‘Shikshanachya Aaichha Gho’ takes on the taxing educational system
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Rating: na
Presenter: Eros International, Satya Ashwami Films, Everest Entertainments Producer: Sanjay Chhabria, Ashwami Manjrekar, Satya Manjrekar Director: Mahesh Manjrekar Story: Mahesh Manjrekar Screenplay: Ravi Jadhav Lyrics:Guru Thakur,Shrirang Godbole, Nalesh Patil Music: Ajit, Atul, Samir Cast: Sachin Khedekar, Bharat Jadhav, Saksham Kulkarni, Gauri Vaidya, Siddharth Jadhav, Kranti Redkar, Vidyadhar Joshi, Vaibhav Mangle, Kamlakar Satpute, Kishore Pradhan, Sandeep Pathak Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
Till now, our experts in education department and the Government representatives have ignored the most sensitive issue of rising suicides among children. No one has really bothered to find the exact cause and a solution. But, as they say, media has lot to do. Film making is a very creative filed and if a particular issue is presented properly, it can certainly invite the attention of one and all. A change in our educational system is a long time demand and director Mahesh Manjrekar decided to take on this issue seriously through his latest film ‘Shikshanachya Aaichha Gho’( SAG) .
He did face the opposition before release of his film, for using a konkani slang in the title; but managed the opposition diplomatically. Finally, ‘SAG’ saw the opening day at theatres all over Maharashtra with houseful shows even in multiplexes. A simple story of a teenager from a middle class family ( Saksham Kulkarni) , who is good at cricket but is an average student in his studies. The father ( Bharat Jadhav) who is working in Municipality office, wants his son to do well in his studies too. He does not approve his progress in cricket, as he feels that the game will only come in the way of his studies. One day, he scolds his son for non performance in exams and breaks his bat. He beats up his son and in a scuffle, pushes him away, when the child hits his head against the bed and bleeds turning nconscious. He is rushed to hospital and is operated upon, but does not recover as he moves into coma.
The father repents, but his friends and well wishers in the neighborhood including his daughter(Gauri Vaidya) extend both financial and moral support during this period of crisis. He brings his son back home under the advice of hospital doctor and offers all treatment at home. Finally, one of his friends who is working in a hospital, arranges an operation of his son by a US returned doctor(Mahesh Manjrekar) . The son recovers and the father wins his battle against the education system, with the chief minister giving him assurance to look into this issue. Now, to present this issue, director Mahesh Manjrekar has displayed a good cinematic presentation through touching scenes and hard hitting dialogues to make the audience think seriously about the change
required and instigating the parents to oppose such a system. At the same time, he has tried to convince the parents not to expect too much from their children and encourage them more in the areas of their interest. Very cleverly he has used certain locations to create the desired impact through his 1hour 48 mins long film.
In this film, you will find Bharat Jadhav in a different role. Though there are few scenes to bring in humour, especially in the company of a shop keeper cum money lender Ibrahim( Siddharth Jadhav) and his kind hearted neighborhood friends comprising of Kishore Pradhan and others. The character of Nalini (Kranti Redkar) having soft corner to this family, has been cleverly used to complete the requirement of female lead; as the hero is shown as a widower. And, she has played her part well.
Both the children Saksham and Gauri are proper choice in the film doing their respective roles. The director’s favourite -Sachin Khedekar makes his appearance as the chief minister in that climax scene. Overall presentation of the film is good, with not much scope for music, but clever editing work keeps the audience engaged with the screenplay. The sincere effort of the film maker is to be lauded for taking on this taxing educational system through this film.
The imporatnt changes in our education system at school level the film suggests are:
1) Allowing students with their choice of subjects.
2) Vocational guidance a must at seondary level. &
3) To do away with rank system.
De Dhakka, Marathi Comedy Movie.
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Rating: na
Presenter: Zee Talkies Producer: Satya Films Director: Sudesh Manjrekar, Atul Kale Story: Mahesh Manjrekar Camera: Shailesh Awasti Music: Ajit-Atul-Sameer Cast: Shivaji Satam, Makrand Anaspure, Siddarth Jadhav, Medha, Saksham Kulkarni and Gauri Vaidya Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
Riding high on the success of ‘Saade Maade Teen’, Zee Talkies team is back with their latest movie ‘De Dhakka’. While ‘Saade Maade Teen’ was inspired from classic ‘Chalti Ka Naam Gadi’, ‘De Dhakka’ finds it inspiration from 2006 Oscar contender ‘Little Miss Sunshine’…
While there may be raised eyebrows over the trend of inspired movies, let us stay away from that point. What matters is whether the movie entertains or not? and ‘De Dhakka’ turns out to be a good entertainer. Credit must be given to the Zee Talkies team for successfully ‘Indianising’ the story (those of who have seen the original must know how different it was from typical hollywood movies)
This is the story of Jadhav family. A family with lots of troubles. Subhanrav(Shivaji Satam), his son Makarand (Makrand Anaspure), Makrand’s wife Sumi (Medha), Makarand’s children (Saksham Kulkarni) and Sayali (Gauri Vaidya) and Sumi’s brother Dhanaji (Siddharth Jadhav).
The movie begins with a brief introduction of all the family members and the audience gets to know the characters and their ambitions. Makrand is a motor mechanic who has spent all his money to fund his work which, he hopes, will make him millionaire. Subhanrav is sore with Makrand for this reason and Makrand hates subhanrav for drinking too much. Things don’t go well between two of them. While Makrand’s son aspires to be a wrestler. His daughter dreams of being a dancer. Dhanaji (Makarand’s brother in law), suffers from kleptomania. And Sumi, Makrand’s wife tries hard to keep the family happy.
Things change when sayali is selected for a dance competition and the whole family sets on a journey to Mumbai…on a autorikshaw. The Jadhav family is faced with many problems during the journey and how do they overcome them and also rediscover the family ties during the journey forms the rest of the story.
First half is very engaging, all the main characters are introduced and established. Then the movie moves ahead and audience gets to know of all the problems that the Jadhav family is facing, this part has been effectively handled with the help of some comic moments. The directors have done good job of maintaining the fine balance between comedy and emotional scenes. But the second half seems to drag at someplaces. The final dance competition is ok. Makrand’s speech towards the end seems to deviate from the main theme but nonetheless it should go well with the audience as it directly appeals to your heart.
The movie has a good storyline (Well, the credit goes to the original ) but the screenplay fails to take the full advantage of the story. The way police officer is portrayed is childish. Even Dhanaji’s multiple personality disorder doesn’t fit in properly. The confrontations between Makrand and Subhanrav seem repeating in the second half. And try as hard as you can, it’s bit hard to imagine audience booing away a lavani performance in dance competition at mumbai. The writers and director should have worked on these loose ends.
The performances are good. Shivaji Satam’s acting seems monotonous though. Makrand’s character has many shades, a loving and caring father, an angry son, a troubled husband and he shows all the emotions with ease. Siddharth Jadhav gives an energetic performance once again. Not a single moment is dull when he is on screen. Ajit-Atul & Sameer’s music is as usual catchy. The background music seems loud at some places. The title track ‘De Dhakka’ is excellent and it goes perfectly well with the story.
On the whole, ‘De Dhakka’ is a good one time watch.
‘PAK PAK PAKAAK’ REVIEW
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Rating: na
Producer: Ashish Remo Story: Sai Paranjpe Director: Gautam Joglekar Cast: Nana Patekar, Saksham Kulkarni, Narayani Shastri, Jyoti Subhash… Movie Review by: Pradip Patil |
Think of movies for children and I am sure many inane and childish movies will flood your mind. But not any more!
“Pak Pak Pakaak” is the movie that breaks the stereotype associated with children’s movies. This is the movie that will entertain and enlighten the grown ups and kids equally. Pak Pak Pakaak, directed by Gautam Jogalekar and based on stroy created by his mother Sai Paranjape is a refreshing change from the usual marathi movies.
Pak Pak Pakaak has very solid storyline. The plot revolves around a village, a boy (Saksham Kulkarni) living with his grandmother and an outcast (Nana Patekar) living in the forest outside the village. Chiklu is a spoilt brat who lives with his grandmother and derives pleasure from playing pranks on everyone without caring for anybody’s feelings. Even the only two people he cares about can not change him! The whole village seems to be afraid of his pranks. To add to the villager’s woes there are rumors of a ghost called bhutya. It is said that he resides in the forrest and haunts anybody who venture inside the forrest.
One day, Chiklu slips into forrest inadvertently and stumbles upon bhutya. He realises that Bhutya is not a ghost but a normal human being who has decided to outcast himself from the society and protect the forrest. Bhutya and Chiklu soon strike a chord and become best of pals. How they both help each other to overcome the hirdles in their life forms the rest of the story.
When it comes to fine performances, this movie has plenty of them. But it’s the youngest of them all, Sakhsham Kulkarni who steals the show. He portays the innocence and the curiosity of a young mind with such an ease. Very natural performance. Nana Patekar gives very controlled performance. There are moments when you can see why he is considered as one of the best. The way he utilises his hypnotic gaze and his voice to get into the character is simply awesome. The duo has a such chemistry between them. The performances by Jyoti Shubhash(Grandma) and Narayani Shastri(Salu) are very effective.
Music is another strong point of Pak Pak Pakaak. The songs are part of the narrative and help the story move forward instead of being common dance and singing routine. The song picturisation is excellent, especially “Salu ga salu” and “Dhipadi Dhipang”. The movie captures the feel of a village very well. The supporting actors, their getups and dialogues are very natural and authentic. The cinematographer does the job of capturing various shades of the forrest very well.
This movie has social messages in it like “Education is good”, “Protect the Nature” and “Don’t be superstitious”. But instead of preachinbg them, the movie conveys them very subtely and that’s what makes this movie different from the others.
our word is that you should not miss this movie and once you watch this movie, I am sure you will keep coming back for more.