Movie Review: ‘Udaan’ And The Cycle Of Generational Trauma

It has mentions of child abuse, physical abuse, toxic families and trauma.

Introduction 

“After a moment, he calmed enough to see how his anger was a separate thing inside him, a dingy, surprise gift from his father”

- Maggie Stiefvater, The Dream Thieves

Bravado does not look like a parent proving authority and demanding respect from those who cannot reject it. It looks like grown up children deciding to not raise more future abusers and unlearn their trauma. 

‘Udaan’ discusses the process and impact of abuse from parents, the freedom in resistance and the hardship of unlearning one's childhood. 

Theme of Abusive Relationships 

Udaan showcases children in abusive households who grow up unwanted and shunned, finding flaws in themselves. Rohan intentionally rebels against his abusive father just to show he can. His actions, indifference, and  fears stem out of anger towards his father. 

Being away from him shields him from the physical trauma, makes him taste rebellion, solace and chosen families. However after being forced to return he feels abandoned after meeting his half brother. Even at his breaking point his only complaint is facing the consequences of his fathers traumatic upbringing. 

Plot ( Spoiler Alert! ) 

Instead of succumbing to a strict attitude and compliance cloaked as respect, he questions and resists authority. The movie explores the impact of abuse on children. Rohan’s half brother Arjun becomes victim to horrific physical and psychological abuse. 

He refuses to speak and blames himself for it, happening in the first place, tip-toeing in life through hopes of not angering “sir”. Rohan starts seeing a distorted reflection of himself in Arjun.

Had he not escaped from “sir” earlier he would have ended up the same- sad, quiet, submissive and distant. There are parallels drawn between the two throughout the movie. 

In one of the scenes both get reprimanded by the authorities for being late because of their father. However, only Rohan retaliates which results in physical violence. Life without his father taught him rebellion but Arjun is not there yet. 

And haunting thought comes to mind “ what would Arjun become if he continues to live with his father ?” 

Analyzing the Abusive Father - Bhairav Singh 

Rohan and Arjun were problems for Bhairav Singh, the one who manipulated authority to belittle them and project his flaws. There is an underlying commentary on how different people deal with unpacked trauma. 

On one hand Bhairav Singh internally acknowledges not knowing how to be a father and thrives off being feared. On the other hand Bhairav’s brother Jimmy saves Rohan sees the errors in Bhairav and  perhaps refuses to let generational trauma go on. 

He tries to justify his brother but gives up after realizing that the abuser only sees power and submission instead of empathy and love. 

Big Step of Ending Toxicity and Fighting for Righteousness 

After being abandoned by his father for the ninth time Rohan decides to leave. Not only for himself but also for Arjun. He rebels against the idea of respect and staying to fix people and leaves, arguably the toughest part of his being in a toxic environment. 

His wings of rebellion, like those of Icarus, come at a cost of a bloody mouth, a wounded brother, some ashy poetry and a thrashed car. But they also come with returns of old listeners, freedom, a story, and brotherhood. 

Just like fallen the Icarus named a sea the fallen rebels also pave the path. Here Rohan leaves to build a new and a better life for Arjun, leaving ‘sir’ to fend for himself.   

Rohan may not be the Hero in a traditional sense. But every child who takes the pain to break the cycle and unlearn saves the world a bit more. In rejecting the cage, worshipping nothing but the odds and not raising yet another Bhairav Singh, we save the world in a bigger sense by saving ourselves.

My rating for the movie - 5/5

Written By - Manika Gupta

Edited By - Pavas Shrigyan