Rating: ★★★★
Studio/presenter: Sacchi Entertainment, Raunak Bandelkar
Producer: Arti Sachin Chavan
Director: Jaypraad Desai
Dialogues: Mahesh Keluskar
Cinematographer: Devendra Golatkar
Genres: Drama
Censor: U/A
Duration: 130 Min.
Cast: Sachin Khedekar, Dr. Shriram Lagoo, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Milind Soman, Devika Daftardar, Sulabha Deshpande, Neena Kulkarni, Viju Khote, Rajesh Sharma
We all know that, these days media houses are controlled by big industrialists. Therefore, more than genuine news coverage, we find them paying more attention on advertisements and protecting the interests of their clients. Even in print media, there is lot of pressure on the genuine reporters, who are prevented from reporting the truth, which exposes politicians and industrialists. In short, media houses have become tools, at the hands of such people.
Under such circumstances, a committed journalist has no other way; but to resign from the job and work as a freelancer or starting his own blog, to voice his concern for the society. Latest released film produced by Aarti Sachin Chavan and directed by debutant Jayprad Desai shows the fight of one such committed and fearless journalist Shyam Jagdale ( Sachin Khedekar), who takes on all those involved in playing a dirty game, with the lives of innocent people, for their personal gains.
The film shows how the Politicians and media houses take the people for granted; but forget that one committed journalist can expose them, when time comes. In spite of ill health of his wife ( Devika Daftardar) , Shyam Jagdale resigns from his job from a popular newspaper group of Mumbai, when the editor warns him, not to expose the cruel plans of an industrialist, who regularly issues advertisements to their newspaper.
An ambitious industrialist Vikas Patil( Milind Soman) who is aspiring to enter active politics, with the help of an equally ambitious Tourism Minister Manikrao Bhosale ( Dilip Prabhavalkar) , a Minority leader Ali Miya Mirashi( Madhav Abhyankar) and a selfish big builder and a private TV channel owner Yashpal Chaurasia( Rajesh Sharma) chalk out a plan, to topple the existing chief Minister ( Viju Khote). They succeed in their mission. But, a veteran politician Nana Chitnis ( Dr. Shreeram Lagoo) exposes the plan of Vikas Patil , who is planning a communal violence. And, then begin the plans of the group to lure Shyam Jagdale with big offers, including his entry into politics. But, Shyam turns down all their offers, during their meeting over drinks.
Shyam starts his own blog with the name of ‘Nagrik’, which is widely read by his well wishers. How, Shyam succeeds in his mission, is all that ‘Nagrik’ shows through its gripping screenplay. The film creates a strong impact, through its content, which has hard hitting dialogues uttered by the protagonist Shyam, while interacting with all those big names in Politics. Through the characters of social activist Nilimatai( Neena Kulkarni) fighting for the rights of the workers, the director has tried to show the sincerity of committed leaders, while on the other side through the characters of Rama a former activist , a construction worker arriving from a village to the city along with his wife and two small children, he clearly shows how the rich exploit the poor for their growth. The presence of Dr.Shreeram Lagoo and Sulbha Deshpande in the film, has raised the status of this film to a higher level. Though Jayprad has used all his skills as a director, he seems to have been influenced by the style of Film maker Govind Nihalani, whom he assisted little before, he did his film making course in USA.
Besides excellent performances from all the artistes mentioned above, the film has strong substance, to inspire committed journalists, showing them the way, to live with dignity. The film is also technically well presented, with good photography, excellent sound design and suitable background music. Even two songs are picturized well, not disturbing the continuity of the story. Certainly a worth watch film for all those, who are looking for better and clean administration and non bias journalism.