uunchai movie review anupama chopra

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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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Topics:    amitabh bachchan      sooraj barjatya      parineeti chopra  .

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Uunchai Movie Review

Uunchai Devesh Sharma , Nov 11, 2022, 20:25 IST

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

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Users' Reviews

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MANISHA SIRWANI 426 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 582 days ago

Heart touching movie &lt;3

Manu 660 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 661 days ago

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

Ram Thakur 664 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 | Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Parineeti Chopra | @Aritra's Gyan

Uunchai directed by Sooraj Barjatya stars Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Parineeti Chopra, Boman Irani, Danny Denzongpa, Neena Gupta & Sarika Thakur. This is the most non-rajshri film Sooraj Barjatya has made, in terms of both style and substance. This film is about three friends who set out on a trek to the base camp of Mount Everest as we see in the trailer of Uunchai. To know more about it, watch the full review by  @Aritra's Gyan  on Reviews and More by Film Companion.

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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: 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..

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• 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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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 ... Read all 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. 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.

• Sooraj R. Barjatya
• Sunil Gandhi
• Abhishek Dixit
• Amitabh Bachchan
• Anupam Kher
• Boman Irani
• 68 User reviews
• 15 Critic reviews
• 3 wins & 14 nominations

Top cast 43

• Amit Shrivastav

• Javed Siddiqui

• Shraddha Gupta

• Shabina Siddiqui

• Mala Trivedi
• (as Sarika)

• Abhilasha Shrivastav
• (as Nafisa Ali Sodhi)
• Siddharth Sharma
• (as Pranav Sachdeva)

• (as Sheen Dass)
• Neha Sharma

• Sunny - Asst. Trek Guide

• Guddu Sharma - Om's Brother
• Manohar Sharma - Om's Brother
• Om's Elder Bhabhi
• Om's Younger Bhabhi

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• Trivia The last time Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher and Danny Denzongpa appeared together on screen was in 1991 for Mukul Anand's blockbuster Hum. In that movie they all played enemies of each other and in this movie they all played best friends.
• Goofs The actors are shown speaking from Mount Everest base camp where there is no network.
• Connections Referenced in 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023 with Maharashtra Tourism (2023)

User reviews 68

Fine and inspiring family film.

• Niraj_Solanki
• Dec 11, 2022
• How long is Uunchai? Powered by Alexa
• November 11, 2022 (India)
• Kathmandu, Nepal
• Boundless Media
• Mahaveer Jain Films
• Rajshri Productions
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

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• Runtime 2 hours 53 minutes

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Uunchai Movie Review: Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher Film An Intense Tribute To Friendship, But Unbearably Long

This amitabh bachchan, boman irani, anupam kher, parineeti chopra, starrer is high on emotion, slow in pace, a genre-reverser film about life, relationships and coming to terms with old age..

Sooraj Barjatya

Amitabh Bachchan Anupam Kher Boman Irani Danny Denzongpa Neena Gupta Sarika Parineeti Chopra

New Delhi: 'Uunchai' is like a documentation of what an intense trekking experience amidst the wilderness of Himalayas feels like. This template is then married to the family-entertainment genre of the Barjatya school of filmmaking which emphasises heightened emotions and drama. The Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Parineeti Chopra, Danny Denzongpa, and Sarika starrer is high on emotion, slow in pace, a genre-reverser film about life, relationships and coming to terms with old age. What really hurts is how each of the subject matter is treated chronologically in order to spoon-feed an audience which is smart enough to understand layers, nuances and landscape change without drilling it into their heads.

'Uunchai' begins with a voiceover narration of Amitabh Bachchan telling the intent of the film in the very beginning. The film opens in the beautiful landscape of Nepal where we are introduced to all characters until each of their life with all its layers is gradually unfolded in the process of the film.

From here the narrative and landscape shifts to Delhi and the backstory of four aged-friends is revealed. Soon after, one friend passes away, the other three try to fulfill his last wish by trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest.

The gradual unfurling of emotions, and each of characters' backstory is weaved very organically into the text, a commendable move in a film which has a lot of noise, particularly with this dominating force of a background score and with music: one song thrust upon another.

As great as it is to see veteran actors with such craft on screen come together, there are major problems with 'Uunchai' that even they cannot address.

The plot is given-away from the very beginning with this need to tell and not show. Every scene which could have added a layer of anticipation is shared with the audience helping diminish the interest in the film slowly. What keeps you going ( at least for me) was the anticipation of the beautiful landscape of the trek which begins only the second half.

So, the first-half of 'Uunchai' is unbearably long trying to establish characters, locations, why the actors do what they do etc. etc. The use of framing and the break into 'Keti Ko' song is nice; in fact the one thing to see in the first half is the song, it has a feel-good element attached to it despite the artificiality of emotions on display.

Perhaps, the pace of the film is toned down to suit the genre-reversal of a road trip which is usually filled with adventures etc. to suit the three-aged men on screen. Or, that the layering of life-drama on each of the character's backstory naturally slows down the pace of 'Uunchai'.

But, 'Uunchai' has moments and sequences which stand out. There are small incidents that have an organic flavour of comedy and drama to them, which will naturally bring a smile to your face or tears to your eyes. For instance; Anupam Kher putting food into the mouth of Amitabh Bachchan or Neena Gupta's possessive zeal to overcare for her husband, played by Boman Irani etc. Barring these, it's more like a marathon for which you need immense patience until the end.

So, perhaps, a documentary style of filmmaking would have more suited the syntax of a film like 'Uunchai'.

However, there are some ideological stances and debates that are dealt with quite practically ( almost in a moral lecture sort of way) but the way such matters are dealt with stand out. The slow revelation of glitches in parents-kids relationship and the non-judgmental attitude to take when dealing with them , for instance, or the way one comes to terms with the reality of aging and a deterioration of the body when the mind wants more... etc.

As for actor performances, Anupam Kher, Amitabh Bachchan and Boman Irani ace their parts as do Neena Gupta, Sarika and Parineeti Chopra. The dramatic tangent is slightly high in all of them but perhaps the need of the script or the hour or the director is the reason why that is so.

The post-interval 'Uunchai' is much faster, rooted and real. It opens with a good cathartic sequence in Gorakhpur and from there in Kathmandu, giving each of its characters a moment to shine. 

Parineeti Chopra is present in the post-interval film and much under-utilized than her potential.

The second-half of 'Uunchai' also happens to be high on the emotional tangent with extraordinary physical and mental challenges that the protagonists face in the Himalayas to come to terms with their lives.

Towards the climax, when the film enters the snow-landscape of the Everest Base Camp, the shots begin to feel unclear and unreal. A filmy grained sequence captures the essence of the climax where a lot of fog amidst mountains feels something out of an old Hindi film song sequence. Besides this, there is barely an experiment with the form of the film.

'Uunchai' ends with the cringiest end-credits song sequence teaching audiences to live life to the fullest in all honesty. The template of the film follows the conventional three-act structure with the monotony of predictability and over dramatic music, narration and dialogue to complement it. But for the performances of veterans in a different light, 'Uunchai' is a bearable watch of a film, but too long for a feature-film with this kind of content.

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