Rating: ★★★ Studio: Shashi Sumit Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd. Producers: Shashi Mittal & Sumit H Mittal Writer, Director: Sanjeev Kolte Editor: Failzal, Imran Mahadik Music: Praveen Kunwar. Cast: Dr. Amol Kolhe, Sheetal Dabholkar, Sharmistha Raut, Mohan Joshi, Prafull Samant, Devendra Dodke, Dinesh kanade, Mahesh Bodas, Deepjyoti Naik & Mrunal Gawde. Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

It is a common observation to experience bad thoughts, as long as you don’t act on them. Generally, Bad thoughts keep coming, influenced by the environment and it is up to every individual to keep away from such thoughts. At the same time, Good thoughts also keep striking your mind . Acting on either of them is the choice of every individual. Latest Marathi film ‘Rangakarmi’ is about the rise and fall of a stage actor, who becomes a victim of his own thinking process.

The film cleverly communicates through two small black and white puppets, used by the actor , to express the clash of his ego with his conscience. Keshav Inamdar ( Dr. Amol Kolhe) is a struggling actor , who comes to Mumbai from his village in Maharashtra, only to become an actor. Initially, he works at back stage in a drama theatre. Being passionate about acting, he knows the dialogues of all the important characters by heart and entertains the back stage staff with his skills. His talent is noticed by a senior make-up artist Dwarkanath Kambli ( Mohan Joshi), who not only offers him shelter in his own house; but, also turns his mentor, by recommending him to play lead role of ‘karna’ in the drama on the great warrior.

Keshav, with his simplicity, not only wins the heart of Dwarkanath, but, also his daughter Minal ( Sheetal Dabholkar) and the producer Shantaram (Praful Samant). He seeks the help of Minal to improvise his clear accent, required for the plays. His talent takes him to a position, where he is required to take certain decisions about his entering the glamorous field of films. His co star Revathi (Sharmistha Raut), poisons his mind against his mentor and there comes a time, when Keshav tries to prove himself as greater than the audience. He separates from Dwarkanath and thus begins his downfall with excessive drinking. Lying on hospital bed in an emergency ward, Keshav shares his journey in this field, through flashback.

The film has an unusual subject, though it is somewhat based on the style of films like ‘Natarang’ and ‘Balgandharva’, throwing light on the real lives of a stage performer and a back stage artist . Very cleverly director Sanjeev Kolte, unfolds the journey of a young struggling actor, showing ups and downs in his life. His relationship with Senior make up artist Dwarkanath and his daughter Minal, his association with his selfish co star Revathi and his differences with his mentor.

They have been presented with perfection. But, the director has too many things to show, which results in speeding up every event in fast forward style. Instead of the patchwork of dialogues uttered by the hero, in the wing or in presence of his unit members, it would have been better, if he had made him enact the same on stage, with different get up. But, he has concluded the film very well, in the climax.

In the role of Dwarkanath, senior versatile actor Mohan Joshi has given a remarkable performance. Amol kolhe does find a suitable role to exploit his talent and he has done a wonderful job. In the role of Minal, Sheetal Dabholkar makes a good debut in Marathi films. She has played Minal with complete understanding about the character, displaying her inner feelings cleverly. Sharmistha Raut is the perfect choice for Revathi’s role and she has done a good job. Others in the character roles, have offered good support. Music by Pravin Kunvar has also played an important role, to create an environment of the 70s and 80s era. Photography is good but the art direction should have been more better.

However, looking at the sincere effort of the director to present his story and main characters, the film has turned out to be a sensible film, offering tributes to all those back stage artistes, who have served this industry with total dedication to their respective profession. More than keshav, it is the story of Dwarkanath, the make up artist, which is more touching in this film.