Rating: ★★★ Studio: Everest Entertainment, White Swan Producer: Puja Chhabria Director: Chandrakant Kulkarni Music: Ashok Patki, Mangesh Dhakde Cinematography: Rajan Kothari Cast: Sachin Khedekar, Ashwini Bhave, Mahesh Manjrekar, Pushkar Shrotri, Anand Ingle, Hrishikesh Joshi, Sunil Tawade, Bharat Ganeshpure Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Never humiliate anyone with your pride or ego. Time comes, when you learn through your own mistake, however powerful person you are. This is what director Chandrakant Kulkarni’s new film ‘Aajcha Diwas Majha’ tries to suggest, through a happening in the life of a Chief Minister of Maharashtra, who has just returned from Delhi, managing his position, in spite of facing opposition from his own ministry.

It so happens that one evening CM(Sachin Khedekar) along with his wife(Ashwini Bhave) attend the wedding in the family of chief justice, where the Governor of the state, an arch rival of CM is also present. CM deliberately arrives late, almost at the time, when Governor is about to leave. He confronts with him in presence of his wife. Later when the chief justice introduces him to dignitaries present at the function; he notices one of them not standing up to greet him. When the chief justice is about to introduce this special guest who is a classical singer; the chief minister humiliates him and suggests to the chief justice about his rude behaviour. But, when the chief justice tells him that the singer is blind; he repents his mistake.

The minister becomes restless and feels ashamed of himself for his behaviour in public. He leaves the function hurriedly and on reaching home, sends his Personal Secretary P.D. Shinde ( Rishikesh Joshi) back to the function to find out, what way he could help the singer. When he comes to know that the singer has sent an application in the form of reminder to allot a flat from CM’s special quota for artistes, he orders to reopen his previous application made eight years ago, during other CM’s regime.

The entire department of Housing is summoned to Mantralaya that late evening, so as to issue the keys of the flat to the singer next day morning. The Housing Secretary Mr. Rahmatpurkar ( Mahesh Manjrekar) , who is an IAS officer, is initially reluctant to attend to such a request; but, he cannot say anything when CM speaks to him personally. Then we see all the concerned people at the deputy secretary level, assistants and the steno/ typists at work during that night.

The film throws light on the personal life and problems of an IAS officer, working as Secretary at Mantralaya, the Personal Secretaries to Ministers and the other important staff; who are 24 hours at the service of CM. In the climax scene, we find the shrewd CM, taking his own decision, realising the game played by the IAS officer, while allotting the flat from his quota to the singer.

The film has limited theme; but director Chandrakant Kulkarni has very cleverly generated interest in the screenplay, whether it is thought provoking confrontation between CM and the Governor, or between CM and the chief Secretary and also the rivalry between CM and the Industry Minister from his own cabinet. There is one dialogue which is uttered by CM to the Governor, who is also seeking power, “That Governor is the best, who governs the least.”This is all we have been experiencing in every state of India. But, the treatment given to the political based script of this film is different.

In the role of CM, Sachin Khedekar has proved that he is a versatile actor. Ashwini Bhave has played his wife’s role confidently, paying more attention on her perfect rural accent. Mahesh Manjrekar, playing the IAS cadre Secretary, looks a perfect match for this role. He finds an opportunity to display his frustration, when he encounters his own daughter( Poorva Pawar) rejecting the proposal of IAS fresher and expresses her desire to marry someone with strong political background. In the roles of other officers from Mantralaya, talented Pushkar Shrotri and Anand Ingale have played their parts very well. But, it is Rishikesh Joshi, in the role of CM’s Personal Secretary, steals the show. He has expressed his emotions very well, especially when he regrets his inability to return home that night, to greet his son, who has passed the Board exams with 92%.

Others in the supporting cast look very realistic. Music has limited scope in this film; but the classical song picturised on the blind Singer is good. Dialogues are well written with perfect sound and editing work. In short, ‘Aajcha Diwas Majha’ is the clash of Ego with conscience, when the person holding the highest post in Maharashtra Politics, realises his mistake and tries to recompense, going out of his way.The film is a tribute to Cinematographer late Rajan kothari, who has left his memories with his excellent photography in this film.