Rating: ★★★ ½
Studio/presenter: Ganraj Associates
Producers: Shreyas Jadhav , Neeta Jadhav
Director:  Kedar Gaikwad
Writer: Hemant Edlabadkar
Cinematographer: Kedar Gaikwad
Genres: Rom Com
Censor: U/A
Duration: 115 Min.
Cast: Siddharth Chandekar, Rutuja Shinde, Hemant Dhome, Arun Nalawade, Prasad Kamat

We find new subjects being dealt with, by our Marathi film makers. We have seen love happening through social networking sites and matrimonial sites on internet. In fact, internet has become a God for many of them. Today, some people are totally dependent on internet.  Many collegians are using their smartphones for internet and other applications offered by the phone companies. But, what if internet stops functioning? What will be the effect of it on all those who are so much addicted to it. They may go into the stage of Nomophobia, which in medical term means, the fear of being out of mobile phone contact. Latest released Marathi film ‘Online Binline’ cautions one and all about such occurrence of Nomophobia.

The film revolves around one such collegian Siddharth (Siddharth Chandekar) who is from a rich family and only son of his parents. Besides his college, he is all the time so engrossed with his ‘i-phone’ that he doesn’t find time to talk to his parents. Sometimes, he has video conferencing with his father, while in toilet, sitting on a commode . Siddharth has a girlfriend Kimaya ( Rutuja Shinde) from his college, who is also friendly with Ishwar alias Idya ( Hemant Dhome) from the same college. Ishwar lives in a hostel, as he belongs to a village, where his father owns a big house and agricultural property.

Now, when it comes to moving closer to Kimaya, Siddharth uses his internet methods, while Ishwar being street smart, always manages to please Kimaya. Their competition is witnessed by all their common friends from the college. When Siddharth fails in all his attempts, he loses hopes and is on the verge of depression, when his parents consult a doctor. A stage comes, when after being persuded by his sensible parents, he accepts his defeat. But, there is a surprise for him. What is it? It is only revealed in the climax. Actually, the film begins with the scene little before the climax, goes into the flashback and then ends with the climax.

Director Kedar Gaikwad, who is also cinematographer of this film, makes a good debut through this film. Through the story of the film penned by Hemant Edalabadkar, he has not only tried to show the consequences of the addiction to cell phones and internet; but also has given a solution, to send a timely message to youngsters and their parents. Incorporating some fun filled moments, at every stage of the film, he has tried to keep the audience involved into the screenplay. He has also used the music very well at appropriate places, so as to invite the attention of young Marathi audience, at whom the film has been targeted.

With limited content, this film produced by Shreyas Jadhav, has become a performance oriented, situation based comedy. Full marks to Siddharth Chandekar and Hemant Dhome. They were so natural, playing their respective roles. Newcomer Rutuja Shinde, who is a stage artiste from Pune, scores well. She doesn’t look like a newcomer, in any scene and has a good screen presence, though she has not been shown very glamorous. Arun Nalawade, Prasad Kamat and other artistes have provided good support. All in all, ‘Online Binline’ is a good entertaining film with a timely message.