Rating: ★★★ ½ Studio: Mirah Entertainment Producer: Citrus Check Inns Director: Satish Rajwade Story: Chinmay Kelkar Music: Avinash Vishwajeet Cast: Atul Kulkarni, Amey Wagh, Siddharth Menon, Ketan Pawar, Anita Date, Neha Shitole, Megha Ghadge Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Every film maker has a social responsibility to pass on a message through his film, besides offering entertainment. In the past, film makers like Bhalji Pendharkar, V.Shantaram, Raja Paranjape and many others did it in their own style. Now, young film maker Satish Rajwade joins their group, with his latest offering ‘Popat’.

In today’s time, one really need guts to present such a thought provoking subject, with a commitment to the society. But, Satish has done it very skilfully. No wonder, he is considered one of the talented directors in Marathi film industry today. Incidentally, after doing two films on city lifestyle, this is the first film from Satish, with a village backdrop.

The film revolves around three youngsters Raghu ( Amey wagh), Mukund ( Ketan Pawar) & Bala ( Siddharth Menon) who live in a village Kulpe ( off. Kolhapur) and are best friends. Each one of them possess some skill and it is their common interest in doing something different, binds them together. One day, they decide to make a film on a serious social issue. They catch hold of a videographer Janardan ( Atul kulkarni) from a neighbouring village; who posesses a movie camera. Janardan, who is married to Preeti ( Anita Date), is otherwise a fun loving person and flirts with a tamasha artiste Rakhi ( Megha Ghadge).

When four of them decide to make a film, scripted by Mukund, Janardan agrees to be part of their project, provided he is offered the lead role. He tries to involve Rakhi into the team; but, doesn’t succeed. Finally, he persuades his own wife( who is carrying) to play his real life wife in this film; besides playing a flirt with Bala’s girlfriend Darshana( Neha Shitole), who is convinced to be part of this film. The efforts of the team seem to be working well; but, while shooting the climax of the film, Janardan tries to back out, fearing that the film’s script is his own story. Finally, ‘all is well’ at the end.

Writer – Director Satish Rajwade has successfully delivered a social message through sugar coated screenplay and dialogues penned by Chinmay kelkar; which almost give a feeling that his imaginary ‘Popat’ has used his sweet voice, to deliver this sensible message to create awareness about a social issue. Many important scenes which are filled with humour are captured very well by the director.

The selection of artistes for the respective roles, make a big difference, in terms of clever presentation at every important situation in the film; be it hospitalisation of the tamasha artiste, Mukund’s father not happy with his son’s activities, the youngsters seeking opinion of housewives about their safety and above all Janardan’s emotion filled reaction during the climax of the film.

Atul Kulkarni has once again proved that he does full justice to the author backed roles. Though in this film, he is part of the group, he has certainly made his presence felt throughout the film. In the roles of three close friends, Ketan Pawar, Amey Wagh and Siddharth Menon find equal opportunity to display their talent. But, it is Ketan Pawar ( ‘Shala’ fame) who steals the show, with his humour filled dialogues. Neha Shitole ( ‘Tu Tithe Mee’ Serial fame) finds better scope in this film, after her performance in ‘Deool’. She has played her role confidently.

In the supporting roles, Anita Date and Megha Ghadge find limited scope. Urmila kanitkar does special appearance during a song sequence. Avinash Vishwajeet’s music is satisfying for three songs in the film. Bhaskar Samla’s cinematography is good. Length of the film ( about 150 mins) is little longer than required; hence stretching few scenes little before interval. But, considering the sincere effort to handle a very relevant timely social issue successfully, the film maker deserves a pat on his shoulder. The film should find its entry at many forthcoming film festivals. And who knows? It may win awards too. Efforts should be made to show this film at touring talkies in rural areas; to serve the purpose of making this film.