Rating: ★★★ ½ Studio: Vrindavan Films Entertainment Producer: Vilasrao Waghmode Director: Aatmaram Dharne Music: Rohan Pradhan Cinematography: Nandkumar Patil Cast: Swapnil Joshi, Girija Joshi, Arun Nalawade, Vidhyadhar Joashi, Uday Tikekar, Annapurna Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Govinda and Ganapati are two such festivals in Maharashtra, which are now days becoming more political than cultural festivals. The shrewd politicians are exploiting the sentiments of enthusiastic youth, luring them with their money power to earn political mileage for themselves. Set on the backdrop of this theme, new Marathi film ‘Govinda’ exposes the motives of one such politician who is more keen on making his own progress in political circle at the cost of the lives of thousands of Govindas, who take risks to rise to maximum heights by forming human pyramids , to win the attractive cash prizes.
Rajan Mayekar ( Swapnil Joshi) is one such dynamic youngster, who is the son of a honest but suspended Police officer( Uday Tikekar); who has been fixed by the builder turned politician Hitesh Gosavi ( Vidyadhar Joshi) , popularly known as Mama. Rajan and his group of friends who are taking lead during Govinda and Ganapati festival in their locality; are lured by the cash prize of Rs. 1 Crore offered by Mama to break the dahi handi.

Rajan has a girlfriend Shravani ( Girija Joshi) living in the neighbourhood; but her father (Arun Nalavade) and Rajan’s father are enemies, always fighting over small issues. Instead of preparing for his MPSC exams, as desired by his father and girl friend; Rajan is more keen on event management. He does not believe in following the path of his father, who has suffered because of his honesty. So, to become richer through fast track, he tries to impress Mama, who is also keen on redeveloping his colony.

However, the shrewd politician, has other plans. When Rajan comes to know the truth about Mama using him for his personal gain and having falsely implicated his father; he dares to challenge him. But, Mama plays all his tricks, only to silence his voice. Finally, after recovering from his leg injury, suffered while breaking Mama’s Hundi, Rajan prepares hard for his examination and becomes strong enough to teach a lesson to the Politician.

The film deals with a subject, which is so relevant to make the youngsters understand how these politicians are using them for their personal gain, at the cost of their lives. The film clearly hints at the non availability of safety requirements at the site of such prize Money Govinda competitions. It also clearly shows how the Politicians manage media support for their publicity. In one of the scenes, it is clearly shown as to how big water cannons are used to break the pyramids of the team, which is about to break the Hundi. And last but not the least; where from the money comes during Govinda sponsorship ?

‘Govinda’ certainly delivers a timely message at the most appropriate time when the festival season is just on the way; but, some of the scenes have been wrapped up in the screenplay, e.g. like the sudden cancellation of Shravani’s marriage to a boy from Kuwait, followed by quick understanding between Rajan’s and Shravani’s parents. Even the climax scene showing Rajan achieving a powerful position in a short period and getting Mama arrested with his property raided, looks more like a typical formula film style. But, looking at the sincere effort put in by the film maker, in doing a good study about the commercialisation of this popular festival, the film has turned out to be a fairly good presentation .

Swapnil Joshi is now a popular hero of Marathi films. Through his performance in ‘Govinda’ , he has proved that he can pull the success of a film at his own strength. He is certainly a very good actor, who performs every character he plays through his heart and playing this role of Rajan Mayekar with full commitment, is the best example. Swapnil’s fans shouldn’t miss this film. Girija Joshi looks impressive as his co star and has given good support. Considering her character from a typical Middle class family, the director has not glamorized her character.

For both Swapnil and Girija, the director has used light make up, to make them look more natural. Arun Nalawade and Uday Tikekar offer a good support; but Vidyadhar Joshi impresses more, as the perfect villain in Marathi film industry. All the youngsters in the group of Swapnil, have performed very well. Some of them are new faces. Dialogues of the film by Arwind Jagtap are well written. Music by Rohan Pradhan is fine; but, he has impressed more with his background music. Naddkumar Patil’s cinematography has captured the Dahi handi and action scenes and song sequences very well. In short, ‘Govinda’ entertains with a timely message.