Finance
Uunchai, the latest film by Sooraj Barjatiya, has once again struck a chord with its audience. The film begins with the three friends Amit (Amitabh Bachchan), Javed (Boman Irani), and Om (Anupam Kher) setting out to trek the Himalayas to fulfill their friend Bhupen’s last wish (Danny Denzongpa).
Barjatya’s films are usually about nuclear families and the interdependence of each family member on the other (Hum Saath Saath Hain is a prime example), but that element is twisted in Uunchai.
Away from the real family, the director has focused on the four men’s friendship and how they are a family in the film. While the film is more about the characters’ fighting spirit and camaraderie, it is also a nuanced introspection on how they are distanced and misunderstood by their own families. On the other hand, it depicts how some battles should be fought alone.
Uunchai Story
The story is based on a fictional work and revolves around four friends: Amit, Bhupen, Om, and Javed. Amit discovers the ticket bookings for the trip to Mount Everest that the four had planned a day before Bhupen’s death (Danny Denzongpa). Amit then makes a point of hiking to the base of Mount Everest to honor his late friend.
Bhupen and Om finally agree to trek at a senior age for their friend after much trickery and persuasion, and thus the training begins.
Neena Gupta, who plays Boman Irani’s wife, also appears in the film. Her character adds flavor to the plot. Sarika, who plays Bhupen’s long-lost love, is another noteworthy character.
When the day comes, the three friends along with Javed’s wife, take a happy-go-lucky road trip to Kanpur. Later, the three friends – Amit, Javed, and Om continue their journey to Mount Everest. As they go higher, the challenges become tougher. The film also has some surprise elements too.
The Performances
When it comes to on-screen performances, Amitabh Bachchan is, as always, a joy to watch. He once again demonstrated that transitioning from hilarious to serious is a piece of cake for him.
Anupam Kher is effortlessly charming, and Boman Irani brings a unique perspective to the story. Neena Gupta and Sarika, who have honed their craft, have done an outstanding job. Parineeti Chopra, who plays a trekking captain, on the other hand, has justified and fleshed out her performance.
Danny Denzongpa, who plays Bhupen, adds a fresh perspective to the plot. His endearing charm and effortless acting will undoubtedly make you nostalgic. Amitabh and Danny’s friendship and bonding come as a pleasant surprise.
Direction
