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’.