UI Movie Review: Overdose of Ideas in Upendra’s ‘UI’
Fans had long been requesting Upendra to return to direction, and that wish has been fulfilled with the movie ‘UI.’ Released in grand style today (Dec 20), this movie, directed by Upendra, had already piqued curiosity through its songs and trailers. Here’s the review of ‘UI’:
Movie: UI
Production: G. Manoharan, Srikanth K.P.
Director: Upendra
Cast: Upendra, Reeshma Nanaiah, Ravishankar, Achyuth Kumar, Sadhu Kokila, and others.
Rating: 3/5
The word “different” has a synonym—Upendra. When everyone thinks one way, Upendra’s thoughts always stand apart. This has been proven time and again through his movies. ‘UI’ is yet another unique attempt from Upendra. Steering clear of the usual formulas of commercial cinema, he has crafted this film in his own distinct style. Rather than fictional stories, ‘UI’ focuses on real-life issues.
Upendra is no longer just an actor or director. With the concept of ‘Prajakeeya’ (people’s governance), he has stepped into politics and often speaks about societal reform. His ideas and communication style are always unconventional, and he has used this same approach in ‘UI.’ Through this film, Upendra attempts to address several issues that he believes are essential for societal change.
Previously, Upendra had created a “movie within a movie” concept in ‘A.’ In ‘UI,’ he employs a similar structure. Within this movie’s plot, another movie named ‘UI’ gets released. Only a few might grasp its meaning fully, and even critics may find it challenging to write reviews. Interestingly, the original script of ‘UI’ differs entirely from what is depicted, and as a critic explores it, the story of Kalki unfolds. This serves as a medium to bring several significant issues to light. This is the essence of ‘UI.’
Explaining the plot of ‘UI’ in just a couple of sentences is impossible because the movie is less about the story and more about ideas. Topics like inequality, caste, religion, God, corruption, right and wrong, Buddha, Basava, elections, democracy, environmental destruction, astrology, women, greed, the Kalki avatar, Satya Yuga, social media, and the mafia are all touched upon in this film. Each scene contains a new idea or concept. However, cramming all these into a single movie feels like an overdose.
The issues Upendra seeks to address are undoubtedly important. However, each of them could have been explored extensively in separate movies. Combining all of them in one film leads to a natural sense of overload. Upendra attempts to convey everything through metaphors rather than stating them directly. This might result in different interpretations for different viewers. Entertainment takes a backseat here, as the movie focuses more on provoking thought.
Also Read: Grand Release of ‘UI’: A Look at What’s in the First Half
Most of the scenes in this film appear to be set in an imaginary world, yet they need to be interpreted in the context of today’s reality. Only those with the patience to decode and interpret every scene will appreciate ‘UI.’ Otherwise, it may be hard to follow what’s happening as the story progresses.
Also Read: After ‘UI’s Release, Upendra Challenges Viewers: Will You Accept It?
Upendra plays dual roles and dominates most of the film. Actress Reeshma Nanaiah’s role is minimal and doesn’t leave much impact. Even with Sadhu Kokila in the cast, expecting humor is futile. Although Ravishankar gets some screen space, his intensity is lacking. Achyuth Kumar is limited to a small role. Technically, the film is rich, with H.C. Venu’s cinematography, Ajaneesh B. Loknath’s music, and Vijay Raj’s editing enhancing its visual and auditory appeal.
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