Rajshri productions, known for its multigenerational family entertainers , are back after 6 years ( Prem Ratan Dhan Payo being the last) with a heartwarming tale which makes you cry and laugh at the same time, amidst in a completely non Rajshri template. So what you get here is a completely outdoor experience exploring the Everest , three ageing legends, and a screenplay fraught with dozes of emotions wrapped in a inconsistent storyline which is engaging in most parts. Its a refreshing change from the stapled canvas of a typical Barjatya Film which talks about familial issues that a typical parents face today, but never resorts in blame game. It also beautifully touches different dimensions of friendship, their problems and how a relationship can be nurtured in a caring way.

Three elderly friends in their 70s decide to embark on a tough expedition to scale Mount Everest to honour the memory of their late friend Bhupen ( Danny). Bhupen’s last wish was to trek the Himalayas as his heart lied in the Everest, and his coterie of friends – celebrated author Amit (Amitabh Bachchan), business man Javed (Boman Irani) and small book store owner Om (Anupam Kher) — decide to get going on this herculean task of scaling the heights of the Everest.

The premise is simple, as it has been with all Rajshri films. The initial reels of the film establishes the background of the all the three friends one by one and then they coalesce into the big birthday bash of their dear friend Bhupen, who is filled with life and laughter. Once his demise happens, the film eventually turns into a road trip between the three friends who despite their ill health, decide to embark on the Everest journey. Unaware of their actual motive, they are also accompanied by Javed’s caring wife Shabina (Neena Gupta) and a surprise co-traveller Mala (Sarika). The first half is dedicated to their road trip which begins from Delhi and traverses through Agra -Kanpur-Lucknow-Gorakhpur and finally ends at Kathmandu, and its filled with some hilarious and warm moments. The camaraderie between the leads is infectious, and the makers mine out several moments which will choke you with emotions. This portions also score because of the rational lens the makers take towards certain immutable issues of today including parental discord with children and family conflicts . There is one scene in specific between a despondent Anupam and consoling Bachchan near Gorakhpur ganges which will melt your heart. Its the second half of the film where the film dips, and stretches, and the pace slackens. The Everest expedition, while breathtakingly shot, becomes extremely dramatic and loopholes start to emerge. Personal stories which not tied to the central concept unravels and focus becomes too much on melodramatic. The cathartic moments of the first half gets diluted with some overtly dramatic moments.

What keeps the film afloat and highly watchable though are the absorbing performances from the entire cast. The terrific trio of Bachchan, Kher and Boman deliver what they do the best – supreme acting. Their bonhomie is real, and they match up to their levels with crackling and warm acts. Bachchan in particular is in sublime form, with a character arc spanning from insta hungry author to a loner suffering from Alzheimer’s. He is outstanding in emotional portions and is a true testimony to his superstardom. Anupam Kher plays a grumpy character with elan, and is brilliant , especially in the scenes where he visits his ancestral home in Gorakhpur. Boman plays it cool as the businessman and balances it beautifully with light moments . Neena Gupta lights up the screen whenever she comes, and her banter with Boman is a delight to watch . Sarika shines after a hiatus, and Parineeti Chopra does justice to her cameo appearance though her character sketch could have been well outlined. Danny , in a cameo role, will warm your heart and one really wonders why he is not seen on the big screen so often.

A muddled film is elevated to an engaging fare primarily due to the performances of the veterans, but Uunchai scores due to its revitalizing story telling from a production house which has always stuck to the tried and tested. Despite not being a perfect film, Uunchai will touch your hearts due to the relatability of characters and situations which you can easily identify with. I am going with 3 out of 5 for Rajshri’s Uunchai, currently running in theatres. Just go and enjoy the friendship between Om, Amit and Javed – it is bound to string your hearts.