U-Turn is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language supernatural thriller film directed by Arif Khan, written by Parvez Sheikh and Radhika Anand starring Alaya F, Priyanshu Painyuli, Aashim Gulati, Manu Rishi, and Rajesh Sharma in key roles.[2] It is produced by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor.[3][4] It is an official remake of the 2016 Kannada film U Turn.[5][6] This 2023 film is the seventh Indian-language remake of the Kannada original.[7]
| U-Turn | |
|---|---|
 Release Poster | |
| Directed by | Arif Khan |
| Written by | Parvez Sheikh Radhika Anand |
| Story by | Pawan Kumar |
| Based on | U Turn by Pawan Kumar |
| Produced by | Shobha Kapoor Ekta Kapoor |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Anubhav Bansal |
| Music by | Score: Ketan Sodha Songs: Jeet Gannguli Arko Pravo Mukherjee Sundeep Gosswami |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | ZEE5 |
Release date |
|
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹15 Crore |
Plot edit
The film revolves around motorists who move concrete blocks from the divider to take a U-turn, which causes several accidents. It charts the story of a news intern named Radhika, who ends up being a primary suspect in a series of murders while working on a news story. [11]
Cast edit
- Alaya F as Radhika Bakshi[12]
- Priyanshu Painyuli as Arjun Sinha[13]
- Aashim Gulati as Aditya Iyer
- Manu Rishi as Indarjeet Singh Dhillon
- Rajesh Sharma as HSP Saxena
- Sahil Takhi
- Shreedhar Dubey
- Apoorva Suman
- Tariq Mir
- Priyanka Arya
- Grusha Kapoor as Radhika's mother
- Tasveer Kamil
- Japuji Kaur
Soundtrack edit
| U Turn | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Jeet Gannguli, Arko Pravo Mukherjee and Sundeep Gosswami | |
| Released | 17 April 2023[14] |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Length | 21:27 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Label | Zee Music Company |
| Official audio | |
| U Turn - Full Album on YouTube | |
The music for the film is composed by Jeet Gannguli, Arko Pravo Mukherjee, and Sundeep Gosswami. Lyrics are written by Kumaar, Rashmi Virag, Sundeep Gosswami & Kanchhan Srivas.[14]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(S) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sajna" | Kumaar | Jeet Gannguli | Raj Barman | 2:40 |
| 2. | "Raasta" | Rashmi Virag | Arko Pravo Mukherjee | Asit Tripathi | 4:12 |
| 3. | "Sab Adhura" | Sundeep Gosswami & Kanchhan Srivas | Sundeep Gosswami | Sundeep Gosswami | 3:30 |
| 4. | "Sajna (female)" | Kumaar | Jeet Gannguli | Prateeksha | 2:41 |
| 5. | "Raaste (female)" | Rashmi Virag | Arko Pravo Mukherjee | Prateeksha | 4.12 |
| 6. | "Raaste (reprise)" | Rashmi Virag | Arko Pravo Mukherjee | Raj Barman | 4.12 |
| Total length: | 21:27 | ||||
Production edit
The shoot of the film started in July 2021 in Chandigarh.[15] The film was wrapped by end of January 2022.[16]
Marketing edit
The trailer for the film was launched on April 13, 2023.[17][18] Soon after the trailer launch, lead actress Alaya F stated that the film is an adaptation of the U Turn (2016 film) and not a remake.[19] Director Arif Khan also called it an "inspiration" rather than a remake.[20] He added while the plot of the Hindi film is similar to the Kannada film, the stories are different.[21]
Reception edit
Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV rated the film 2 stars out of 5 and wrote "the film makes an ill-advised U-turn in its final act."[22]
Shubhra Gupta for The Indian Express rated the movie 1.5 star out of 5 and wrote "Even those who haven’t seen the Kannada film will find this one choppy: the source material is tight and twisty, so why make unnecessary changes in the remake?"[23]
Reviewing for Rediff.com, Deepa Gahlot felt the film bizarre and wrote "There are long sequences of a wide-eyed Radhika being terrorised in her apartment, but then the explanation for it all is completely bizarre and far-fetched."[24]
Gopinath Rajendran for The Hindu wrote "Remakes might feel like safer bets but they come with unique challenges that have to be handled well for the new product to stand on its own. But for reasons unknown, Hindi cinema has been on a remaking spree and in most cases, this hasn’t worked in their favour."[25]
Pinkvilla praised the supernatural-thriller film U-Turn, with special mention for Alaya F's performance. According to Jogani, the film was concise, efficient, and highly engaging. The narrative's pacing held the audience's attention throughout, with strong performances from the entire cast. Overall, U-Turn is a must-watch for those who appreciate gripping storytelling and exceptional acting.[26]
On April 28, 2023, Hindustan Times published a review of the movie which received positive feedback from Monika Kukreja. Kukreja specifically highlighted Alaya F's performance as a journalist who delved into the dangers of a hazardous road.[27]
Prakriti Bhat of Mens XP wrote "You’ll watch the film for the plot but the performances will stay with you even after the film is over".[28]
Simran Srivastav of Jagran wrote "Alaya F as Radhika Bakshi gives an earnest performance in the film but does not get enough chance to show off her acting chops. Priyanshu Painyuli is convincing as Senior Inspector Arjun Sinha and complements Alaya on the screen very well".[29]
A critic from Scroll.in wrote "The Hindi remake, written by Parvez Sheikh and Radhika Anand, makes a few welcome changes to the source material. Routinely performed and staged, U-Turn bumbles along on its gimmicky premise and the promise of smart twists at judiciously placed intervals".[30]
References edit
- ^ "Alaya F starrer U-Turn to release directly on ZEE5 on April 28". Bollywood Hungama. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "U-Turn on its way". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Alaya F bags lead role in Ekta Kapoor's U Turn, will play a journalist in the thriller". Hindustan Times. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Ekta Kapoor ropes in Alaya F for Hindi remake of Kannada film U-Turn". India Today. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Ekta Kapoor to produce Hindi remake of thriller 'U-Turn'; project - starring Alaya F - to go on floors tomorrow". The Economic Times. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ "Hindi remake of Samantha's U-Turn opts for a direct OTT release". 123Telgu.com. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Kannada mystry-thriller U Turn to get its 7th remake in Hindi language?". ZoomTelevision. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Alaya F's thriller U-Turn gets OTT release date". The Indian Express. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ "v". The Print. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Alaya F's U-Turn to release on OTT, check when and where to watch the supernatural thriller". The Economic Times. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "'U-Turn' Trailer Shows Alaya F As Prime Murder Suspect In A Supernatural Thriller Film". Koimoi.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Pandemic has changed the industry, says Alaya F". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Exclusive! U Turn actor Priyanshu Painyuli: Picking the right project is important for growth". OTTPlay. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ a b "U Turn – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". JioSaavn. 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Alaya F shoots for U Turn remake in Chandigarh". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Alaya F wraps up shoot for 'U-Turn'". The New Indian Express. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Alaya F unveils 'U-Turn' official trailer, film to stream from this date". The Times of India. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "U-Turn trailer: Alaya F is a journalist accused of murder in supernatural thriller, fans ask 'why another remake'". DNA India. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Alaya F says that U-Turn is an adaptation and not a remake". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Exclusive! "This movie U Turn is completely different from the South version" director Arif Khan". TellyChakkar.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "'U-Turn' director Arif Khan: The plot is the same, but our story is different". Mid-Day.com. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ Chatterjee, Saibal (29 April 2023). "U-Turn Review: The Hindi Remake Shows Clear Signs Of Overkill". NDTV. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Gupta, Shubhra (28 April 2023). "U Turn movie review: This remake is flat and dull". The Indian Express. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Gahlot, Deepa (28 April 2023). "U Turn Review: Bizarre!". Rediff.com. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Rajendran, Gopinath (28 April 2023). "'U-Turn' movie review: Yet another insipid remake of a South Indian film". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ "U-Turn Movie Review: Alaya F led supernatural-thriller is crisp, compact and compelling". PINKVILLA. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ "U-Turn movie review: Alaya F steals the show in this thriller almost ruined by jumpscares and weak script". Hindustan Times. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ "Alaya F's U-Turn Proves That Some Remakes Of South Films Can Be Better Than The Original". www.mensxp.com. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ "U-Turn Review: Alaya F And Manu Rishi Chadha Shine In This Horror-Thriller Marred By Weak Plot". English Jagran. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ Scroll Staff (28 April 2023). "'U-Turn' review: A passable thriller about crime and divine punishment". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
