Udta Teer Review: 3.5 Stars for Ayushmann’s Spy Comedy

Udta Teer knows exactly what kind of comedy it wants to be: a spy farce that leans on writing and performances rather than double meanings. The film, directed by Akash Kaushik, earns a 3.5-star rating from Hindustan Times, with a first half that rarely lets the laughs stall.

The premise is built for mischief. Ayushmann Khurrana plays Bilal, a Pakistani spy embedded in India’s counter-terrorism unit. After an accident wipes his memory, he begins working for India and starts breaking down the network he was sent to protect. Kaushik has called the film a “reverse Dhurandhar,” and that framing captures the fun: a spy story turned inside out.

A first half that knows its tone

Kaushik, making his feature directorial debut after writing the Bhool Bhulaiyaa sequels, keeps the opening hour tight. The comedy is cheeky rather than chest-thumping. One character notes that the head of the Pakistani Army never has to bow to anyone—until the President of China calls, and he drops into a bow on the spot. Another joke has a man waiting every day in an office turn out to be the Pakistani Prime Minister, and the film doesn’t make a fuss about it.

• The humour is sharp and situational, not reliant on innuendo.
• Supporting turns, from Gulshan Grover to Sandeep Anand, make absurd beats land.
• There is little on screen that feels unnecessary.

The second half changes gears

After interval, Udta Teer becomes more serious as it resolves its plot. That shift costs it some of the fizz. A romantic and patriotic song also slows the pace, and the momentum built in the first hour begins to ease. It does not derail the film, but it does make you wish the opening energy had lasted longer.

The cast commits to the madness

Ayushmann Khurrana gets the balance between confusion and comedy right as Bilal. The late Mukul Dev is equally watchable, bringing an easy sense of humour to his role. Sandeep Anand is a highlight as Bilal’s cook, while Suhail Nayyar makes the best-friend part count. Sara Ali Khan has a decent share as Bilal’s wife, and she handles it well.

Some of the film’s most enjoyable moments come from how fully everyone commits to the absurdity. Rahul Bose breaks into It’s the Time to Disco from a hospital bed while his character lies in a vegetative state, and a heart-rate monitor’s beeps are arranged into a Dharma song. The music by Sachin-Jigar, with Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyrics, supports the comedy instead of fighting it.

Why Udta Teer matters

Udta Teer is the kind of comedy that makes you want filmmakers to trust good writing more often. Its intentions are clear: to make audiences laugh without talking down to them. A sequel feels like a real possibility, and that is a sign of how much this world could still give.

Source: Hindustan Times

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#Akash Kaushik#Ayushmann Khurrana#Bollywood movie review#Sachin-Jigar#Sara Ali Khan#Spy Comedy#Udta Teer