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Uunchai Movie Review : Even with some hurdles, Uunchai scales new heights

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MANISHA SIRWANI 385 days ago

If I have to describe or rename this movie I would rename it as &quot; Hum saath saath hain Featuring Everest Base Camp &quot;.<br/>I actually had good expections from this one because I like slow paced and Motivating Content. But this one is quite boring. The Starcast is On-point but Story is damm weak &amp; Production house haven't Changed their way of Story Telling which is Very Important in today's time. I didn't like Parineeti's Character and she was not fitting the part. She as a Trek Leader is not Convincing enough &amp; unable to control the damage on Trek. Also writer could have worked on Other side characters who are part of Everest Base Camp. I liked all the other Aspects which includes Frames, Tones, Cinematography &amp; Music. The transitions from past to present are very smooth &amp; it shows how visionary Sooraj Barjatya is as a Director. The movie tries to Celebrate the Friendship but Dialogues &amp; The Situations in each Character's life doesn't touch the Core. Well, we hope Bollywood comes up with these Subjects with good Scripts .

Om 541 days ago

Heart touching movie &lt;3

Manu 619 days ago

Just too good movie. Teaches you about various but common behavioral scuffles within a family and how to rise above them. Adventure is there as well.

Edward Wilson Mollah 620 days ago

Great Movie to watch with family. Amazing work of all stars...

Ram Thakur 623 days ago

I fully agree the first half of the movie is the best. My major disappointment about the second half is lack of authenticity about the locale, i.e., trek from Namche Bazar to Everest Base Camp. I have trekked to EBC thrice in my life. You don't trek every day for acclimatization reasons on this part of the trail. The location of EBC is not exact. It is totally fictitious. The long bridge on which some irrelevant action is shot is below Namche and we cross it on the second day's trek from Phakding to Namche. There is no such bridge between Lobuche and EBC. Shows total lack of proper research. Overall, it is a good movie in terms of human feelings, relationships and life in general.

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Uunchai movie review: A heartwarming tale of friendship and loss

Uunchai movie review: amitabh bachchan, boman irani, anupam kher's movie is warm and wholesome tale of true friendships..

It's not very often that you walk out of a theatre and your heart feels full and makes you want to live all your dreams, sometimes even those of your friends. Uunchai left with me sense of solace, happiness and fulfilment. A heart-warming story without any intent of being preachy or trying to evoke extreme emotions, Uunchai moves you from the word go. Returning to direction after seven long years, Sooraj Barjatya brings a mixed bag of emotions varying from love, loss, dreams, desires, friendship, failures to self-belief, conviction and a promise made to your loved ones and most importantly yourself. Starring veterans including Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Neena Gupta and Sarika in leading roles, Uunchai rightly boasts of being loaded with powerhouses of talent. (Also read: Black Panther Wakanda Forever movie review)

Unlike his earlier family dramas mounted on a large scale with a backdrop of a family wedding or a love story, Barjatya's Uunchai is refreshingly different and breathtakingly beautiful. It opens with a group of three friends -- Amit (Bachchan), Om (Kher) and Javed (Irani) along with Mala (Sarika) who are on a trek to reach the EBC (Everest base Camp) led by tour guide Shraddha Gupta (Parineeti Chopra). Soon after, we are shown a flashback from two months ago about how they landed here and what unfolds thereafter. Back in Delhi, we are told, this trio celebrated their close friend Bhupen's (Danny Denzongpa) birthday, and the next morning his demise leaves them shattered. To fulfil his last wish of doing a trek with his friends, these three decide to embark on a journey full of uncertainties and hardships. Will they be able to complete the trek and fulfil their friend's last wish? Will the difficulties along the journey break them? Or will there be more harsh realisations along the way? Uunchai beautifully showcases these dilemmas that each of the characters go through.

Bachchan, Kher and Irani are a riot together. Their camaraderie instantly reminds you of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara albeit they have different set of life issues they're dealing with. The finesse and expertise they bring to the screen in unmatched. While Bachchan as the most sorted and sure of the three, convinces the rest for this trekking expedition, Kher is the cry-baby yet the sweetest and most relatable out of all. Irani brings forth his charisma and wins you over with his performance. With his wife Shabina (Neena Gupta), they make for an endearing couple. Their chemistry together makes you believe that love has no age. Neena's expressions, dialogue delivery and screen presence just light up the mood. Sarika, on the other hand, carries a more poised demeanour bringing a sense of calm to the chaos. However, her track, I felt, was quite rushed and never explained much in detail for me to fully connect with it. For a tour guide, I often found Parineeti Chopra less empathetic while dealing with senior citizens but guess she gets ample space to justify her actions and convincingly so. Amid all this, it was a treat to watch Denzongpa on screen after so long. His smile, persona and mannerisms leave you in awe and wanting to see more of him.

As beautiful as these characters, the film has a beautifully written story by Sunil Gandhi that's high on emotions and there's never a dull moment. Beautifully complementing the narrative are dialogues from Abhishek Dixit, which look apt for every situation. I loved the way how even in the grimmest situations, he tries to put in a tinge of humour yet doesn't make it look odd. Shweta Venkat Mathew's editing could have been a little crisper and the film could have been easily 20 minutes shorter yet you don't complain much about the length for the story keeps you hooked. With Amit Trivedi's music that's soothing to ears and isn't forced into the screenplay, Uunchai turns out to be the perfect family entertainer. Special mention to Manoj Kumar Khatoi's cinematography and the way he has captured stunning views of the Himalayas. From aerial to low angle to close-up shots, it's nothing short of magical and makes second half of Uunchai a perfect visual spectacle.

What I particularly loved in the film is that the makers didn't rush into showing the group of friends on the final trek instead they took their sweet time to soak into their respective stories. As the trio along with Neena Gupta took the road trip to reach Kathmandu, we get to see India in its full glory from places like Agra, Kanpur to Lucknow and Gorakhpur and their cultural influences. Every scene celebrating this friendship and emotions puts a smile on your face and that makes Uunchai worth it.

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‘uunchai’ review: heartfelt film that's an ode to pals you’d move mountains for, 'uunchai' stars amitabh bachchan, anupam kher, boman irani, danny denzongpa, parineeti chopra and others..

What would one expect from Sooraj Barjatya films if not an emotional rollercoaster? Most of his earlier films like Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! were, in my grandmother’s words, ‘good family fun’. Is his latest venture Uunchai any different? At the offset, it wouldn’t seem so.

However, once the film continues to progress, it’s tough to miss the experiment Barjatya is conducting with what constitutes ‘family’. Uunchai is the story of four friends, Amit ( Amitabh Bachchan ), Javed (Boman Irani), Bhupen (Danny Denzongpa), and Om ( Anupam Kher ). After Bhupen’s death, the other three decide to complete a trek to the peak of Mt Everest (a notoriously treacherous climb) in an aakhri iccha (last wish) gesture.

Earlier Barjatya films often focused on nuclear families and the interdependence between each family member. This interdependence and proximity was often treated as a catalyst for the protagonists’ happily ever after (he literally has an immensely successful film titled Hum Saath-Saath Hain ). This common thread is missing, or rather twisted, in Uunchai. 

Anupam Kher, Amitabh Bachchan, and Boman Irani in a still fromm Uunchai.

(Photo Courtesy: YouTube)

While the film is all about camaraderie and a fighting spirit aided by the presence of one’s closest allies, it also touches on the importance of solitude, showcasing that some battles are best fought alone. 

Despite the level of danger, the location the film is set in is breathtaking and deserves an equally competent treatment. Cinematographer Manoj Kumar Khatoi paints the entire landscape on screen with enough wide angle shots to fill a tank while shifting to close ups when tensions rise. They’re both predictable moves cinematically and threaten to become exposition heavy but the line is tread carefully for the most part. 

The first half of the film, when it comes to colour, is quintessential Sooraj Barjatya - there is every shade of blue, yellow, and the staple Rajshri Production hues of red. But as the second half rolls in, the palette shifts to whites and somber blues, indicating a comfortable tone-shift for the film.

A still from the film.

Where the film suffers is in its duration. Uunchai has a strong emotional core but it lacks strength in brevity. The film’s runtime could’ve been cut down much more with the makers still retaining every message and every emotion. Some story arcs tend to stray away from the main plot, making them dreary to sit through and process. 

While an emotional core is essential for a film like this, there are instances where it feels forced. This is a tale of perseverance in the face of adversity and while, yes, our older protagonists’ journey is predictably full of strife, some of it borders on trauma for trauma’s sake. 

When it comes to performances, every actor on screen, including Neena Gupta and Sarika, are masters of their craft. The four friends have an indelible chemistry on-screen which makes it easier to believe their motivations. Amitabh Bachchan, once again, proves that he can go from humorous to morose in the blink of an eye. 

Boman Irani and Danny Denzongpa in a still from Uunchai.

Both Boman Irani and Anupam Kher play their parts as they’re meant to, adding their own unique touches to Barjatya’s story. A certain scene at the ghats with Bachchan and Kher is indicative of both the actors’ skill and the story’s ability to draw out the emotions it needs. 

Danny Denzongpa, who made his name in Bollywood with darker and intense roles (case in point, Phir Wahi Raat and the iconic Kancha Cheena in Agneepath ), is a pleasant surprise on screen with his easygoing delivery and disarming charm. 

Parineeti Chopra with Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, and Boman Irani in a still.

Parineeti Chopra, sharing the screen with multiple veterans, holds her own for the most part even though her character is the least fleshed-out of all. A meatier role, even with some more context into who she is, would’ve made her a more stable addition to the story.

Uunchai released in theatres on 11 November.

'Uunchai' Trailer: Amitabh-Anupam-Boman-Neena Embark On A Heartwarming Adventure

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Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from entertainment and movie-reviews

Topics:    amitabh bachchan      sooraj barjatya      parineeti chopra  .

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Uunchai Movie Review: Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani are the quintessential friends we all need in life

Amitabh bachchan, anupam kher, boman irani-starrer uunchai is a beautiful tale about old school friendships. here's our review..

Listen to Story

• Uunchai released on November 11 in theatres.
• The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa and Boman Irani in lead roles.
• It has been helmed by Sooraj Barjatya.

Cast & Crew

Amitabh Bachchan Actor

Anupam Kher

Boman Irani

Danny Denzongpa

Parineeti Chopra

Release Date: 11 Nov, 2022

Keti Ko Keti Ko Surkh Aggan Hai - We live in an age where Gen Z feels that friendships are driven by need and greed. Would you go miles (literally) to fulfil your deceased friend’s last wish of travelling to an unimaginable destination together, that too in your 70s and 80s? No matter what your answer is, Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani and Danny Denzonpa-starrer Uunchai seamlessly explain how friendship can be spirituality for some. Directed by Sooraj Barjatya, the film is set in the modern era, where four old friends are ready to climb mountains for the sake of friendship.

There’s no cinephile who’s never watched a Sooraj Barjatya film. In fact, there’s a pattern to his films. It starts with an ideal and happy family, making the most of their time, until the unfortunate befalls. But if you know the pattern, you can pat yourself and say that everything’s going to be alright in the end. That is exactly what you will find in Uunchai – a tale that is about deep, underlying love, friendship and life. So, Danny (who plays Bhupen) passes away in his sleep, a day after his birthday party. That’s when we see a clearer picture of the bond he shared with his pals, Amitabh Bachchan (Amit), Anupam Kher (Om) and Boman Irani (Javed).

Bhupen always wanted to go on a trek with his friends but just when he was envisioning a trip to Everest Base Camp (EBC) with them, he was gone. His friends then take the baton to take the plunge in their 70s and bury his ashes in the place that he forever thought of his own, Everest. And that is how the adventure begins.

Not only is their mission difficult but they have a lot of things to take care of. Climbing EBC in the 70s is no cakewalk. The best part if Uunchai makes it look real. For instance, health reports had to be taken care of, indifferences about whether to opt for it in the first place and fitness concerns, Uunchai had it all. As the story progresses, the film also hangs on to realism. When Javed and his wife (played by Neena Gupta) prep to surprise their newlywed daughter and son-in-law ahead of her birthday, the latter duo don’t seem too happy about it. Reason? They’re all grown up now and have a life of their own.

Parineeti Chopra has a small but meaty role. The actress only proves that she is getting better with every film. She plays a tour guide and looking at her performance, one can figure that a lot of homework went onto it. Also, we loved her costumes! Neena Gupta plays Javed’s (Boman Irani) wife in the film and since she’s so perfect at her job, we would sometimes forget that it’s happening in a reel world. Another surprise element in the film was Sarika as Mala Trivedi. Without divulging much about her role, all she does is make us wonder why doesn’t she act more!

We have to give it to Sooraj Barjatya for yet again living upto his name and doing a great job with the direction and storyline. A little into the film, there are a few pause-and-breath moments, which have been shot well. For instance, while the camping troupe along with the three lead protagonists land up on a bridge, the weather turns grey with anger and it rains cats and dogs. Now, that is no cakewalk when you are standing thousands of miles above sea level. The jerky shots and sudden close-ups were indeed intriguing.

One of the few things that could have been mended was the length of the film. Sooraj Barjatya films are famous for being lengthy and this one too is no different. Some bits and dialogues look forced too. We know it’s a film about friendships with four veteran male leads but we also wished to see more of Parineeti, Neena and Sarika.

Coming back to the pros again, it needs no mention that the star cast of the film was outstanding. Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa and Boman Irani are all legendary actors and each one of them looked effortless and real.

All in all, Uunchai is all about feelings, love, emotions, compiled into one term, commonly called friendship. The film also draws a sensible comparison between old school friendships with the Gen Y. If you are looking for good content merged with some great acting, Uunchai is the film for you. Go with your friends and family but with a disclaimer to carry lots of tissues. Afterall, who has ever said bye to a Barjatya film without a heavy but sweet lingering in the heart?

We give the film, 2.5 out of 5. Published By: Anindita Mukhopadhyay Published On: Nov 11, 2022 --- ENDS --- ALSO READ | Uunchai Twitter Review: Netizens laud Amitabh Bachchan's film, say 'it will make you cry and laugh'

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Uunchai Reviews

Every moment, every exchange, every line of dialogue feels like it was coughed up by the human equivalent of Bing, while being held prisoner in the Rajshri basement.

Full Review | Feb 23, 2023

Uunchai takes a simple and not-very-original concept (elderly people going on an adventure trip) and ruins it with a bloated run time of 173 minutes, very hokey scenarios, and mediocre acting. The movie is half over by the time they get to Mount Everest.

Full Review | Nov 21, 2022

Uphill in every which way...

Full Review | Nov 14, 2022

A basic trek through lofty themes...

The film is shot well by Manoj Kumar Khatoi. Whether it’s the car sequences or the trek across the hills, the camerawork provides an immersive experience.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 14, 2022

A bit fewer of several stretches towards the second half where the film meanders into more than one man-made crises, and this Uunchai would have been mission truly accomplished.

Uunchai spends an inordinate amount of time holding forth on ageing, transience, mortality and the urge for freedom...Not that these are not important themes to tackle, but the treatment that Uunchai reserves for them borders on the preachy and syrupy.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 14, 2022

From aerial to low angle to close-up shots, it's nothing short of magical and makes second half of Uunchai a perfect visual spectacle.

The film is not solely about older people, and even with its flaws there’s a certain relatability to the characters and the story.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Nov 14, 2022

Uunchai is a call to the elderly to embrace life and accept change. Ironically, the film itself is stuck in time.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Nov 14, 2022

Uunchai has a simple enough story that drags on for 169 minutes and 48 seconds on the sheer good will of its veteran cast.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 11, 2022

Uunchai Review: Amitabh, Anupam, Boman and Danny Win You Over With Their Moving Performances

Curated By : Sonil Dedhia

Edited By: Dishya Sharma

Last Updated: November 11, 2022, 18:00 IST

Mumbai, India

• 11 November 2022 | Hindi
• 2 hrs 53 mins | Adventure drama
• Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Danny Denzongpa, Parineeti Chopra, Neena Gupta, Sarika,
• Director: Sooraj Barjatya
• Music: Amit Trivedi

​Uunchai movie review: The beauty of the film is that none of its pitfalls eventually matter. The movie wins you over with its innocence and simplicity.

Hindi cinema is obsessed with youth, and older characters are usually relegated to the background. We don’t see wrinkles and failing bodies often enough. Rarely have we seen Hindi cinema doing justice to veteran actors. It’s only in the past few years and especially after the OTT boom, many senior actors are back in the spotlight and are proving the fact that age and medium are no bar for talent. Occasionally a film like Uunchai will come along to remind us that there’s more to old people than just wrinkles and dentures.

In Uunchai, filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya brings a story about friendship, and hope and gives us a deep and heartfelt message on why we should live life by seizing the moment and following our hearts.

Also read: Abhishek Bachchan Reviews Uunchai, Calls Amitabh Bachchan Starrer ‘Good-hearted Film’ | Exclusive

This film is literally all in its writing. This isn’t to suggest that the performers on screen, Sarika, Neena Gupta, Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani and Danny Denzongpa (in a cameo) and Parineeti Chopra don’t match up to the material. Oh, all of them do. They collectively shine, without a doubt.

Uunchai is the story of four friends, Amit (Amitabh Bachchan), Javed (Boman Irani), Bhupen (Danny Denzongpa), and Om (Anupam Kher). After Bhupen’s death, the other three decide to complete a trek to Mt Everest base camp, a treacherous climb as that’s the last wish of their late friend. Boys will be boys and this film catches that note beautifully.

You can be in your sixties, but a few minutes with your childhood friends takes you right back to being a teenager, playing the same old pranks. You have to love the natural way in which Bachchan’s character tries to convince Neena Gupta (Shabbo) to allow her husband (played by Irani) on a road trip to Kathmandu. The adventure even gets a bit complicated when Mala (Sarika) enters the equation.

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During the journey, their outer shells are peeled off and their true lives are revealed to one another. Emerging stronger from the experience, they are prepared to live their lives moment by moment, taking pleasure in what they have rather than bothering over what they don’t.

Barjatya tries to keep the film breezy, yet high on emotions. The screenplay, by Abhishek Dixit, feels patchy at times. The conversations are laced with real humour as the dialogues are gentle. They won’t make you ROFL, instead bringing a smile to your face. Despite some unconvincing moments in the plot, Uunchai keeps the viewers involved all the way to the climax. The tempo drops considerably in the second half, especially Bachchan’s subplot which seems a bit forced and also increases the run time. At 2 hours and 49 minutes, the film could have easily been trimmed by at least 20 minutes. Admittedly, there are moments where the film does get preachy and you find yourself shifting in your seats, but the seasoned filmmaker ensures that the story doesn’t lose its charm.

What makes Uunchai that much more enjoyable are the performances. Amitabh Bachchan’s infectious energy sets the pitch. He is great in the quieter moments, and his chemistry with his co-stars is endearing. Anupam Kher delivers a measured, affecting performance, while Boman Irani brings an effortless, comfortable energy to his character. His timing, be it emotional or comic scenes, is impeccable. Neena Gupta compliments Irani’s light disposition and serenity with a measured delivery that highlights her poise and accessibility.

Danny Denzongpa is charming in his cameo and you will fall in love with his affable smile. Sarika, who returns to the big screen after a long hiatus, is a delight to watch. Parineeti Chopra holds her fort amongst the seasoned actors and does her job well.

The beauty of the film is that none of its pitfalls eventually matter. The movie wins you over with its innocence and simplicity. It is the effortless performances, coupled with their intoxicating screen presence that makes this movie worth watching.

Uunchai is uneven but heartfelt. Despite its flaws, the emotions connect. Getting to see some of the finest talents in Indian cinema together is enough to pull anyone to the theatre. And if you are game for a family drama with a message, Uunchai is a film for you. It has its heart in the right place, if not many other things.​

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Uunchai movie review: This buddy-drama decides to sleep when it has promises to keep

Friendship was their only motivation,” reads the tagline of Uunchai, a story of three friends who trek to Everest Base Camp in honour of their deceased companion. Bollywood has, time and again, given us tales of doing the extreme for your fellow comrade. Be it helping the bride run from her marriage (3 Idiots), going for a bachelor trip even when you don’t find the third amigo funny (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara) or shooting a defence minister (Rang De Basanti). The question is, is that friend worth it? And if yes, how does the audience know that?

Danny Denzongpa as Bhupen, whose death sets the film in motion, is still affable and charming even when he is not playing a bourgeoisie villain. He is obsessed with climbing Mount Everest because he told us. He is a great friend because his friends told us.

He wanted to have a just society because his lost love later tells us. A lot of telling and a bit of preaching happens during this Sooraj Barjatya film. As for Bhupen, you, and also his friends, only remember him dancing with a Nepali cap on. Thus, the central motivation of the film wobbles like a mountain bridge. But it’s still refreshing to see Barjatya break away from the grand family. In Uunchai, Amitabh Bachchan plays Amit Srivastava, a writer who is estranged from his wife; Anupam Kher is Om, who left his brothers in Gorakhpur to establish a books business in Delhi, and Boman Irani plays Javed, a lingerie salesman with a controlling spouse.

If this was the early nineties, this film would have been set in Om’s, now ramshackle, haveli, and the title would have represented a business family’s losing morals at the height of its success. Bless our stars, Uunchai is a buddy film. But it is still an uphill road less travelled for Barjatya and he manages to keep on track. He crosses all milestones of a road comedy: there is the initial reluctance to go on the trip, the uninvited traveller who has a past, and the jolly friend who is hiding a deadly disease.

The film at points feels like traditional Rajshri characters dealing with an evolving world. In a scene Anupam Kher’s Om, after being shunned by his elder brother, asks Amitabh, “Sab kuch badal kyun jata hain?” (Why does everything change?). In another sequence, Amitabh explains to Boman’s Javed and his wife Shabina (an alluring Neena Gupta), after their daughter doesn’t invite them for her birthday party, that sometimes they should also understand their children’s predicament. Although it’s a dated theme, Uunchai tries to bring the young and the elderly together, arms-over-shoulders, laughing and being merry with just a Hariharan song missing.

The hurdle, however, is the pacing. Barjatya spends too much time on the stopovers. The film starts from Delhi, crosses Kanpur, Agra, and Gorakhpur before reaching Kathmandu, and before the actual trek begins, we are into 80 per cent of the film. Uunchai then inflates its length to make up for lost time and resultantly becomes dreary.

It emphasises a point with its sentimental music long after it is made. The film goes on and on, like its main characters on trek, but doesn’t explore the thrill and the dangers of climbing Everest enough. You start hoping for the climax to come sooner and when it does, it is more relieving than cathartic. Uunchai’s runtime feels like a lifetime. But I guess, ye jeevan hain.

Uunchai Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Danny Danzongpa, Neena Gupta, Parineeti Chopra, and Sarika Thakur Director: Sooraj Barjatya Rating: 2.5/5

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Uunchai Movie Review: UUNCHAI is a simple, emotional, family film with top notch performances by the lead cast.

Uunchai is a simple, emotional, family film with top notch performances, but suffers due to mediocre music, excessive length., uunchai review {3.5/5} & review rating.

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 and makes merry. Bhupen, who’s 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. The tour is going to take place in two months. 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 favourite place on Earth. 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, Amit’s foolproof plan goes for a toss. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Sunil Gandhi's story is touching. Abhishek Dixit's screenplay is simple and neat. The script flows at its own pace and is peppered with adequate funny, emotional, and even thrilling moments. In a few places, however, the writing could have been tighter. Abhishek Dixit's dialogues are simple, and conversational and in some scenes, it is quite deep.

Sooraj R Barjatya's direction is exemplary, as expected. He’s known for making films about families and this is the first time that he has toyed with a film which celebrates friendship. And he succeeds as he executes the script beautifully. What’s remarkable is his old-school style narration. The film is not just about three friends trying to scale Everest. There are multiple tracks, and they all contribute a lot to the principal track. At the same time, it gives viewers a wholesome, cinematic experience. A few twists in the tale also add to the entertainment quotient.

On the flipside, the film’s length is a major issue. At 170 minutes, UUNCHAI tests the patience of the viewers in some places. Secondly, the youth is the major chunk of the moviegoing audience and the film doesn’t offer much to this section. This can prove detrimental, from a box office point of view. Lastly, Sooraj R Barjatya’s films are known for super-hit music. Even like MAIN PREM KI DIWANI HOON [2003] had chartbuster songs. UUNCHAI, however, has a poor soundtrack. A minor issue with the film is also the track of Amit and his estranged wife as it is not explained properly.

Uunchai – Official Trailer | Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani

UUNCHAI begins with a breath-taking sequence. The film then goes into flashback mode and nicely introduces the principal characters. The scene of Bhupen’s demise is very moving. The scenes where the trio start prepping for the trek in Delhi are cute. The Kanpur sequence is dramatic. What’s praiseworthy is that instead of going the BAGHBAN [2003] way, the makers chose to show that even the parents can go wrong. The best part of the first half is reserved for the intermission point. It is sure to bring the house down. Post-interval, the Gorkhapur episode and Mala Trivedi’s (Sarika) flashback is memorable, as also the confrontation thereafter. The initial trekking scenes are nice but later, the film slows down and drags. The pre-climax is when the film picks up. The finale is lovely.

Amitabh Bachchan delivers a terrific performance, as expected. It was a challenging role, not just physically but also emotionally and Big B comes out with flying colours. Especially in the second half, he’s too good. Anupam Kher’s part reminds one of his similar acts in KHOSLA KA GHOSLA [2006] and BABY [2015]. But he ensures it stands out and does a fine job. His breakdown scene at the Gorakhpur ghat is lovely. Boman Irani underplays his part well and lends support. Danny Denzongpa is fair in a cameo. Parineeti Chopra is hardly there in the first half but in the second half, she makes her presence felt. Neena Gupta is charming and one does miss her after a point in the film. Sarika is restrained and apt for the part. Nafisa Ali Sodhi is good in the cameo. Sheen Dass, Abhishek Pathania and Raju Kher (Guddu bhaiyya) are okay.

Amit Trivedi's music is poor. A film like this should have had a chartbuster or a soulful melody. All songs of the film,  'Keti Ko', 'Arre Oh Uncle', 'Haan Kar De', 'Ladki Pahadi'  and  'Savera' , work as they are well woven in the film, and due to the picturization. George Joseph's background score is appropriate.

Manoj Kumar Khatoi's cinematography is spectacular. The locales of Nepal are very nicely captured. Urvi Ashar Kakkar and Shipra Rawal's production design is rich. Sham Kaushal's action is realistic. NY VFXWaala's VFX is praiseworthy. Terrence Lobo, Daena Sethana, Priya Patil and Mohit Rai's costumes are in sync with the character’s personalities. Shweta Venkat Mathew's editing should have been sharper.

On the whole, UUNCHAI is a simple, emotional, family film with top-notch performances by the lead cast. However, the film suffers due to mediocre music, excessive length and offers nothing for the youth. At the box office, the film will appeal only to a limited section of the family audience and will need positive word of mouth to sustain.

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Uunchai Movie News

Neena Gupta on winning the National Award for Uunchai, "I am happily surprised and I am flying high in the clouds saying thank you to God"

EXCLUSIVE: Sooraj Barjatya gives his FIRST reaction on winning the National Award for Uunchai: "I feel I have truly climbed my Everest today"

SCOOP: Salman Khan-Sooraj Barjatya crack a script idea: “It is unlike anything they have done, individually or together”

EXCLUSIVE: "Dunki, 12th Fail and Uunchai are exceptionally significant films for our society" – Mahaveer Jain

EXCLUSIVE: Mahaveer Jain ECSTATIC as Uunchai receives 7 nominations at Filmfare Awards; speaks highly of lead actor Amitabh Bachchan: “He is a paragon of passion and an INSPIRATION for all of India. He TRULY is the BIGGEST hero in all senses”

Nominations for the 68th Filmfare Awards 2023

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A magic created by a legendry Director Sooraj Barjatya...a movie without any obscene scenes and…

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