Rating: na Banner: Manohaar Entertainment Producer: Shekhar Kulkarni, Ajit Bhure Director: Satish Rajwade Story: Dr. Vivek Bele Lyrics: Sandeep Khare Music: Dr. Saleel Kulkarni Cast: Upendra Limaye, Anand Ingle, Pushkar Shrotri, Mukta Barve, Dr. Mohan Agashe, Vinay Apte, Deepak Karanjikar and Sudhir Gadgil. Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

In the year 2007 Dr. Vivek Bele’s Marathi comedy play ‘Makadachya Hati Champagne’ directed by Girish Joshi won many popular awards for the best Marathi play. Now, Shekhar Kulkarni and Ajit Bhure have made a Marathi film, based on this popular play. Director Satish Rajwade has tried his best to present it in a cinematic form, using all his expertise. He has however retained the original story and the popular dialogues, instead of attempting something new.The film begins almost in the style of a play, when one of the three friends (Upendra Limaye) who runs his motor garage, summons his other two friends (Anand Ingale & Pushkar Shrotri) back home, only to give them a surprise; by inviting his new girlfriend home. One of them, who is a media person, rushes home from an important assignment, by handing over the responsibility to his subordinate and the other one, who is a college professor rushes home, by asking his colleague to take the class .
Anand Ingale, Photo

The three friends have been living a bachelors’ life together in a bungalow and hence the arrival of a girl at their place, that too on an invitation of their close friend, is certainly a surprise for the remaining two friends. In comes Mukta Barve, wearing a mod dress and she impresses the other two friends. Then begins the introduction part, when she finds that all three of them are known with their pet names. But, she enjoys the humor in their names – Chaku (Upendra), Makad (Anand) and Pustak (Pushkar) respectively. So, she decides to introduce herself with her new name Pencil.

After Chaku leaves with Pencil, the other two friends have a common reason to pass comments at Chaku, suggesting that Chaku is not an ideal match for Pencil. According to them, she needed someone, who was well educated and sensible, as her life partner. When Chaku decides to celebrate the evening with a Champagne, the other two try to find out whether the girl really loved Chaku. When they find that nothing had progressed from marriage point of view, Pustak also stakes his claim for Pencil. When the situation goes out of control between Chaku and Pustak, Makad intervenes and suggests a way out. So, Chaku is given an option to propose Pencil first; so that Pustak could also make an attempt after him.

The film drags a bit with this limited content, till interval; when you find Pencil selecting Pustak as her life partner. But, their coming together, is not seen in good spirit by Makad, who uses all his manipulative overtures to instigate Chaku with his political mind. On his advice, Chaku becomes hopeful of winning the heart of Pencil back. Makad does succeed in splitting the couple; but, the climax is for a surprise.
Mukta Barve, Anand IngaleThe happenings in the life of three friends and the girl in their life, has successfully matched with the happenings at Political front, by showing the power game between two politicians (Vinay Apte and Deepak Karanjikar). The girl is compared with the public opinion, when it is noticed that the two rivals in a political party break up and later decide to join hands. The story does have something to convey to the audience; but it remains to be seen, how the movie audience would accept the same.

There isn’t much scope for music, but the background music is impressive. Director Satish rajwade has done a good job. But, he could have attempted something more. He hasn’t taken maximum liberties, as required in the cinematic format and has only tried to move with the original format. Only at two places, he used the effects well. It was to show the imagination of Chaku and the media clippings of the games played by two politicians in between the clashes among the friends. Don’t expect start to finish laughter in this film. As, it is an intelligent film, not deviating from the subject. Performances by all the artistes are good. There is equal scope for all four of them. Dr. Mohan Agashe and Sudhir Gadgil play news anchors and host of a TV channel, respectively. ‘Badam Rani Gulaam Chor’ is the kind of film for those who understand sensible cinema.