Udta Teer Review: A Spy Comedy That Dares to Be Different

How Much is Udta Teer Rating?

Inside Box Office’s Udta Teer Rating: 3/5

Udta Teer Film Budget: Rs 50 crore

Total box office: Running in Cinemas

IBO Verdict: Running in Cinemas

What Makes Udta Teer More Than Another Spy Comedy?

Directed by Aakash Kaushik in his directorial debut, Udta Teer Indian Hindi comedy film that mixes espionage, mistaken identity, patriotism and humour. Its central idea is simple enough to understand, yet unusual enough to stand apart from routine spy thrillers.

Vikrant Thapar (Ayushmann Khurrana) works with India’s Counter Terrorism Squad (CTS). However, his carefully maintained identity hides a dangerous secret: he is actually Bilal Ahmad, a Pakistani ISI sleeper agent who has infiltrated the Indian security establishment.

Things take a bizarre turn when an accident leaves him with amnesia. Believing what his colleagues and wife tell him, Vikrant begins acting like a committed Indian patriot, throwing Pakistan’s plans into disarray.

The film’s funniest contradiction is captured in the line, “Deshbhakti yaad hai, par desh nahi.” It sets up the absurdity at the heart of this story without revealing where Bilal’s confused loyalties will lead him. This makes it difficult for the audience to follow in the initial bit of the second half and may cause confusion.

Who Brings This Unusual Story to Life?

Ayushmann Khurrana anchors the film as Bilal Ahmad/Vikrant . He handles the character’s confusion, comic reactions and sudden shifts in behaviour with conviction. His performance is the film’s biggest strength, especially when the situation becomes ridiculous without losing its serious undertone.

Sara Ali Khan plays Yamini, Vikrant’s wife, whose relationship with him is already troubled. She brings an emotional side to the story, although the writing does not give her character enough depth throughout.

The supporting cast of Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan star new film adds considerable value:

• Rahul Bose as M. D. Burman: His expressions and comic timing are a highlight. Some of his funniest moments work without a single line of dialogue
• Late Mukul Dev as Azhar Maqsood: His portrayal of the militant leader adds unexpected humour, particularly through the character’s obsession with the dating app Hinder
• Suhail Nayyar as Dhruv: His suspicious nature and exchanges with Ayushmann create several entertaining moments
• Ram Kapoor and Gulshan Grover: Both lend weight to the Pakistani establishment’s internal power struggle
• Smita Tambe, Brijendra Kala, Supriya Pilgaonkar and Sandeep Anand: They support the story in their respective roles

The performances keep the film engaging even when its writing loses some direction.

What Works and What Falls Short in Udta Teer?

The biggest reason to watch Udta Teer is its willingness to move away from the usual spy-film formula. Rather than relying entirely on action and patriotic speeches, it finds comedy in mistaken identities, political absurdity and characters who cannot always trust what they know.

Our verdict for Udta Teer is: 3/5, as the film deserves credit for trying something different. Its weaknesses are real, but they do not completely undo the entertainment it delivers.

How Do Direction, Cinematography and Songs Shape the Film?

Aakash Kaushik shows a good understanding of comic situations, particularly in the first half. His debut has a clear sense of humour, and the screenplay finds entertaining ways to use the characters’ conflicting identities. The problem is not the premise but the change in direction after the interval. A tighter second half could have made the experience considerably better.

The cinematography by Harshvir Oberai gives the film an appealing visual finish. The production design and costumes also support its polished presentation while the action sequences add to the entertainment.

Sachin-Jigar’s soundtrack features five songs, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. “Choozay,” “Bhootni Ka,” “Chann,” “Jai Hind,” and the title track make up the album. The title track is catchy, while the movie’s use of familiar Hindi songs creates some of its funniest moments. The background score by Ketan Sodha complements the film’s mood.

The editing by Shivkumar V. Panicker and Prerna Saigal could have been sharper, specifically in the second half, where the story would benefit from a more straightforward approach.

When Was Udta Teer Released, and Is There Any Ban News?

Udta Teer was released theatrically on 23 October 2026. Its release date shifted twice after an initial schedule of 11 September, moving first to 9 October and then to its final date.

Udta Teer Indian Hindi comedy film, also drew attention for its release restrictions. It was banned across all six Gulf Cooperation Council nations: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. Nepal’s Central Film Censor Board also banned its screening on 16 October 2026, citing diplomatic relations with Pakistan.

For viewers following the film’s release journey, these developments are worth noting separately from its creative merits.

How Did Udta Teer Perform at the Box Office?

Udta Teer opened to a ₹4 crore nett collection on Day 1, with around 6,500 shows across theatres. Expectations had been lowered before its release, which makes this opening a fair start for the film. It gives the movie a reasonable chance to perform better in the coming days, depending on audience response and word of mouth

However, the opening is significantly lower than most Ayushmann Khurrana films. While the numbers may not be particularly strong compared with his usual openers, they are considered fair for a spy comedy of this genre. The film’s weekend performance will be key to whether it can build momentum at the box office.

Our rating: 3/5 stars. Udta Teer is an enjoyable, imperfect attempt at a different kind of spy comedy. Watch it for the performances, witty moments, and refreshing first half, but keep your expectations measured for the second half.