PremiumUlajh review: Janhvi Kapoor's compelling espionage thriller gets entangled in its own complexity
Ulajh review: A confusing yet captivating spy saga aptly describes the film that entangles its viewers in a complex web of espionage, intrigue, and diplomacy.
Last Updated: 10.13 AM, Aug 02, 2024
A young diplomat (Janhvi Kapoor) from a famous family of patriots embarks on a perilous personal plot while away from home in a position that will define her future.
"Ulajh" has two intriguing meanings: entagled or confused. It is believed to signify the condition of becoming entangled or trapped in a challenging situation. The film depicts Janhvi Kapoor's character Suhana Bhatia becoming entangled in multiple dangerous situations, often leaving the viewers confused.
The film opens with Kapoor listening to her ex-boyfriend's voicemail, accusing her of why the relationship didn't work and ended up cheating on her. We learn that she is on a work trip in Kathmandu, where, despite personal turmoil, she leaves an impressive mark. She is quickly appointed Deputy High Commissioner by the Indian Foreign Services and transferred to London. Her appointment to such a high and prolific position at such a young age causes a stir among many. Many also refer to it as "nepotism," given that both her father and grandfather served as international diplomats for India.
We comprehend her predicament and the circumstances she's facing, as it's challenging to establish credibility in such a role given the burden of making national decisions. However, she quickly makes mistakes that demonstrate her unfitness for the job and potentially lead to accusations of being a traitor to the country.
The first half is rife with confusion about who the real villain is, and even though it becomes clear from the outset, the plot unravels with each step. This leads us to question whether Suhana has gone rogue and whether the plan is too complex for a storyline that spans two hours and 13 minutes. We see that she lets herself loose and tries to have a work/life balance as she starts spending time with a stranger named Nakul (Gulshan Devaiah), who woos her instantly.
Meiyang Chang's character, Jacob Tamang, informs Suhana in a dialogue that she is not the first agent or diplomat to face blackmail in her line of work. Numerous espionage thrillers have demonstrated that secret agents commonly use blackmail as a tactic to obtain confidential information about their country, making this statement entirely logical. However, up until the interval, the plot is so intricate that it could leave you perplexed, wondering if you're willing to fall into traps or if the filmmakers are simply taking their time to reveal the main point, which takes place entirely in the final hour of the movie.
In the second half, a redemption arc unfolds, featuring the reintroduction of several previously unnoticed characters. However, some characters become predictable, anticipating their role enhancement in the final act, leaving us eagerly awaiting the reveal.
But "ulajh" remains on the mind! How's that?! As the film moves from London to Delhi, it introduces a new dimension to the story, further complicating the situation. Similar to Kapoor's furrowed brows throughout the film, I became aware of my own facial expressions at various points. Although it's not a direct comparison, it seemed as though the filmmakers were attempting to create a Nolan-esque effect, where the intricate situations left me in awe.
Well, it only happened during the initial scene when the film was just beginning to improve, and that moment left everyone in a state of shock. However, as the story progresses, the case plot becomes more intricate, providing a clearer picture of who could potentially be a threat.
The film does a fabulous and smart job in casting, whether it's Rajesh Tailang as Salim Sayeed, Suhana's driver, or even Adil Hussain as her father, Dhanraj Bhatia. However, the one that comes out of nowhere and makes it worth the wait is Roshan Mathew as R&AW agent, Sebin Josephkutty. In the second half, his role finally comes into play, and it feels like the film will come to a conclusive end with his part making half the job easier done.
However, Sudhanshu Saria, who earlier directed two episodes of the Prime Video series, Big Girls Don't Cry, does make Ulajh for a compelling narrative. He wrote the film with Parveez Shaikh, whose previous works include Mission Majnu (2023), Darlings (2022), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), and Queen (2013), among many. Atika Chouhan penned the dialogues, which, to be honest, border on the brutal.
Ulajh will transport you through intricate situations that will keep your mind engaged. However, the aftertaste may seem superficial, as the film attempts to keep you on the edge, only to bring you back.
However, what completely works for the film are the performances by the ensemble cast. Indeed, Janhvi Kapoor's efforts are evident, and it's worth noting that she has consistently worked in genres that heavily emphasise drama. The actor brings the emotional depth to the film and manages to carry it on her shoulders. Despite receiving strong support from her male co-stars, the actor maintains her composure throughout.
Gulshan Devaiah plays the story's "villain," Nakul, and exudes the charm of a wicked boy so effortlessly that watching him is a treat. Furthermore, it's not surprising for an actor of his calibre to effortlessly embody the character's essence.
Roshan Matthew, on the other hand, gets to show his mettle in the final hour of the film. Better late than ever, the actor easily steals the show and brings his native vibe also into the picture. In a particular scene, he unleashes a furious tirade in Malayalam, and his flushed face, brimming with frustration, was precisely what the film desperately needed at that moment, as it was escalating but lagging behind.
Another actor to watch out for is Tailang, who is a silent warrior. However, his casting made it clear that there's more to it than meets the eye. Watch it and discover what's really going on!
Ulajh, in my opinion, is neither a terrible film nor a fantastic one. While the film has its moments, the first half hinders its progress, taking a considerable amount of time to unravel and reveal the truth, but not completely!
Even with its convoluted plot, Ulajh manages to ensnare viewers in its web of peril, deceit, and diplomacy. The ensemble cast gives solid performances, but the film loses steam and ends with a finale that feels more like a diplomatic truce than a clear triumph. While "Ulajh" does a decent job of holding viewers' attention, the film's complex plot points could leave you intrigued and confused.