Punjab is cursed with drugs problem as 70% of the youth are drug addicts. This issue is highlighted through 4 main characters, Tommy Singh (Shahid Kapoor) a rock star cum drug addict, a Bihari labourer in Punjab played by Alia Bhatt, Sartaj Singh (Diljit Dosanjh) a corrupt cop & a concerned doctor Preet Sahni (Kareena Kapoor Khan). How these characters get caught up in this war on drugs & how their stories get interlinked is the film.
Movie -
First of all, Udta Punjab doesn't glorify drugs. Yes, the film does glorify abuses but that just serves as mirror to the actual reality. First act is solid as all the 4 main characters are established perfectly. Tommy Singh is a rock star currently going through a professional crisis due to his drug addiction. The way he is careless about the world or his life for that matter & so heavily dependent on drugs to find any sort of stability is perfectly handled. Alia Bhatt, the innocent Bihari labourer unknowingly invites trouble which ends in devastating result of her getting kidnapped by the drug mafia & held captive to be used by the gang as well as corrupt cops is heartbreaking to the core. Also Sartaj Singh's change of heart after going through a personal tragedy & the righteous Dr. Preet Sahni declaring war on drugs, the first half literally ends on a super high note with the director completely in control of his story. Special mention to the prison scene where Tommy Singh realises how carelessly he had become a worst role model to the youngsters.
It's the second half where the director decides to make it more filmy. Unlike the first half which was dark, brutal & realistic, the second half chooses the easy route by adding too much of filmy moments, a forced romantic track spoiling the flow as well as messing up the characterisation of the main leads. It's here where the romantic overtone between Sartaj & Preet looks dragged. Sartaj's character acting like the righteous cop becomes monotonous. The focus shifts on Tommy Singh & Alia Bhatt's Bihari character where the director uses humour a bit too much, diluting the impact the film had till then. A drug addict like Tommy Singh gets over the addiction just because he saw a girl & listened to her horrible story, is way too hard to believe. Even Alia's character is shown going through the hard ways to fight off her addiction. Since the focus is on entertainment, it's Tommy Singh's character who provides it, despite the dark theme & this part comes out as odd.
Anyways, the director once again takes back control over the script in the final act. Humour continues to find it's way amidst all the brutality but by now we're way too familiar with the characters so the focus is on what happens to these characters instead of the larger issue i.e. drug problem which the trailer had promised to focus on. Considering that, it can be termed as an abrupt ending where no solution is provided to the problem. If the director had not forcefully tried to insert a romantic angle then this entire final act would've come out much stronger instead what transforms on screen isn't what was expected from it.
Performances -
Shahid Kapoor shines in his role of Tommy Singh. He gets it right from the very first scene & have to say it, all complaints about second half aside, it gives ample scope for Shahid Kapoor to act & he grabs it. Again special mention to his act in the prison scene.
Alia Bhatt once again rules. She wins over everyone from the word go. Udta Punjab belongs to her. Her character's name is never revealed throughout the film but yes, she does live her character.
Diljit Dosanjh has made a wonderful Bollywood debut. He's in control & very confident. Kareena Kapoor Khan is first-rate. She brings the much needed maturity with perfection.
My Rating - 3/5
Final Words - Second Act Di Maa Di.
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