‘VIHIR’ REVIEW
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Rating: na
Presenter: Saraswati Creations, AB Corp Limited Producers: Ramesh Pulapka, AB Corp Limited Director: Umesh Kulkarni Camera: Sudheer Palsane Story & Screenplay: Girish Kulkarni, Sati Bhave Music: Mangesh Dhakade Cast: Girish Kulkarni, Amruta Subhash, Mandar Deodhar, Renuka Daftardar, Dr. Mohan Agashe, Ashwini Giri, Jyoti Subhash, Sulbha Deshpande Movie Review by: Sandeep Hattangadi |
The much appreciated film which won laurels at many international film festivals like Berlin, Pusan, and MAMI, ‘Vihir’ is indeed a good film to watch for discerning audience.
Sameer (Mandar Deodhar) a city boy comes to meet his country folks and is delighted to meet his cousin Nachiket (Alok Rajwade) who is elder to him and they share a unique bond between them. They share their happiness and sorrows besides dreams , ambitions and family problems like their elder’s behavior, while swimming at a nearby well.
This well (Vihir), is a silent spectator to this unique growing up angst and takes an ugly turn when Nachiket drowns in it. This loss of his cousin and an early experience with death makes Sameer distraught and confused about life in general.
He can’t adjust to his new city life without his much loved brother and turns a wanderer, who goes from place to place without any real reason. Ultimately, he comes to terms with his personal tragedy.
This bitter-sweet tale is something very different from the regular fare dished out. The direction by ‘Valu’ fame Umesh Kulkarni is very sensitive and gives an autobiographical touch. His symbolic representation of the ‘well’ is very impressive. The performances by the two boys(Mandar and Alok) especially Mandar, is exemplary. His adolescent search for meaning of ‘life portrayal’ is superb.
Girish Kulkarni (who has written the story of this film) is impressive as their jolly uncle. Veteran artistes like Dr.Mohan Agashe, Jyoti Subhash, Sulbha Deshpande, lend good support. Amruta Subhash, Veena Jamkar and Renuka Daptardar are effective.
Music by Mangesh Dhakade is tuneful. The cinematography by Sudhir Palsane has already won awards for his excellent visuals of the countryside and the illuminated city.
The editor Niraj Voralia could have cut particular sequences like the boy traveling in the train and few other which are time consuming. This AB Corporation venture, certainly succeeds in keeping their banner’s reputation intact. Let’s hope they continue to support Marathi films in the future too.
Go watch it and enjoy a ‘different’ film!
Big B’s ‘Vihir’ for S.korea and London
A.B. Corp’s new Marathi film’Vihir’ marks an entry of superstar Amitabh Bachchan as a Producer of a Marathi film. Till now, Marathi films have been screened at various international festivals and have received appreciation worldwide. Now, A.B.’s ‘Vihir’ besides participating in two forthcoming international film festivals, will also have its world premiere at Pussan, South Africa on 9th October 2009.
Incidentally, ‘Vihir’ has received an invitation for participation in the international film festival in South Africa and later also at the London film festival to be held between October 15-28, 2009. Directed by Umesh Kulkarni ( ‘Valu‘ fame) with the screenplay by Girish Kulkarni and Sati Bhave, the film’s star-cast comprises ofGirish Kulkarni, Mohan Deodhar, Aloke Rajwade, Renuka Daftardar, Dr. Mohan Agashe, Jyoti Subhash, Sulbha Deshpande and Ashwini Giri.
‘Vihir’ has a very strong plot based on the lives of two brothers, that begins with an event which takes place at a very crucial stage in their life. Talking about the making of ‘Vihir’, Director Umesh Kulkarni says, “I never think seriously about class and masses, while making a film. Whatever I feel is right, I try to place it before the audience. This film will be different from ‘Valu‘, as it deals with a serious topic that raises the issue of human survival”. With the film’s release almost coinciding with Big B’s birthday, ‘Vihir’ is all set to offer him a biggest gift in the form of appreciation.
GABHRICHA PAUS REVIEW
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Rating: na
Company: Pacific Entertainment Producer: Prashant Madhusudhan Pethe Story, Director: Satish Manwar Lyricst: Dasu Cinematographer: Sudhir Palsane Music: Dattaprasad Ranade Editor: Suchitra Sathe Cast: Girish Kulkarni, Sonali Kulkarni, Jyoti Subash, Amar Attar, Veena Jamkar, Mukund Vasule, Madhukar Dhore, Rajesh More Movie Review by: Kashmira Pawaskar |
It is observed that the Rain brings the sweet smell of soil with its first showers, then it’s time to pour heavily in Ashadh; which is the actual monsoon month and then it sprays gradually during Shravan . These are the different faces of rains, which makes everyone crazy, be it a child, youth or elders. But, Rain adds a special significance to the dreams and happiness in farmer’s life, especially in Maharashtra. But, many farmers sometimes call it a ‘Damned Rain’ (Gabhricha Paus), when it pours more than required.
Incidentally, ‘Gabhricha Paus’ is the name of new marathi film released recently. Every movie has a hero and a villain and we generally witness a conflict between good and bad etc. But, this movie is totally different. It highlights only two things; the farmer and the rains. You may call it a black humour, which can be seen either in the books of late P.L. Deshpande or try to locate the same in a movie like ‘Bicycle Thief’.
Kisna (Girish Kulkarni) is a poor farmer from a village in Maharashtra, who like his counterparts is eagerly waiting for the rains, in his draught hit village which is known for suicides of farmers. The story of the film is very simple. It begins with a scene where Kisna’s farmer friend Bhaskar staying in the neighborhood, commits suicide, as he is unable to repay his loan. Kisna’s family comprising of his wife Alka (Sonali Kulkarni) , his mother(Jyoti Subhash) and son- Dinu( Aman Attar) get worried as they feel that even Kisna would attempt the same. They try there level best to keep him happy and with the screenplay filled with humorous situations the film goes on to show their lifestyle in a realistic manner
The efforts of writer-director Satish Manwar have to be appreciated, for using his skill to film such difficult and serious issues throughout the film, with a difference. The succeeding suicide of another farmer is shown with a different angle, where the surviving members of family struggle hard to claim the compensation, due to their poor condition and lack of awareness about the paper work. The small kid is shown happy collecting rupee coins thrown during the last rites before cremation. The movie doesn’t have any melodrama, as witnessed during suicides. Every frame of the film is a pleasure to watch for the wonderful cinematography by Sudhir Palsane. The background score has been cleverly used with movement of train and bus, showering of rains and with the use of FM Radio and TV etc.
In the film, the performance of the small innocent boy Dinu played by Amaan Attar is more appreciable. Girish Kulkarni and Sonali Kulkarni steal the show with their beautiful chemistry. Sonali has given full justice to her role but her make-up and costume does not go well with the character. Veena Jamkar’s performance is also very nice, as she expresses all emotions through her eyes.
The whole movie talks about ‘living under the fear of death of the near and dear ones’; which makes the audience think seriously about the grave existing situation faced by poor farmers. And, this is where the film maker delivers his message effectively. The climax is very beautifully crafted, which can place the movie at par with world cinema.