Rating: na Producers: Veena Lokur And Arif Vadgama Director, Story, Dialogues: Veena Lokur Screenplay: Veena Lokur, Shamal Chavan Lyrics: Ashwini Shende Music: Nilesh Moharir Editor: Rajesh Rao Cinematographer: Suresh Deshmane Cast : Mohan Joshi, Sharad Ponkshe, Astad Kale, Prashant Patil, Shubhani Joshi & Sai Lokur Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

After achieving success through her first Marathi production ‘Mission Champion’, Film maker Veena Lokur from Belgaum has now offered one more sensible film ‘Platform'; which speaks about the Girl child abuse in India. Veena Lokur, who also makes her debut as a director through this film, has gone beyond the subject of Female foeticide to show the reality in our society, where girl child is still considered as a burden by the parents; especially in the weaker section of the society.

Through this film, Veena Lokur has launched her daughter Sai, who plays an important central role of Shivani Deshmukh, from a well to do family. Shivani, who is a final year college student, is about to find a campus recruitment and is returning home after attending a workshop; when she witness a horrifying act of parents, who just drop their two daughters into her compartment and run away, as the train leaves a platform after the halt.

Shivani (Sai Lokur) who takes the lead to hand over the girls to the Police, when she reaches her destination. But, she is deserted by all her friends. It is only her best friend Aditya (Astaad kale), who supports her and the two little girls ( aged 4 and 5 yrs) are taken to the Police station. But, at the Police station they experience the reality about the law, besides the child abuse. However, Aditya’s father (Sharad Ponkshe) being a lawyer, suggests them a way out. It looks like all roads are closed for Sai , as the parents of the missing girls cannot be traced. Shivani takes up the custoday of the two girls, much against the wish of her parents (Mohan Joshi and Veena Lokur).

When, Aditya also notices Shivani going out of the way to help the girls and getting emotionally involved in them, he too loses interest in her and leaves for US to take up a job.
He however, keeps in touch with Shivani over phone like a good friend. Shivani separates from her parents and adopts the girls. She takes good care of them, by offering good education for next 11 years. When the girls attain teenage, a particular incident in their life takes them to their past. Shivani has to reveal the true happenning. This is almost towards the climax of the film, when director Veena Lokur concludes her story with an appropriate end.

The film has a strong subject to convey, but to show the actual happening on the platform, her screenplay takes its own time. It is only little before interval, the film actually takes the momentum. To fill up the gaps in the first session, the director has taken help of music, with the inclusion of two songs. Lyricist Ashwini Shende’s fine wordings have received the composition from talented music director Nilesh Moharir.

Cinematographer Suresh Deshmane’s wonderful work is clearly visible, especially in the outdoors. His execution with different camera angles has made the job of director much easier. Being a debutant, Veena Lokur has done her best.

Newcomer Sai Lokur, who also makes her debut as an actress, looks more confident and appealing. She has performed the role of a protagonist with sincerity. Astaad kale, who also plays the leading man for the first time, is at ease and perfectly fits into that role of Aditya. Mohan Joshi and Sharad Ponkshe in the role of parents have nothing much to offer, but they have played their respective roles well. Veena Lokur is just fine in the role of sai’s mother in the film and so are the other characters of the film. The two child artistes and the grown up girls have performed their parts well. The film has already won the State Government award as one of the best films this year. But, to be eligible for international awards, it requires editing, especially in the three songs, except one background and few unwanted scenes in the first session. However, ‘Platform’ does succeed in passing a social message at the most appropriate time. This being a sincere effort from the lady film maker, it is to be appreciated.