MMW Rating 4.0 User Rating 3 (1 vote) Sending

Genres:  Biopic, Drama Censor: U Duration: 134 min. Studio / Presenter: Zee Studios, Fresh Lime Films, Namah Pictures Producers: Kishor Arora, Shareen Mantri Kedia, DOP: Akash Agrawal Director: Sameer Vidwans Cast:  Lalit Prabhakar, Bhagyashree Milind (Bhagyashree Shankpal), Geetanjali Kulkarni, Kshiti Jog, Yogesh Soman, Ankita Goswami, Atharva Kulkarni Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke.

Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi  was one of the earliest Indian woman physicians in the 19th century, when India was under British rule. She was the first woman who graduated with a two-year degree in western medicine in the United States. Now, a biopic on her has been presented through latest released Marathi film ‘Anandi Gopal’. Anandibai as she was addressed by the American Medical College during the convocation, lived a very short life of 22 years. But, she inspired many young Indian women to pursue higher studies, at a time when the male dominant society did not permit their daughters to pursue higher studies . Anandi made it possible, only because of the encouragement from her husband Gopalrao, who was a reformer and served in the postal department.

The film ‘Anandi Gopal’ directed by Sameer Vidwans presents Bhagyashree Milind & Lalit Prabhakar in title roles. Though the film is based on a real story, the manner in which the screenplay and dialogues have been written, it does create a strong impact on the audience. The hurdles faced by Gopalrao from his hometown, while educating his younger wife, clearly shows how women were treated during 19th century. The film covers the period around 1880, when Yamuna who turns Anandi after her marriage to a widower Gopalrao, who believes in offering education to women.

In spite of facing the opposition from the neighbourhood and his own community, Gopalrao first sends his wife to a Christian missionary school. But, when she faces trouble there too, he decides to send her abroad for higher education. After cleverly showing the strengths of these two lead characters in the first half of the film, very systematically director Sameer Vidwans has presented the sequence of events in the second half to show Anandi’s impressive success story. There are many emotion filled scenes which touch the heart of the audience. Moreover, few important scenes are also likely to appeal the universal audience and therefore the film certainly stands a chance to find its entry from India for the prestigious Oscars.

The technical departments makes it presentable giving a realistic look to this period film, with superb cinematography by Akash Agarwal & Apoorva Shaligram. Certainly a worth watch film for all sensible film lovers.