Rating: ★★★★ Studio / Presenter: Viva In En, Mumbai Film Company Producers: Riteish Deshmukh , Uttung Hitendra Thakur Cinematographer, Director: Mahesh Limaye Story: Ambar Hadap, Ganesh Pandit Music: Kaushal Inamdar Cast: Upendra Limye, Mrunal Kulkarni, Hrishikesh Joshi, Aishwarya Narkar, Usha Nadkarni, Gauri Gadgil Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Rob Liano, the Rock Star Success Coach & Sales Strategist has rightly said, “Nothing is born into this world without labour.” And, if we can recollect Walt Disney’s strategy, ‘If you can dream it, you can do it'; then, there is nothing impossible in this world. Based on this philosophy, producers Riteish Deshmukh and Uttung Thakur have offered a sensible Marathi film ‘Yellow’, which is directed by renowned cinematographer Mahesh Limaye. By the way, Mahesh also makes his debut as a director with this film.

Only last year, we saw director Manohar Sarwankar’s film ‘Maat’, which was also debut of Eshaa Koppikar in Marathi and which talked about the success story of a ‘deaf-mute’ girl, who turns a Chess Champion, with the support of her mother; who has been deserted by her selfish husband; only because the child is born with a handicap. However, through this film – ‘Yellow’, director Mahesh Limaye presents a real life success story of a girl, born with ‘down syndrome’. And, he has done a commendable job, as presenting a real life character – Gauri Gadgil, who has already won two silver medals in Special Olympics; has made ‘Yellow’ more appealing than ‘Maat’.

Mugdha (Mrunal Kulkarni) and Shekhar (Manoj Joshi) give birth to a girl – Gauri, who is born with ‘down syndrome’. Mugdha , who is already a teacher, wants her daughter to study in the same school, with normal children. But, when she finds her score in IQ as 65, the principal suggests her to admit Gauri to a special school. However, Shekhar is unable to accept Gauri as his daughter and suggests Mugdha to go for second child. One day, Mugdha gets the biggest shock in her life, when she witnesses Shekhar let Gauri drowned in a water tank at a resort, instead of running to help her out. Taking an immediate decision to leave her husband, Mugdha arrives at her brother Shree’s (Hrishikesh Joshi) house, who being a bachelor, offers all the love and affection to Gauri, besides managing his ‘tent house’ business.

When, Mugdha admits Gauri to a school for special children, Prinicipal (Aishwarya Narkar) suggests her to join the school, as a teacher. On the advice of the principal, Mugdha is advised to admit Gauri for swimming, noticing her keen interest and especially for improving her ‘hand and eye’ coordination. It is at this place, Gauri interacts initially with a good elderly coach and later with a strict coach – Pratap Sardeshmukh ( Upendra Limaye), training at advanced level. It is at this stage, the film goes on to describe how such children are to be treated, to extract the best out of them.

Director Mahesh Limaye, has beautifully captured the emotion filled moments through his camera lenses, besides directing the most difficult sequences, in an efficient manner, generating humour at short intervals, through light humour filled scenes. Ambar Hadap and Ganesh Pandit have really worked hard, to present an engaging screenplay with the support of wonderful performances from all the artistes. Mrinal Kulkarni, who has played Gauri’s possessive mother, has been able to display perfect emotions of a worried mother, while Manoj Joshi has cleverly presented a selfish husband through his limited role.

There is no doubt about the brilliant natural performance given by Gauri Gadgil, as this was her own real life success story; but the little girl performing her childhood role, also looks very natural. In fact, Gauri actually appears on the screen only few minutes before interval, when her coach for advance training – Upendra Limaye also arrives on the screen, around that time. Upendra has also given a fantastic performance, understanding very well the given situation and more particularly, the attitude of all such Indian coaches in different games, at competitive level. However, the most impressive performance comes from Hrishikesh Joshi, who looks very natural, in the character of Gauri’s real well wisher and caring uncle. It is because of his presence, there is some humour generated, in this otherwise thought provoking film.

Through this film, the director has also presented the attitude of a typical sports coach, who always demand more from their students, without paying the required attention on sports psychology and the much desired counselling, expected from them. At the same time, he has also shown how the parents interfere with the training methods of the Coach, by showing their regular presence, at the practice venue of the sport. ‘Yellow’ is certainly an inspiring film and a must watch for all. There are very few errors noticed in the film; as it is otherwise a technically well presented film, with good background music provided by kaushal Inamdar.