Rating: ★★ ½ Genres: Social, Political Censor: U Duration: 130 Min. Studio/presenter: Sharp Minds Moving Images Producer(s): Mukesh Thomare Director: Sharadchandra Jadhav Writer: Sharadchandra Jadhav Music: Ashok Vaingankar, Nitesh Tiwari Cinematographer (DOP): Augustyanag Jadhav Cast: Sharadchandra Jadhav, Nandkumar Patil, Priyanka Sasane, Arvind Dhanu, Manohar Bhagat, Yashwant Joshi, Vijay Koli, Abhay Kulkarni Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

65 years have passed since India’s independence, but, none of the politicians have looked into the grievances of Koli community and similar other communities, for giving them due recognition as Adivasi Koli in scheduled tribes category . Some influential people from this community managed to acquire the certificates; but others could not prove their credentials , during caste verification. Even before the independence, during British rule and even after the Indian constitution was passed, there seems to be a provision to recognize people from Koli community, as Adivasi Koli. But, all the Governments formed, have ignored their demands. That’s what some people from this community feel.

Latest released Marathi film ‘Ek Hota Valya‘ has raised these issues of Koli community , exposing the unfair attitude of Politicians towards this community. The film begins with the statement on the Preamble of the Constitution of India, thus making the intention of the film maker very clear. The lead hero of the film Valya ( Sharadchandra Jadhav), becomes a victim of caste verification , ordered by the Maharashtra Government. The film goes on to show, how the caste verification is only ,made applicable to local people from Maharashtra, whereas, the Governments from other states do not carry out such operation strictly . As a result of this, those from outside the state get away with such caste verification procedure, as for them, it is not necessary to acquire the records prior to 1950.

So, Valya after losing his job, turns a protagonist and fights against injustice on his community. He faces all the challenges from Politicians; but succeeds in uniting his community and similar other communities like Govari, Dhangar, Gavit and so on.. to fight for their rights. The film therefore takes the form of a documentary, though the director has managed cleverly, to prove the recognition to his community with due privileges from the Government. Though the intention of the film maker has been good, to invite the attention of the people to the grievances of this community, the film fails to create the desired punch. This is only because, the actor himself has written story, screenplay and dialogues , besides directing this film. The screenplay of the film, presents only the story of lead character. It would have been better, if there were similar other victims of caste politics, like him.

In the past, we have seen the films on the exploitation of Dhangar and Adivasi communities, through few Marathi films like ‘Khwada‘, ‘Dhangarwada‘, ‘Khairlanjichya Mathyavar‘ and others. They were able to present the issues of these communities very effectively, through the film’s screenplay. However, ‘Ek Hota Valya‘ fails to take the strong grip on the screenplay. There is no doubt about the sincerity of the lead actor Sharadchandra Jadhav, while presenting his character truthfully. But, still there were many things, missing from this film, to make it more realistic. Few scenes from the film have stretched too long. There was no need to show an item number, as it looks odd , with Politician himself watching his own video clip with the dancer, in the screenplay.

There is little scope for music of Ashok Vaigankar & Nitesh Tiwari, but cinematography by young Augustyanag Jadhav is good. Performances of supporting artistes Priyanka Sasane, Arwind Dhanu, Manohar Bhagat, Yashwant Joshi and Nandkumar Patil are just fine. Technically speaking, ‘Ek Hota valya’ is just an average social-political film, with a message.