Rating: ★★★ Studio/presenter:  Shree Navkar Films Producer: Veeja Haria, Pramod Lokhande Writer, Director: Rajesh Latkar Dialogues: deepak bhagwat Music: Veeshy – Neemo Director of Photography:  Shakeel Khan Editor: Mansoor Azmi Genres:  Action Censor: U/A Duration: 120 Min. Cast:  Santosh Juvekar, Prarthana Behere Movie review by:  Ulhas Shirke

For more than 60 years, Hollywood has offered hundreds of action packed films for bikers. ‘The Pace that Thrills’, ‘Easy Riders’, ‘Stone’ & ‘Biker Boyz’ are just to name a few. 10 years ago, Bollywood offered something for Bikers, through action filled ‘Dhoom’ and followed the same stunts through ‘Dhoom 2′ and ‘Dhoom3′. So, don’t be surprised, if a Marathi film maker like Rajesh Latkar offers something like ‘Biker’s Adda’, targeting at young bike lovers. Perhaps, this is the first Marathi film, about the bikers and their lifestyle.

Starring angry young man of Marathi films, Santosh Juvekar in the lead, ‘Biker’s Adda’ offers four passionate Bikers, wanting to prove themselves, by participating in Bike races. So, they form their team D5 and practice hard. Without the knowledge of their mentor Krish, they join a club, ‘Biker’s Adda’, and register their team for the race. Krish(Jay Aditya Giri) is against Vicky (Santosh Juvekar) and his friends joining this club, as he knows the main business of the owners of this place.

Soon, Vicky and his D5 team comprising of Hrishi, Salim & Abhi, prove their skills, at this place; which also helps Vicky to find a good looking girlfriend Aditi ( Prarthana Behere). But, soon they notice foul play by organizers, who are into betting, game fixing and drug business. The rest of the film is all about their fight against the bad guys and revenge against the evil doers. But, it all happens in a typical Hindi action film style, with a typical climax, where the hero always stands a winner, in spite of facing all the hurdles.

But, good thing about this film, is its presentation style, which is something new to Marathi. Watch the costumes, hair styles of the characters. They are specially created by Costume Designer Chaitrali Dongre for this film. Other plus points of this film are the action scenes by stunt directors, some of whom are themselves part of this film. The wonderful sound design and the superb photography by Shakil Khan , including aerial photography is also noteworthy.

Santosh Juvekar is at his best in this film, while Prarthana Behere has been used just as a show piece, with one song sequence. But, she looks stunning, in those few scenes. There is another actress Tanvi Parab, who plays a female biker. But, she too has limited scope. In short, this is a male dominated film, with all bikers around, seen on the screen, most of the time , either involved in street fights or racing their bikes. Model turned actor Jay Aditya Giri, has played his part well. After all, he too is a real life biker. Good support comes from Devendra Bhagat, Anirudh Harip and few others. Veteran actor Shrikant Moghe, is namesake in this film.

There is less scope for music directors Vishi and Nimo to get noticed through few songs; but they have done a good job in background music. There is not much in the story, except for passing a social message, through its action filled screenplay. Therefore, this film may not appeal to regular artistic Marathi film lovers. But, this stylish ‘Biker’s Adda’ may appeal young bikers.

Rating: ★★★ ½ Studio/presenter:Mangl Murti FIlms, Sai Pooja Entertaintment Film Producer: Amol Kale, Suresh Sawant Director: Chandrakant Kanse Action : R. P. Yadav Music: Amit Raj Director of Photography:  Aniket Khandagale Editor: Kshitija Khandagale Genres:  Action, Drama Censor: U/A Duration: 120 Min. Cast:  Makarand Deshpande, Ankush Chaudhari, Pooja Sawant, Kamlesh Sawant, Sanjay Khapre, Yatin Karyekar Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

During the period 1995-1996, ‘Dagadi Chaawl’ located in the heart of Mumbai city; was a well known place, for wrong reasons. Those days, underworld activities and street fights existed in the city, with builders and jewellers targeted, for extortion of money, for providing protection. Some of the Policemen also had nexus with Gangsters.

Set on this backdrop, producers Sangita Ahir, Amol Kale, Suresh Sawant  and director Chandrakant kanse have offered this film ‘Dagdi Chaawl’, which revolves around the place ‘Dagadi Chaawl’ located in South Central Mumbai. A so called gangster ‘Daddy'( Makarand Deshpande) living in Dagadi Chaawl, is shown spreading  his money extortion racket, with the help of his associates, headed by short tempered & dangerous Chandu Mama( Sanjay Khapre); thus posing a challenge to a  rival gang. But, almost at this time, a new strict DCP  Ashfaq Khan ( Digvijay Rathod) takes charge of this area and vows to arrest all those, involved in the extortion racket.

Suryakant ( Ankush Choudhary)  a Police Constable’s son staying in the neighbourhood area of Dagadi Chaawl, is a dashing  young man ,who works in a motor garage and  in love with a pretty girl Suman ( Pooja Sawant)living   in his chaawl.  Soon, their friendship turns into marriage, much against the wish of Girl’s parents. But, before that, one such  incident happens with Suryakant, which lands him in a situation, where, he comes face to face with ‘Daddy‘, for settling the issue.

What transpires through this meeting between the two, is the later part of the story. Director Chandrakant Kanse makes it gripping, almost on the lines of some of the Ram Gopal Verma style of films on gangsters.  Therefore, the presentation part of the film, is really good, displaying some of the sequences, to show the helplessness of a Youth, who is trapped between the obligation of  ‘Daddy’, who offers him protection and the Police Officer, trying to use him, as a witness, against the gangster. Needless to say, that finally he does, what he feels is right.

Though before the start of the film, the film maker states that it is a work fiction; the title of the film and the name of the character ‘Daddy’, clearly suggests, the name of the gangster turned politician belonging to this  place. The film has also tried to show his straight forward attitude, for delivering justice in his own court of law, to all those found guilty; with his typical judgement, stating, ‘Chukila Maafi Naahi'(There is no pardon, for a mistake).But, when he meets Suryakant for the first time, he finds the spark in his eyes and feels that he is the perfect man, to be his close associate. In Suryakant, he sees not only a fearless person, but a youngster using his brains, to get the work done. The eye to eye contact between the two, before their meeting, suggests everything, in a scene, just at the stroke of interval.

The film stands out, on the performances of the main characters played by Ankush Choudhary and Makarand Deshpande. Both of them have displayed their dexterity, with perfect understanding of their respective characters. Ankush , particularly finds a role, which should boost his confidence as hero, with two successful films, already to his credit this year. Selection of Pooja Sawant, seems a perfect choice of the director, for the role of Suman, a smart and charming middle class girl. She matches well with the tall hero Ankush, with her equally good height. Their few love scenes, have been captured well. Almost all the other characters in the film, look very realistic, including Chandu Mama ( Sanjay Khapre), Daddy’s trusted lawyer and associate ( Yatin karyekar), Suryakant’s close friend ( Sandeep Gaikwwad), Pooja’s father (Mohan Khambete) & corrupt Police constable ( Kamalesh Sawant). Though the role of DCP has been portrayed by Digvijay Rathod, it would have been better, if this role was offered to a well known artiste, to make better impact. Music has limitations in the film, except for two songs, which are good; but, background music is engaging. Photography of this film is also a delight. ‘Dagadi Chaawl’ may appeal to all those, who liked realistic action films, like ‘Satya’ & ‘Rege’.

Some consumer products are marketed so well, with attractive packaging, that a consumer is tempted to buy them. But, when they actually open the packaging, they are slightly disappointed, as the product they have purchased, doesn’t fulfill  their high expectations. Same is the case with a feature film. Many a times, the trailer of a particular film, is so appealing that the audience is tempted to watch  such a film. But, when they actually watch the film, they are left disenchanted.

This is what happens,  in the case of  new Marathi film ‘Vakratunda Mahakaya’. The film opens up well, with a terrorist group trying to create trouble in city of Mumbai, by planting a bomb in a soft toy Ganapati and leaving the same in a temple complex, with the help of a hired local terrorist ( Vijay Maurya) . But, his plan is foiled, when a little child Altaf ( Naman Jain) flees away with this toy. Director Punarvasu Naik , who has the influence of Bollywood films, being an associate of  many  known directors;  has tried to develop the story of Yogesh Joshi in his own style. He does succeed to a certain extent, to generate a lot of interest in the first half of the film; showing the ‘cat and mouse’ chase.

The director has also very skilfully, shown the soft toy passing from one person to another and finally coming back to the same child. Some of the sequences,  like the soft toy of Ganapati pouring drop by drop milk, through its  trunk and a modern female saint ( a look alike of a present day controversial God Woman) presenting the same toy, to  a minister, as a return gift;  have been presented well, to generate humour. The presence of the character of an elderly woman ( Usha Nadkarni) selling home made food products and coming across the same soft toy on repeated occasions, has also been captured well.  The veteran actress has also played her part well. But, Prarthana Behere is a waste in this film. She has been used as a married woman, having an affair with a youngster living in the neighborhood; and the latter presenting her with this soft toy, found by him on roadside bench.

There are few other popular faces seen in Marathi serials, like Pallavi Patil ( Runji fame), Rutuja Bagwe( Nanda Saukhyabhare‘ fame), Nachiket  Purnapatre (who has just joined the ‘Dil Dosti Duniyadari’ team) ; but except for Nachiket, who plays a roadside thief Paplu offering shelter to the homeless little boy Altaf, others haven’t found much scope.  Drawback of the film is that many of the dialogues in this film are in Hindi, thus losing its Marathi flavor. Director hasn’t been able to build up the other supporting characters, played by Jayant Savarkar, Usha Nadkarni, Prarthana Behere , Pallavi Patil and few others well, so as to connect them well with the happenings in the film. Perhaps, he didn’t have much scope to elaborate , in this 90 minute long film.

Nevertheless, the performance of Naman Jain, the child star, is praiseworthy.

All that the film has tried to convey,  is that Lord Ganapati is there to thwart all the plans of terrorists.  In simple words,  ‘God is Great! Ganapati Bappa Morya! ‘. But, at the end of the film, it makes you think, as to why every citizen shouldn’t be alert, about the happenings around ?.   ‘Vakratunda Mahakaya’ has therefore turned out to be an average entertaining action filled film, with its limited content.

Rating: ★★ ½
Studio/presenter: Channefl U Entertainment
Producer: Aatif, Hemant Anavakar
Director: R. Viraj
Story: Baal – Amol
Screenplay , Dialogues : Baal – Amol
Music: Prafull Karlekar
Director of Photography: Ankush Birajdar
Genres: Comedy
Censor: U/A
Duration: 120 Min.
Cast:  Bhalchandra (Bhau) Kadam, Chinmay Udgirkar, Girija Joshi, Arati Solanki, Sanjay Mohite

Charlie Chaplin once said, “All I need to make a comedy, is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl.” These were perhaps his requirements, to create situation based comedy films. But, filmmaker R. Viraj , who seems to be inspired by film maker Dada Kondke and his style of presenting the film, needed two friends Yash (Rajesh Bhosale) and Raj (Chinmay Udgirkar) , struggling to make a film, a pretty girl Supriya ( Girija Joshi) and flamboyant rich landlord Bhau Damdar ( Bhau kadam), wanting to make a film, just to flirt with the aspiring actresses.

With coming together of all these characters, the film actually takes off, half an hour after the introduction of all of them, which usually happens with all Marathi comedy films. As the screenplay of this film progresses, we find these two friends, making plans to extract money from the producer , playing all their tricks to fool him. But, when they come to know that he himself wants to play the lead character, they are in real trouble. The girl, whom Raj selects as the leading lady, turns out to be the sister of Yash; thus inviting more problems for them. So, they introduce a lady character, in the form of Chatak Chandani( Aarti Solanki) a professional tamasha artist, to lure the producer.

With this limited content, the film tries to entertain the audience, with the help of some double meaning dialogues; which are inspired by Dada Kondke films and some laughter, through few humor filled scenes. There are few songs in the film, which are just fine enough to meet the requirement of the film. It would have been better, if the last title song, which is a hit song from a video album, was included as part of the film. Best thing about the film, is its clever photography by Ankush Birajdar, who has tried to capture indoor as well as outdoor scenes, skillfully.

Director Viraj, has managed to extract good performance from versatile actor Bhau Kadam , lead actress talented Girija Joshi and other supporting artistes. But, while presenting the character of Chinmay Udgirkar, he has allowed him to imitate the style of Shahrukh Khan, more than required. One expected screenplay to be more appealing and dialogues to be original , to generate spontaneous amusement. Nevertheless, Bhau Kadam with his mere presence on the screen and Girija Joshi, with her glam looks, have tried to invite the attention of the viewers.

All in all, ‘Vaajlach Paahije! Game Ki Shinema’, offers average Entertainment.

Over the years, Marathi films have made tremendous progress in presenting their subjects with good technical support, finest locations and glamorous costumes; almost on par with big banner Hindi films. At the same time, some of our film makers were also influenced by South films and officially attempted remakes of original south films into Marathi. The best examples are, films like ‘Classmates‘, ‘Shutter‘ and ‘Time Bara Vait‘. But, only ‘Classmates’ did very good business, as it was focused on young generation, as target audience.

Now, Filmmaker Sanjay Jadhav’s latest released film ‘Tu Hi Re‘ also falls in this category. Starring Swwapnil Joshi, Sai Tamhankar & Tejaswini Pandit in the lead roles, this film is inspired by 2006 Tamil Film ‘Silunu Oru Kaadhal’. And, this has been officially declared by the filmmaker, in the credits, appearing at the end of the film.

In the beginning of the film, you find a young pretty woman Nandini (Sai Tamhankar) taking bath in a pond with beautiful surrounding . Actually, she is advertising for a popular talcum powder. A good thinking by the filmmaker. And, you soon realise that she is a typical village girl, on the lines of Bollywood films of 60s and 70s. She is more keen on love marriage; but, her parents fix her marriage with a young Engineer Siddharth (Swwapnil Joshi) son of their family friend. Soon, we come to know that it is a marriage against the wish of both these youngsters.

But, soon we see the shift , showing the same couple happily married after eight years and living with their little seven year old daughter Piyu( Mrunal Jadhav) in a posh Mumbai apartment. Looking at their behaviour, you feel as if they are just married. But, one fine day, Nandini receives a courier parcel containing some photos, revealing the past story of her husband and his so called affair with a beautiful girl Bhairavi( Tejaswini Pandit), who is the daughter of a wealthy Parliamentarian ( Dr.Girish Oak) , living in Pune. So, she verifies the facts from Siddharth’s friend( Sushant Shelar) and proceeds to Pune to meet that girl. On her return, she surprises her husband and what transpires, is what you notice in climax of this film.

With this limited story, director Sanjay Jadhav has tried to make this film interesting, with the help of good dialogues, finest locations, wonderful photography by Prasad Bhende, good music provided by the trio Pankaj Padghan, Amitraj and Shashank Powar .Though in the first half, he could not generate much interest in the screenplay, he has cleverly managed to hold his grip on the interesting happenings, which gives a different look, to this so called love triangle. All the three important artistes Swwapnil, Sai and Tejaswini have given their best. But, it is Tejaswini, who steals the show. Perhaps, for the first time, she has been used in such a glam filled role. She has not only impressed the audience with her performance; but, also with her striking looks, with those beautiful designer costumes.

There is a small drawback in this film, as care has not been taken to present the original Tamil story, to suit especially Marathi audience. Our Marathi audience will surely notice it. Nevertheless, ‘Tu Hi Re’ is a technically well presented film, almost on par with any big banner Hindi film, based on such a theme. If you have liked all the love stories of Yash Chopra, don’t miss this film, as the treatment given to the story is the same.

Rating: ★★★ ½
Studio/presenter: Aarbhat production
Producer: Vijay Waman Ganu
Director: Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni
Writer, Screenplay : Girish Pandurang Kulkarni
Music: Amit Trivedi
Director of Photography: Sudhakar Reddy
Editor: Paresh Kamdar
Genres: Road Movie, Drama
Censor: U/A
Duration: 105 Min.
Cast:  Girish Kulkarni, Huma Qureshi, Tisca Chopra, Satish Alekar, Renuka Shahane, Mukta Barve, Sunil Barve, Umesh Jagtap, Kishore Kadam, Nagraj Manjule, Vidyadhar Joshi

Over the years we have seen many ‘Road Movies’ in Hollywood and Bollywood  like ‘Something Wild’, ‘Five Easy Pieces’, Bombay To Goa’, Journey Bombay To Goa’,  ‘Road’, ‘Mr.& Mrs. Iyer’, ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Highway’ to name a few. All these movies were of  different genres.  Generally, in Road movies we expect, Auto race ,chase, adventure, horror , crime or comedy. Through a Marathi Road movie of the past, we saw Film maker Sachin Pilgaonkar presenting a Tourist Bus journey on a pilgrimage. And, it contained all the required happenings for entertaining the audience, during travel on the road.

Now, writer Girish Kulkarni and Director Umesh Kulkarni have offered a different type of entertainment, through their latest Marathi film ‘Highway- Ek Selfie Aarpaar’ which may be called a mix bag of journey. The writer and director have focussed their attention on the attitude and lifestyle of different type of people, from cross section of society; especially when they are travelling via road.

‘Highway’ begins with different people beginning their journey from Mumbai early evening, during daytime, taking different modes of transport and heading towards Pune. Among them is a couple travelling in their own car. Then, there is a TV actress, who is on her way to attend an event of a Political party in a private vehicle hired by an event manager, for the purpose. We also notice one NRI waiting at the airport for his private air conditioned vehicle to be taken to Pune to see his father for the last time. On the way, he is requested, much against his wish, to offer lift to an injured man and his wife.

Then, we also notice a Lavani performer travelling along with her aunt in a regular sharing taxi, with two co passengers. There is also a nagging wife who is a domestic servant, travelling along with her husband, who is jobless. Then, there is a woman belonging to so called high society, picking up a young masseur, to take along with her to Lonavala to massage her body. Likewise, there is a family travelling in a tempo along with their household goods, three suspicious looking people boarding a truck on their way to some unknown destination and a father travelling along with his little son in a State transport A/c bus.

All these people don’t know each other , but some of them meet each other, when the flow of traffic on the highway comes to standstill at Khandala Ghats, due to major mishap ahead. Usually, in a Road Movie, we notice happenings before the journey, during actual journey and at the end of the journey. `But, in this film, we see the film concluding during the journey break itself, as the writer and director wanted to pay attention on different characters. And, they have succeeded to a great extent. The idea of the film maker was clear. He perhaps wanted to brand this film as commercial film and hence two popular actresses from Bollywood were chosen.  They played  the roles of TV actress( Huma Qureshi)  and a rich woman (Tisca Chopra),respectively, to display their actual lifestyle. The youngster played by Shubham accompanying Tisca Chopra was to represent today’s youngsters, willing to do any  job, for good money.

Among the other characters, the character of Lavani performer played by Mukta Barve, was very natural. So, was the couple played by Sunil Barve and Vrishali Kulkarni. Both were perfect representation of a busy company manager and his demanding pregnant housewife. In the role of an event manager accompanying the TV actress, Shrikant Yadav generated  the required humour, through his Hindi mixed with Marathi, while conversing with his guest. Kishore kadam was wasted in this film, as he didn’t have to do much, except for listening to his nagging wife, played by Chaya Kadam, who had more than required scope, in this film.

Girish Kulkarni was very impressive in the role of NRI and he did well to speak Marathi with that typical foreign accent. The director however spent more than required time on Girish conversing with  Renuka Shahane, while her injured husband asleep, after taking a sedative. There is no doubt that the film maker wanted to show their emotions during conversation; but, it lasted a little longer. Instead, he could have had some more scenes, like the family in tempo serving milk less tea to stranded passengers. The film however,  concludes well, unveiling the  mystery of the bag carried by three suspicious passengers in a truck .  Good support also comes from Vidyadhar Joshi, Kishor Chougule, Mayur Khandge & others. There is not much scope for music in this film, except for background music. But, the sound design is good. Photography by Sudhakar Reddy, needs appreciation.

All in all, ‘Highway Ek Selfie Aarpaar’ is a good movie for a change, as besides a different theme in Marathi, tried for the first time, you get to see wonderful performances of all talented artistes.