Rating: na Producers: Atul Kamble and Avadhut Gupte Director: Avadhoot Gupte Music: Nilesh Moharir Cinematography: Rahul Jadhav Cast: Abhijit Khandkekar, Prarthana Behere, Vikram Gokhale, Punit Issar, Shuhangi Latkar, Priyadarshan Jadhav, Varun Vij, Monika Dabade, Ganesh Mayekar and Manreet Kaur. Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

We have seen many Bollywood films using Punjabi tadka in their productions, which has resulted in offering a hit recipe to Hindi film lovers. Now, Avadhoot Gupte has played the same trick in his latest released film ‘Jai Maharashtra Dhaba Bathinda’ which has gone the DDLJ way. The film’s one liner tells you the story of a well to do Maharashtrian youngster, who goes all the way to Punjab to open a Dhaba, serving Maharashtrian food; only to accept the challenge thrown by a Punjabi hotelier in Maharashtra.
Having found the necessary ingredients for his recipe, the director has cooked up his screenplay in such a way that he could offer a taste with a difference to our traditional Marathi audience. The film revolves around a young man Sayaji Nimbalkar( Abhijeet Khandkekar) from Pune, who opens a Dhaba in Punjab and serves traditional Maharashtrian preparations.
He successfully celebrates 1st anniversary of his Dhaba, when he comes across a Punjabi Girl Jas( Prarthana Behere), who comes from Maharashtra, to attend wedding of her cousin.

Sayaji, not only faces hurdles in his business from his Punjabi competitor in the neighborhood; but also in his love. The screenplay of the film does raise doubts in your mind, about the behaviour of the lead characters, with the progress of events; as certain scenes shown in flashback does confuse the audience. Everything becomes clear only in the climax, when Sayaji arrives with Jas in Pune; though some hints are given through few dialogues.
Director Avadhoot Gupte has used his skills well, to surprise the audience at the stroke of interval and during the concluding part of the film. But, what makes the film more appealing, is Rahul Jadhav’s excellent cinematography. Very intelligently, he has captured the fields of Punjab and other locations to get that real feel of small Punjab township. Even his aerial photography is so good that it reminds you of any Yash Chopra film, particularly DDLJ.
The choice of two television stars making their debut in lead roles in this Marathi film, was a right decision of the film maker; as both these artistes have given their best. Prathana Behere, the ‘Pavitra Rishta’ girl, looks stunning in many close up scenes. She has expressed very well, to match with many scenes, which kept the audience guessing her real identity. Playing the male lead, Abhijit Kahandkekar scores with his acting skills; though some of his action scenes are not convincing.
Vikram Gokhale plays his part with conviction, using his past experience to dominate those few scenes, he has to his share. But, Priyadarshan Jadhav is an attention grabber. Using all his skills of past stage performances, he has played the young Marathi speaking Sardar from Punjab very effectively. It is because of his presence, the film has offered light entertainment through his perfect body language. In the supporting cast Punit Issar, Shubhangi Latkar, Priyadharshan Jadhav, Varun Vij, Monika Dabade, Ganesh Mayekar, Manrit Kour have done a good job.
Music by Nilesh Mohrir is pleasing, in every situation based song played in the film. The film does pass a social message besides inspiring today’s Marathi youth to accept challenges in life to set up their own business anywhere in India. To fulfill the requirement of wholesome entertainment, ‘Jai Maharashtra Dhaba Bathinda’ has used Punjabi tadka for a Marathi recipe very well.