Aug 01, 2016 07:24 PM
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Once a prosperous state with its hard-working people, today's Punjab is consumed by a drug-consuming youth. And there seems to be no future unless it is dealth with iron hand. UDTA PUNJAB shows a slice of this menace. Lack of opportunities and unsatisfied ambitions make many take recourse to drugs. Momentary heavenly pleasure leads to permanent hell for the youth unless the next dose is taken.
The movie shows the living hell through it's four principal characters - a fading singer Tommy Singh(Shahid Kapoor, 35), a Bihari migrant dope dealer aspiring sportsperson Kumari Pinky(Alia Bhatt, 23), Dr Preet Sahni(Kareena Kapoor), and cop Sartaj Singh(Diljit Dosanjh, 32). While each one goes through their own hell, they hardly find a way out. Tommy's drug consuming leads him to jail. Kumari is forced to sell drugs. Dr Preet valiantly provides cure for the druggists and the cop tries to find a way out from the corrupt system he is in.
If one can overcome Punjabi through subtitles and digest excessive profanities, with it's unnecessary songs and somewhat meaningless second half, then the movie does make an striking statement. Despite its controversy and publicity, the movie may not be an earning proposition. It may get awards for critical subject.
Shahid is way past his prime. He just can't act. He should relax and rethink about his career. Expecting a 100+ cr movie from him is a far-fetched dream. Kareena is merely going through the nuances. Alia definitely will benefit from this movie. She gives a mature performance. Diljit fits the bill. He is totally comfortable in the Punjabi scenario acting as well as singing.
The movie of course will not help eliminate the drug problem. It is merely a number in the total of movies made on the subject. The solution lies with the people, who are burning and dying due to drugs. Director Abhishek Chaubey has made parts of the movie interesting but then he too has his limitations. There are seven producers including Anurag Kashyap. Anurag and his brother Abhinav had earlier as good as any finished off Ranbir Kapoor's career. With this movie, Shahid's career too should be kaput. Anurag himself is nowhere both professionally and personally. The movie is strictly ordinary. Unnecessary publicity is merely a means to score at BO. It's more shadow than substance. Anurag should up his game rather than relying on gimmicks. Forget Punjab, India is in a fierce grip of drugs. And there is no escape, unless the public decides to tackle the menace. The ageing corrupt politicians are ineffective as many are benefitting or profiting from their sale. Police are leashed and judiciary turns blind eye as not many cases are'reported'. Media couldn't care less. While poor are dying from drug overdose, many take to stealing or even killing to get their next dose.
Rich can take it as a lifestyle or to deal with stress, depression and can go to rehabs but for the poor, drugs are death. While farmers die due to lack of money or food, the prime minister regularly flies out of India to lush foreign locales. So, who'll take care of drug-craving people? The Indian public themselves should tackle this problem. Movies can show the drug problem but the ground-reality has to be dealt with by the people only. Earlier, Punjab was cultivating food in fields. Now, drugs are being grown. And practically every state is under its deadly influence. Goa is walking death, not to say Delhi NCR. Movies: HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA(1971), CHARAS(1976), JANBAAZ(1986), JALWA(1987), GUMRAH(1993), PAANCH(Unreleased 2001), KYON(2003), CHARAS(2004), FASHION(2008), DEV D(2009), PANKH(2010), SHAITAN(2011), DUM MAARO DUM(2011), GO GOA GONE(2013), M CREAM(July 2016). Scenes: 7 KHOON MAAF(2011), GANGS OF WASSEYPUR(2012), REVOLVER RANI(2014), RAGINI MMS 2(2014).
Actors: Parveen Babi(55, d. 2005), Prasad Bidapa(-), Sanjay Dutt(56), Vijay Raaz(53), Ronit Roy(50), Gauri Khan(45), Manisha Koirala(45), Mamta Kulkarni - Vicky Goswami(44, -), Apoorva - Shilpa Saklani(43, 34), Fardeen Khan(42), Preity Zinta(41), Rahul Mahajan(40), Gitanjali Nagpal(40), DJ Aqeel(38), Suzanne Khan Roshan(37), Ranbir Kapoor(33). Sportspersons: Maninder Singh(51), Rahul Sharma(31), Vijender Singh(30), Pradeep Sangwan(25).
States, Cities: While Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, and Lakshadweep have lower number of cases; Punjab, UP, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, J&K, Gujarat have higher number of cases reported. Mumbai, Delhi, Kanpur, Amritsar, and Kota have highest number of drug cases reported. Vasai Virar, Aurangabad, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Vadodra, and Rajkot reported lower number of cases. In India, below 2 gm of drugs can be carried for personal use without being arrested.
Many cases go unreported. While some are arrested and convicted, rest continue with this dangerous and often death doling menace.
Youth of India are it's future. They should find a solution to drugs. Just say NO to drugs. When food can be grown and eaten, why should drugs be consumed?
