Rating: ★★★ ½ Producer: Abhay Gadgil, Shrirang Godbole, Mohan Damle Director: Satish Manwar Music: Dattaprasad Ranade Cinematography: Parixit Warrier Cast: Upendra Limaye, Vibhavari Deshpande, Kishore Kadam, Suhas Palshikar, Suhas Shirsat, Gauri Konge, Ramesh Medhekar, Shashank Shende Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

God has no religion and therefore changing the God to offer prayers, does not change your religion. Latest released Marathi film ‘Tuhya Dharma Koncha?'(What is your religion?) tries to explain how poverty forces a poor family towards conversion to another religion and later goes on to show how the family has to face the ire from their own community. In fact, director Satish Manwar ( Gabhricha Paus fame) tries to explain the dilemma of tribals, who fall easy prey to opportunists and fanatics.

Set on the backdrop of a tiger sanctuary in Northern Maharashtra, the film revolves around a tribal family of Kavadu (Upendra Limaye) who lives in a small tribal colony with his wife Bhulabai (Vibhavari Deshpande) a small kid and a new born baby. One day, Kavadu is falsely implicated and put under trial for killing a tiger. In the absence of the bread earner in the family, Bhulabai becomes helpless when her new born baby needs immediate medical attention. She does visit the municipal dispensary at a nearby village; but can’t afford the costly food supplements prescribed. Later, when the child is seriously ill, on the suggestion of a lady from her tribe; she takes her son to a Father of a Christian missionary, who is a doctor. Indebted by the kind hearted Father and the Nun from the missionary, who offer her free treatment and food for her kid; Bhulabai regularly attends the mass at the church. She also gets converted into Christianity, only to face ire of local tribal community. Finally, Kavadu is declared innocent, as the real culprits are arrested. But, the a group of Hindu fanatics force Kavadu and few others from the village to get reconverted into Hinduism. Finally, Kavadu and his wife understand who their real God is, as they embrace a traditional tree in the last scene, to show their faith in Nature God.

The film does deal with a sensitive issue with utmost care, without hurting the sentiments of any religion. When the Father of the church (Kishore Kadam) tells the Nun (Sneha Majgaonkar) that he was not interested in keeping the count of number of conversions; but, would be happy to find even one such true devotee of his religion; it makes his selfless service very clear. At the same time, a Hindu priest, who is spreading the importance of his religion and showing his opposition to conversions; is himself shown against violence. It is only few of his devotees, lock him up and get involved into violent activities. As a result of their aggression, the poor tribal community is in a dilemma. The director has also shown the Naxalite movement in this region; and the reason for their taking up the arms. But, in the film’s screenplay, the director has shown them neutral, in the religious uproar. There is one possibility that some of the portion must have undergone cuts at the Censor’s table.

Director Satish Manwar has however presented his subject in a realistic manner. He has used the ahirani language very well throughout the film, which is a tribute to Bahinabai Chaudhary, whose all original poems were in this language. Cinematography by Parixit Warrier is simply superb. So is the suitable music score by Dattaprasad Ranade and background score by Augustine Samuel and the wonderful flute played by Navin Iyer from South. In the role of Kavadu, Upendra Limaye has given one more fabulous performance after ‘Jogwa’. Vibhavari Deshpande has supported him well, as a helpless wife. She has expressed herself very well at every situation through her eyes. In the role of Father of the church, Kishore Kadam is at his best. The dialogues are apt to every situation. The film does throw light on the existing situation in tribal region and shows how the Government’s apathy, enables external forces to exploit their poverty.