Rating: ★★★ Genres: Drama Censor: U Duration: 130 min. Studio/presenter: Boney Kapoor Producer(s): Sunil Manchanda Director: Laxman Utekar Writer: Rohan Ghuge Music: Rohit Nagbhide Cinematographer (DOP): Lawrence D’Cunha Cast: Veena Jamkar, ‎Parth Bhalerao, ‪‎Prathamesh Parab, Ashok Shinde, Neha Joshi, Nandita Dhuri‬, ‎Pratima Joshi, Reshma Shinde, ‎Subrat Dutta, Jaywant Wadkar Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Emotions have always played an important role in the scripts of Marathi films. But, some film makers believe in presenting such subjects, by pouring humour into emotions. Cinematographer turned Director Laxman Utekar is one of them. Through his latest released Marathi film ‘Lalbaugchi Rani‘ , he has presented an emotion filled story of a mentally challenged 24 year old girl Sandhya Parulekar. Instead of presenting the a routine ‘lost n found ‘ drama, he has offered entertainment through some interesting happenings in the screenplay with some humour filled dialogues.

To celebrate the 24th birthday of their daughter Sandhya ( Veena Jamkar), her parents take her out for the first time to Gateway of India. Being very fond of balloons, when Sandhya sees gas filled balloons flying in the air, follows them on the road and is lost in the crowded city of Mumbai. Being mentally challenged, she only keeps on telling all those people, whoever she comes across, that she is searching for the balloons. Her father ( Ashok Shinde ) with the help of his neighbours from his chawl in Lalbaug, desperately goes in search of his daughter all over Mumbai, besides lodging a missing complaint with police.

Having experienced the freedom for the first time, Sandhya first meets Andy ( Prathamesh Parab) a struggling actor, who is in search of roles. Encouraging him to be a big star one day, Sandhya asks for his autograph and later finds herself lonely . She is spotted by a little boy Govinda( Parth Bhalerao), who earns for his living by begging on roadside. Sandhya spends some happy time in his company, till she is spotted by a Policeman on duty late in the night. Somehow, she rescues herself, only to meet a young girl ( Reshma Chougule) from a rich family, who is about to commit suicide, due to her break up with her boyfriend. In Sandhya’s company, the young girl changes her plan and decides to return home. She even drops Sandhya to her address, in her car.

But, the writer and director seemed to be influenced by bollywood style plot in the post interval session, to take the film into climax , to show happy end, with Sandhya reuniting with her parents. Perhaps, Director Laxman Utekar had limited content and hence could not expand the story effectively, in the second half of the film. Instead of such a routine type of climax, he could have added some more interesting interactions of Sandhya with other people from the city. He has however, shown Veena Jamkar’s interaction with Parth Bhalerao and Reshma Chougule effectively. The exchange of sandals and Sandhya indicating that it was the sixth time she was celebrating her birthday, were enough hints for the audience to understand the circumstances.

More than the happenings in the screenplay, it is Veena Jamkar’s outstanding performance steals the show. It’s a lifetime role and she has given her best. Good support comes from Prathamesh Parab, with a different look, Parth Bhalerao , Reshma Chougule, Ashok Shinde, Neha Joshi, Nandita Dhuri, Jagannath Nivangune and Subrat Datta through a small role. Music of Rohit Nagbhide is noticed in one song and one title song at the end of the film; but Lawrence D’cunha’s beautiful cinematography, capturing the glimpses of Mumbai during day and night, is worth mentioning.

All in all, ‘Lalbaugchi Rani‘ has tried to pour humour into emotions, to offer some entertainment .