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Banner: Great Maratha Entertainment L.L.P. Producer: Aniruddha Deshpande, Medha Manjrekar Director: Mahesh Manjrekar Story: Based on real story for Usha Datar, re-written by Girish Joshi Screenplay: Girish Joshi Cinematographer: Ajit Reddy, Abhishekh Vijaykar Cast: Sachin Khedekar, Priya Bapat, Sanjay Khapare, Abhijit Kelkar, Manva Naik, Medha Manjrekar, Savita Malpekar, Vaibhav Mangle, Ketki Mategaonkar, Saksham Kulkarni, Kishor Raorane, Gauri Ingawale, Saiee Manjrekar Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Film maker Mahesh Manjrekar’s latest Marathi film ‘Kakasparsha’ takes you into pre independence era, to narrate the tale of Haridada (Sachin Khedekar) and his family living in a village in Konkan, Maharashtra. Those were the days, when girls used to get married even before attaining puberty. Haridada gets his younger brother Mahadeo (Abhijit Kelkar) married to one such girl Durga (Ketaki Mategaonkar) approved by his associate Balwant (Sanjay Khapre) who is also close to girl’s family.

Durga turns Uma after marriage, on entering the disciplined house of Haridada, whom she respects a lot, besides liking him for his behavior and personality. When Mahadeo passes away at young age, while studying his law; the responsibility of Uma lies on the shoulders of Haridada and his family. Uma mixes up well with Haridada’s wife and children of Haridada and takes care of them, as she grows up with them.

As per the rituals in Brahmin family, Uma is supposed to shave off her head; after her husband’s death; but Haridada opposes to the demand of the Priests from village headed by Upadhyay (Vaibhav Mangale). When Haridada’s wife passes away, everybody expects him to marry Uma ( Priya Bapat, who plays the grown up Uma) and Uma too is willing for the same. But, Haridada refuses to do so; as he is committed to his promise given to soul of the departed, during the rituals observed on the 10th day after Mahadeo’s death.

A time comes when Haridada stops talking to Uma and that hurts her. She stops eating. Everybody including Haridada’s elder sister, Haridada’s married children and younger sister all fail to persuade her. Finally, Haridada confesses the truth to Uma, stating as to why he kept himself away from her, though over protected her. He even agrees to marry her, breaking all his promises, only with the hope that she would give up her fast. But, the director tries to be realistic and ends the film, the way he wished to respect the original script of Usha Datar on the screenplay of Girish Joshi.

Shot on the backdrop of Konkan, Mahesh Manjrekar has perfectly selected the locations, including the traditional ancestral house, to create the atmosphere of the pre- independence era. Very cleverly, he has inserted the character of Balwant, who is also shown as a freedom fighter. The character of Upadhyay played by Vaibhav Mangale clearly suggests the dominance of orthodox Brahmins those days.

From beginning till the end, the film sticks to its subject, without any diversions and that makes the presentation more realistic. ‘Kakasparsha’ is the film for sensible film viewers. Fine performances from Sachin Khedekar, Sanjay Khapre, Ketaki Mategaonkar, Vaibhav Mangle, Priya Bapat, Abhijit Kelkar, Saksham Kulkarni and others, makes it more impressive. Music and background music have been handled well and so is the wonderful cinematography capturing all those natural moments.

Actor Sachin Khedkar deserves all the praise for his memorable performance through that lifetime role of Haridada. He gets a good support from all other artistes. Prominent among them are Sanjay Khapre and Vaibhav Mangle who have invited special attention.