Uunchai

If you are a movie buff, yet not someone who enjoys the whole process of physically going to a theatre and watching a movie, then the OTT space is a godsend for you. Almost all movies now premiere on the OTT space a few weeks or months after their theatrical release and if you don't want mind waiting, then you can enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of your home. The latest to join the list of OTT releases is Uunchai that premieres tomorrow. Anupam Kher to star in Vivek Agnihotri's 'The Vaccine War' Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, on Monday, announced his 534th film 'The Vaccine War.' Directed by Sooraj Barjatya, Uunchai is the story of three friends in their 60s who decide to travel to the Everest Base camp to honour their deceased friend. Given their age, the expedition turns out to be more dangerous than expected, bringing to fore unknown fears and hidden phobias. The slice of life drama stars Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Where to watch: ZEE5 recently took to its Twitter handle to share an announcement of the OTT date. The tweet read, "Brace yourselves for the most adventurous start of the year with the most loved family entertainer. Watch #Uunchai and re-discover the bond of friendship like never before! Premieres 6th Jan".

However, once the film continues to progress, it’s tough to miss the experiment Barjatya is conducting with what constitutes ‘family’. Uunchai is the story of four friends, Amit ( aakhri iccha (last wish) gesture. Earlier Barjatya films often focused on nuclear families and the interdependence between each family member. This interdependence and proximity was often treated as a catalyst for the protagonists’ happily ever after (he literally has an immensely successful film titled Hum Saath-Saath Hain). This common thread is missing, or rather twisted, in Uunchai. While the film is all about camaraderie and a fighting spirit aided by the presence of one’s closest allies, it also touches on the importance of solitude, showcasing that some battles are best fought alone. Despite the level of danger, the location the film is set in is breathtaking and deserves an equally competent treatment. Cinematographer Manoj Kumar Khatoi paints the entire landscape on screen with enough wide angle shots to fill a tank while shifting to close ups when tensions rise. They’re both predictable moves cinematically and threaten to become exposition heavy but the line is tread carefully for the most part. The first half of the film, when it comes to colour, is quintessential Sooraj Barjatya - there is every shade of blue, yellow, and the staple Rajshri Production hues of red. But as the second half rolls in, the palette shifts to whites and somber blues, indicating a comfortable tone-shift for th...