It’s high time, Rajinikanth does a Marathi film, say Marathi film critics
South Superstar and former popular Bollywood film hero Rajinikanth has his fan following across the country and all over the world. According to our sources his latest film ‘Kabali’ has been released simultaneously in 30 nations in the world, which is the widest release of any Indian film so far.
Rajnikant also being popular in Mumbai and Maharashtra, with his original roots in Maharashtra, his film has received overwhelming response during the first three days, with housefull shows . Some of the film critics in Marathi have now expressed their wish that Rajinikanth should do a Marathi film. Rajnikant himself has already expressed his wish to do a Marathi film in near future. All that is required is a suitable script to suit his image. One senior Marathi critic on his social networking page has appealed to Rajnikant to do a Marathi film, which according to him will be equivalent to 100 Marathi films released during the year.
Now, the ball is in Rajnikant’s court, as people from Maharashtra have already made his film ‘Kabali‘ a super hit film in Maharashtra too.
‘Half Ticket’ – An Emotion filled realistic film
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Rating: ★★★ ½
Genres: Drama Censor: U Duration: 130 min. Studio/presenter: Video Palace Producer(s): Nanu Jaisinghani, Suresh Jaisinghani, Mohit Jaisinghani Director: Samit Kakkad Writer: Dnyanesh Zoting Music: G.V Prakashkumar Cinematographer (DOP): Sanjay Memane Cast: Shubham More, Vinayak Potdar, Priyanka Bose, Usha Naik, Bhau Kadam, Jaywant Wadkar, Kailash Waghmare, Shashank Shinde, Shrikant Yadav Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
Known for their realistic subjects, Marathi films have been appreciated world over. Now, the latest addition in this list is new Marathi film ‘Half Ticket‘, which is an emotion filled film, presenting the effect on the family of a person, who is arrested and kept in police custody, waiting for the court decision. His wife (Priyanka Bose Kamat) is working hard in a sewing unit, to raise money, to pay to the lawyer to get bail for her husband. At the same time, her two little children are looked after by their old grandmother( Usha Naik) at home.
The elder child in the family identifies himself as Mothya Kavalyache Anda( Big Crow’s egg) and younger one Chhotya Kavalyache Anda ( Egg of small crow); only because they are fond of picking up 2 eggs from the crow’s nest and sipping the content. They also support their mother by collecting the coal lying around the railway tracks, with the support of a track mechanic Tuti Fruti( Bhau Kadam) and selling it to a scrap vedor( Shashank Shende) . Initially, the elder son has a dream to possess a mobile phone. But, when a new Pizza shop is opened in their area, his new wish turns into sharing a Pizza worth Rs.299/- with his younger brother. To make it possible, they do extra work and earn the money in a short time.
When the two brothers are prevented from entering the shop by the security person, they on the advise of their friend Tutifruiti , start earning more doing odd jobs, to purchase new clothes for themselves, so that they could find entry into Pizza shop. But, this time, they are slapped by the manager. A video of this happening taken by a child in the neighbourhood, is acquired by the local goons in their slum and they blackmail the owner. But, the owner plays a smarter game , which fulfills the wish of the two children. But, after tasting the Pizza, they realize that the Home made Pizza attempted by the grandmother was much better.
With this simple emotion filled story, director Sameet Kakkad has presented a very sensible screenplay, showing the feelings of the slum children at that age.
Through the characters like Nana( Shrikant Yadav), Pokya( Kailash Waghmare), Chillar( Nitin Bhodare) & Shilwant( Jaywant Wadkar) , he has shown the selfish attitude of Politicians and their associates, while exploiting their own community people. The film also shows the dilemma of the woman, managing the house, after her husband is arrested by the police. Very cleverly, the director has tried to show, how the entry into big malls and Pizza shops become a dream for the children living in slums. If the dream of a little schoolboy boy from a well to do family , is owning a costliest wrist watch, that of a child of his age, living in slums, may be of eating a Pizza one day, costing Rs.300/-.
There are very few errors committed in the screenplay. How could this poor family, after winning a TV set in lucky draw, manage to have a satellite connection, with additional expenditure of at least Rs.500/- a month; when the woman is struggling to earn money to pay to the lawyer for her husband’s bail ? But, the intention of the story writer Dnyanesh Zoting is good, while dealing with this subject. The cinematic version of this story has become more effective, with the wonderful sound design by Anmol Bhave. Sanjay Memane’s cinematography, GV Prakash’s music and Faisal Imran’s editing makes this film more presentable. Excellent performances come from the two child artistes Shubham More & Vinayak Potdar, their mother played by Priyanka Bose kamat, Grand mother Usha Naik and others.
‘Half Ticket‘ is a much better film than ‘Slumdog Millionaire‘, because this film doesn’t exploit the poverty in city , but deals with a subject, with a social message. Moreover, it is made in Marathi, by our own Indian film maker. Certainly, a worth watch film, to understand how 54% of Mumbai’s population is living in slums and how they are struggling to survive in this tinsel town.
Is Murli Sharma emerging as the new Villain in Marathi films ?
After his marriage to well known actress Ashwini Kalsekar, Murli Sharma is taking keen interest in Marathi language. Till now, we have watched his performance in Marathi films like ‘Ajintha’ and ‘Vijay Aso’. In ‘Poshter Boyz’ he played a cameo along with his wife Ashwini. In his acting career of past 13 years, Murli has performed in about 75 to 80 Hindi, Marathi & South films. But now, he has found a very big role of a main villain, in Sanjay Jadhav’s film ‘Guru’. And, Murli has highly impressed the Marathi film lovers, with his performance and proficiency in Marathi language.
When MarathiMovieWorld.com spoke to him recently, after watching his performance in this film, he thanked Sanjay Jadhav, for considering him suitable, to play this dangerous character of Mansing. Murli was also all praise for Ankush Choudhari, for being so friendly with him, during the course of shooting. “All Marathi artistes are very talented and I really enjoyed working with all of them.” he said. By the way, Murli will also be seen in forthcoming Marathi film ‘Ghantaa’, which is also a very good film, according to him.
Swapnil Joshi has an occasion to celebrate his birthday
For a long time there was no news about Swapnil Joshi’s film ‘Friends’. One doesn’t know, whether this film is also a remake of any south film. Because, now days even in Marathi, it has become a practice of making south film remakes. But, one thing is sure that this is the debut film of South film director R.Madhesh. The film stars Sachit Patil along with Swapnil Joshi for the first time. ‘Friends’ starcast also includes actress Gauri Nalawade in lead actress role.
Recently, Swapnil Joshi had an occasion to celebrate his birthday differently, as Poster of this film was launched by him on this day, in the company of the film’s team. Produced by Sanjay Kelapure, Manish Chanda, Prem Vyas, under the banner of Blue Eye Arts, the film will be releasing in January 2016. Kartik Nishandar & Arjun Barhan are also associate producers of this film.
‘Classmates’ displays excellent team work
 Rating: ★★★★
Genres: Drama, Romantic, Musical, Suspense Censor: U/A Duration: 130 min Studio/presenter: Video Palace, S.K. Production Films Producer: Suresh Pai Director: Aditya Ajay Sarpotdar Writer: Kshitij Patwardhan, Sameer Vidwans Lyrics: Guru Thaakur, Kshitij Patwardhan, Manndar Cholkar, Satyajeet Ranade Music: Amitraj, Avinash-Vishwajeet, Troy-Arif, Pankaj Padghan Cinematographer (DOP): K.K. Manoj Cast: Ankush Choudhary, Sonalee Kulkarni, Sai Tamhankar, Sushant Shelar, Sachit Patil, Siddharth Chandekar, Suyash Tilak, Pallavi Patil, Sanjay Mone, Kishori Shahane, Ramesh Dev. Movie Review by: Jitendra R More |
Every parting indicates a big loss; but, every reunion is a reminiscence. Based on this philosophy is ‘Classmates’, the latest offering from Aditya Sarpotdar. No matter, this film is an authorised remake of a South film, with the same name, Aditya has used his past seven years experience, to skilfully captain his team of talented performers. Set on the backdrop of a college life during 90s, the film begins with a scene 20 years later, when the classmates of 1995 batch reunite for a purpose, in their college. So, we witness the seven batch mates comprising of Satya (Ankush Chaudhari), Appu(Sai Tamhankar), Aditi (Sonalee Kulkarni), Rohit Bhosale, now a MLA (Sachit Patil), Pratap, now a Police Inspector( Sushant Shelar), Amit(Suyash Tilak), now husband of Appu and Heena ( Pallavi Patil), a Muslim woman and close friend of Aditi; attending the opening ceremony of the Music section in memory of their departed friend.
They are all welcomed by the lady principal (Kishori Shahane Viz), mother of late Ani (Siddharth Chandekar). As they are about to meet late in the evening, after the function, an unfortunate accident takes place in respect of one of their classmates. This being a biggest twist in the story, the film progresses with the investigation of the accident and at the same time, taking the viewers into flashback, to show the happenings twenty years ago, while they were in the college. So, we witness the acts of ragging, which prevailed those days, the rivalry between two groups, with the entry of politically backed youth wings, dance n music and of course the love affairs. In short, it is all in one contribution of action, saga, friendship, music and revenge.
Best thing about the film, is its well written screenplay by Sameer Vidwans and Kshitij Patwardhan and suitable dialogues by Kshitij, to meet the requirement of the realistic college lifestyle, during that period. But, above all the director Aditya Sarpotdar shows his presence through many important scenes. Watch the scene, where ace swimmer Sachit Patil folding his call letter from foreign university for admission, to support one of the tilting legs of the side table in his house.
This clearly displayed the gravity of the situation, where his father who is in deep trouble in Politics, requiring the support of his son and the son offering the same, through this act. Very cleverly, he has managed to unfold the mystery, in the screenplay. Though he gave a Marathi feel to this film, the two songs have a south Indian flavour. Even otherwise, barring two songs, the music is not very impressive. Perhaps, too many cooks couldn’t match well, with each other. But, the background score is simply fabulous. Good support comes from impressive camera work and sound design.
In the acting department, three actors have shown maturity in their acting, while portraying their respective characters. They are Ankush Choudhary , Sachit Patil and Siddharth Chandekar. All three of them stole the show, displaying diversity . The director has exploited their full potential. Among the females, Sonalee Kukarni has also shown lot of improvisation, in the role of Aditi. Sai Tamhankar suits well in the role of possessive Appu, but her performance is more dependent on the dialogues offered to her. Sushant Shelar and SuyashTilak are convincing, but Pallavi has been wasted in the role of Heena. Not much scope was given to this promising new find actress, who was picked up from the talent hunt programme of 9X Jhakas. Veterans like Kishori Shanane, Ramesh Deo and Sanajy Mone offer good support. But, the ultimate winner is Aditya Sarpotdar. He really stands tall, for his effective presentation style, in this story based and suspense filled film.