Rating: ★★★ ½ Studio: Zee Talkies Producer: Essel Vision, Athansh Communication Writer, Director: Ravi Jadhav Screenplay, Dialogues: Priyadarshan Jadhav, Ravi Jadhav Music: Chinar- Mahesh Lyrics: Guru Thakur Cast: Prathamesh Parab, Ketaki Mategaonkar, Vaibhav Mangle, Bhalchandra (Bhau)Kadam, Urmila Kanetkar- Kothare, Meghana Erande-Joshi Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Is teenage love affair a real love or a time pass? How many such teenage love affairs have been successful in the long run ? These are few a valid questions, posed by director Ravi Jadhav, who has in the recent past, given three hit Marathi films – ‘Natarang’, ‘Balgandharva’ and ‘Balak Palak’. In fact, his last film ‘Balak Palak’ ( BP) based on the lives of teenagers, was released in the beginning of year 2013 and now ‘Time Pass’ almost opens the new year 2014 account of Marathi films, with a neat and clean presentation of teen age love. Just two years ago, we saw a film ‘Shala’ also on teenage love; but it was more one sided. ‘Time Pass’ goes one step further, to show how love happens from both sides, without thinking much about the future prospect.

‘Time Pass’ begins with happening of love between a girl Prajakta, who has just joined college and a 10th class failed boy Dagadu, who delivers newspaper at Prajakta’s place. Prajakta’s father who works as a clerk in Central Government office, is a very strict person and keeps close watch on Prajakta’s activities after college hours. He sends his daughter for Classical Singing classes to Spruha (Urmila Kanitkar-Kothare). Prajakta who is impressed by Dagadu’s open nature and his way of living a free life, starts liking him. She even begins dating with him, only to be caught by her father one day. Besides being scolded by her parents, she is kept under strict vigilance. Prajakta is also advised by her singing teacher to give a full stop to her affair, after she comes to know about her affair.

The film ends with a valuable message, clearly indicating that good education is very important to bridge the gap between “Have’s and ‘Have nots” about teenage love lasting till marriage time. More than this simple story, it is the screenplay of this film, written by Ravi Jadhav and Priyadarshan Jadhav, that makes the film more interesting in the first half. Even some of the situations in the film, like interaction of the young boy and girl in a Library, at a roadside hotel, during the wedding preparations at the marriage of Dagadu’s friend’s sister and one near the temple; are well captured to show the progress of their love.

There is a good humour filled scene, involving Dagadu and Prajakta’s father during the small birthday party of Prajakta’s brother, where Dagadu is invited by Prajakta’s brother. Similarly, the climax scene at Prajakta’s place with Dagadu being cross examined by Prajakta’s relatives, has been well presented. The film concludes giving a clear hint of ‘Time Pass 2′ displaying the words ‘to be continued’ instead of ‘The End’.

Besides presenting the humour filled teenage love story of two youngsters, very effectively, the film does leave some questions unanswered. Such as, why Prajakta’s father had continued to oppose the love between his son Vallabh with Spruha, even after both of them completing their education? If he was so much opposed to Spruha, why did he send his teenaged daughter to her place, for tuitions? How is a 10th failed student like Dagadu allowed inside the college premises ,wearing shorts and that too his friends passing comments at girls, in the college premises? In the film, there is nothing very special done by the character of Dagadu – a boy with typical poor class looks, to impress a good looking girl like Prajakta from a well to do family, except for his acting skills and guts to express his love.

His only plus points shown in the film are that he earns something for his family by delivering newspapers, attempting a road show to raise funds, by driving a bicycle for three days non stop, to repay the rickshaw loan of his father and most importantly, not crossing his limits in love. The film hints at happening of this story sometime during 80s and hence the events taking place are somewhat convincing. The film does slow down a bit in post interval session. However, the good music offered by film is refreshing, with all meaningful songs. Even the lyrics of the item song rendered in the voice of Reshma Sonavane ( ‘Vaat baghtoy rickshawala’ fame) seemed to be perfectly matching with the situation. Above all, the excellent camera work brings visual delight.

In the role of Dagadu Shantaram Parab, young Prathamesh Parab has proved that acting is all that important to effectively present an ordinary looking young boy. Perhaps he got inspiration from Dhanush’s character in ‘Ranjhana’. He has also paid more attention on his dialect to portray a perfect young boy from slums. With his simplicity displayed through this character, he has certainly invited sympathy of the audience. He is simply superb! In the role of Prajakta , Ketaki Mategaonkar is almost typecast, as we have seen her play a similar type of role in ‘Shala’. Only difference is that, this time, she tries to hide her love from her parents and feels free to reciprocate her love to her young friend. She finds two good scenes to express her emotions, as compared to Prathamesh, who has better scope.

In the role of Prajakta’s father Vaibhav Mangale has done a very good job. He has been able to generate lots of humour filled scenes, besides turning strict and emotional through few important scenes. Meghana Erande Joshi, who plays Prajakta’s mother in this film, has done well. In the role of Spruha, Urmila Kanitkar-Kothare is impressive, though she finds only two good scenes to display her acting skills. Otherwise, she is just represented as a music teacher. In the role of Prajakta’s elder brother, Bhooshan Pradhan almost plays a guest appearance, as he has nothing much to perform, except for lifting weights in Gym and displaying his biceps. Even, Bhalchandra Kadam has limited role, with only one good scene to express his emotions. The other youngsters in supporting roles offer good back up in this teenage love story. Dialogues are well written with nothing vulgar noticed. ‘Time Pass’ is an entertaining film with a timely message.