Tag Archives: Madhu Kambikar

Larger than life ‘Balgandharva’

Balgandharva Poster
Rating: na
Presenter: Iconic Chandrakant Productions Pvt. Ltd.
Producer: Nitin Chandrakant Desai
Director: Ravi Jadhav
Story: Abhiram Bhadkamkar
Music: Kaushal Inamdar
Cinematographer: Mahesh Limaye
Cast: Subodh Bhave, Suhas Joshi, Madhu Kambikar, Kishor Kadam, Avinash Narkar, Sagar Talashikar, Anand Abhyankar, Vibhavari Deshpande, Prachiti Mhatre…
Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Some films are to be seen, some to be enjoyed, but very few films are to be sensed. Nitin Chandrakant Desai’s Biopic on ‘Balgandharva’ is one such masterpiece which is not only a tribute to the legend but is also an experience to peep into the life of the dedicated artiste of yesteryears. At a time when India was under British rule, sometime in early 19th century no females performed on stage. It was during this period that a talented artiste who was groomed since his childhood by Kirloskar Drama Group, played the roles of females and even entertained the theatre audience with his classical songs in gifted voice. Musical plays were very popular those days and the popularity of actor Narayanrao Rajhans took him to the top.But, as rightly said by Abraham Lincoln, “Avoid popularity if you would have peace.” In the life of Narayanrao, there was not much gain or peace though he touched the height of popularity. He devoted his life only for theatre. Spent lavishly on sets and costumes. Director Ravi Jadhav in his little more than 2 hour long film has tried to show how on his way to success, Narayanrao lost the support of his close associates one by one. In the process, he has depicted his strengths and weaknesses. Not many were aware of his interactions with Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, The Maharaja of Baroda Sayajirao Gaekwad, Annasaheb Kirloskar , Ram Ganesh Gadkari, Baburao Painter and V. Shantaram. From the beginning till end, the director has tried to include all those important incidences, besides having a glance at all those popular musical plays of which he was a part and the classical songs in each one of them rendered by him.

Balgandharva

What makes this movie larger than life is for creating that era of early 19th century on screen, with perfection. Just look at the costumes of every character and the superb art design, supported by suitable sound effects in the background for every important scene. Watch that scene where the businessman Laxmichand Narang a great admirer of Balgandharva, appreciating him after hearing the news that he had even performed the show even on the day of his daughter’s death. Listen to that background sound effect and it gives the feeling that he is really based in Karachi. Watching that outdoor scene when the Moneylender Pathan approaches the team of Balgandharva after the show and you actually sense the sudden arrival of a drizzle.
Marathi theatre is blessed with talented artistes and therefore the film has picked up the right people for the right roles. In the team of Balgandharva’s theatre group, we find promising youngsters like Abhijit Kelkar and Siddharth Chandekar dressed up as females, Vibhavari Deshpande playing that emotion filled role of his distressed wife, Suhas Joshi playing a typical old mother of Balgandharva belonging to that era and Kishore Kadam, Vidyadhar Joshi, Avinash Narkar, Rahul Deshpande and others as his stage associates. Greatness shown by some of the artistes like Manoj Joshi as Seth Laxmichand and Madhav Abhyankar as Pant from Bhor Province is that it did not matter for them how big was their role. Same was the case with Smita Shewale and Vishakha Subhedar . They hardly have one scene but they both were all smiles for being part of this mega film. Surprisingly the producer and art director also played that small but important character of Lokmanya Tilak, as an admirer of Balgandharva.

Three more persons who add luster to the film are Singer Anand Bhate, Music composer kaushal Inamdar and cinematographer Mahesh Limaye.

If one has to find faults, there will be very few; but looking at the sincerity of the producer and director besides the artistes it nullifies them in that effective screenplay of the film.

‘Debu’ due for release on 20th August

Debu Marathi Film

Producer Prof Shatrughna Birkad and director Nilesh Jalamkar have made a film ‘Debu’ based on the life and works of Saint Gadge Maharaj. Suitably supported by a punch line – Dev Tethechi Janava…, the film is all set for release in Maharashtra on 20th August 2010.
Popular actor Mohan Joshi plays the lead role of Debu, alongwith Madhu Kambikar, Ashwini Ekbote & Ravi Pawardhan.

Rangiberangi – promises total entertainment

Rangeeberangi

Sara Movies ‘Rangiberangi filled with all essentials of romance, comedy and drama is all set to release on Friday 11th September.  Directed by Rajendra Bade, the film stars Aniket Vishwasrao and Madhura Velankar in lead roles. While versatile actor Manoj Joshi makes his debut in Marathi films through ‘Rangiberangi, other popular Marathi actors like Pradeep Velankar, Ravindra Mahajani, Madhu Kambikar and Kiran Karmarkar will also be seen in important roles.

Rangiberangi is a tale of a young boy Ganesh ( Aniket), who much against the wish of his father moves to city from his village, as he aspires to  become rich faster. He comes and lives with his uncle( Manoj Joshi). Having been brought up in a decent culture, initially he is unable to cope up with the city lifestyle. His shrewd uncle teaches him all those tricks to walk on the fast track to earn quick money. As per his advice, he tries to impress upon a girl from a rich family( Madhura Velankar) for obvious reasons, but observing her good nature and her service to the society through social work, he becomes her great admirer, besides deeply falling in love with her.

Rangiberangi highlights the actual mind-set of today’s youngsters, clearly displaying the good and bad sides. It also shows the contrast between the village lifestyle and that of a city, but it goes on to show how the proper upbringing of a person finally helps in bonding strong relationship. The film also shows the conscience that Ganesh possesses, after reaching a particular stage, when he  confesses about his guilt to his beloved and she too forgives him with a big heart. With many more dramatic moments, the film comes with a package of total entertainment for all age groups.

 

‘MUMBAICHA DABBEWALA’ REVIEW

Bharat Jadhav
Rating: ★★
Director: Manohar Sarvankar
Writer: Pratap Gangawane
Music: Ram-Laxshiman
Singer: Usha Mangeshkar- Nandesh Upam-Sujan
Art by: Anil Vat.
Choreography: Dilip Mistry and Deepali Vichare
Cast: Bharat Jadhav, Madhu Kambikar, Kuldeep Pawar, Vijay Chavan,
Deepali Sayeed, Smita Gondkar, Vijay Gokhale, Subhash Palshikar, Jayant Wadka
Movie Review by: Vijay Kudal

Absolutely delightful movie portraying the dabbewalas of Mumbai and each aspect of their life. Though in Mumbai itself there were estimated 5,000 dabbewals and 2,00,000 customers and one six sigma certification not the rest India but Mumbai itself lacks grace in knowledge of this Dabbewala association and their work, work ethics, work culture. This movie satisfies all needs

Though fictional one but this story waves and spins through documentary aspect also, keeping tempo of events and balance of storyline.

Story starts with Normal introduction to characters like Namdeo (Bharat Jadhav) The dreamy boy and prominent dabbawala, after his father working in his same business line i.e. dabbewala owning the ‘Toli’
( company) of his mother (Madhu Kambiker) under management of his MAMA (Vijay Chavan), This simple person falls in love of Hema Lotterywali (Deepali Sayyad) Hema has own problems in life, drunken father and mobster mother, stills on his own finding way to earn money and trying to keep family bonds when her mother refuses to provide meal (Dabba) bharat gives his own tiffin and eats vadapav fro more than 6 months till accidentally Hema knows about it. He keeps that dabaa as Tajmahal, symbol of love but destiny awaits some thing more for him.

Also forming a triangle comes ani (Smita Gondkar) framing a documentary and real aspects of dabbewals ,their modus operandy and bridging this film from friction to facts The Boss (Kuldeep Pawar) is still cool in negative shade. Stealing atomic secrets whose spy actually hides CD containing atomic power plans ,where? in same tiffin box and well then routine starts (finding CD, kidnapping of heroine and climax battle)
Bharat is still green and steal hearts in his dream sequences specially when GOD vithal takes dabba from him. Newcomer Smita looks mod in glossy outfits Vijay Chavan and other makes us laugh at each pun.

Major highlight of this film is around 500 actual Mumbai dababwals are acted in it including Raghunath Medge. President of Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Supplier’s charity trust, all real life sets, shooting majorly on sundays to avoid disturbance in their work and still completed shooting in 25 days with all due research.

And yes, how many movies you have seen in which villain joins hero’s business? Glad to see such optimism.

Still some threads missing like what happened to captives of gangsters and parents of Hema. Item song of Sambhavna Seth was also boring one.

Well still it is unique movie which we better miss not.