“Ulajh Movie Review: Intriguing Twists Lost in a Slow Burn”
Newz Daddy Movie Reviews
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Newzdaddy Ratings: 2** / 5
Lead Actors: Gulshan Devaiah, Mayank Chang, Janhvi Kapoor, and others
Genre: Spy Thriller
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Writers: Parveez Sheikh, Sudhanshu Saria, Atika Chohan
Director: Sudhanshu Saria
Recommended or Not ?: Only if you have money to waste.
Language: Hindi
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“Ulajh” Movie Review:
Now, since this movie doesn’t have any big stars, hasn’t been well-promoted, and isn’t your typical mass entertainment flick, my theatre was pretty much empty. Apart from me, there were only two other people. Regular audiences are clearly deciding to wait for the reviews before making up their minds.
It’s a 2-hour 15-minute film, and if you find yourself wondering why there’s no interval yet or why the movie isn’t over already, it means the storyline isn’t engaging enough with its proper screenplay and moments.
The first half works on building up the story, and there are two or three good twists. The twist involving Gulshan Devaiah is quite good, you’ll like it. But after an hour, when the interval came, I felt like I had been sitting in the theatre for two hours already – that’s how slow the first half was. And in a movie where you’re focusing on a female-oriented story, you’re showing in the first half itself how easy it is to trap a girl, and she gets trapped so easily and does what the other person says because she’s ultimately blackmailed.
If they had put the country first, this wouldn’t have happened. Sure, I get that the circumstances shown for Janhvi Kapoor’s character are tricky, and anyone could get trapped, but she’s at a high commission place, how can someone be so dumb to leave their car and sit on a stranger’s bike after just one meeting?
“Ulajh” Movie Review: The Acting
Gulshan Devaiah stands out with a solid performance, delivering a character that adds depth to the story. Mayank Chang’s role, unfortunately, feels underutilized, leaving the audience wanting more from his character. Janhvi Kapoor, while competent in her role, seems to struggle with the various facets of her character – from a high commission officer to a helpless woman caught in a tricky situation. Her portrayal lacks the consistency needed to make her character truly believable.
“Ulajh” Movie Review: Direction and Screenplay
The direction by the filmmakers shows potential, but the execution falters. The screenplay, while having a few good moments and twists, is bogged down by its slow pace and predictable plot points. The movie’s attempt to balance a female-oriented story with elements of espionage doesn’t quite hit the mark, and the characters often make implausible decisions that detract from the overall narrative.
“Ulajh” Movie Review: Positive Points
- Gulshan Devaiah’s performance is a highlight.
- A few intriguing twists in the first half.
- Decent cinematography that suits the genre.
“Ulajh” Movie Review: Negative Points
- Sluggish pacing, particularly in the first half.
- Implausible character decisions that break immersion.
- Underutilized supporting characters, especially Mayank Chang.
- Janhvi Kapoor’s inconsistent portrayal of her character.
- Predictable plot points and a reliance on old templates.
“Ulajh” Movie Review: The Final Conclusion
“Ulajh” is a film that aspires to be a gripping spy thriller but ends up being a mixed bag. While there are moments of intrigue and some commendable performances, the movie is weighed down by its slow pace and predictable storyline. Bollywood needs to break away from old templates and bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table. If you’re looking for a nail-biting thriller, “Ulajh” might leave you wanting more.
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