Rating: ★★★ ½ Genres: Comedy, Drama Censor: U Duration: 142 Min. Studio/presenter: Viacom 18 Motion Pictures Pvt Ltd Producer(s): Deepak Director: Sameer Patil Writer: Hemant Dhome Music: Amitraj Cinematographer (DOP): Pushpank Gawade Cast: Sonalee Kulkarni, Jitendra Joshi, Aniket Vishwasrao, Siddharth Menon, Hemant Dhome, Sandeep Pathak, Akshay Tanksale, Hrishikesh Joshi Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Every sensible film maker has his own way of spreading a social message, through the medium of cinema. Indeed, cinema can change the opinion of people, towards an important social issue. Over the years, many well known film makers have tried their best to deliver social message, with the help of entertainment. But, it is very important to present the subject, through screenplay, in such a way, that the film doesn’t become a documentary.

Through latest released Marathi film ‘Poshter Girl’, writer Hemant Dhome and director Sameer Patil have tried their best to deliver a social message, to draw the attention of audience towards two important issues, i.e. female feticide and land grab of poor farmers, in the name of development. And, they have succeeded in their mission.

The film has been set on the rural backdrop, showing one such village Tekavade, which has banned the birth of a girl child, for the past 15 years. Even if any girl is born, the mother along with the girl child, are asked to leave the village. So, these women have no option, but to leave the village and shift to their parent’s place in other village. One day, a mod girl Rupali  (Sopnalee Kulkarni) based in Pune and preparing for her MPSC exams, comes to this village to her Uncle’s ( Hrishikesh Joshi) place, to attend a religious ceremony of her departed father. And, her arrival, changes the outlook of all eligible bachelors in the village. All of them, want her to be their would be wife.

Realizing the situation in the village, Rupali plays a clever game, with the help of her friend from the village ( Hemant Dhome), whose father owns a hair cutting saloon and who is also preparing for his MPSC exams. The shortlisted candidates by Rupali, are played by Jitendra Joshi, son of a Village Sarpanch ( Madhav Abhyankar), Aniket Vishwasrao son of a trader Anand Ingale, Siddharth Menon, son of a Beer Shoppe owner Vaibhav Mangle & the twins Ramesh-Suresh , sons of a trader in building materials, respectively. But, when Rupali insists that the boy should be working hard and be a farmer, all of them take up the challenge to do collective farming, to grow Bell pepper. What transpires through this process, has been cleverly presented by the director in humorous way.

Some of the scenes in the film, especially in post interval session, have been over stretched. Moreover, the conclusion part of the film is predictable; but, the intention of the film maker being good, this drawback of the film, can be ignored. You can’t compare this film, with the director’s previous hit film ‘Poshter Boyz’, as the situation in his previous film, was totally different. ‘Poshter Girl’ has much more to offer, to the people living in rural areas. But, we only hope that the film reaches to them.

Wonderful performances by a big team of popular artistes, add vigor into this humor filled film. While Sonalee Kulkarni, has shown lot of improvisation in her acting, especially the style of her dialogue delivery; Hrishikesh Joshi entertains through his comedy punches and spontaneous body language. Hemant Dhome, being a writer of this film, has opted for a non-comedy role and he has played it convincingly. Aniket Vishwasrao has also presented something different, through his introvert character of Bajarang. Siddharth Menon suits well as a 20 year old happy go lucky youngster . Sadeep Patrhak and Akshay Tanksale provide good entertainment as fun loving twin brothers.

Good support is provided by other artistes in the film, comprising of Madhav Abhyankar, Neha Shitole, Anand Ingale, Vaibhav Mangale, Jaywant Wadkar & others.

Music is not very impressive, except for one DJ song, which is expected to popularize, at rural festivals and one traditional Lavani, which has been picturised on debutant Rasika. All in all ‘Poshter Girl’ is not an ‘out of the box’ kind of film, but an entertaining commercial masala film, with a timely social message, for the entire family.