Rating: 4/5 Presenter: IDream Productions Pvt. Ltd Producer: Shripal Morakhia Director: Rajiv Patil Screen Play: Sanjay Patil Music: Ajay Atul Cast: Upendra Limaye, Mukta Barve, Vinay Apte, Amita Khpkar, Kishor Kadam, Sharvari Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Television and Cell phones have reached most of the villages in India. We talk about reforms but superstition still exits in many villages. The so called society, which treats the Jogtas and Jogtins as children of Goddess, go to the extent of exploiting them with inhuman treatment by branding them as Eunuchs and prostitutes. The latest marathi film ‘Jogwa’ goes on to show the naked truth in such a society in an effective manner. Director Rajiv Patil ( ‘Savarkhed Ek Gaon’ & ‘Sanai Choughade’fame ) takes up this burning issue, which still persists in few villages in India.
Set on the backdrop of a village in Karnataka, where Goddess Yelamma’s strong influence leads to interpretation by some money minded people to exploit the villagers in the name of superstition. In fact, the influence of the Goddess is just a metaphor, to show how the villagers are made to believe in old rituals to cure from an ailment or minor disorder. In the case of young girl Suli( Mukta Barve) , her mother faces a knot while combing her daughter’s hair and considering it as a serious issue, Suli is taken to Akkubai( Amita Khopkar) who is an interpreter. With her team of Jogtins and Jogtas she forces the family to offer their daughter to serve the Goddess. At the same time a youngster– Tayappa( Upendra Limaye) is brought by his father( Vinay Apte) to the same place, as he has been passing blood through urine. Tayappa is forced to become a Jogta, much against his wish.

Soon Tayappa gets adapted to the lifestyle of Jogta and he sings in the name of the Goddess and earns for his living. Suli learns to dance to please the Goddess. She falls in love with a stranger, who comes to village for his earnings. She flirts with him; but when it comes to contract marriage to support her; he runs away. Tayappa loves Suli from his heart, but he cannot express his love. Finally, both the victims come together for common cause. They revolt against their society and the film conveys a clear message of fight against superstition.

‘Jogwa’ is well presented with superb photography, perfect locations, good editing work and well suited music score. The film has appropriate artistes placed at the right spot. There is also a teacher who is educating the villagers to stay away from wrong practices. “ I am not against worshipping the Goddess, but the interpretation of offerings to Goddess is wrong. The Government wants to rehabilitate all Jogtas and Jogtins, through reforms,” he pleads. His repeated appeal only helps two sensible youngsters to revolt against the existing practice. But, one fails to understand as to why the two lovers, don’t approach the teacher-cum-social worker to come out of the trap. Why they had to go and challenge their own people in the open? But, then, without melodrama, there cannot be a cinema.

In all, ‘Jogwa’ is a very sensible film and a worth watch for all those freedom loving youngsters living in city; so that they understand the plight of their counterparts living in villages , who are subjected to atrocities by their own people in the name of superstition. Both Upendra and Mukta have come out with wonderful performances. Their hot love scenes have been captured well. Among the other performers, Kishore Kadam, Vinay Apte and Shravani Pillay are impressive. Music by Ajay-Atul is good.