Rating: ★★★ Studio / Presenter: Zee Talkies, Essel Vision Producers: Jitendra Thakare, Amey Khopkar, Jenelia Deshmukh Director: Nishikant Kamat Writer: Sajid Nadiadwala Cinematographer: Suresh Deshmane Music: Ajay – Atul Cast: Riteish deshmukh, Radhika Apte, Sharad Kelkar, Tanvi Azmi, Aditi Pohankar, Sanjay Khapre , Uday Tikekar Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

After a successful stint as a parallel hero, well versed with comedy, Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh was looking for a change and hence he preferred to perform a negative role of a villain, in recently released Bollywood film ‘Ek Villain’. Now, with ‘Lai Bhari’ he plays an action hero, on the lines of Akshay Kumar, Ajay Deogan and Salman Khan. With the available script, director Nishikant Kamat has tried his best to present him as a modern day Robinhood in this film. So, ‘Mauli’ played by Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh , instead of propelling arrows with the use of a bow; uses a brick, his wonder kicks and his strong hands to counter all the injustice around. He punches them, kicks them in the air and breaks their head using a brick.

Actually, the lead character of Mauli, who is an orphan, runs his business of brick-making in Pandharpur, the holy place in Maharashtra. But, instead of spending time in his business, he is more into fights, teaching a lesson to all those evil doers, with the blessings of Lord Vitthal. He wears today’s modern day jeans and designer shirt and walks in style, wearing thick high heel shoes; strong enough to kick his opponents.

The character of Mauli in a post interval scene admits that his search was almost on the lines of the story of any Bollywood film. And, this hint is enough to understand the story of this film. Nevertheless, Riteish stands tall on his debut in Marathi, through this film, considering his Bollywood hero image and a typical style of delivering the dialogues. His role in this film is author backed, obviously to extract his potential as an actor. Be it, 70’s or 80s Amitabh Bachchan like angry young man looks, Abhishek Bachchan style of walking or Ajay Deogan type of fight scenes; he has excelled in all these acts. On many occasions, he has tried to be his own, especially in emotion filled scenes. And, he has done extremely well.

By the way, ‘Lai Bhari’ is an emotion filled film, backed by action filled fight scenes; including some bloodshed. When you have to present a protagonist hero, the villain has to be powerful. And, Sharad Kelkar perfectly fits into that role; though he doesn’t look very dangerous. With his stylish looks, he reminds you of olden days Kiran Kumar . Tanvi Azmi, who plays the emotion filled mother in this film, has done a fairly good job. And, she reminds you of Nirupa Roy & Rakhee, in some of the scenes, where she seeks justice.

Radhika Apte plays a typical Gaon ki Chhori and a girlfriend of Riteish Deshmukh. She has played her role very well; but she too reminds you of Rekha of 70s and 80s. The entire screenplay of the film has the influence of Bollywood. There was no need to show her wearing those typical costumes, which were used by Mumtaz, Rekha and others, those days; while performing such characters. When her boyfriend was shown in modern outfits, why she shouldn’t wear a Punjabi dress, commonly used by today’s young girls from lower middle class, in small towns? But, she does get a chance to wear designer sarees, in one song sequence.

‘Lai Bhari’ also presents a new face in the form of Aditi Pohankar, who plays a modern day young ambitious girl. But, her character has been given the kind of shade, noticed in Abbas Mastan type films. She looks good in her limited role; but she will have to work hard on her acting skills. Sanjay Khapre finds better scope in this film, in the supporting cast. Uday Tikekar is fine and also the right choice for the role of Nimbalkar – the industrialist. Others in the supporting cast have offered good support, including the little child artiste. Bollywood actor Salman Khan also makes his debut in Marathi through this film, with a special appearance for one scene, while Riteish’s wife Jenelia also does so, during a song sequence picturised on the occasion of Holi. But, it is Riteish Deshmukh, who has lifted this ‘Lai Bhari’ film on his shoulders all alone, while making his successful debut in Marathi.

Suresh Deshmane’s cinematography, Ajay Atul’s music, Kaushal Moses’ action are other plus points of this film. All in all, Writer Sajid Nadiadwala & Director Nishikant Kamat have tried to pay tributes to all those veteran Bollywood film makers, through various action and emotion filled scenes in this film. They seemed to have been inspired by Ramesh Behl’s ‘Kasme Vaade’, besides Yash Chopra,Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra’s films and the style of twists used by Abbas Mastan. Both writer and director have received good support from Sanjay Pawar, who has written effective dialogues with punch lines, suited to this kind of commercial film, offered to the masses.

Those who liked Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Kasme Vaade’ & ‘Lawaris’, Salman Khan’s ‘Dabangg’ and Ajay Deogan’s ‘Singham’, this Marathi ‘Lai Bhari’ is just the right choice for them. After all, ‘Lai Bhari’ has served Bollywood Cocktail to Marathi audience.