Rating: ★★ ½ Studio / Presenter: Video Palace, Ashwini Darekar Producer: ARD Entertainments Director: Manva Naik DOP: Dhananjay Kulkarni Music: Shailendra Barvet Cast: Sai Tamhankar, Satya Manjrekar, Dharmaj Joshi, Sakhil Parchure, Swarangi Marathe, Anurag Varalikar, Swanand Kirkire, Ankush Chaudhari Genre: Drama Movie Review by: Keerti Kadam

Until recently, Marathi cinema was concentrated upon limited subjects like family dramas, Tamasha, comedy and politics. But the new Marathi films are now attempting a variety of topics, such as farmers’ suicides (Gabhricha Paus), pains and gains of college life (Duniyadari) adult love (Premachi Goshta) and Prem Mhanaje Prem Mhanaje Prem Asate ), social injustice and oppression (Jogwa Dhag and Fandry), success story of a mentally challenged girl (Yellow), youths involvement with underworld (Rege) etc. The new film ‘Por Bazaar’ has touched upon yet another new subject, of ‘child trafficking’. With an ‘Item’ song choreographed and filmed beautifully on the current heartthrob Swapnil Joshi ‘Por Bazaar’ opens up with increasing expectations about the film.

It’s a story of five youngsters, who enjoy bunking classes from college and often frequent lonely places together, on the outskirts of the city. On one such gallivanting session, they accidentally come across a forlorn bungalow and sense some dubious activities around it. When they attempt to find out, they are shocked to know that lots of young children are there in captive state. Upon discussing the matter with their professor, they are still astonished to know that it’s a case of child trafficking, which is second largest racket in the crime world, wherein children are molested, used for illegal drugs delivery, begging, sexual abuse etc. In the absence of getting genuine police help, they decide to help those helpless children, on their own. They are ultimately able to launch their own rescue operation and are successful in the venture, after conquering over the villain.

The plot sounds very easy and has been shown in the film in the same easy and simple manner, although in real life it could be the contrary. In fact, the story idea is brilliant, but fails to create the desired impact on screen. First half of the film gives the feel of a documentary. Director Manava Naik, who has a degree in film making from New York Film Academy, has kept the story telling simple and straight forward without using any gimmicks. The movie had initially created a buzz, due to involvement of the offspring of famous Marathi film stars, debuting in it.

‘Por Bazaar’ has been presented by Video Palace and Ashwini Darekar and produced by ARD Entertainment. Mahesh Manjrekar’s son, Satya, who has portrayed today’s ‘headphone plugged’, ‘minimal conversation’ youth, quite nicely. Atul Parchure’s daughter, Sakhil shows promise and the director should have used her tomboyish character more effectively in the climax. Swarangi, grand daughter of Ram Marathe, has essayed, with enthusiasm, today’s college pair, along with Anurag Warlikar. Manoj Joshi’s son Dharmaj is effective in lighter moments.

Ankush Chaudhary, playing a baddy, uses his Base voice to create villainous effect. Sai Tamhankar, who plays a college professor helping her students in their endeavour, displays required maturity of the character and steals the show in all the frames. Prajakta Dighe, Swanand Kirkire (yes, the same), Chitra Nawathe, do their jobs with ease. Chinmayee Sumeet looks convincing in a doting yet worrisome mother of today’s young children. Music director Shailendra Barve has very well adorned the beautiful lyrics of Guru Thakur, especially the first and last song. Background score is appropriate and suits the situations, also DOP Dhananjay Kulkarni is successful in capturing right mood of the movie.

Overall, ‘Por Bazaar’ fails to live up to the expectations initially created by the film. However, its theme of ‘children saving children;s lives’ is to be appreciated.