BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
After redefining Indian cinema with the cult masterpiece Tumbbad, actor-producer Sohum Shah returns with another daring experiment Netflix’s Ufff Yeh Siyapaa, a wordless comedy of errors that blends humor, suspense, and absurdity in one unforgettable ride. Directed by G. Ashok and produced by Luv Ranjan, the film co-stars Nushrratt Bharuccha, Nora Fatehi, Omkar Kapoor, and Sharib Hashmi.
Sohum Shah has built his career on fearless storytelling from the one-man film Crazy to the genre-defying Tumbbad, a movie so unique that audiences are still trying to label its genre. With Ufff Yeh Siyapaa, he ventures into another rare space once explored by Kamal Haasan in Pushpak (1987) a silent film format that relies entirely on visual storytelling. Only this time, Shah and Ashok infuse it with modern chaos: murder, double roles, and a climax full of comic confusion.
Plot & Storytelling
Set in small-town Uttar Pradesh, the story follows Kesari Lal Singh (Sohum Shah), a humble employee of the electricity department whose quiet life spins out of control after his wife Pushpa (Nushrratt Bharuccha) suspects him of having an affair with their glamorous neighbor Kamini (Nora Fatehi). What begins as a harmless domestic misunderstanding soon erupts into a spiral of drug smuggling, dead bodies, and a bumbling cop (Omkar Kapoor).
Told through non-linear chapters, the film is completely devoid of dialogues, using expressive acting, sound cues, and A.R. Rahman’s stirring background score to carry the story. Yet, audiences do hear fragments of life background chatter from a television, snippets from a radio, and a few text message exchanges that cleverly fill the gaps of silence.
The film begins slowly but quickly gains momentum. At times, it moves so fast that it becomes hard to keep up yet the meticulously crafted screenplay helps tie everything together in the end. There’s a sense of intrigue and rhythm that keeps the audience glued, rewarding those who pay attention to detail.
Performances
Sohum Shah is exceptional as Kesari Lal Singh, a man torn between devotion to his wife and a fleeting fantasy for his neighbor. He masterfully balances slapstick humor with pathos, channeling the expressive genius of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, while remaining deeply grounded in Indian sensibilities. His unglamorous dance sequence with Nora Fatehi, complete with his protruding belly, is simultaneously hilarious and cringeworthy, a perfect reflection of the film’s absurd charm.
Nushrratt Bharuccha, in a standout dual role, delivers one of her finest performances to date. Having portrayed a range of characters from horror (Chhorii) to rom-coms (Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety), she now embraces full-blown comedy and excels at it. Her timing, expressions, and versatility make her performance one of the film’s strongest assets.
Nora Fatehi serves exactly the purpose she’s meant to add glamor, mischief, and allure. Omkar Kapoor and Sharib Hashmi lend spirited support, amplifying the chaos through sharp, expressive performances that speak volumes without a single word.
Music & Technical Craft
The film’s heartbeat is A.R. Rahman’s music, which replaces spoken words with pure emotion. Each track and background cue seamlessly guides the viewer’s reactions whether it’s tension, humor, or heartbreak. The gritty cinematography and lived-in set design authentically capture small-town India, grounding the surreal chaos in a believable setting.
However, the film falters slightly in technical detail; some on-screen text visuals are hard to read, overly colorful, and distracting. Similarly, a few songs feel like filler moments rather than organic extensions of the story.
What Works and What Doesn’t
Ufff Yeh Siyapaa earns full marks for its bold experimentation and confidence in silence. The concept itself is refreshing proof that Indian cinema can innovate beyond dialogue-heavy storytelling. The performances, especially from Sohum and Nushrratt, are top-notch, and the screenplay is smart enough to reward patient viewers who piece the story together visually. The film’s intrigue, pace, and A.R. Rahman’s evocative score together creates a captivating experience that’s unlike anything currently on Indian OTT platforms.
On the flip side, the film sometimes moves too fast for its own good, leaving little breathing room between major twists. Certain dream sequences and visual fillers dilute the suspense, while the climax feels rushed and overly convenient. Some technical elements like unreadable on-screen texts and some songs didn’t add much to the storytelling. Still, these are small stumbles in an otherwise daring and creative experiment.
Final Verdict
Ufff Yeh Siyapaa is not just another comedy, it’s a brave cinematic gamble that pays off in spirit and imagination. Sohum Shah once again proves he’s one of the most experimental and fearless talents in Indian cinema, capable of turning silence into storytelling gold.
Available now on Netflix, this film is for viewers who crave something different, a wordless symphony of chaos, confusion, and charm that reminds us how expressive silence can truly be.
Rating: 3.5/5 – A wild, witty, wordless wonder worth watching.
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
