(Janhvi Kapoor & Gulshan Devaiah) This espionage drama centers on the Indian Foreign Service, following the youngest female Indian Deputy High Commissioner to the UK as she navigates the fallout from a single critical mistake.
Star Cast: Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, Adil Hussain, Roshan Mathew, Rushad Rana, Rajesh Tailang
Director: Sudhanshu Saria
What’s Good: New angle to the espionage thriller as this film focuses on diplomats
What’s Bad: The first half leaves us entangled (ulajh) in too many threads that at face-value are not easily comprehensible
Loo Break: Maybe. You might miss a crucial point
Watch or Not?: If you like an Indian film treated as a slick Hollywood-like thriller with all the plus-es and minus-es vis-à-vis Indian sensibilities
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 134 Minutes
Suhana Bhatia: A Rising Star in the Indian Foreign Service Faces Unexpected Trials
Suhana Bhatia (Janhvi Kapoor) is the pride of her family, serving in the Indian Foreign Service in Kathmandu. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is summoned to Delhi and appointed as India’s new Deputy High Commissioner to London. Despite her father, a seasoned diplomat (Adil Hussain), admiring her, he remains skeptical about her ability to handle the responsibility. His reserved demeanor reflects his esteemed lineage, as he is the son of a prominent patriot and Indian government official.
A Dangerous Liaison: Suhana’s Night of Indiscretion
Upon assuming her role in London, Suhana befriends a similarly isolated newcomer (Gulshan Devaiah). Their relationship quickly turns intimate, despite her driver (Rajesh Tailang) warning her about staying out late. This single lapse in judgment has dire consequences when her date reveals himself as an ISI operative, capturing incriminating footage of her. Suhana is now faced with the ultimatum of providing sensitive Indian defense information or facing severe repercussions.
Desperate Measures: Suhana’s Struggle and Betrayal
Caught in a dire predicament, Suhana contemplates both suicide and resignation. Her situation worsens when her departmental colleague, Jacob (Meiyang Chang), becomes suspicious of her activities. Tragically, Jacob is shot dead at her home by a sniper. This event catalyzes Suhana’s rebellion against the corrupt network that has ensnared her. Amidst the turmoil, she also grapples with her father’s promotion and the impending visit of the Pakistani Prime Minister, who seeks to maintain a cordial relationship between India and Pakistan.
Ulajh Movie Review: Script Analysis
Parveez Shaikh and director Sudhanshu Saria have crafted a script that unnecessarily entangles the viewer in its first half. The intricate web of politics and machinations involving both Indian and Pakistani figures, including corrupt officials and deceptive individuals in London, could have been presented more simply. The numerous convoluted threads—spanning Pakistani politicians, Indian officials, and other players—make the plot overly complex.
The twist where Suhana is assigned by RAW to investigate the defense leaks she herself caused under blackmail is a clever plot point, giving her a slight edge, though it remains partly manipulated. However, the sequence where Suhana and her friend Sebin Josephkutty (Roshan Mathew) travel to Mumbai for an investigation into an assassination attempt on the Pakistani PM, and Suhana’s subsequent deductions in London, feel implausible.
The film culminates in the typical suspenseful scenario of a near-assassination and Suhana’s efforts to save India’s reputation, leading to her father’s delayed acknowledgment of his misjudgment and his regret over their strained relationship. The final twist offers Suhana a new role serving the country, hinting at a potential sequel.
Despite the natural dialogue and the censorship adjustments by the CBFC, the script remains uneven, teetering between novel and mundane. The portrayal of a sympathetic Pakistani PM being saved by an Indian, similar to recent films like Tiger 3, may not evoke the intended sympathy despite the film’s high-profile cast.
Ulajh Movie Review: Star Performance
Janhvi Kapoor, following her performance in Mili, demonstrates her ability to handle a solo release with ease. Her expressive eyes effectively convey a wide range of emotions, contributing significantly to her role. Gulshan Devaiah excels in his dual role, seamlessly shifting between a charming romantic interest and a menacing antagonist. Rushad Rana’s character comes across as somewhat unconvincing, but his performance remains decent. Rajesh Tailang delivers a standout performance as Suhana’s chauffeur, possibly the best male performance in the film. Roshan Mathew also impresses as Suhana’s antagonist-turned-ally, playing his role convincingly.
Ulajh Movie Review: Direction, Music
Sudhanshu Saria should focus on refining the Indian aspects of his sensibilities in his future work, balancing his international acclaim with more nuanced domestic elements. This applies to both his writing and direction.
Shashwat Sachdev’s music is decent but lacks lasting impact. His self-performed track, “Main Hoon Tera Ae Watan,” fits well within the film, bolstered by Kumaar’s solid lyrics.
Ulajh Movie Review: The Last Word
Watch this film if you (a) enjoy espionage thrillers, (b) are already in August 15 mode, (c) are a fan of Janhvi Kapoor, and (d) appreciate Gulshan Devaiah’s work. However, producer Vineet Jain of Junglee Pictures has previously excelled in the emotional female-centric espionage drama with Raazi.
Ulajh Trailer
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