Rating: na Presenter: Big Cinemas Producer: Dr. Dilip Sarwate Director: Gauri Karekar Sarwate Script, Screenplay, Dialogues: Madhvi Kunte, Gauri KarekarSarwate Camera: Saleel Sahastrabuddhe Music: Awadhoot Gupte Cast: Hrishita Bhatt, Ravindra Mankani, Anjali Kusre, Umesh Kamat, Lalan Sarang, Ashalata Wabgoakar, Vandana Gupte, Madhurani Gokhale, Seema Deshmukh, Madhav Abhyankar, Omkar Karve, Late Vihang Nayak Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Marathi films are going global. And, who says that our Indian films are short of good subjects? Here is our own Marathi film ‘Mani Mangalsutra’ based on an original true story written by Late Advocate Supriya Sarwate , which goes on to define the perfect man and woman relationship, which is more out of affection and caring for each other rather than just limiting it to sexual relationship. Young Film maker Gauri Karekar Sarwate was so much inspired by this unusual story written by her late mother-in-law, that she decided to make a film on this true story.
The film opens up with the leading lady of the film Savitri (Hrishita Bhatt) in her 50 plus welcoming young Shantanu (Umesh Kamat ) and his girl friend Swati (Anjali Kusre) at her house. The boy has lived in her neighborhood for a long time since his childhood and has come to see her after completing his higher education. He is so much impressed with the successful live in relationship of Savitri with the school master (Ravindra Mankani) for 30 long years that he tries to convince his girlfriend to begin their life in the same manner. The girl, though modern and London returned however does not agree to his views and suggests him that marriage should be supported by legality. That’s where the conflict begins. In the meanwhile, a case stands up against Savitri, after her husband’s death to vacate her house, as she has no legal documents to prove her relationship

Very cleverly the director has presented these two relationships of two different generations and their fight for recognition in the society. Actually, the film debates on the sanctity of marriage. Are the black beads around your neck enough to indicate your true love relationship? At the same time the film goes on to show, how difficult it is for a woman to live such a life, without wearing a Mangalsutra. The film also highlights the most important aspect of Maharashtrian culture, through its well presented screenplay.

While showing the childhood of Savitri in the flashback, the director has shot that part in black and white, including one wonderful song that reminds us of Prabaht films during the olden days. Paying more attention on rituals like Mangalagauri, a beautiful song rendered by Shreya Ghoshal only goes on to add that special flavour to this technically well presented film. Every character in this film has a special place, be it witty Joshi Kaku played by Vandana Gupte or Savitri’s friend Gauri played by Madhurani Gokhale Prabhulkar. The young couple played by Umesh Kamat and Anjali Kusre make a perfect match for each other. And how can you forget those veterans like Ashalata Wabgaonkar and Lalan Sarang? They all have supported well in the cast. Especially Savitri’s interaction with her friend Gauri and her encounter with Joshi kaku have been shot well.

Hrishita, in particular has given her best performance in the role of Savitri. Watch her sharp expressive eyes emoting at every important sequence and you feel that she certainly deserves an award for her brilliant performance on debut in a Marathi film. She has worked very hard to dub in her own voice. Ravindra Mankani as a school master has also done exceptionally well. In one particular scene where he confesses his own weakness before Savitri, both of them have displayed their emotions very naturally. Seema Deshmukh, Madhav Abhyankar and Omkar Karve have given their best in supporting roles. Avadhoot Gupte’s music is impressive and so is late Debu Deodhar’s photography. ‘Mani Mangalsutra’ does have an international appeal and should catch up with the audience with the word of mouth praise. It is certainly a technically well presented film.