Rating: ★★★ ½ Genres: Drama Censor: U/A Duration: 120 mins Studio/presenter: Neena Raut Films, Emmay Entertainment Producer: Neena Raut Director: Om Raut Writer: Om Raut, Kaustubh Savarkar Lyrics:  na Music: Ajit-Sameer Cinematographer (DOP): Prasad Bhende Cast: Subodh Bhave, Sameer Vidwans, Chinmay Mandlekar, Priya Bapat Kamat Movie Review by: Keertikumar Kadam

Through our school text books, we have learned that Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak , led India’s freedom struggle . A committed Journalist, Teacher, Social Reformer, Lawyer, and a dynamic freedom fighter; he was all in one.

Presented by Essel Vision and produced under the banner of Neena Raut Films ‘Lokmanya, Ek Yugpurush’ is a latest Marathi movie, which reminds the thoughts of late Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The movie comments on the socio-political situation in India today, with a Voiceover narration in the beginning of the movie, by Nana Patekar in his typical style. The movie starts with a court scene, where Tilak is being tried and then goes into flashback, to unfold the life and times of Lokmanya Tilak.

So, we find Tilak (Subodh Bhave) returning from Bombay after studying law degree , only to start a school for the local people, with the help of his friend, Agarkar (Sameer Vidwans). Both manage to open New English School. The movie has shown two eras, one being the film’s subject era and the other being today’s time. However, both relate to each other. Makarand ( Chinmay Mandlekar) is a young journalist, who gets fascinated by Tilak’s thinking, after reading books on him, but in the process, ignoring his would be wife- Samira (Priya Bapat Kamat). He becomes more and more idealistic, with the thoughts of Tilak- like, “Swarajya mhanje swakiyanche rajya!”
The film has shown the ruthless ways of British officer Rand , to deal ‘plague’, which hit Poona, during his time. Then, the officer being killed by Damodar Hari Chaphekar with the knowledge of Tilak, is also shown skilfully. The film also elaborates on Tilak’s hard hitting writings against the rulers and justifying Britishers’ killings through his newspaper; which lands him in jail and is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of six years outside the country in Mandalay, Burma. (1908-1914).
Story by Om Raut & Kaustubh Savarkar is well researched. But, highlight of the movie is its screenplay and dialogues . Art direction (Santosh Phutane) and costume department (Mahesh Sherla) have complimented camera work of Prasad Bhende. Interesting lighting and camera angles add beauty to the frames. Music (Ajit-Sameer) is an asset, as the songs escalate the drama in story telling. Background music is noteworthy. Editor (Aashish Mhatre, Apurva Motivale) and the director have worked beautifully hand in glove and it shows in scene cutting.
Director (Om Raut) makes his presence felt from the very first scene onward. He has merged two time-periods in excellent fashion. Only faltering being, movie should have ended on a high note on, ” Swarajya ha maza janmasiddha hakka aahe, aani to mi milavinarch”, the line Tilak is identified with. Subodh Bhave has marvelled as Tilak. He has used his voice to greater effect with modulations depicting different emotions. Sameer Vidwans as Agarkar is very convincing. Chinmay Mandlekar has promisingly portrayed the thought process of today’s youth . He is well supported by Priya Bapat Kamat. There are many more characters played by actors. Thanks to the makers, for a very good New Year’s gift in the form of ‘Lokmanya, Ek Yugpurush’.