Uunchai Movie Review

Uunchai Story: In their 70s, three best friends — acclaimed novelist Amit (Amitabh Bachchan), Javed (Boman Irani), and Om (Anupam Kher) — resolve to hike to Everest Base Camp to fulfil the request of their late buddy Bhupen (Danny Dengzongpa), whose heart belonged to the Himalayas.

Uunchai Review: Uunchai is a pleasant departure from Rajshri’s previous films, which have largely focused on multigenerational joint families, class divides, and nice rich people. Even while wealthy relatives sneakily boasted of their lucrative karobar, simplicity has always been at the centre of each story. Bhaiyya, bhabhi, and devarji singing ABCDEFGHI in luxurious buses, and women dolling up for several ladies programmes in magnificent houses, were all aspirational for the 1990s generation. However, reality is neither black and white, and grey characters and concerns are more than snobbish stepmothers and gold-digging foreigners.

Uunchai begins as a joyful road trip film, with old friends (literally and metaphorically) aiming to accomplish the impossible. They set out to fulfil their late friend’s only dream — to reach Everest base camp together — despite their age-related health difficulties. While Bhupen is no longer with us, the other three embark on this perilous expedition to honour his life and love of the mountains. Javed’s caring wife Shabina (Neena Gupta) and a surprise co-traveller Mala join the three on the road journey unaware of their grand plot (Sarika). There is no ‘bagwati’ here, but a warm Shabina bhabhi is reminiscent of Kalki from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

Sunil Gandhi’s tale and Abhishek Dixit’s script have teary-eyed moments, but they can’t keep the pace and excitement going all the way. The journey from Delhi to Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Kathmandu is emotional and cathartic. The best parts of the film are confined to the first half. Parent-child and intergenerational conflict is objectively examined without using the Baghban viewpoint. Food is utilised effectively to build locations and cultures.

Unfortunately, after the group arrives in Kathmandu, the plot loses its grip, lacks direction, becomes jumbled, and things begin to fall apart. Personal backstories seem unimportant to the present day, and the mood becomes overly emotional. The background melody is overpowering, and the scenes appear to go on forever.
Despite a sloppy second half, the performances keep you intrigued. Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Boman, and Amitabh Bachchan are all masters of their trade in their various roles. It’s yet another example of good acting elevating a confused writing. Bachchan masterfully transitions from an Instagram-friendly popular author to a lonely old man with Alzheimer’s.

The music by Amit Trivedi is adequate but does little to boost the story. Parineeti Chopra plays Shradhha, a trek leader who appears oblivious to her surroundings. Her character isn’t well developed.

Friends can be family, and life is too short to say ‘phir kabhi.’ Uunchai pushes the boundaries of narration and concept, but never quite reaches the pinnacle. The film is not primarily about elderly people, and despite its weaknesses, the characters and story are relatable. We wish the writing had been stronger and did more justice to the incredible cast.