Rating: ★★★ Studio: Abhiruchi Films Producer: Sarav production Director: Sanjeev Naik Writer: Ramchandra Sadekar Dialogues: na Cinematographer: Manjunath Nayka Cast: Analesh Desai, Trishala Shah, Ashok Saraf, Nirmiti Sawant, Sayaji Shinde. Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

At a time, when we are finding innovative themes taken up by Marathi films; Some of our Marathi film makers seem to be still believing in the traditional track of comedy, to play safe. They don’t dare to attempt something out of the box. Latest Marathi film ‘Khara Saangu Khota khota’ falls into this category. So, we have a young boy and a young girl Dushyant and Yashashree from the same village; and studying in the same college in a town. To present this traditional love story, it is needless to say that their parents are traditional political rivals, living in the neighborhood and always trying to prove their supremacy over each other, during every important event in the village.

Dushyant and Yashashree come closer during their journey back home, with a halt at Nani Saranjame’s house; when they find their accommodation by posing themselves as married couple. Actual fun begins, when they return home . Director Sanjeev Naik has chosen this humour filled plot, based on Ramchandra Sadekar’s novel ‘Tuza Majha Zamena’ to find suitable artistes to play the important characters in this film. So, besides presenting the new pair of dashing Analesh Desai and Pretty Trishala Shah in this musical entertainer, he has opted for versatile artistes like Ashok Saraf and Sayaji Shinde to play the traditional rivals- Dhadalgaonkar & Dhandle Patil respectively. To add further flavour of comedy, he has rightly chosen Nirmiti Sawant to play the commanding role of Nani Saranjame, a spinster, who runs a match making enterprise.

The sole purpose of this film has been to offer non stop entertainment, with the limited characters, providing good support with their performances. The film has good music as its plus point, for which Shrirang Aras deserves a pat. One more plus point is good photography bt Manjunath B Nayaka, who has captured some songs at outdoor locations and the fun filled climax scene very well.

All the three senior artistes, who are well versed with comedy, have tried their best to generate instant humour with their perfect understanding, during all those scenes of confrontation in the screenplay. But, still they had to satisfy themselves, with the space extended to their characters. The chemistry of new pair of Analesh and Trishala has worked well, considering the comedy setting of the film. There are no scenes to really exploit their acting talents. Hemangi Velankar and Deepjyoti offer good support; but the other few character artistes in the film, fail to impress. They look very artificial. Even the tourist bus scene looks very outdated. The director should have tried something new, to bring the young couple together.

The screenplay of ‘Khara Saangu Khota khota’ could have been more interesting, had there been more interesting happenings, like the one noticed in the climax. It is a simple plot, to generate humour, without any vulgarity noticed. The pace of the film is also properly maintained by editing experts. Songs and music are timed well, in the screenplay. But, still you feel that there should have been more fun, in the company of the three veteran artistes. And hence, ‘Khara Saangu Khota khota’ has turned out to be just a customary musical entertainer for the entire family.