Ulajh review- This Janhvi Kapoor starrer lives upto the title... leaves the audiences 'entangled' and confused!
Ulajh
This Janhvi Kapoor highlights the flip side of being a foreign diplomat
There have been many films made about inter-country relationships of India, esp. with that of Pakistan. But, many of these films have been about the hate-hate relationships shared between the two countries. Amidst all this, there have been just a handful of films which must have highlighted the existence of good people in Pakistan as well! Films which have ‘been there, done that’ happens to be Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Veer Zaara, Henna… and a few others.
Having said that, let us welcome you all to the world of Ulajh, a movie that starts off with Suhana Bhatia (Janhvi Kapoor) getting an ‘instructional phone call’ about a high-profile meeting with the Nepal’s top minister, wherein she has to only behave as a 'mute spectator'. We are then introduced to a peace loving Pakistani Prime Minster (played by Rushaad Rana) expressing his interest to go to India and take part in the Independence Day celebrations.
Amidst all this, it gets revealed that the young and dynamic Suhana Bhatia has been appointed as the Deputy High Commissioner in the High Commission of India in London! While on one hand, she is trying to get adjusted to the high-profile job and on the other hand, she starts missing home and her family. Just to deviate her mind, she enters a discotheque where she meets a ‘Mr. Smooth Talker’ Nakul Bhatia (Gulshan Devaiah). Sparks flow between the two and they land up getting intimate.
Also Read: Ulajh - Janhvi Kapoor surprises everyone in dialogue promo! Watch
Just as when Suhana thinks that she has found the love of her life, she gets a shock she discovers that Nakul's real name is Nakul, but, Mohd Humayun Akhtar ... Pakistani ISI agent. 'Nakul' then, hands over a mobile containing a video of them in intimate position, which really scares the daylights out of Suhana.
Post this, Nakul starts blackmailing Suhana, who, eventually, starts behaving like a puppet at his hands... fearing her image and professional backlash. On the other hand, there is a plan which is being hatched to bump off the Pakistani Prime Minster during his visit to India. Knowingly or unknowingly, Suhana lands up becoming an integral part of the said plan.
Does she successfully ‘execute’ the plan of the evil-minded people or she revolts against them all risking her job and reputation at stake. And, what ultimately happens to the Pakistani Prime Minster and do the masterminds of this masterplan ever get exposed... is what forms the rest of the film.
Also Read: Janhvi Kapoor was paranoid about losing parents at a young age?
Honestly speaking, there are very few things which seems to be working in the film's favour. Most importantly, it has to be the expectations from Janhvi Kapoor and the curiosity the film’s trailer had created in the minds of the audience. As for the film, it’s the brilliant cinematography which enhances it by notches. Complementing that is the film’s bang-on and taut background score, which really shapes up the finer edges of the film.
Sadly though, despite Janhvi Kapoor triying her level best to give her best, it’s the loose script that fails her miserably. There are many places where her character tends to go astray. And that has majorly got to do with the film’s direction (Sudhanshu Saria, who has even co-written the film with Parveez Shaikh).
Overall, the intent with which director had made the film comes across as good, but it’s the execution that fails the film and its narrative very badly. As for the performances, even though it’s a Janhvi Kapoor, the one who takes the cake is Roshan Mathew, who simply excels in the role of Sebin Joseph Kutty. As for Janhvi Kapoor, despite her sincere approach towards the role, the script fails her miserably.
Then, there is Gulshan Devaiah, who ‘changes colour’ faster than a chameleon in the film. Even though we have seen him in such roles before, he does bring a bit of newness to the table in this film. One really feels sad for Meiyang Chang as there are hardly any dialogues for him in the film. Even a seasoned actor like Adil Hussain deserved more meat in his role.
All in all, for all those who were expecting Ulajh to be a pathbreaking or a career defining film for Janhvi Kapoor, you will surely be sorely disappointed. To make it even more an uphill task, the film is being released with the Ajay Devgn, Tabu starrer Auron Mein Kahaan Dum Tha, which could hamper the film’s box office prospects in a big way.