Rating: ★★ Studio / Presenter: Surya Film Creation Producer: Dr. Mrunalinni Patil Director: Dr. Mrunalinni Patil DOP: Jehangir Chowdhury Music: Kanak Raj, Sameer Phaterpekar Cast: Ajinkya Deo, Jitendra Joshi, Anuja Sathe, Satish Pulekar, Ravindra Mahajani, Hansraj Jagtap, Anup Choudhary Genre: Drama Movie Review by:  Keerti Kadam

Surya Film Creation’s new Marathi movie ‘Rakhandaar’, which was in news recently, is releasing on 26th Sept ’14 all over Maharashtra. In this world, some feel that God is to be felt within, while the atheists question about existence of God. Producer, Director Dr. Mrunalinni Patil, has toyed with this idea, in her latest film ‘Raakhandaar’.

A simpleton, Sadanand Lokre (Jitendra Joshi), is an innocent person, who believes in helping his neighbours without any expectations. But, in the process, loses his job and starts working in his late father’s shop as a cobbler, with the only thought in his mind, ‘work is worship’. Khushaba (Ajinkya Deo), appears in the scene, as a villager with his special attire, and meets Sadanand, who realizes and believes that Khushaba is godly personality.

In comes, Australia returned Madhavi (Anuja Sathe), who falls in love with the innocence of Sadanand and they get married, defying Madhavi’s father’s wish of she getting married to the Manager in his office. Later, she gives birth to a son. Just before that Sadanand prays to God, for a son. But, unaware of her husband’s wish, Madhavi promises a return gift to God, that she shall return the same back to him.

There’s a villain in the form of Manager, (Anup Choudhary), who is bent upon marrying Madhavi, who tries, in vain, to spoil her marital bliss; with his childish acts. Khashaba – the Raakhandaar, of whom Sadanand & Madhavi’s son Chhota- Malhar (Master Shreeveer Kadam), also gets extremely fond of; affectionately calls him Devappa, who is always there to rescue our Sadanand whenever in trouble.

The story by Anand More, is a bit lengthy and screenplay also bit patchy. Some scenes erupt abruptly, without any connection to previous scene. Editing should have been handled a bit professionally. Jitendra Joshi does justice to Sadanand, with his innocent face and his couple of one-liners do collect laughter. Anuja Sathe has done very well, as bubbly as well as serious Madhavi and has good screen presence. Ajinkya Deo who plays Raakhandaar, looks handsome in this character and has done justice to his role. Music (Kanak Raj, Sameer Phaterpekar) is saving grace of the movie and filming of songs is very good. Background score of Sameer Phaterpekar, is apt.

Cinematographer Jehangir Choudhary is successful in capturing the required mood of the film. Director, Dr Mrunalinni Patil has tried to camouflage fiction with drama, with some philosophy thrown in. There’s always a next time. Jai Maharashtra. Jai Malhar…..Yalkot Yalkot Jai Malhar.