Rating: ★★★ Studio: Everest Entertainment Producers: Anish Jog, Saurabh Gadgil Director: Sameer Vidwans Music: Hrishikesh Kamerkar Cast: Umesh Kamat, Siddharth Jadhav, Priya Bapat-Kamat, Saie Tamhankar Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Trust in a relationship is everything. Whether it is a friendly relationship or a marriage. Without respect, love is lost. Without caring, love is boring. Without honesty, love is unhappy. Without trust, love is unstable. And life becomes miserable for those who pass through such a strained relationship. Based on this theme, director Sameer Vidwans and script writer Kshitij Patwardhan first presented a Marathi play ‘Nava Gadee Nave Rajya’, which became a hit. The play still draws a good crowd at auditoriums.

Now, the makers of this play have presented a film ‘Time Please! Love story Lagnanantarchi’ by making suitable changes in the script, to suit the cinematic form. So, we find the same lead stars and real life couple Umesh kamat and Priya Bapat, playing the screen couple- Hrishikesh and Amruta in this film, in the company of Siddharth Jadhav as Himmatrao and Saie Tamhankar as Radhika. In the original play the supporting roles were played by Hemant Dhome and Prajakta Datar respectively.

It may be recalled that though the play had its own limitations, the fine performances of the four artistes, their perfect timing and their spontaneous body language created a hilarious comedy. The play reached popularity heights and perhaps that was the reason for giving it a cinematic look. There is no doubt that the director and script writer have taken cinematic liberties to re write the script and add some more scenes to make the film more interesting; i.e. inclusion of songs, one of them being an item number pictured on Siddharth Jadhav and other artistes, during a Bollywood theme party in a unique style.

The film begins well with introduction of the lead characters Hrishikesh and Amruta and creating an atmosphere conducive for the entry of Himmatrao and Radhika, one after the other. But, the re entry of Radhika in the life of Hrishikesh causes more disturbance to Amruta; than return of Siddharth as a good old friend in the life of Amruta, for Hrishikesh. Being much younger to Hrishikesh ( Six year’s difference) causes more misunderstandings between the couple; with Amruta seriously thinking about separation. When their relationship is on the verge of a break, both Himmatrao and Radhika come to their rescue, calling for an happy end.

In the film, an unexpected arrival of Himmatrao in the house of the young couple and that too staying for few days, with his kiddish behaviour and closeness with the lady of the house, does create humour ;but, a peculiar scene, when Hrishikesh brings Radhika to his own house, knowing that his wife is away, doesn’t go well. In this scene, he consoles her, after listening to her story and later gives her a Mubnnabhai style Jhappi. Radhika takes this as a hint and walks into his bedroom, when Hrishikesh pushes her back . Then he tries to persuade her to leave, when she is once again into the arms of Hrishikesh. It is at this moment, Amruta walks in by opening the door. Seeing them in such a position, she leaves the house, preparing for a divorce. This looks like a typical filmy scene of misunderstandings.

Actually, there are few flaws in the film, related to unsuitable sequencing of the happenings. But, the timely Dialogues match well with the humour, at appropriate places. All the four artistes in the film have given wonderful performances. Music by Hrishikesh kamerkar is apt at two situations, with one male item number on Siddharth. Even the title song is good. Photography by Abhijit Abdhe is superb. His skilful camera work has captured the close ups and outdoor scenes very well. The last scene at the lighthouse is well taken.

Both Umesh and Priya have worked very hard on their emotional outbursts, besides displaying their happy moments together very naturally. Siddharth Jadhav has proved that his choice was not wrong for the role offered to him. He plays the happy go lucky Himmatrao in his style. In the role of Radhika, Sai Tamhankar is simply superb ! It seems that the film makers have spotted the real talent within her and Radhika is the best suited role for her.

But, why they should show her smoking all the time? Are the film makers not aware of the dangers of smoking among females ? It does pass a wrong message, at a time when Government has imposed anti-tobacco film before the start of such films. Others in the character roles, like Seema Deshmukh, Madhav Abhaynakar and Vandana Gupte have offered good support. This 2 hours 12 minute long film is amusing; but could have been still better, if more convincing outdoor sequences were added into the screenplay, taking the cinematic liberties. The film is timely and does pass a valid message to the young married couples; about the importance of ‘trust’ in each other. It also shows the limitations on involvement of old friends into an individual’s personal life, especially after marriage; unless both the partners know them well.