MMW Rating 3.0 User Rating 3.5 (4 votes) Sending

Genres:  Drama Censor: U Duration: 90 min. Studio / Presenter: lokaa Entertainment. Producer(s): Dhaval Jayantilal Gara, Aksshay Jayantilal Gara, Nishant Kaushik Director:  Sanjay Memane Writer:  Pradip Kurbah Screenplay & Dialogues: Sumitra Bhave & Sunil Sukthankar Cast:  Monal Gajjar, Rutwij Vaidya, Kishor Kadam, Sagar Karande, Sharvari Lohakare Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

There have been many films in the past, where we have seen the fight of rape victims against injustice. In most of the films we have seen the revenge taken by rape victims by taking the law into their hands. In some cases, it was like teaching a lesson to the rapists, by adopting other methods. But, in the process, even in metro cities, we have seen that it is the victim who suffers the most. How does this victim overcome this trauma even if the rapists are punished by the law ? Latest released Marathi film ‘Mann Udhaan Vaara’ directed by cinematographer turned debutant director Sanjay Memane has an answer and they have tried to focus on this important aspect.

The story of this film revolves around Sarita Devrukhkar ( Monal Gajjar) a rape victim, who is a Nurse from a middle class family. Instead of focusing on the long procedure for justice, the film presents quick justice . The main focus is on the rape victim and the mental trauma she goes through. Sarita prefers to go to her village and stay with her uncle for a change. It is at this picturesque quiet village in Konkan she discovers many things and comes across people , who are filled with love in their hearts . Watching their way of facing their own problems, she finds a solution to overcome her distress. In short, it is the process of ‘sunshine after tears’ for her.

Director Sanjay Memane has paid more attention on the dialogues which are penned by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhtankar to clearly portray each and every important character in this film, be it Binda ( Ritwij Vaidya) a young music lover from the village, who lives with his grandmother ( Uttara bavkar) and is helpful to others, Sarita’s kind hearted Uncle Bhau kaka ( Kishore Kadam) who is busy with his social commitments, a handicapped folk singer Vishnu ( Sagar karande) and his ideal house wife Chandra ( Sharvari Lohakare) , Gana Bhau ( Dr. Sharad Bhutadia) an old man, all of them living in the neighborhood of her Uncle’s house.

Very cleverly the director has shown the friendly relations developed between Sarita and Binda, but instead of unnecessarily giving it a love story angle, he has preferred to show a good understanding between them by allowing them to take their own time to take an appropriate decision about their good relationship. There are few drawbacks in the screenplay , but considering the sincere effort of the producer and director to show the way to such victims, is to be applauded.

Gujarathi actress Monal Gajjar who has already performed in some south Indian films, makes a good debut in Marathi. She perfectly fits into her character and has clearly shown distress through her facial expressions. In the role of Binda, Rutwij Vaidya shows promise. Kishore Kadam is at his best in the role of Sarita’s uncle, but it is Sagar karande who surprises the audience with his non comedy type of role, which he has done with conviction . There is no doubt that his character also derives sympathy. There are two devotional songs picturised on him. Being a Sanjay Memane film, he has obviously paid more attention on capturing the beauty of Konkan , through the camera lenses of Milind Jog. Music of the film goes well with the setting of this film.