Ujda Chaman
- Director
- Abhishek Pathak
- Studio
- Panorama Studios
- Release Date
- 1 November 2019
- Running Time
- 120 min
- Language
- Hindi
- Country
- India
- Budget
- ₹12.00 Cr
- Box Office
- ₹12.61 Cr
Review
Ujda Chaman attempts to tackle the anxieties surrounding male baldness and societal beauty standards through the lens of romantic comedy, and while the premise shows genuine promise, the execution stumbles in places. The film follows Chaman Kohli, a thirty-year-old Hindi lecturer whose desperation to marry before his thirty-first birthday sets off a chain of misadventures—from failed attempts at wooing colleagues to a disastrous wig mishap that exposes him to ridicule. Director Abhishek Dudhaiya manages to mine some humor from these awkward situations, and there are moments where the film's heart shines through, particularly in how it sympathizes with Chaman's social insecurities rather than simply mocking them.
Where the film truly finds its footing is in the second half, when Chaman meets Apsara, a makeup artist he initially dismisses based on appearances before a hospital accident forces their families together. This unlikely pairing becomes the emotional core of the story, with the narrative gradually shifting from surface-level comedy to something more meaningful about self-acceptance. The chemistry between the leads develops organically, and the film deserves credit for eventually centering its message around the idea that worth isn't determined by how the world perceives you. However, the pacing occasionally falters, certain comedic beats feel forced, and the supporting characters remain underdeveloped, leaving some scenes feeling scattered.
While Ujda Chaman doesn't
Storyline
A 30 year balding Hindi lecturer, Chaman Kohli searches desperately for a suitable girl to marry after his family astrologer warns him that if he doesn't get married before his 31st birthday, then he'll have to spend his whole life in celibacy. He confides in his friend who also happens to be the clerk of the college. He advises him to go and search for a bridesmaid at a wedding as that’s where many relationships are formed. Chaman tries to woo a girl at his friend’s wedding but later discovers her making out with his brother Goldie. He tries to ask his colleagues out on the clerk’s advice but they also deny saying they’ve got their respective boyfriends.
Chaman tries to solve the problem by using a wig, but when his bluff is exposed, he leaves in disgust. A first year student, Aaina, comes to him and consoles him for his mockery by other students. She befriends him and hangs out with him only to get hold of the exam questions. Goldie sees Aaina and Chaman together and tells the family about them making them very happy. She later becomes very indifferent towards him and refuses to even talk. Chaman finds solace on Tinder and meets Apsara, a make up artist but oversized girl. Both of them instantly dislike each other because of their looks and the edited pictures they uploaded but agree on being friends as an excuse to leave the date. Later Chaman offers to drop Apsara and both end up having an accident. In hospital their families bond well and assume them a couple. They set their Roka ceremony much to Chaman’s chagrin, but Apsara starts falling for him. She posts their picture on Facebook which becomes a laughing stock for students who post hate comments, making Chaman really upset. He asks Apsara to delete it when she tries hard to explain to him that people will say some or the other thing but he shouldn’t react on everything and accept himself the way he is.
On their engagement, Chaman texts Apsara that he is not happy with this union and she takes the blame on
