Critics’ Verdict: Performances Make ‘Udta Punjab’ a Must-Watch

It’s a thumbs up for ‘Udta Punjab’ from critics

Film: Udta Punjab
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Diljit Dosanjh

Udta Punjab showcases the filmmaker’s strengths, including his ability to create complex and memorable characters within the framework of a realistic mainstream entertainer. Despite its occasional satirical tone, Udta Punjab has a clear moral approach to the drug trade, and nowhere is consumption romanticised. Some ruthless editing was needed to strip the unwieldy narrative of its indulgences and trim the running time from 148 minutes. Udta Punjab soars on the back of hard-hitting scenes and superb performances from its cast, but a shorter trip would have given the movie the kick it sorely needed to be counted as the definitive drama on the moral corruption of an entire society.

Nandini Ramnath (Scroll.in)

Rough patches notwithstanding, Udta Punjab is an undeniably exhilarating watch, a trip truly worth taking (downer included). With his third film, Chaubey has fine-tuned his unique directorial voice and pushed the boundaries of commercial cinema. Here’s hoping censorship, or anything else, never even attempts to get in his way again.

Suprateek Chatterjee (HuffingtonPost.in)

As the mercurial, obsessive junky singer Shahid Kapoor is magical. Alia Bhatt is haunting in every frame and Kareena Kapoor the only soothing presence in the dark, disturbing film where brutality is up close and pathos stomach churning.I watched three-fourth of the film through the veil of my dupatta; you will have to be brave too for the sake of your country.Our gratitude to writer Sudeep Sharma and director Abhishek Chaubey, for awakening us to the moment of truth…!!

Bhawana Somaaya (BhawanaSomaaya.blogspot.in)