Rating: na Presenter: Shiva Films Director: Sanjay Todkar Story: Sanjay Pawar Screenplay: Sanjay Pawar Dialogues: Sanjay Pawar Cinematographer: Girish Udale Music: Avinash – Vishvajeet Art: Satish Bidkar Cast: Devendra Chaugule, Mohan Joshi, MiIlind Gunaji, Kuldeep Pawar, Madhu Kambikar, Tejashree Khele, Deepali Sayyad Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

We are well aware of the progress of Marathi films, with different subjects portraying sensible topics. But, the quality improvement in Marathi cinema has not witnessed a good turn out at the theatres. On the contrary, Bollywood films made on the lines of South Indian films, are attaining grand success at box office. Best examples are films like ‘Dabbang’ and ‘Singham’. So, what if any of our Marathi film makers attempt the same formula in Marathi films ?

Actor- Producer Devendra Chougule has attempted this experiment through his new Marathi film ‘Sambhaa.. Aajcha Chava’ with all that we have witnessed in those hit Bollywood films, made on the lines of action packed South films. Only difference is that, he has retained his original script penned by Santosh Pawar, keeping the Marathi audience in mind; otherwise, his film would have resembled any dubbed version of commercial south film shown on TV channels now days.

The story of ‘Sambhaa’ is simple, keeping in mind the current scenario of price rise and its effect on common people and the traders playing Hand n Glove game with local politicians, who use their power to suppress the voice of the people with the help of police. Using all the latest technology with VFX and proving that Marathi films are nowhere behind Tollywood and Bollywood, shows the guts of the film maker. Be it music, choreography, photography, sound effect and stunt scenes, he has not compromised on any of these areas of production. And, for this effort, hats off to Devendra Chougule.

Just imagine, if Salman Khan were to play the central character of Sambha in this film, the film would have not only been a super duper hit in Maharashtra; but would have invited attention from all over India, if it was made under the direction of Mahesh Manjrekar or N. Chandra. Nevertheless, the efforts put in by Devendra Chougule are no less than Salman Khan. You can now call him Salman Khan of Marathi films, for performing all those stunts, using better reflexes in dancing than Salman and delivering those punchy lines penned by Santosh Pawar in his own style in Marathi.

There are few errors in direction by scene director Sanjay Todkar, but Action directors Anand Raj and Devraj nullify those slips. Music and background music remind you of south film’s music style. Incidentally, the Choreographer Kaladharan and stunt master Anand Raj of this film, are from South films. However, Girish Udale’s cinematography makes us feel proud, that we are watching an action packed Marathi film. He has captured some of the difficult shots very intelligently. Above all, the film maker has been sincere enough to show at the end, how he shot those difficult scenes before going for post production.

As an actor, Devendra Chougule shows lot of self confidence in himself, while playing this central character of Sambhaa. There is no doubt that he has kept the camera focused on him most of the time; but, that was the requirement of the script, which revolves around the hero, who fights against injustice in society, single handed with the support of few friends. Deepali Sayyed finds a suitable role of a journalist in this film and she has done her job well. Tejashree Khele is certainly a gift to Marathi cinema, after getting sufficient exposure in South films. But, she has less scope in this film. Otherwise, she has played the role of Kareena with ease, on the lines of typical southern stars. Mohan Joshi, Milind Gunaji, Madhu Kambikar, Kuldeep Pawar, Vijay Chavan, Mangesh Desai, Dhananjay Mandrekar have supported well in their limited roles. Junior Jhony Lever makes his debut as a comedian through this film and he resembles the veteran comedy king and has even tried to act like him. But, he has a long way to go, as the veteran comedian is still matchless.

Last but not the least, those who have enjoyed watching films like ‘Dabhang’ and ‘Singham’, why not watch ‘Sambhaa’? After all, it is made by our own Marathi manoos for our Marathi audience, who otherwise watch similar type of south and Bollywood films, at small towns district places of Maharashtra. More so, Devendra has made this film with total sincerity, admitting openly that it is a total commercial film.