Udta Teer takes the familiar ingredients of a patriotic spy thriller and gives them a comic spin. A spoof of the espionage genre, the film also works as a parody of sorts of Dhurandhar, turning its elaborate undercover operations, nationalistic fervour and deadly agents into the stuff of comedy. It is a welcome change from the usual spy films, which often take themselves far too seriously.
The story revolves around Bilal Ahmad (Ayushmann Khurrana), a Pakistani spy sent to India on a mission. When an operation goes awry, Bilal suffers a head injury and loses his memory. He wakes up believing that he is Vikrant, an Indian counter-terrorism officer. Convinced that his duty is to protect the country, he turns against the very people he once worked for. His former associates are left bewildered as he begins hunting Pakistani agents, unaware of his own past. Meanwhile, his relationship with Yamini (Sara Ali Khan), who works in India’s defence establishment, takes an unexpected turn. What follows is a series of increasingly absurd situations as the two sides struggle to make sense of Bilal’s confused identity.
The film’s biggest strength is its willingness to poke fun at the conventions of spy cinema. The larger-than-life agents, secret operations, double-crosses and patriotic declarations are all fair game. The humour also extends to the India-Pakistan rivalry. The potshots at Pakistan are delivered in a light-hearted spirit rather than through aggressive jingoism. The film celebrates patriotism without insisting that every moment must be solemn or chest-thumping.
The first half crackles with comedy. Writer-director Aakash Kaushik finds plenty of opportunities to turn familiar spy-film situations on their head, while the dialogue and misunderstandings keep the proceedings lively. The makers also take playful digs at their own cinematic legacy. Dharma Productions gets an opportunity to spoof some of its films and songs, adding an extra layer of fun for viewers familiar with the studio’s filmography.
Ayushmann Khurrana is in excellent form. His comic timing is impeccable, and he handles Bilal’s transformation into an unwitting Indian patriot with just the right mix of conviction and bewilderment. He understands the absurdity of the situation without overplaying it. Suhail Nayyar, as Dhruv, his friend and colleague, provides able company. Their interactions add to the film’s comic energy.
Rahul Bose is another major asset. Playing M. D. Burman, he finds himself at the receiving end of a generous helping of physical humour. The film puts him through an assortment of ridiculous situations, and Bose commits to the silliness with admirable enthusiasm. His performance is among the more entertaining aspects of the film.
Sara Ali Khan has a relatively limited role. She gets a couple of songs and a few emotional scenes, but the narrative does not give her as much scope as it does Ayushmann. The supporting cast, including Gulshan Grover, Ram Kapoor, Brijendra Kala, Raghubir Yadav, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Smita Tambe and Sandeep Anand, also contribute to the film’s comic texture. Late Mukul Dev makes an impression as the terrorist Azhar Mehmood who loves dating apps.
The problem, however, is that the film gradually loses some of its comic momentum. The second half introduces too many twists and turns, shifting the emphasis towards suspense, intrigue and the mechanics of the spy thriller. The plotting becomes more serious just when the film should ideally be building on the irreverence that makes its first half so enjoyable. Some of these developments may work as thriller elements, but they dilute the comedy.
At its best, Udta Teer is an entertaining send-up of the spy-film genre, with Ayushmann leading the charge and Rahul Bose providing plenty of laughs. It could have been tighter in the second half, but its light-hearted approach to patriotism and its willingness to laugh at familiar cinematic tropes make it a refreshing change of pace.
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