‘Campus Katta’ offers formula of traditional entertainment
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Rating: ★★ ½
Studio / Presenter: Sharp Eye Production Producers: Prathamesh Gadwe Writer, Director: Sanjeev Kolte Cinematographyer: Jitendra Acharekar Music: Pravin Kuwar Cast: Santosh Juvekar, Namrata Gaikwad, Sheetal Dabholkar, Vikram Gokhale, Milind Shinde, Arun Nalawade, Swati Chitnis, Kishori Shahane, Rahul Dongre Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
Come election time and it’s the time for the youth of Maharashtra to come forward and fight corruption by Politicians in the society. This seems to be the motive of some of the film makers today. And, director Sanjiv Kolte is nowhere behind, in presenting such a timely subject through his latest released Marathi film ‘Campus Katta’. Set on the backdrop of a college at a district place of Maharashtra, owned by the politicians Annansaheb Gunthe Patil (Arun Nalwade) and Kolse Patil (Milind Shinde). The ultimate aim of these two politicians is to make quick money, through donations for admissions, through the few educational institutes owned by them, making profits in catering services and selling the extra land meant for recreation purpose. But, they face stiff opposition from College student’s leader Raja Shinde (Santosh Juvekar), who prefers to remain in the same college for years, fighting corruption at administrative level in the college.
Being a dynamic leader, Raja has his own followers from the college, who are always there for staging demonstrations every time, when ever there is a need to pressurise the management. He has a well wisher girl friend Rasika (Sheetal Dabholkar), who also poses as a journalist for a TV channel, besides being member of his college katta. In comes Sakhi (Namrata Gaikwad), daughter of new college principal Kochrekar (Vikram Gokhale); who also becomes a great admirer of Raja Shinde, watching his fight against injustice. As the time progresses, we see the love blossoming between Raja and Sakhi, disappointing Rasika, who is also close to Raja’s mother. But, like a good friend, she accepts Raja’s decision and remains by his side, like a loyal friend.
Raja’s methodology is not acceptable to the new principal, who feels that he is nothing but a hot headed irresponsible leader with no future. But, looking at the way the trustees putting pressure on college management, he later realises the presence of Raja in dealing with such corrupt people. But, in the process, he has to sacrifice the life of his own daughter, who marries Raja; but cannot make him happy. So, it’s a happy end after a tragic turn, in the concluding part of the film.
Instead of presenting a strong conflict, the film has just remained representative about the different characters; be it the protagonist Raja, the two corrupt selfish politicians, a straight forward college principal, a typical young villain, a so called name sake female journalist and the team of forty loyal students, always with Raja.
Except for the character of Santosh Juvekar and Vikram Gokhale, there is no force noticed in the other characters. The confrontation of Sakhi with her parents for siding Raja, sounds very unnatural, than being realistic in the screenplay. The two politicians played by Arun Nalawade and Milind Shinde are neither funny nor terrifying. Even the new villain – Rahul Dongre playing their right hand to counter Raja, looks very unimpressive, with the kind of weak role entrusted to him.
The two girls Namrata Gaikwad and Sheetal Dabholkar are just namesake, though they have few songs to their share. It is Santosh Juvekar, who dominates, throughout the film. There are other characters like Raja’s mother played by Kishori Shahane, Sakhi’s mother played by Swati Chitnis and others around. But, they have very less to their share, except for being part of emotion filled scenes. The film has failed to define the roles of certain characters, like the one who is always with Raja and whom Rasika calls ‘Sir’. Even, it is not clear, what exactly Rasika does? If she is a student of the college, what way, she is associated with a TV channel? A freelancer or a full time journalist?
Barring these lapses, the film still manages to present the subject of united fight of the youth against the corrupt education system, in director Sanjiv Kolte’s style; using lot of emotional content in this otherwise action filled film. There is good scope for music by Pravin Kunwar, using the songs at festive occasions. As a result, the film appears as an ordinary formula entertainer, filled with emotions.
‘Campus Katta’ and ‘Surajya’ to release simultaneously
Last week there was no Marathi film released. But, coming Friday two New Marathi films are being released simultaneously. ‘Campus Katta’ produced under the banner of ‘Sharp Eye productions’ is directed by ‘Rangakarmi’ fame Sanjeev Kolte; while ‘Surajya’ is directed by ‘ ‘Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’ fame Santosh Manjrekar. While Santosh Juvekar plays the protagonist in ‘Campus Katta’, newcomer Vaibhav Tatwawadi also dares to challenge the system through his lead character in ‘Surajya’. In ‘Campus Katta’ it is the fight against the existing education system, while ‘Surajya’ has shown a fight against blind faith.
Incidentally, subjects of both the films relate to the ‘change’ desired by the young generation and therefore the timing of the release of both these films is most appropriate, taking into account the ongoing parliamentary elections in the country. While ‘Campus Katta’ has a team of popular artistes like Santosh Juvekar along with Namrata Gaikwad, Sheetal Dabholkar, Milind Shinde, Vikram Gokhale, Kishori Shahane, Arun Nalawade & newcomer Rahul Dongre; ‘Surajya’ offers a new lead pair Vaibhav Tatwawadi and Mrunal Thakur with stalwarts like Sharad Ponkshe and Madhav Abhyankar in supporting cast.
‘Campus katta’s music is composed by Pravin Kunwar and cinematography by Jitendra Achrekar; while ‘Surajya’s music is by Pankaj-Padgham and cinematography by Vikram Amladi. Expectations are high from Santosh Manjrekar, having given a super hit film like ‘Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’ in the past and so are the expectations from angry young man of Marathi films-Satosh Juvekar. So, over to 18th April, to check, which film succeeds in gathering crowds in the cinema halls.
Campus Katta’ all set to release on 18th April
The angry young man of Marathi Cinema- Santosh Juvekar will be seen in action through forthcoming Marathi film – ‘Campus Katta’, which is all set to release on 18th April 2014. At a press conference held in Mumbai yesterday, director Sanjeev Kolte made this official announcement. According to the director, the film is based on social values and deals with the most relevant global issues through its script. Perhaps, the new subjects handled by Marathi films these days, has inspired the director, to choose this theme, which throws light on the corrupt system and how the students movement helps to counter it.
Instead of passing out from the college and search for his career options, te hero of the film played by Santosh Juvekar remains in the same college, to challenge the system. “Selecting Santosh as a protagonist, this is a tailor made role for Santosh. I could not think of any other person, while finalising the script.” said the director.
Alongwith santosh Juvekar, the other important artistes in the film are: Vikram Gokhale, Arun Nalawade, Milind Shinde, Namrata Gaikwad, Sheetal Dabholkar, Swati Chitins, Kishori Shahane, Manasi Maggikar and newcomer Rahul Dongre. Music by Praveen Kunwar, Cinematography by Jitendra Achrekar and choreography by Santosh Palwankar are other credits. Many popular singers like Avadhoot Gupte, Swapnil Bandodkar and others have rendered their voices for the songs in the film on the lyrics of Mandar Cholkar, meena Govind and Sanjeev Kolte himself.
‘Campus Katta’ music launched at Pune’s Shanivarwada
The city of Pune, which is known for its importance in historical events in the past. And, ‘Shaniwarvada’ is one such place, which reminds all of us of its history. Producers Gadve family and director Sanjeev Kolte had an occasion to celebrate at this venue recently. The music of their forthcoming film ‘Campus Katta’ was launched here, in presence of President of dagdusheth Halwai Trust Mr. Ashokrao Godse and popular actor-producer-director Prashant Damle, who were invited as special guests. Also present on the occasion were music director Praveen Kunwar, Avadhoot Gupte, Swapnil Bandodkar, Bela Shende,Kirti Shilledar, Anandi Joshi, Santosh Juvekar, Sheetal Dabholkar, Rahul Dongre and others.
Few compositions from this film were presented by the singers, supported by Santosh Juvekar and Avadhoot Gupte, who joined them. The film stars Vikram Gokhale, Arun nalawade, Kishori Shahane, Swati Chitnis, Santosh Juvekar, Sheetal Dabholkar, Namrata Gaikwad and newcomer Rahul Dongre. Make up by Nitin Dandekar, choreography by Prashant Naik and still photography by Pritish Upasani are other credits.
‘Campus katta’ launched with initial shooting
New Marathi film ‘Campus Katta’ produced under the banner of ‘Sharp Eye productions’ was launched recently with initial shooting schedule in Pune and its surroundings. Directed by ‘Rangakarmi’ fame Sanjeev Kolte, the film stars Santosh Juvekar along with Namrata Gaikwad, Sheetal Dabholkar, Milind Shinde, Vikram Gokhale, Kishori Shahane, Arun Nalawade & newcomer Rahul Dongre.
This film is produced by Prathamesh Gadwe, with cinematography by Jitendra Achrekar and music by Pravin Kunwar. Set on the backdrop of entry of politics into colleges, it is also a love story.