My review of 'Udta Punjab' ...

The opening scene of Udta Punjab, where a packet of drugs, is thrown like a discus, over the border, prepares you for what lies ahead ...

I must confess that I strayed from my first-day-first-show formula, because I feared that Udta Punjab would be an unpleasant and depressing watch.

But kudos to Director Abhishek Chaubey, who while giving us a stark, accurate, but scary image of Punjab, as a drug infested state, skilfully narrates a story, which inspires fear and horror in the viewer, less because of the violent or brutal scenes, but because of the way human lives are wasted and destroyed, because of political ambition and human greed.

A fairly long film, but time never sits heavily on the viewer, who is engaged by the four principal characters and their kahanis, all related to drugs.

An outstanding performance, by Shahid Kapur, as the over-the-top, drugs using popstar, Tommy, who falls from grace and subsequent to his arrest and meltdown, becomes vulnerable and tries to find redemption in rescuing the hockey-playing-Bihari-immigrant, who, despite her horrifying story, stands strong and optimistic!

Hats off to Aalia Bhatt for fearlessly taking on the role of a poor farm worker, who chances upon a packet of drugs, gets greedy and is transported to a living hell of drug addiction, rape and abuse. The viewer is fully convinced of the ugliness of her situation and her helplessness... not once do we see the pretty, pampered heroine of 'Kapoor and Sons', or 'SOTY'.

Diljit Dosanjh, as ASI Sartaj, a small time cop, who participates in the corrupt system, which allows the free flow if drugs in the state, until his brother becomes a victim.

This is one talented dude, sincere and understated and when he finally plays 'good cop', the audience cheer him on!

And Diljit can sing too ... my favorite song ... 'ikk kudi ...'!!!

Ok, so Kareena Kapoor, as the fine Doctor Preet, who along with Sartaj, wages a war against drugs, may not have as powerful a role as the the others, but she is pretty, well intentioned and the adorable, slightly filmi romance, offers welcome relief, when the viewing gets grim.

Amit Trivedi's music is brilliant and relevant for this very gritty and brave film.

'Udta Punjab' is an important film. Yes, set in Punjab, but could apply to any place in India. Chaubey, with a tight script and twisted tale, tells a grim, but real story and announces his arrival, as a director to watch out for. The director has a clear message ... unless you fight it, no drug related story can have a happy ending.

But the viewer has a choice ... to walk out of the cinema hall, with the sound of Balli's helpless tears, ringing in their ears, or the happy sound of the waves, on a beach in Goa, with a smiling 'Mary Jane', walking towards the beautiful sunset!