"Ulajh (उलझ)"
Watched Hindi movie "Ulajh (उलझ)".
This film is directed by Sudhanshu Saria. Written by Parveez Shaikh, Sudhanshu Saria. Produced by Vineet Jain. The film stars Janhavi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Rajesh Tailang, Rajendra Gupta, Adil Hussain, Jitendra Joshi, Alyy Khan. Cinematography by Shreya Dev Dube. Music by Shashwat Sachdev. The film runs for about 2 hour 14 minutes and was released in 2024. I watched it on Netflix on 1st Oct 2024 with Aditi.
Pakistani Prime Minister has resolved to cool the tensions and promised to hand over a terrorist hiding in Pakistan. India has invited him a Independence Day guest. Despite being a relatively Junior IFS officer, Jahnavi is appointed as Deputy High Commissioner of London mission. Everyone puts this down to nepotism as she comes from illustrious family of civil servants. She goes to London and falls for a chef. However, he isn't a chef and Janhavi is honey trapped.
Well if you look at the plot, it's interesting. It has a lot of potential. There is politics, there is espionage, there is thrill and there is romance. However director's handling of the story leaves a lot on the table. There are several discrepancies and incongruities. Following are just a few:
Movie starts with her boyfriend accusing her prioritization of work as reason for failure of their relationship and then after going to London she does exactly opposite.
IFS officers are made aware of honey trap during their training. Why would she not doubt it? Why not do background check?
She comports as a college kid rather than IFS officer.
Why would embassy driver be able to trace anyone’s identity based on finger prints when he has joined the embassy 6 months ago?
Why would Minister of India talk directly to minister of Pakistan on open line?
Why run towards the sniper who is far away rather than securing the target who is close by.
Kanha I is neither good nor bad. Despite having a solid supporting cast, the handling doesn't capitalize it. Gulshan is good initially but then once it's revealed that he is the enemy, suddenly he tries to act smart rather than being professional about the job. Roshan Matthew is the lone shining star. He acts well and appears genuine. He is also very smart.
Movie ends with a clear hint of a sequel. More to come, apparently.
Positives: Roshan.
Negatives: Too many.
Give it a miss.
