together seemlessly. The jail and other jail premises seem to be sets and are well done. Over all a one time watch for the laughs and some genuine human moments.

Truly incredible film! It's extremely well told, well shot, funny, emotional, shocking, and exceptionally thoughtful. I was thoroughly impressed. It's honestly rare that a film today is captivating and worth recommending, but this is one of them.

It's deeply concerning how corrupt the prison system is in India. It's hard to appreciate the magnitude of how messed up the environment is with overpacked prison cells, disgusting facilities, and nightmarish sleeping arrangements. Even despite this difficult imagery, the director, writers, and cinematographers did a masterful job at making the story actually light, fun to watch, and heartwarming moments and characters.

To balance these emotions in the viewer is a near impossible tightrope to walk on, but somehow they pulled it off. Beautiful work. The best prison film since Shawshank Redemption.

A fantastic directing debut brings the story of Raj Kundra's stint in jail to the screen.

As a Western viewer I found it thoroughly enjoyable. A story that captivates from the first frame and gives a fascinating insight into the Indian prison system. I had no idea that just being accused of a crime could make a rich man lose his right to freedom.

But the film is about so much more than a prison diary. It's a meaningful tale about friendship, freedom and love. It's been creatively told by a talented Director who I hope will go on to make many more movies.

It's beautifully shot with traces of Yorgos Lanthimos in the shot selection and the way the camera moves. The editing is snappy and the jokes land well, even with English subtitles.

It's clear that there was a real energy on set. Everyone gives 100% even the supporting artists and that's not an easy thing to achieve. You can tell the film was made with a huge amount of care and attention to detail. The costumes were intricate and part of the narrative. The continuity was impeccable. Set design made me feel like I was there with them. The casting was flawless, down to the scenes of prisoners communally washing where the casting director clearly earned their salt.

All in all it speaks to a Producer and a Production team who clearly made a modest budget go a long way.