Rating: ★★½ Genres: Drama Censor: U Duration: 130 min. Studio/presenter: Mekbrand, Video Palace Producer(s): Komal Unawane Director: Kamal Nathani, Amol Shetge Music: Gaurav Dagaonkar Writer: Amol Shetge Cinematographer (DOP): Roopang Acharya Cast: Amruta Khanvilkar, Neha Mahajan, Sachit Patil, Gashmeer Mahajani, Shashank Ketkar, Roger D’Costa, Asha Shelar Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

We have heard about the progress of Marathi films going global, with their unique subjects, through international film festivals. Now days, even some of the Marathi film award functions are held abroad. So, there isn’t big surprise, if any Marathi film is shot on a big cruise, offering something new to the audience. In the recent past, we have seen some Marathi films shot in Mauritius, Bangkok and so on. Latest released Marathi film ‘One Way Ticket‘ produced by Komal Unawane, presented by Video Palace and directed by Kamal Nathani & Amol Shetge has exactly tried this experiment, covering some parts of Europe on a cruise.

So, the film begins with a smart young man Samar Raj( Sachit Patil) who introduces himself as photographer, narrating the tale of Aniket to the audience, with the help of his charming young assistant Urvashi( Neha Mahajan) . Then, we actually see Aniket ( Shashank Ketkar) from Chinchwad, Pune, pleading before his mother to fulfil his desire of proceeding to Genoa , Italy on a job assignment and asking for Rs. 5 Lakhs, to transfer the same to a recruiting agency. Mother( Asha Shelar) sells her ornaments and land to raise the amount to help accomplish her beloved son’s dream. Aniket does land in Italy, but comes to know that he has been cheated. With no money with him, the writer of this film, shows him the way. Aniket travels back on the passport in the name of Aditya Rane( Gashmeer Mahajani) and also his money presuming that he is dead.

On the cruise, he comes across Shivani ( Amruta Khanvilkar) who is in search of her boyfriend Aditya Rane. On the same cruise, he meets Samar Raj and Urvashi. Soon, the news of Aditya Rane’s identity as a gangster and his death is released on television news and dejected Shivani later finds a good friend in Aniket. At the stroke of interval, one more elderly person identifying himself as D’costa joins the group and the film’s story takes a turn. But, the writer director could not carry the story further, as skilfully as they did in the pre interval session and wind up the plot hurriedly in a predictable manner.

‘One Way Ticket’ thus fails to deliver in the post interval session, what it promised in the first half. And therefore, this less than two hour long film fails to capture the audience in the later half . The film however scores on account of its good cinematography Rupang Acharya, who has captured the limited exposure of Europe skilfully, including the scenes on the deck of the huge ship. Background music of Troy Arif is also appealing, especially in the first half. The music is just fine. There are also some flaws noticed in the film. But, the performances of all the artistes are really good.

Those who haven’t tried a voyage on a big ship, may feel, as if they are also taken for a ride along with the young team of this film. Some of the scenes in few cities of Europe have also been captured well, with limited scope. But, there is something missing in this film, which the shrewd audience notice, as the film comes to an end. Film’s promo was very appealing. But then, All that glitters, is not Gold. The film has turned out to be just a casual pass time for a change.