Gajendra Ahire has made about 40 Marathi films in the past, on different subjects involving social issues. Now, his new film ‘Kulkarni Chaukatla Deshpande’ raises an important question, whether by changing your lifestyle or by changing your attitude and also your husband, have you really succeeded in changing yourself or achieved what you desired ?

The film revolves around a 30 + woman Ms. Deshpande( Sai Tamhankar) who divorces her husband Mr. Deshpande (Nikhil Ratnaparakhi) only because he is not dashing and does not satisfy her sex life. One wonders, how she had a love marriage with him? Then getting the custody of her 8 year old son ( Rohan Shah) , she sends him to a boarding school and gets involved with a well to do man Mr. Kulkarni ( Rajesh Shringarpure) who also has a son almost of Rohan’s age. Mr. Kulkarni has already deserted his wife, only because she is not keeping well. So, after enjoying their ‘live in relationship’ both Mr. Kulkarni and Ms. Deshapnde finally plan to get married and they proceed to Ladakh along with their children during their vacation time, so that they get adjusted .

While Kulkarni’s son who is shown over smart and selfish, is ready to accept Ms. Despande as his new mother, Rohan is hesitant to accept Mr. Kulkarni as his father. Ms. Deshpande’s mother ( Neena Kulkarni) is also opposed to her daughter’s decision. But, Ms. Deshpande makes all efforts to convince her son during his vacation period, finding time from her busy job. Does she succeed in her attempt? This is what writer director Gajendra Ahire has tried to show through this film. To a certain extent he has succeeded in presenting what he had to convey, but at some places he has inserted unwanted time consuming scenes including a song. Selection of Ladakh as location for vacation trip offers visual pleasure. However, after return from Ladakh trip the film’s screenplay loses its grip for sometime, till the climax.

Performances of artistes are best part of this film. Sai Tamhankar gets ample scope to display her emotions, while Rajesh Shringarpure and Nikhil Ratnaparakhi are at ease while showing their natural skills through their respective characters. But, compared to Rajesh Shringarpure, Nikhil’s character hasn’t been properly presented. As Sai’s son Rohan Shah has cleverly shown his reaction through his body language without over reacting , to express his inner feelings. Neena Kulkarni also offers good support through her limited role. Music is not very appealing as there are many people involved into it including the writer- director. Moreover, writer- director himself has appeared as a singer in the title song. However, the cinematography by Arjun Sorate & Krishna Soren is impressive and that is one more plus point of the film, besides good performances.

All in all, ‘Kulkarni Chautatla Deshpande’ is a thought provoking film but should have been better, if it was handled with more interesting and humour filled sequences .

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