Ulajh Movie Review : Makes for an engaging watch despite some flaws

Ulajh storyline: The film follows the journey of Suhana (Janhvi Kapoor), a young and ambitious Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer who earns a prestigious position as the youngest Deputy High Commissioner of India in the UK. Her appointment, while exciting for her, raises suspicions and eyebrows among her peers and superiors. Suhana is determined to demonstrate her capabilities and prove that her selection was based on merit rather than her illustrious family background.

Review: "Ulajh" presents a compelling spy thriller anchored by Janhvi Kapoor's portrayal of Suhana, a young diplomat eager to prove herself beyond her influential family ties. Suhana's excitement over her new office quickly becomes complicated as her father, Vanraj Bhatia (Adil Hussain), also receives a significant appointment as India's permanent representative to the UN.

Upon arriving in her London office, Suhana faces skepticism from her team, Jacob Tamang (Meiyang Chang) and Sebin Kutty (Roshan Mathew), who suspect nepotism behind her appointment. However, she finds an ally in her driver, Salim (Rajesh Tailang), who offers guidance and support. At an Indian High Commission party, Suhana meets Nakul (Gulshan Devaiah), a charming Michelin-star chef, and they quickly fall into a passionate romance.

This seemingly perfect relationship takes a dark turn when Nakul blackmails Suhana with a secretly recorded video, demanding Indian intelligence and trade secrets. Desperate to protect her father's reputation and new position, Suhana complies, only to find herself deeper in trouble. The narrative spans London, India, and Pakistan, adding layers to the intrigue and espionage.

While the story's core rests on Suhana's journey, it features a diverse cast of characters who weave in and out, contributing to the plot's twists and turns. The screenplay by Parveez Shaikh and Sudhanshu Saria maintains enough tension and surprises to keep viewers engaged, though Suhana's poor judgement regarding Nakul and the ensuing complications feel like weak points. The pacing occasionally falters, and some plot threads are left unresolved.

Janhvi Kapoor delivers one of her strongest performances to date, effectively capturing the complexity of Suhana's character. Gulshan Devaiah shines as the villain, bringing a chilling intensity to Nakul. Roshan Mathew's character arc is handled well, and he executes it with finesse. Supporting performances from Rajesh Tailang, Meiyang Chang, and Adil Hussain are solid, adding depth to the film.

The cinematography by Shreya Dube and the soundtrack by Shashwat Sachdev enhance the film's atmosphere, contributing to its overall appeal. Despite its flaws, "Ulajh" remains an engaging watch, with potential for a sequel and a promising new on-screen pairing.