Uunchai REVIEW: Amitabh Bachchan starrer is a heartwarming movie backed by an emotion-driven plot and stellar performances

Film: Uunchai

Directed by: Sooraj R. Barjatya

Star Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Danny Denzongpa, Sarika, Neena Gupta, Parineeti Chopra

Bollywood Bubble ratings: 3.5/stars

Uunchai Movie Review:

I know that only very few wouldn’t have a last wish. While many manage to fulfill their dreams and ambitions, a certain few fail to. Uunchai, based on a journey of three friends around 60 years of age or so, who plan to trek to the Everest Base Camp aka EBC, is all about friendship and hope. The movie is heartwarming and well-executed. However, if you let go of the beautifully captured and picturesque views of the Himalayas, Uunchai does have its flaws. As the stellar performances and plot keep you hooked, the music of the movie keeps it all well-bound together and accompanies it perfectly.

Uunchai opens with Parineeti Chopra, the trek guide, excited and welcoming her team. She looks amped up for the trek and so are the other youngsters in the clan. However, it is a test for three friends, Amit Srivastava (Amitabh Bachchan), Om Sharma (Anupam Kher) and Javed Siddiqui (Boman Irani) who set on a mission to fulfill their beloved late friend Bhupen’s (Danny Dengonzpa) last wish. One can easily sense fear in them as they gear up to take up a challenge that is not for the faint-hearted.

The trailer of the Sooraj Barjatya directorial might inspire you, but the movie will make you want to have an expedition of your own. Or maybe, Uunchai will leave you wanting a story just like that of four friends, left to be told.

Story: 

Three friends take a trek to the Everest Base Camp. A simple trek turns out to be a personal, emotional, and spiritual journey as they battle their physical limitations and discover the true meaning of freedom.

Star Performances: 

Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of the writer of the best-selling books, Amit Srivastava. And, he is a dashing and handsome star. His performance in the movie, after Goodbye, is refreshing. Big B’s new character is a treat to watch.

Anupam Kher plays the role of an irritated book stall owner, Om Sharma, who is not interested in selling off his shop. Kher delivers a stunning performance as he plays his character well.

Boman Irani as Javed Siddiqui and Neena Gupta as Shabina Siddiqui leave you mesmerized by their onscreen chemistry. They are a treat to watch. Neena Gupta once again delivers a short yet entertaining performance. And, you will definitely love her.

Parineeti Chopra, who essays the character of a trek leader, Shraddha Gupta, perfectly fits into her role. She makes you believe she can guide you on a trek to the Everest Base Camp. Not kidding!

The performances of Sarika (Mala Trivedi), Danny Dengonzpa (Bhupen) and Nafisa Ali (Sumitra Shrivastava) add gravitas to what makes the amazing cast of Uunchai, unfaulty.

Screenplay:
Sooraj Barjatya deserves applause for his near to perfect execution and visual spectacle of a film. After Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Barjatya comes back with a bang! And, Uunchai manages to bring him to the top spot once again. Be it the grandeur, the almost three-hour-long movie, or the songs; the filmmaker gives you a taste of good cinema and how! He shows how filmmaking is not lost and that Bollywood does make properly executed movies, with a simple yet heartwarming narrative, that has an almost three-hour long run time.

Drawbacks:
A few ‘idhar udhar’ (here and there) makes Uunchai an average watch. At the beginning of the movie, I failed to find flaws. To be honest, my mind was even hanging between the rating I would want to give. However, by the interval, you start noticing the flaws. To elaborate further, although Neena Gupta was awesome, her character Shabina entertained me only as much as a few bouts of laughter. Eventually, the character sort of left me irritated. I was then put off instantly. Secondly, Amit and Om land in Mala’s room and suddenly discover her identity was not connecting. Lastly, Boman Irani doing a video call to Shabina from the Everest Base Camp, not from a Satellite phone, but via our general mobile service provider; quite fishy! I wonder how one could make a video call at such Uunchai when making a video call during mere travel is impossible in India.

Music:

Uunchai’s background music and songs bind the movie together. The powerful background keeps you engaged. What’s more interesting is, the background music changes with the different scenes and it’s intensity, rather than one score all throughout. Songs like Keti Ho, Haan Kar De, Savera are pleasing to the ear.

Conclusion
I recommend one to watch this movie. Forgetting the minor flaws in Uunchai, the Sooraj Barjatya directorial is something you could buy a ticket for. Although the movie is rather long, if observed closely, you understand why every nook and detail was required to be explained or why the screenplay was in a certain way. Lastly, Barjatya and his team serve you ‘grandiosity’ at its best.

Watch the Uunchai trailer here, after the review:

 

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