Rating: na Banner: Amanora, Sanjay Ghodawat Groups Producer: G. J. Creation Director: Gautam Joglekar Story, Screenplay, Dialogues: Gautam Joglekar Cinematographer: Ganesh Sankla, Ajit Raddys. Music: Yashwant Dev, K C Loy, Ajit Parab, Gautam Joglekar Cast: Mahesh Manjrekar, Mrunal Kulkarni, SIddharth Chandekar, Hemant Dhome, Aditi Govitrikar, Yatin Karyekar, Anusha Dandekar Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Gautam Joglekar has a strong background of film and stage; having been blessed by renowned personalities like Sai Paranjape and Arun Joglekar. As an actor, we saw very little of him; but as a film maker, he proved his ability through his first film ‘Pak Pak Pakak’. This time he strikes with something big in the form of ‘Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha’ a commercial Marathi film with music and Marathi culture as its base. The story of the film revolves around one of the leading tennis players in the world -Ashwini Stevenson (Anusha Dandekar), who is on a short trip to her motherland.

Having been deserted by her biological mother after her birth, Ashwini is adopted by her American mother from a children’s home in Pune, when she was just four years old. After attaining a celebrity status, she does not forget the culture of her birthplace and does her duty by donating 10% of her earnings towards charity. On her short visit to Maharashtra, she is a guest of Royal Mohite family from Kolhapur. They depute their young son Vishal (Hemant Dhome) to receive her and take her around tourist places on their way to Kolhapur from Mumbai. Among many other experiences, she is also invited as a special guest at the children’s home, where she has spent her early childhood.

During this short journey, Ashwini comes across a TV anchor (Aditi Govitrikar), a trainee Journalist- Rajat and his parents Dilip & Amruta Rege ( Mahesh Manjrekar & Mrinal Kulkarni). Ashwini is a fun loving young girl who loves to be part of the traditional festival and food in India, but Vishal is over protective about her food and is constantly accompanying her,during her short trip as her guide. He falls in love with her and Ashwini too loves his innocence. When Ashwini lands in Pune, she is shocked to discover the presence of her real mother around.

At the stroke of interval, the audience also becomes aware of the reality, besides Ashwini, who hates her biological mother for having deserted her, after her birth. Director Gautam Joglekar has tried to link the sequences with flashback, to reveal the truth behind the happenings of the past. The electronic media goes after the story, with the rival channels competing with each other trying to cover different angles. But, as the film’s story moves on, we find the breaks in the form of songs offering good music by four different music composers. The film concludes with a happy ending, when Ashwini gets ready to return back.

‘Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha’ has tried to offer a different type of entertainment with a new subject, with special emphasis on the culture of Maharashtra. Very cleverly, the director has tried to use his sponsors, during Ashwini’s trip to Pune, supported by a song; suggesting the importance of the historical city. With the inclusion of Mahesh Manjrekar and Mrinal Kulkarni, he has tried

to make the film emotion filled and at the same time he moves simultaneously with the fun loving pair of Hemant and Anusha.With the help of Siddharth, he has offered a character of a confused son, whose mother suffers from a neurological disorder. There are many other characters in the film, who form a big team to bring some relief to the serious subject.
What makes the film more interesting, is its presentation. There is no doubt that all the artistes have responded well through their respective characters. But, without the excellent camera work, perfect editing and good music, it would have turned out to be a serious tale. Both Mahesh Manjrekar and Mrinal Kulkarni have given their best performances, with a perfect understanding between them for every scene. Siddharth Chandekar displays his skills through his emotions as and when he got an opportunity. Anusha Dandekar is the perfect choice for the role of Ashwini, because of her accent and looks. She impresses in that role. But, it is Hemant Dhome, who in the lead role of Vishal Mohite has invited all the attention. He is simply superb!

The film does have few drifts; like inclusion of four friends of the hero and a song sequence with them and the unnecessary sting operation by a TV channel, involving Amruta and Ashwini . These are not ethical practices, at least by Marathi news network. But, barring these few scenes, the film has tried to present something sensible to the Marathi viewers. ‘Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha’ is a film for all, who respect Marathi culture.