MMW Rating 3.5 User Rating 4.5 (2 votes) Sending

Genres: Comedy, Suspense, Thriller Censor: UA Duration: 130 min. Studio / Presenter: Magic Hour Creations Producer: Shivadarshan Sable, Ajit Patil, Dipti Vichare, Swati Phadtare DOP: Pradeep S. Khanvilakar Director: Shivadarshan Sable Cast:  Abhijeet Satam, Nikita Giridhar, Ravinder Singh Bakshi, Milind Uke, Shaila Kanekar, Raju Bawadekar, Surendra Pal Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Over the years Marathi films have made tremendous progress, as far as the story of the film is concerned. But, not all of them have been able to convert the story into a good gripping screenplay to offer something interesting to the audience. However, there are few films, where the film makers have made their limited subject interesting through excellent spellbinding screenplay to capture all the attention of the audience. Latest released Marathi film ‘Lagi Toh Chhagi‘ falls in the second category. Directed by Shivdarshan Sable ( the grandson of Late Shahir Sable) the story, screenplay and dialogues are also written by Shaivdarshan Sable along with his brother Hemraj Sable. And, this has given a freehand to the director to present the film and its every important sequence, using all his creativity.

‘Lagi Toh Chhagi‘ has been set on the backdrop of 2011 World Cup Cricket matches and people involved in the heavy betting taking place during the matches. But, the actual plot of the film revolves around two youngsters Aalap ( Abhijit Satam) and Bunty (Ravindra Singh Bakshi) who borrow loan from Loan sharks and get involved in betting over one such game to raise money for the business of Aalap. Then we find a bunch of ruthless drug dealers, international gangsters and the Narcotics department team headed by a bright and dashing woman ACP Surabhee Mhapsekar( Nikita Giridhar) all set to expose them.

Very creatively the director presents his action packed screenplay by simultaneously introducing each and every important character from his film and their inter connection. So, we find the two youngsters getting trapped into this wrong business through a dangerous Money lender Woongly Shetty ( Milind Uke), who is impressed by Aalap’s English communication. How they get into deep trouble, after getting involved into betting at the illegal business of a Pathan( Surendra Pal) and rescued by ACP Surabhee is what this film offers through its interesting screenplay.

Technically, this is well presented film going on the lines of some Hollywood films and likes of some action packed Bollywood films on this subject. The director seems to have been inspired by few of them, but he has taken efforts to present, what was in his mind, by not compromising on his budget. He has selected many outdoor locations in Mumbai and Goa, to give a realistic look to this film. Very few artistes are known faces in ‘Lagi Toh Chhagi‘ film, but others are new to Marathi film industry. Nevertheless, debutant Nikita Giridhar has proved her ability as an all round actress, with her quick reflexes during fight scenes and also shaking her legs when there was a need for a dance sequence. For a change, to deviate from his present TV image, Abhijeet Satam finds a good role. Good support comes from many character artistes, but, there is too much of Hindi spoken in this film especially by non Marathi speaking characters. So, on many occasions, it gives an impression, as if we are watching a Hindi film.

Music by Devdatta Sable and Anurag Godbole is fine for the two songs picturised in the film and good support also comes from Anurag Godbole for using the appropriate background music to make this film more interesting. DOP Pradeep Khanvilakr and editors Apurva Motiwale and Ashish Mhatre have handled their respective work very efficiently. All in all, if you love to watch action packed crime thrillers, this is a good experiment in Marathi. Only the title should have been more appealing to suit the theme of this film.