Ungli
DIRECTOR: Rensil D Silva
CAST: Sanjay Dutt, Emraan Hashmi, Randeep Hooda, Kangana Ranaut, Arunoday Singh
CLASSIFICATION: 10 – 12 PGV
RUNNING TIME: 115 minutes
RATING : ***
ONE of the contemporary writers in Hindi cinema, Rensil D Silva, disappoints with a precarious attempt at political story writing with the message-driven Ungli.
Plot: Four young professionals (Abhay, Gautam, Kalim and Maya) avenge the death of their gym trainer Ricky (Arunoday Singh) by becoming vigilantes. These friends are ordinary citizens of the country by day who turn the tables against injustice at night.
The public has named them “Ungli Gang”, because of their brave stance against the justice system. With police inspector Ashok Kale (Dutt) hot on their trail, the gang are obliged to prove that they are not criminals, but common people with good intentions to eradicate the injustices in society.
Verdict: While failing to provoke serious thought, Silva also fails to fully exhibit his ambitions within an unstable structure. Taking inspiration from film-makers like Mani Rathnam and Rakeysh Mehra, this ensemble drama loses its message through careless direction.
Ungli is plagued by inconsistencies between the character development and their challenges. While most parts hold a degree of interest, the maker is unable to sustain it due to a shortage of fresh material. The climax is particularly disappointing as the subject matter takes a back seat for a more political revelation. The inclusion of action sequences is unnecessary and far from exciting.
While the movie offers more substance in content and performance than recent films, it is self-destructive in taking the convenient route with a conventional solution to its issues.
Dutt’s commanding presence is complemented by the fierce histrionics of his capable co-stars Hashmi and Hooda. Their simplistic performances keep the film engrossing even as the interest fades during the latter portions.
Ranaut and Singh provide worthy supporting performances.
Recommendation: It is best categorised as a political drama with sugar-coated treatment. Mostly appealing to Bollywood purists.
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