Rating: ★★★ Studio / Presenter: Chanakya Creations, K4 Enterprises Producers: Anjali Thatte-Gawde, Nilesh Gawde Director: Sachin Deo Writer: Sachin Darekar Director of Photography: Raja Satankar Music Director: Amitraaj Cast: Manva Naik, Smita Tambe, Tejaswini Pandit, Sayali Sahastrabuddhe, Nilesh Diwekar, Ashish Kulkarni, Ashish Patode, Chandrakant Lokare Movie Review by: Keerti Kadam

In everyone’s life there’s a woman, in the form of a mother, sister, friend, wife. But, sadly enough even in 21st century she becomes a victim of abuse, not only in India but worldwide. Every woman has been gifted by god with a special sense, to distinguish the intention of look and touch of the opposite sex, e.g. touch of love, blessing, affection, and also lust. ‘Candle March’, presented by Chanakya Creations, in association with K4 Enterprises and produced by Anjali & Nilesh Gawde, has handled the subject of sexual exploitation, rape in an effective way.

Sachin Darekar’s story is about the incidents of rapes happening around us. He has used real life incidents like Jalgaon Sex scandal, Delhi gangrape, Shakti mills rape case, in the story to create an impact. Shabana (Smita Tambe) is a woman leading her life in a shanty, with her children and an irritable husband (Nilesh Diwekar), whose passion is booze and beating his wife at the slightest provocation. Vidhya (Manasi Naik) is a journalist working for a TV channel, who faces sexual exploitation at every step in her career from her immediate boss. Anurata (Tejaswini Pandit), a professor of Marathi literature in a college, who accidentally happens to save a gang raped victim. She is a scarred victim in Jalgaon sex scandal. Sakhi (Sayali Sahasrabuddhe) a young collegian, who is a rape victim of an acid attack. The story unfolds through these four protagonists, fighting their individual battles of sexual abuse and all four stories get intermingled in an effective way, for a collective fight against sexual harassment and unrest.

Director, Sachin Deo raises hopes right from the first frame of the movie (a dark black screen and baritone voice of Nana Patekar) and manages to hold on to keep the viewers interested in his sincere storytelling. Though the subject is ‘dark’, serious, he, without indulging in titillation, presents the subject without any gimmicks. Very beautifully he has managed to blend the scenes by ending of one scene turning beginning of the next, with splice. In this woman dominated film of four female performers, the Screenplay is so compact that eaTejaswini Pandit, Actressch scene says something and moves on without lingering even for seconds. Dialogues, which are immensely realistic, is the heart of this movie, speaking volumes in a few words. Music (Amitraaj) and Lyrics (Mandar Cholkar) are the soul of this movie and songs do almost 15-20 scenes worth talking in a hard hitting way, except for a romantic number. Background music is an icing on cake, as it lifts the film to another level. Fabulous use of ‘Aalaaps’ depicting pain, passion, plight, torment, sorrow & a variety of emotions, add value to the scenes.

Manava Naik does justice to her role. Sayali Sahasrabuddhe gets better in second half. Smita Tambe impresses with her instinctive expressive face. Superb underplay and tremendous mental strength on a frail frame characterisation is a big plus from Tejaswini Pandit. In a crowded female cast two actors, who leave their mark impressively, are Nilesh Diwekar and Rajendra Shisatkar (as Inspector). Editing, make-up, costume departments too make their presence felt. And Nana Patekar’s opening lines are a treat to experience.