Upstarts

The storyline, acting, direction everything was so real and funtastic. Its a real story of current start-ups...

I hardly ever watch a title without reading reviews first but this was an exception... and now that I am reviewing the ratings, I am glad that I gave this movie a chance. It doesn't deserve the low ratings. I live in the bay area amidst startups that have become household names across the globe and this movie does an incredible job in highlighting the highs, couples with many low lows, of chasing that elusive dream and playing that game. The story weaved through those topics effortlessly without sacrificing on character development. I dont know why anyone is complaining about acting. Most of the key characters were very believable. After I saw the movie, I called many of my friends and recommended the movie to the them. I really hope Netflix invests further in such movies from the subcontinent.

For its fresh and real take on friendship, this film reminds of 'Dil Chahta Hai' but in a startup backdrop. And that is the mainstay of Upstarts as well.

The story is about three friends strongly aiming to give a shot at startup - the sentiment presently prevalent in the country. Eventually the plot gets predictable with ethical corruption seeping in the mind of the lead protagonist due to which he gains position but loses pals. What keeps the film still going is how persuasively it captures the startup world. Where it falters however is that it is not as entertaining, wacky or gripping as TVF's 'Pitchers' was!

Director Udai Singh Pawar's strong point is his ability to handle drama between the friends so deftly and never letting it go to melodrama. There are moments when the film could have easily gone overtly dramatic but it refrains and captures each such confrontation as if it came from pages of real life.

Performances by the lead cast are laudable - Priyanshu particularly is too good as the central character ably supported by Chandrachoor Rai and Shadab Kamal, who remains level-headed throughout. Rajeev Siddhartha as the character with grey shades is nuanced.

The basic premise couldn't have been more relevant. But at the same time the plot gets pretty predictable. However like it's underlying message, the film has its heart in the right place - and that's what works in its favour!

I feel the plot was very highly inspired from pitchers

Light good watch, especially for those on the verge of starting up, or going through a turning phase in their startup because of the gloomy year of 2020.

So here is my honest review :

1. Everything about the movie is understated, CLOSER TO REAL LIFE. It follows the journeys of various protagonists - the three friends, two of their friends, the first investor. But mainly the CEO. A journey in which we are all out to make our mark in the world while going through life's questions, hopes, struggles, pressures, ego fights, challenges, fears, and opportunities. This story could very be the story of thousands of young men and women in the country at this point in time. Tests of time, of our own internal moral compass vis-a-vis our passions and desires.

2. There is NO LOVE STORY, Which is refreshing. The movie also gives a glimpse of how things work with investors in an app based service/product.

3. It is mildly MOTIVATING and you find yourself constantly wishing for the right decisions on the part of protagonists and so for me it simultaneously opened up a door of reflection into my own decisions. Somehow, if you let it, i The movie can give you a subconscious entry into looking at our own situations as observers as against being the ones actually in it.

4. These are tough times we are living in and for a lot of reasons we have become more isolated than ever before in spite of being so very connected online. This movie has some SUBTLE MESSAGES useful in such times. Like it reminds us of how the process of bouncing back involves us having a good support system of positive energies, by friends we trust, and family to keep our mental strength intact.

Life goes on. Our decisions make ripples that intersect with ripples.of other's decisions. Eventually, everyone finds what they want or need. All that the characters exemplified was the ability to look into themsleves, make decisions, and DO.

At one point it is also a reminder to always keep some fallback option to reach out to for when you feel the lowest in life and cannot think straight.

5. The movie felt DISJOINTED in some places. Flow was not smooth. The passage of time or the pace of the movie was not anywhere close to constant - fast and slow - so that was slightly uncomfortable. Hence the slightly lower rating.

Overall, Good watch.