Rating: ★★★ Studio / Presenter: Cs Films Producer: Suvarna Bandiwadekar Director: Rajendra Bandivadekar Editor: Ashish Mhatre, Apurva Motiwale Cinematographyer: Prasad Bhende Music: Nimal Kumar Cast: Aniket Vishwasrao, Girija Joshi, Ashok Samarth, Shoneel Shinde, Ajay Padhye, Jaywant Wadkar, Viju Khote, Girish Salvi, Dhanjay Mandrekar, Maushami Tondwalka, Vidhyadahar Joshi … Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

After making a sensible film like ‘Zale Mokale Aakash’ , film maker Rajendra Bandivadekar now seems to be inspired by all those aspects adopted by commercial films, which are much needed to entertain the audience and reach out to maximum people . In his latest released film ‘Dhamak’, which has been independently written and directed by him, he has presented all those sequences, required for the recipe of a typical formula film. His inspiration comes from all those Bollywood films of the past, where the hero coming to city side from a village, poses as a big Boss of a company, though he works as a office peon.

When Morya ( Aniket Vishwasrao) returns to his village, to marry his maternal uncle’s daughter, he finds his would be wife – Gauri (Girija Joshi) , too childish and trying to keep herself away from him. He also faces resistance from the local goon, who resembles ‘Shakaal’ of ‘Shaan’ and does all those acts like Gulshan Grover, be it playing his violin in the rains or targeting young girls. This villain, called Vikram dada (Shoneel Shinde) , who is the son of a politician, believes only three ‘V’s; i.e. Violin, Violence and Victory. So, Morya takes on Vikram dada and his associates one by one , with the help of his village friend Javed ( Ajay Padhye) and three other friends from his town, who come for his marriage. Till interval, he manages to win Gauri’s heart and also dares to challenge the strongman Vikram dada and his group.

But, in the post interval session, the director has another hero in his mind. So, he presents Inspector Pratap Malvankar (Aashok Samarth), who not only beats up Vikram dada in public place, but also puts him behind the bars, with all evidences against him. So, Morya takes a break and allows Inspector Malwankar to tell his story. There is also a political fight in the form of assembly elections, with Morya’ s uncle Dr. Chachad ( Mohan Joshi) fighting against the corrupt Politician and Vikram dada’s father Bhausaheb Inamdar (Vidydhar Joshi) and winning the elections. All is well at the end; but before that you witness two item numbers by Bollywood dancers Meghna Naidu and Mumaith khan, a romantic song sequence picturised on Morya and Gauri in mod looks and a long action filled fight sequence in the rains between Morya and Vikram dada.

‘Dhamak’ has thus turned out to be a typical commercial formula film, on the lines of Bollywood action films. Watch the very first sequence in the film, where Morya dreams a ‘Deewar’ scene, imagining himself in place of Amitabh Bachchan fighting all alone with a group of criminals, locking them up in their own den .There is no compromise by the film maker on budget, while shooting the glamour filled dances, stunt filled action scenes and while displaying wonderful dress designs of Girija Joshi in a dream song sequence at picturesque location. The crowd scenes and dances are well handled, with good choreography by Umesh Jadhav and excellent camera work by Prasad Bhende. Music by Nirmal Kumar is just fine.

Aniket Vishwasrao does well as Morya, playing both comedy and action well. But, in the post interval session, he literally ceases to be the hero of the film. His role is taken over by Ashok Samarth, who has his own story to narrate, while displaying his well shaped body & walking style, besides narrating his plans to trap Vikram dada. Girija Joshi has good scope to display her acting skills, as a typical innocent village girl, in the first session of the film. But, in the post interval session, she looks more glamorous, with her changed appearance, especially in the dream song sequence with Aniket. Mohan Joshi as Dr. Chachad and Morya’s maternal uncle, does a good job, like a versatile actor. He gets good support from Uma Sardeshmukh, who plays his wife in the film.

Bad man Shoneel Shinde has got ample scope to display his muscles, but the Hindi theatre artist who makes his debut in Marathi, finds less scope to display his acting potential. Most of the time, he is at the receiving end, being beaten up either by Morya or Inspector Malvankar. So, it is Ashok Samarth, who finds a good scope in post interval session. He seemed to be favourite of the director, for the manner in which he has been projected, in this film, with a lot of soft corner towards his character. Jaywant Wadkar, Viju Khote, Girish Salvi, Dhanjay Mandrekar, Maushami Tondwalkar and others offer good support. Vidhyadahar Joshi arrives almost towards the concluding part of the film, to display his typical style of a selfish politician. But, Ajay Padhye, playing a Muslim youth and a family friend of Chachads, invites attention with his notable performance in this film.

‘Dhamak’ has served a typical Bollywood recipe for the masses. It is certainly not the kind of film to receive appreciation from critics. One can understand the desperation of the film maker, to make such a commercial film, only to receive recognition, after attempting a sensible film like ‘Zale Mokale Aaakash’ last year and going unnoticed. Not a bad idea, Mr. Bandivadekar. But, we expect a better film from you next time. Not a Bollywood formula, again.