Movie: Hrudayantar Rating: ★★★1/2 Genres: Family Drama Censor: U Duration: 130 min. Studio: T Series, Young Berry Entertainment, TOAH Entertainment Producer(s): Imtiaz Khatri, Vikram Phadnis, Purvesh Sarnaik Writer, Director: Vikram Phadnis Cinematography (DOP): Dilshad V.A. (Pipi) Cast: : Mukta Barve, Subodh Bhave, Trushnika Shinde, Nishtha Vaidya, Sonali Khare Anand, Meena Naik, Mehera Acharia, Amit Khedekar, Maniesh Paul, Hrithik Roshan Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Marathi films are bringing in the desired change, as far the presentation of serious and thought provoking subjects are concerned. It all began with ‘Shwaas‘ and recently we saw a film ‘Braveheart‘ handling a serious subject with a timely message. Latest released Marathi film which is a debut film for Bollywood fashion designer turned director Vikram Phadnis, offers one more serious subject in an artistic way.

‘Hrudayantar‘ is actually an emotional drama, which revolves around a well off couple Shekhar and Samaira Joshi( Subodh Bhave & Mukta Barve) married for over 12 years and now preparing for separation. The reason is simple, as workaholic Shekhar a successful hotelier, cannot find time for his wife Samaira, who in spite of being a working woman, also manages household matters skillfully. She also gives much required time and affection to her two little daughters Nitya and Nysha (Trushnika Shinde & Nishtha Vaidya). Dancing becomes a passion for 10 year old Nitya, while Nysha excels in athletics. The girls get all luxuries in life, but are witness to the verbal fights between their parents most of the time.

As the couple is all set for a break up, their elder daughter Nitya is diagnosed with a serious ailment and this puts her near and dear ones into turmoil. But, through this period, the family learns the importance of real family bonding. ‘Hrudayantar‘ is certainly not an entertaining film, but is a serious story very well given a cinematic form, to give a realistic look. Both Subodh Bhave and Mukta Barve are at their best, as expected. Interestingly, Mukta also plays the narrator of this film. But, talented child artiste Trushnika Shinde, steals the show with her spontaneous expressions in all important scenes especially in the post interval session.

Good support comes from another child artiste Nishtha Vaidya, apart from other senior artistes like Meena Naik, Sonali Khare & Ameet Khedekar. Other Popular artistes like Atul Parchure, Vishakha Subhedar, Amol Bavdekar, Shiamak Davar , Manish Paul and above all popular Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan are seen in cameo roles. Dr. Namjoshi, in whose CritiCare Hospital in Juhu, the film has been shot, also makes a special appearance.

Wonderful cinematography by Dilshad V.A and superb background music by Praful Karlekar give a polished look to this film. Well written dialogues by Rohini Ninawe for every situation catch the attention of the audience. Vikram Phadnis direction on debut is also worth appreciating, though he could have made  ‘Hrudayantar‘ film more interesting. He has however shot the most important emotion filled scenes very cleverly, including that of Hrithik Roshan, without making the actor utter a singles dialogue.

Sensitive audience is sure to shed tears during most of the scenes, in the concluding part of this film. All in all, ‘Hrudayantar‘ is an artistically presented film, which needs sensible audience to appreciate. The film is surely in the race to win popular awards for the year 2017.