Rating: na Presenter: Outreach Motion Picture Pvt. Ltd. Producer: Golden Dreams Production House, Sandeep Kadam and Sachin Kadam Director: Amit Abhyankar Story: Sameer Joshi Music: Dr. Saleel Kulkarni Camera: Rajesh Khale Cast: Nandu Madhav, Chinmay Sant, Madhura Welankar-Satam, Santosh Juvekar, Asmita Joglekar, Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Roti, Kapada and Makaan are three basic necessities of millions of people living in remote villages of this country. One such village selected by film maker Amit Abhyankar is village Mhalunge in a remote place in Maharashtra. Through his film ‘Jana Gana Mana’ he has tried to send across a strong message to the people about the existing corrupt system and how even a dedicated teacher of a small school in this village is not spared from giving a bribe to the education Inspector of his Taluka.

‘Jana Gana Mana’ also tries to explain how important is education these days to the children of rural poor. Today, many children in these areas attend school, because they are served free meals. Fase Pardhi is one such tribe found at such remote places, who have been deprived of such basic needs, beyond which they have no dreams. The film’s story revolves around one such family of Dagadu ( Santosh Juvekar), his wife ( Madhura Velankar Satam) and his two kids Katu and Babli (Chinmay Sant & Asmita Joglekar).

The focus is however on the importance of education and therefore we find Mr. Sontakke (Nandu Madhav) a dedicated teacher posted to this village to run this small school comprising of about a dozen students. To impress upon the visiting Education Inspector on the independence day, Mr. Sontakke sincerely plans a programme and a parade spending from his own pocket. But, during his one such visit to Taluka office, he learns from the office clerk that he has to pay for it and also entertain the Inspector to get his transfer to a place, where he can stay with his family.

Having seen the lack of interest among the students from the present school, Mr. Sontakke does all that to get his transfer order. But, on his return, he finds the change among the students, especially Katu, in whom he notices change , in spite of his poor background. The film ends with a positive note, showing the teacher tearing off his transfer order and deciding to stay back in the village.

‘Jana Gana Mana’ represents the real rural India with perfect presentation of characters.
After his memorable performance in ‘Harischandrachi Factory’, Nandu Madhav finds one more chance and the versatile actor has come out with another superb performance in that central character of a school teacher. Santosh Juvekar as Dagadu is a perfect choice, being an angry young man into wrong business. And, he has done his part well. Madhura Velankar Satam finds a better role of a typical tribal woman, who works hard to run her house, besides managing her two kids. With dark make up and costumes suited to her character, she looks more truthful. Watch her body language, when she dares to intercept the school teacher to scold him and while doing the first aid for her injured kid. Indeed, Madhura has given her best. The kids too have done well; but Chimay Sant impresses the most in the role of Katu.

The film has successfully managed to convey what the film maker had in mind. With ideal locations, good cinematography and excellent sound effects, the film looks more realistic. Screenplay and dialogues are well written to create that preferred impact. The limited music is pleasant. Those in the supporting roles have offered good support in their respective roles. ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is a timely film, which should inspire the teachers at remote places as well as the students studying in villages. The film is an eye opener.