Rating: ★★★★ Genres: Family drama Censor: U Duration: 120 min. Studio/presenter: Gauurikaa Films, A Vichitra Nirmiti Creation Producer(s): Sheelaa Rao, Dr.Mohan Agashe Director: Sumitra Bhave, Sunil Sukhtankar Writer: Sumitra Bhave Music: Dhananjay Kharwandikar, Saket Kanetkar Cinematographer (DOP): Milind Jog Cast: Dr.Mohan Agashe, Iravati Harshe , Milind Soman , Amruta Subhash, Nachiket Purnapatre , Devika Daftardar, Ila Bhate Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

‘Where there is a will, there is a way‘. About 30 months ago, producer Dr.Mohan Agashe and the director duo of Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhtankar offered a sensible film ‘Astu‘, highlighting the concern of a daughter for her retired Father, who is suffering from Alzheimer. Unfortunately, the makers of this film could not distribute this film, for financial reasons. But, for the past two years, they received good support from the audience and lovers of such quality films. Now, with their financial support, ‘Astu‘ has been released in theatres all over Maharashtra. The film has already won several awards, including two national awards.

The story of ‘Astu‘ revolves around Dr. Chakrapani Shastri( Dr. Mohan Agashe) , a retired Sanskrit Scholar, who is suffering from Alzheimer. Though he lives separately in his own house in Pune, in the company of a student, who has come from village and a cook to prepare food for him; his daughter Ira Phatak (Irawati Harshe) and her Doctor husband ( Milind Soman) are in constantly touch with him. One day morning, when Ira picks up her father from his house, to take him to her house, she takes a halt in a market , to purchase something for her daughter. She warns her father to be seated in the car. But, after seeing an elephant , he is tempted to take a ride and goes missing, as he doesn’t remember anything, after returning back from a ride. When Ira returns to her car, she is shocked to find her father missing.

Ira calls her husband and both of them desperately go in search of her father everywhere, besides lodging a missing complaint with Police. In the meanwhile, Dr. Shastri follows the elephant, as the Mahout (Keeper of the elephant – Nachiket Purnapatre), after his day’s earnings, returns to his temporary residence, at the bank of river. Finding the old man as an unexpected guest ,the Mahout’s wife Channama( Amruta Subhash) treats him well, with food and water and showers upon him all the love, treating him like a child, after knowing about his ailment. All is well at the end, as the day comes to an end.

Director duo Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhtankar have paid more attention on making the screenplay interesting. With the help of flashbacks and using other important characters at appropriate places, such as Rahi (Devika Daftardar) second daughter of Dr.Shastri , the two children of Ira, Mrs. Gupte( Ila Bhate) who is Dr.Shastri’s colleague from his research institute& Vasumati( Shubhangi Damle)as Dr.Shastri’s wife, they have tried to generate curiosity in every scene. The director duo has also succeeded in exploiting the acting potential of every important character in the film.

Though, wonderful performances come from Dr.Agashe and Irawati Harshe,it is Amruta Subhash, in the role of Chanamma, steals the show, in those few scenes to her share. Actually, her entry in the film is very late, almost in the post interval session. But, she looks so natural through her expressive face and body language. Good support also comes from Milind Soman, Devika Daftardar, Ila Bhate & Nachiket Purnapatre, through their respective important characters.

Dialogues by Sumitra Bhave are very well written with good support also coming from background music by Sanket Kanetkar. Milind Jog has captured indoor as well as outdoor scenes very creatively through his Lens eye.

‘Astu‘ is a masterpiece from Agashe, Bhave , Sukhtankar & Co. and should not be missed by Marathi film lovers. In short, ‘Astu‘, which means ‘So, be it‘, is a must watch film for all.