Rating: na Banner: SK Production Films & Sandesh films International. Producer:Sandeep Kelwani Director:Tejas Deoskar Music:Susmit Limaye Camera:Abhijit Abde Cast: Sandeep Kulkarni, kadambari kadam, Sarika Nilatkar Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Champions are not made by a Coach. The actual duty of a good Coach is to make a player capable of playing the game to its perfection giving 100% through his performance. The rest is up to the player or a team to use their own skills at any given situation. New Marathi film ‘Ajinkya’ produced by Sandeep Kelwani and director Tejas Deoskar, both Basketball players from Nagpur, is based on the life of a basketball Coach.

The film tries to peep into the life of a couple Anant ( Sandeep Kulkarni) and Saee ( kadambari kadam) who are in their eighth year of married life. While Sandeep, besides working in the office, is also a basketball coach; Saee is an executive in a multinational company. Both love each other, but Sandeep’s passion for the game and his keeping away from home after office hours, disturbs Saee, who feels lonely. One day, the argument hots up and Sandeep declares his involvement, due to which his team wins. “In case his team loses any game, he would quit coaching,” he declares. The team loses and Anant being adamant, decides to take a break. He even goes to the extent of taking a transfer from his office to Aurangabad, so as to keep himself away from his wife.

Sandeep Kulkari, Kadambari KadamAt the new place Aurangabad, Sandeep is unable to sit quiet during the evening hours. One day, when his former basketball colleague Bhavna( Sarika Nilatkar) from Nagpur, visits him in Aurangabad, she expresses pity on his condition and makes fun of his act of stupidity. This makes Anant think seriously over his decision. When he notices few children playing football on the deserted basketball court; he approaches them and suggests to play basketball instead. He agrees to coach them.

However, Anant’s training ideas are not easily accepted by the youngsters, as they just prefer playing this game for past time. Realising their personal problems, Sandeep decides to change his approach. When he gets a proposal from a local sports body to send their club’s team for a Competition; he finally agrees to train them but refuses to accompany the team. In the meanwhile, he remains in touch with his wife, by paying a surprise visit.

The team trained by Anant puts up a good performance, much above the expectations of the Coach. When Anant reaches the venue, we see the climax taking place, with Semi finals and final match of his team. This concluding part is not predictable, sending a timely message -‘ It’s not always about winning! to all those into sports field, especially those into coaching. It defines the new meaning of success.

Some of the scenes, related to the problems faced by the players, have been shot well by director Tejas Deoskar, including the passion for the game witnessed in Anant’s behaviour. But, he has shown the Coach as a ring master all the time. It would have been better, if he had shown him actually in some action scenes. Sandeep would have certainly obliged. One can understand about Anant’s colleague Bhavna( Sarika Nilatkar), who is shown returning back to training, few years after marriage. But, to show the lead man in action was possible. The film does not deviate from its theme from start to finish. The director has not made use of humour much through screenplay and dialogues, though there was scope for the same.

Nevertheless, looking at the sincerity in presenting this story and efforts taken to promote the game of basketball, besides delivering a message for sports lovers, ‘Ajinkya’has turned out to be a well made film. It’s almost a ‘one man show’ by actor Sandeep Kulkarni, who seemed to be totally involved into his character. The intensity with which he gets involved into his character, is to be highly appreciated. Kadambari kadam has played her part well, through perfect body language in the role of Saee, where she voices the concern of all such women facing similar situation. Sarika Nilatkar has limited scope; but it was nice to see her, after a long break. The youngsters have played their parts well. Susmit Limaye’s music is just apt for different situations. But, Abhijit Abde’s photography is good. He has shot the match sequences on huge indoor court, very well.