‘Night School’ has a message for Government
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Rating: na
Banner: Vanmali Films Producer: Nitin Mavani Director: Mansingh Pawar Music: Vabhru BHosale Cast: Sandeep Kulkarni, Prasad Pandit, Deepa Chaphekar, Shrikant Yadav Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
At a time when Municipal authorities in Mumbai are in the process of closing down Marathi schools for want of attendance and unable to maintain the premises; here comes a film with a timely message to the Government. The new Marathi film ‘Night School’ produced by Nitin Mawani and directed by Mansingh Pawar makes the administration realize the importance of education to the labour and poor class, who are unable to attend day classes. The film stresses the importance about survival of one such night school in Mumbai, which needs Government support and which is the target of builders to acquire the land occupied by school for redevelopment project.
45 years ago there was an English film ‘To Sir, With Love’ by E. R. Braithwaite, starring Sidney Poitier which dealt with social and racial issues in an inner city school. In that film, the teacher takes up the challenge to educate the notorious and elderly students from one secondary school. Now, writer director Mansingh Pawar has taken up a similar type of social issue in his new Marathi film ‘Night School’ which is so relevant to Indian context, where education plays an important role in uplifting the society.
In India, so many youngsters are required to leave their school mid way, due to poor financial conditions. They work during daytime as Courier boys or labourers in Hotels, shops and restaurants; but, there is a desire within them to take education side by side. Inspired by the two former chief ministers of Maharashtra, who attended Night school and reached to this position; the director has taken up this issue of one of the Night Schools in Mumbai. There is a mention about this reality in one of the dialogues uttered by an important character in the film. Shivaji Night School shown in the film located in the populated area of Mumbai, is on the verge of closure. Appasaheb (played by Prasad Pandit) whose father started this 60 year old institution, is managing this school with great difficulty.
During a ceremony to honour best teachers in the city; Appasaheb challenges Mr. Deshpande (Sandeep Kulkarni) who has bagged best teacher’s award for getting 100% results of his 10th std batch. “If you really have to prove your capability as a teacher show 100% results of a school which has working and poor class students?” he questions. Mr. Deshpande does accept Appasaheb’s challenge and joins his Shivaji Night School.
After joining the school, Mr. Deshpande prepares his action plan and ensures 100% attendance in school. He himself approaches families of many students and understands individual problems of each one of them. He also offers shelter to one of the poor students in his own house. Mr. Deshpande’s strategies works wonders, in spite of facing hurdles. He encourages sports and picnics. Finally, it is happy ending with Shivaji Night School scoring 100% results with a topper in Maths in Board Exam from his school.
Director Mansingh Pawar has presented the subject very well, with total sincerity, without adding unnecessary glamour into the screenplay. There are only two songs in the film on the music of Babhu Bhosale, that too before interval. The post interval session has been focused on the struggle for survival of the school. In fact 25 out of the 40 students from this film are real life Night School students, making an impact about the actual situation. However, the scene showing the serious ailment of one of the bright students from the school, has been dragged a little longer, with repeated shots of his vomiting and writing exam paper in ambulance.
Otherwise, the sequences like Mr. Deshpande offering shelter to a deserving student, his subsequent interaction with his wife, his strategies to bring students together and his efforts of creating awareness about importance of education to the family members of the students; and above all the students raising the money to pay electricity bill of the school, have been picturised well.
Sandeep Kulkarni is at his best in the role of Deshpande teacher, showing total commitment to his character. He seemed to be totally involved into this challenging role, offered to him. Deepa Chaphekar, who plays his wife doesn’t have much scope; but she does her job well. In the role of Appasaheb, veteran actor Prasad Pandit is a perfect choice. Shrikant Yadav is impressive in the role of a notorious bar owner, who later reforms, watching the struggle of the students. All others in the supporting cast have done a good job. The film is a timely message to the Government.
“My one scene in ‘Vihir’ brought me closer to Big B” – Shrikant Yadav
He has been associated with marathi theatre for the past 12 years. But, his association with Umesh and Girish Kulkarni brought him to Marathi Cinema. In the year 2005, he found an opportunity to play the most important role of a helpless farmer who is forced to sell his Bull, much against the wish of his son and wife. ‘Valu’ was a touching film, which won many awards at international festivals.
Then it was ‘Vihir’, where he was associated with production, being very close to Girish Kulkarni. But, Shrikant Yadav, being a passionate actor, wanted to be a part of the film as an actor, however small the role was. So, he was offered just one scene, where he played a pick pocket. It was a pleasure talking to this avid actor, during the first look of new Marathi film ‘Night School’.
Shrikant’s small role as a pickpocket became a part of an important scene, as it was that incident which takes the lead actor of the film towards death. “This scene was discussed by the members of Jury during Berlin festival and I am glad that it also gave me an opportunity to meet Mr. Amitabh Bachchan there, whose ABCL company produced this film.” says Shrikant. He recalls all those memorable moments of his Berlin trip, where Dr. Mohan Agashe, who was also part of this film said that he was returning for this festival after 35 years. “He had carried his cap, which was preserved by him for 35 years and which was presented to him during the screening of ‘Saamna’ at the same festival.” he added .
Shrikant played another important role in Umesh and Girish’s recent film ‘Deool’, which won the national award for the best Indian film. He played a protagonist- Appa Galande, who revolts against his own uncle Bhau Galande, played by Nana Patekar. It was a difficult role; but Shrikant played it with ease. His sharp looks and body language spoke everything about his talent and personality.
A Mechanical Engineer, Shrikant still continues to work for BSNL, in Pune and prefers to perform in such off beat films, which find place for him. He doesn’t seem to be much interested in TV serials, as his job would not permit him to spend so much of time. But, as an organizer, he plays a crucial role in cultural activities of BSNL. Srikanth’s forthcoming films are ‘Pune 52′ and ‘Night School’. In ‘Night School’ he plays an influential Bar owner involved in illegal activities, who later reforms into a well wisher of the Night school. This film is due for release on 2nd November 2012.
‘Shivaji-The real Hero’ to release in four languages
Generally, we find action filled south Indian films being released in three or four languages at a time. But, now a new Marathi film ‘Shivaji- The real Hero’ will be released in four languages at a time. Produced by Sadashiv Patil and directed by Shaktishankar, this film will be simultaneously released in three other languages i.e. Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, besides Marathi.
Recently audio CD release of this film took place in presence of Bollywood producer – director K.C. Bokadia, when besides the unit members of this film, Ms. Sushma Shiromani was also present. This film is an action film, which revolves around a murder mystery. Bharat jadhav plays the role of Police Inspector in this film. Other other star cast of the film comprises of Siddharth Jaju, Manisha Kelkar, Megha Ghadge, Niranjan, Gurudatt Lad, Dilip Sandvilar and Rashidbhai.
Raju Mawani’s marathi film debut through ‘Night School’
Today, many Bollywood personalities are coming forward to perform in Marathi films. The latest addition is Raju Mawani. Having performed prominent roles in bollywood films like ‘Satya’, ‘Wanted’ and ‘Kya Yahi Sach Hai’, Raju Mawani also directed films like ‘Suraksha’ and ‘Iski topi Uske Sar’. Now, he is all set to make his debut through forthcoming Marathi film ‘Night School’ directed by Mansingh Pawar.
In this film Raju is playing the role of a builder. The film stars Sandeep Kulkarni, Prasad Pande, Shrikant Yadav, Anveya Kendre, Deepa Chaphekar, Raju Govilkar, Shivraj Valvekar, Ashit Ambekar and 40 children from a Night school.
Sandeep Kulkarni returns with ‘Night School’
Known for some of his best performances in films like ‘Shwaas’, ‘Dombivali Fast’, ‘Sane Guruji’, ‘Bedhund’, ‘Made In China’ and ‘Pratisaad’, renowned actor Sandeep Kulkarni had switched over for a while to TV serials and Hindi films. But, now he is back again in Marathi films through his upcoming film ‘Night School’. Directed by Mansingh Pawar on his own script, the film will present Sandeep in the lead role of a social worker, who starts a Night school to spread education among the poor children.
According to Mansingh Pawar, the story of this film is the backbone and he has tried to spread a message to the society through this Big screen of entertainment. Produced by Raju Mawani, the film’s other star cast comprises of Prasad Pandit, Shrikant Yadav, Anway Bendre, Deepa Chaphekar, Raju Govilkar, Shivraj Walvekar, Ashit Ambekar, Raju Mawani and 40 children from a Night school. Music by babru Bhosale, Camera by Prakash Shinde and editing by Paresh Manjrekar are the other credits. The film has completed its entire shooting and ins in the post production stage.