In the corridors of Bollywood, there are often very serious and tense films on topics like terrorism, cross-border espionage and national security. But when this serious background is mixed with mistaken identities, awkward misunderstandings and situational comedy, a whole new and fresh experience is achieved. Director Akash A Kaushik’s film ‘Udta Tir’ is based on exactly this formula. The film looks at the world of espionage through a satirical and humorous lens, where the dilemma of patriotism and personal identity keeps the audience engaged till the end.
Story and Plot: When your own identity becomes the biggest question
The story of ‘Udta Tir’ begins in Pakistan, where terrorist Azhar Maqsood (Mukul Dev) threatens to take revenge after ‘Operation Sindoor’. The intelligence agencies got the news that he has entered India. Meanwhile, Indian Counter Terrorism Squad (CTS) officer Vikrant Thapar (Ayushmann Khurrana) enters Baramulla, Kashmir. Their job is to monitor terrorist activities and carry out important missions related to national security.
But, there comes a twist that changes the whole story and turns it into an interesting mix of comedy and confusion. In fact, Vikrant’s real identity is Bilal, a Pakistani agent working undercover in India. After losing his memory in an accident, he begins to believe that he is an Indian officer. Now he devotes himself wholeheartedly to the defense of the country, while remembering nothing of his true identity or his former mission.
This contradiction is one of the most interesting aspects of the film. A man who was once on a secret mission for his country now finds it his duty to protect another country. His decisions and the reactions of those around him lead to many funny situations. Bilal’s confusion also lands his partner Ashfaq (Suhail Nayyar) in trouble. He learns Vikrant’s true identity and tries to remind him of his past, but Vikrant’s changed behavior complicates things each time. Meanwhile, CTS Chief Varman (Rahul Bose) is trying to track down a traitor hiding within his team. Identity crisis, intelligence operations and the challenge of trusting each other drive the story forward.
Vikrant’s personal life is equally complicated. His wife Yamini (Sara Ali Khan) works in the Ministry of Defence, and their relationship is strained. This adds a personal element to the story, although the main focus of the film remains on espionage and comedy. Overall, the premise of the story is interesting, and the situations arising from mistaken identity make this film different from a typical spy thriller.
Funny twist of confusion:
Actually the truth of Vikrant’s story is something else. He is none other than Bilal, who was working as a secret Pakistani agent on Indian soil. However, after losing his memory in a horrific accident, he becomes convinced that he is an Indian officer. Now they have completely forgotten their old mission and started protecting India with full diligence and sincerity.
This paradox is the film’s biggest USP. A man who was once a spy of an enemy country, now considers himself to be the greatest protector of the country. His confusion becomes a headache for his colleague Ashfaq (Suhail Nayyar), who knows his real truth and tries to make him reminisce about the past, but Vikrant’s changed patriotic style backfires every time. On the other hand, the tough head of CTS Varman (Rahul Bose) is trying to find any traitors or intelligence hidden within his own unit. Amidst all this, Vikrant’s strained relationship with his wife Yamini (Sara Ali Khan), who works in the Ministry of Defense, also adds familial and personal complications to the story.
Direction and technical side: A unique combination of humor and espionage
Director Akash A Kaushik has brought a very complex and unique idea to the screen. His greatest success is that he has kept serious issues such as nationalism and espionage away from loud and lofty discourses, but served it up through humor arising from the absurd treatment of characters and situations.
Screenplay and Pacing: The first part of the film takes some time to establish the characters and their background, but as Bilal aka Vikrant’s memory unfolds, the film picks up speed. However, the story gets a bit flat at some places in the second half, but the comic punch and unexpected revelations manage it.
Cinematography and Music: The visual tone of the film not only creates the atmosphere of a spy thriller, but the background score breathes life into the comedic scenes. The references of old songs and their precise use doubles the fun of the film.
Acting: Excellent combination of actors
Ayushmann Khurrana: Ayushmann has no competition in portraying such unique and quirky characters on screen. His helplessness as Bilal and his overzealous patriotism as Vikrant are striking. When they diligently do something that causes trouble for their peers, their facial expressions are worth watching.
Rahul Bose: The real surprise package of the film is Rahul Bose. As CTS Chief Verman has added a great sense of humor to it instead of playing a gray shade or just a tough officer. His witty style of speaking and comedy through eye gestures (especially the hospital sequence) is enough to get whistles in the theater.
Supporting Actor: Suhail Nayyar has a fine tuning with Ayushmann. Late Mukul Dev adds a unique flavor to the role of terrorist Azhar Maqsood (especially the reference to a Pakistani dating app called ‘Hinder’ is very funny). Actors like Sara Ali Khan, Ram Kapoor and Brijendra Kala have also strengthened the film with their presence.
Where does it win and what is special?
The biggest strength of ‘Udta Tir’ is its situational comedy. The film doesn’t just rely on one-liners or jokes, but draws laughter from the situations in which the characters get stuck.
Cinematic and Film References: The references of Sunny Deol’s films have been weaved very beautifully in the film. When Ashfaq tells Vikrant, “You think you are Sunny Deol, but you are not Tara Singh but Ashraf Ali,” the dialogue leaves cinema lovers disappointed.
Balance of gravity and lightness: Despite being a spy thriller, the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, which works in its favour.
What could be better?
The initial setup of the film could have been a little more crisp. The track of Vikrant and Yamini’s married life could have been given a little more depth, so that the emotional connection would have been stronger.
final call
If you want to watch something different from suspense, thriller and the usual action movies that will give you laugh out loud thrills as well as spy thrills, then ‘Udta Tir’ is a perfect weekend watch. Ayushmann Khurrana’s comic timing and Rahul Bose’s strong acting make this film a must-see in theatres.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars