UDTA PUNJAB
By Vaibhavi Dhotre
Udta Punjab is an Indian crime thriller film co-written and directed by Abhishek Chaubey . It is based on drug abuse in the Indian state of Punjab.
Produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor under their banner Balaji Motion pictures in association with Panthom films. It features Shahid Kapoor , Kareena Kapoor , Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh in the lead roles. The film was released on 17th June 2016.
On 4 th june 2016, the central board of film’s release citing that theme’s dealt with in the film were too mature for the general audience . As a result the producers were directed to make a total of 89 cuts in the film. However on 13 th June 2016, the Bombay high court struck down the stay and gave permission for the film’s national release with a single cut in the screenplay. The film as per reports and its official website , is said to be a Punjabi language drama the highlights the issues of female foeticide and drug abuse in the state.
To talk about the film it is one of a kind which has something to say and it says with both flair and conviction “Udta Punjab ” is a cracker of a title , and the way it opens tells us that it will go on the way it means to. Most importantly it goes on the dark side and shows what drugs can do. They can make you go in trans causing you harm to refrain you from living with reality. This is not a film that glorifies drugs moreover it reveals the agitation of drug abuse . Tommy Singh {Shahid Kapoor} is an accidental rockstar and Alia Bhatt a Bihari labourer who has become an unwilling victim in this vicious game. Sartaj Singh{ Diljit Dosanjh} is a corrupt cop who is quite happy to turn a blind eye to the drug traffic , Dr. Preet Sahani {Kareena kapoor} who runs a rehabilitation clinic , becomes the other strong salutary influence on Sartaj and the film takes an about turn.
( Vaibhavi Dhotre is a law student , ILS Law college, Pune)
