Rating: na Banner: Devisha Films Producer: Abhijit Gholap Director: Girish Mohite Story: Aniruddha Potdar Screenplay: Anirudha Potdar, Sanjay Pawar Music: Ajay – Atul Cast: Subodh Bhave, Makarand Anaspure, Jitendra Joshi, Meeta Savarkar, Kuldeep Pawar, Hrishikesh Joshi, Tejashree Khele Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

At a time, when we understand that our prime Minister is likely to announce free mobile sets to all those living below poverty line in this country; the release of latest Marathi film ‘Bharatiya’ is very timely, for the Government to rethink about their controversial decision. The film is produced by Abhijit Gholap( the maker of ‘Deool’) who won the national award last year. Now, his new film ‘Bharatiya’ sends across a strong message to the Central government, for their apathy to understand the real problems of rural poor, at the grass root level.

As we all know, some of the villages in India, do not have water, electricity and other amenities essential for living. How can earnings of Rs. 32 a day by a person, be treated as above poverty line? Can a PM himself live in a village and manage his day within this amount? There are no toilets for these people, but, there are mobiles. Why the villages on the borders of two states receive ill treatment ? Are they treated as Indians? What if they revolt against the system ? All such relevant issues are raised by this sensible film.

Directed by Girish Mohite, the film is set on the backdrop of a small village located on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It talks about the neglect by two state Governments towards this village called Adnida. When time comes to prove the property rights of a family, it is observed that the village is neither under the jurisdiction of Maharashtra nor Karnataka. The issue is flared up, as a foreign returned youngster, who is in search of his ancestral rights over a property, raises his voice against the attitude of both the state Governments and central Government towards the village.
A Gypsy who is a fortune teller( Makarand Anaspure) , who wanders along with his Bull from village to village, is familiar with the miserable condition of this village. He predicts that a young man around 30, would come to this village and there will be a change with revolution. Soon, we find Abhay Sarpotdar ( Subodh Bhave) a protagonist in this film, coming to this village to trace the existence of his ancestral house in the village.

He finds that the Village head, Mr. Sarpotdar( Dr. Mohan Agashe) with his family and young daughter Sugandha( Meeta Savarkar) have occupied the big house claiming that it belongs to his ancestors. He claims the rights of the property, since living there for several years. On the suggestion of his daughter, he however allows the young man to stay in their house, till he proves his legal right over the property. Abhay moves from pillar to post with the help of village talathi to acquire the 7/12 ownership document. But, he finds that the village is neither in the jurisdiction of Maharashtra nor Karnataka. Even the respective states politicians refuse to offer any help, realizing that the village does not come under their constituency.

Taking the Head of the village and aspiring opposition politician Lote Patil ( Kuldeep Pawar) into confidence; Abhay plans a move to invite the attention of the Central Government. In the meanwhile, he traces a hidden treasure in the basement of the house, which is under lock and key for ages. Looking at the attitude of Government to give recognition to their village, Abhay goes on to declare Adnida as a separate country and appoints Sr. Sarpotdar as the Caretaker President, till the constitution is drafted. The issue flares up with the Central Government sending para military forces and seals the borders of the village. Media arrives and it becomes an international news, to invite the attention of the UN. Abhay plays his cards well, to bow down the prime Minister’s office for talks with them at their village. How he succeeds in his mission, the film’s climax is an answer.

Director Girish Mohite has handled this sensible script and screenplay of Aniruddha Potdar very well, with the help of humour filled dialogues of Sanjay Pawar, to make this film entertaining besides passing a strong timely message to the Government. In the role of a wandering fortune teller, Makarand Anaspure plays the Narrator. He very well suits in that role. As a protagonist, Subodh Bhave the lead hero has given a remarkable performance. He is simply superb in the climax scene. Meeta Savarkar( playing the Village head’s daughter) has limited scope, but her pairing with the hero goes well. Playing two rival opponents, both Dr. Mohan Agashe and Kuldeep Pawar are very impressive. Jitendra Joshi playing the role of Shripati(Kuldeep Pawar’s son) has timed very well with his comedy scenes with his father and others. Tejashree Khele, playing the daughter of the only Grocery shop owner in the village, plays the typical village girl with ease, displaying her skills well.

The other artistes comprising of Ujwala Jog (as Lote Patil’s wife), Shubhangi Latkar ( as hero’s mother), Sushant Shelar as Politician, Hrishikesh Joshi as Village Talathi, Pradeep Velankar as CM of Maharashtra, Manoj Joshi as Prime Minister , Suhas Shirsat and the producer Abhijit Gholap playing (as PMO’s representative in the last scene) have supported well, displaying good team work. In the post interval session, the film goes almost on a mockery of the existing system and therefore, the incidences like Cell phone jamming, the hero declaring aid from a neighboring country etc. could be taken in a lighter sense. Ajay Atul’s music is good, with one song by Kunal Ganjawala, in post interval session, inviting special attention. Lyrics by Guru Thakur and Sandeep Khare are well written to suit the screenplay. The film is a good attempt to offer wholesome entertainment with a strong timely message.