Zee Studios and Jackpot Entertainments’ Uttar (Marathi) is the story of the bond between a mother and son.
Uma Bhalerao (Renuka Shahane) is a doting mother who has single-handedly raised her only son, Ninad (Abhinay Berde), after her husband’s untimely demise. Ninad is studying to be an engineer. He is such a loner that he doesn’t even like talking to his own mother. For a college project, he is forced to interact more with his mother. This makes Uma happy because she had always resented his aloofness. Even otherwise, Uma has only a few months to live as she is suffering from a terminal disease. What happens thereafter? Do Uma and Ninad bond well over the project? Does Ninad realise the importance of family bonding?
Kshitij Patwardhan’s story is quite nice but there’s not much newness in it. His screenplay is okay but there is no emotional quotient in the drama from the viewpoint of Ninad. This is the biggest drawback of the screenplay. Because of lack of emotions, the audience are not moved by the proceedings. Kshitij Patwardhan’s dialogues are good at places and commonplace otherwise.
Renuka Shahane shines as Uma Bhalerao. Abhinay Berde acts well as Ninad. Hruta Durgule is alright in the role of Kshipra. Nirmitee Sawant impresses in a brief special appearance as Uma’s sister, Shanta. Others are passable.
Kshitij Patwardhan’s direction is okay but keeping the narration so devoid of emotions is not right. Music (by Tejas Aditya Joshi, Aseem Anand Kurhekar and Prateek Omkar Kelkar) is fair. Kshitij Patwardhan’s lyrics are meaningful. Sarang Kulkarni’s background music is effective. Amalendu Chaudhary’s cinematography is nice. Production designing (by Nikhil Kovale and Apurva Bhagat) and art direction (by Nitin Borkar) are okay. Mayur Hardas’ editing is reasonably sharp.
On the whole, Uttar lacks in sentiments and will, therefore, not click with the public.
Released on 12-12-’25 at Metro Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by Zee Studios. Publicity: okay. Opening: so-so.
