Rating: ★★½ Genres: Drama Censor: U Duration: 130 min. Studio/presenter: Vihang Group, Youngberry Entertainment Producer(s): Pratap Sarnaik Director, Music: Avadhoot Gupte Writer: Sachin Darekar, Avadhoot Gupte Cinematographer (DOP): Rahul Jadhav Cast: Vaibhav Tatwawdi , Gashmeer Mahajani, Gauri Nalawade, Sumedh Wani, Kiran Karmarkar, Prasad Oak Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

It seems that film maker Avadhoot Gupte has taken the patent of making Marathi films, with Govinda and Ganapati festival background. Earlier, we saw him doing a film ‘Morya‘, which was set on the backdrop of community festivals like Janmashtami and Ganapati, which are very popular fests in Mumbai and in some parts of Maharashtra.

In ‘Morya‘ we saw the fight for power between two groups led by Chinmay Mandlekar and Santosh Juvekar. But, in Avadhoot’s latest film ‘Kanha‘ produced by Pratap Sarnaik and presented by Zee Studios, he has opted for youngsters like Vaibhav Tatwawdi and Gashmeer Mahajani, representing two rival groups. When it comes to forming human pyramids with maximum heights during Govinda festival, they compete with each other.

Actually, the film has tried to voice the concern of hundreds of such Govinda groups, who have been prevented from crossing the height of pyramids more than 20 feet or and not crossing five layers and not permitting children below 18 years of age to take part, while breaking the dahi handi. The film has also tried to show, how the politicians encourage the Govindas to defy the court orders. So, in this film we see two politicians played by Prasad Oak and Kiran Karmarkar , representing political parties and leaving it to the audience to decide, whom do they represent. It is anybody’s guess.

The problem with this film is that it is not as gripping, as ‘Morya‘. Moreover, handling similar type of subject with interference of politicians in exploiting the sentiments of Govinda teams, fails to generate interest. The screenplay could have been more gripping. Even the music is not very appealing, except for one ‘Zagmag..‘ song. The other songs have the flavor of Avadhoot Gupte’s previous film songs. But, the good thing about this film are the performances of the artistes. Vaibhav Tatwawdi suits well in the role of Malhar Bhosale, displaying his emotional side well, while Gashmeer Mahajani has proved that his selection as angry young man Raghubhai was perfect. But, he hasn’t found much scope for acting, except for the climax, as he is shown under the obligation of aspiring politician Madhubhai played by Kiran Karmarkar . By the way, it is Kiran Karmarkar, who steals the show, with his superb performance in this film. Good support comes from Prasad Oak in the role of a local MLA, Gauri Nalawade as Gym Instructor and friend of Vaibhav and Omprakash Shinde ( Khulta Kali Khulena serial fame), who has played Vaibhav’s close friend and Kiran Mane as Police officer..

The makers of this film have cleverly used this film as a platform to send across a message to the administrators and law makers , voicing their point of view. But, at the same time, they have shown how so many Govindas lose their lives in this adventure sport, after being lured with attractive prizes offered by Politicians. The film ‘Kanha‘ may therefore appeal all those, who enjoy this sport. For others, it is just another Avadhoot Gupte film.