Uunchai : A Review

Finally I saw the film

Uunchai

It wasn't a film it was an experience..

One of the most perfectly made films of 2022.

Coming on the back of 

"Good Bye" this is another class act from Amitabh Bachchan.

He joins hands with Rajshri Productions after Saudagar (1973). The film also has Anupam Kher whose claim to fame came with Rajshri Productions "Saaransh" . To add we have Sarika who started her career with Rajshri Productions in 'Geet Gaata Chal'.

As a topping we have Boman Irani, Neena Gupta and Danny. 

Sooraj Barjatya directs this encore of talent commendably.

The film is woven around the song ये जीवन है इस जीवन का यही है यही है रंग रूप ( again from Rajshri's Piya Ka Ghar.)

The film begins with a breath-taking sequence and then goes into flashback mode nicely introducing the principal characters.

Uunchai is the story of a life-changing journey of three friends. Amit Shrivastava (Amitabh Bachchan) is a successful author, based in Delhi. He is separated from his wife Abhilasha (Nafisa Ali Sodhi) and the closest people in his life are his three friends – Javed (Boman Irani), Om Sharma (Anupam Kher), and Bhupen (Danny Denzongpa). The quartet meets on Bhupen’s birthday . Bhupen, who is originally from Nepal, expresses the desire to head to Everest Base Camp along with Amit, Javed, and Om. The friends, however, reject the idea, citing their old age and health issues. Bhupen goes home after the party and passes away in his sleep. Even in the case of Bhupen, his friends are his only family and they handle the cremation and other rituals. While going through Bhupen’s study, Amit finds that the former has booked a tour package to the Everest Base Camp for his three friends.  Meanwhile, Om is making plans to immerse Bhupen’s ashes in the river Ganga in Varanasi. Amit informs Om and Javed about Bhupen’s Everest plan. He persuades them to join him so that they can release his ashes at the Base Camp since it was Bhupen’s last wish. Om and Javed agree after a lot of persuasion. But there’s a problem. Javed’s wife Shabana (Neena Gupta) will never allow her hubby to take such a risky trek. Hence, Amit comes up with a plan. He tells Shabana that the trio will go to Kathmandu, Nepal where they’ll immerse his ashes. As per the plan, they’ll go to Kathmandu by road since Om is scared of flights. Amit tells Shabana to join them. He tells her that they’ll drop her at Kanpur at her daughter Heeba (Sheen Dass) and son-in-law Valli (Abhishek Pathania)’s place. Once that’s done, the trio will then head to Gorakhpur where Om will meet his brothers, whom he hasn’t met in 30 years. The three friends and Shabana begin their trip. But sadly, things go haywire. They are joined enroute in a sharing agreement with & by Mala (Sarika).What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Amitabh Bachchan delivers a terrific performance, as expected. It is a challenging role, not just physically but also emotionally and Big B comes out with flying colours as always Especially in the second half, he’s too good .. without makeup unrecognisable at times.

Anupam Kher’s part reminds one of his similar acts in Khosla Ka Ghosla and Baby. But he ensures it stands out and does a fine job. His breakdown scene at the Gorakhpur ghat is testimony to his variations.

Boman Irani is competent and underplays his role to perfection.

Danny is a classic case of Long time no see and is welcome on screen even if it is for a short surjourn. Parneeta Chopra leaves her impression in the second half. Sarika and Neena Gupta have apt and well defined roles which they perform well.

Music is melodious but lacks a blockbuster song (Characteristic in a Rajshri production). Back ground music , photography and other technical aspects are top class.

A trek to Everest Base Camp is indeed very grueling and here somehow that intensity is missing to an extent but we can owe that to cinematic liberty.

I give the film 

4 stars out of Five.

Experience it.