Author Archives: Keyur Seta

Puratawn review: Sharmila Tagore provides an acting masterclass in this meditative drama

Memory loss or issues with memory is an unusual problem. More than the person suffering from the same, it affects those around him or her. This is the base of writer and director Suman Ghosh’s Bengali film Puratawn (English title: The Ancient).

The movie revolves around Ritika (Ritupatna Sengupta), a woman working in the corporate sector in a high position. Her marriage with Rajeev (Indraneil Sengupta), a passionate photographer, is going through turbulence. She, along with Rajeev, visits her ancestral home in a small town in West Bengal where her mother Mrs Sen (Sharmila Tagore) lives, to celebrate the latter’s 80^th birthday in a grand manner.

But there is also another reason for Ritika’s visit. She and Rajeev wish to reveal to her that their marriage is going nowhere. However, after arriving at the ancestral house, Ritika is pained to know that her mother is facing memory issues. Now, she is more hesitant to tell her about her troubled marriage as she doesn’t know how she would take it.

The aforementioned story is revealed to the audience in the initial portions itself. It doesn’t take long for you to figure out that Puratawn is not so much about story development. It is more about making the viewer feel as a silent spectator as the three characters go about their lives, conversations and challenges.

In other words, the film is more about the treatment. It moves in a gentle manner as it sucks you into its world, which is the ancestral home. In fact, the home is a character in itself as the narrative hardly goes out of it. But special care is taken to ensure that the proceedings never get dreary, leave alone boring. The lives of the three characters and their issues constantly make you feel for them.

The dialogues are like every day conversations but they are also deep enough to move you. The film has various moments which remind you of people from the advanced age from your life. Ghosh has also brilliantly used the flashback technique. The scene where Ritika hesitatingly tries entering Rajeev’s room and the scene cutting to the flashback moment when she entered his room once without hesitation stands out.

Puratawn is also film where, along with the direction, the cinematography (Ravi Kiran Ayyagari), background score and music (Alokananda Dasgupta) and the editing (Aditya Vikram Sengupta) play a major role in creating a meditative atmosphere that is continuously endearing. Production Designer Tanmoy Chakraborty deserves full marks for recreating a bygone era, through major and minor items inside the mansion.

As per the nature of the film, it doesn’t have a conventional climax. But the ending moments do justice to the rest of the content and succeed in moving you.

Puratawn has less number of characters and all of them rise to the occasion. Sharmila Tagore provides an acting masterclass, to say the least. She gets into the skin of an aging lady facing memory issues in a thoroughly effortless manner. The scenes where her memory starts playing with her deserve special mention.

Rituparna Sengupta brings forth the confusion and helplessness of a daughter going through a lot in a fine manner. Indraneil Sepgupta also succeeds in downplaying the emotions of a character who is also going through a turmoil. Brishti Roy, in the role of a house help, also shines. Ekavali turns out to be memorable despite playing a cameo of a doctor.

On the flipside, for some reason, the characters look exactly the same even in flashback scenes that are supposed to have happened years ago. The track of Ritika’s Naxalite uncle doesn’t fit into this genre.

Overall: Puratawn is a deeply moving and meditative journey about a golden past, uncertain future and a present that’s somewhere in between.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Director: Suman Ghosh

Producer: Rituparna Sengupta

Writer: Suman Ghosh

Cast: Rituparna Sengupta, Sharmila Tagore, Indraneil Sengupta, Brishti Roy, Ekavali

Also read: Only Fawad Khan faces opposition in India, other Pakistani actors are spared

Kesari Chapter 2 review: ‘F***ing’ hard-hitting courtroom drama with lots of creative liberties

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Just last month, filmmaker Ram Madhvani came up with his Sony LIV web series The Waking of a Nation. It was based on the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and how General Dyer was dragged to the court for the same. Although it was inspired from C Sankaran Nair’s case that shook the British Empire after the massacre, it was a fictionalized version with a fictitious protagonist.

Filmmaker Karan Tyagi’s Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Truth Of Jallianwala Bagh sees C Sankaran Nair himself fighting the case against the British Empire where he accuses the latter of a planned conspiracy in the form of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that killed more than a thousand Indians gathered at the site for a peaceful protest. Although Tyagi’s film also uses a lot of fiction, it is more impactful than The Waking of a Nation.

Kesari Chapter 2 is adapted from the book ‘The Case That Shook The Empire’, written by Nair’s grandson Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat.

During the start of the film, we see C Sankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar) as a lawyer who is a loyal British servant and someone who doesn’t shy away from taking the empire’s side in court. However, he goes through a change of heart after he knows the truth about the gruesome Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The makers have boldly shown the mass murders in a way that even a stone-hearted person would feel the agony and pain.

The transformation of the protagonist is convincing and this is the biggest triumph of the film. This was crucial because had the narrative lagged behind in this aspect, it would have harmed the entire film.

From here onwards, the movie becomes a gripping courtroom drama, with R Madhavan’s character also joining the proceedings, and remains so till the end. There are some developments during this part that take you by surprise. There is no doubt that during a lot of places the courtroom scenes are filmi. But as it provides entertainment in return and doesn’t stop you from feeling for the painful incident of the massacre, you don’t mind.

But Kesari Chapter 2 scores the most during the twists and turns in the pre-climax and the climax. You expect the film to end on a certain note but it surprises you, especially during the final confrontation.

We have heard the words ‘f**k’ and ‘f**king’ numerous times in various web series in recent years. But they have never provided such a huge impact like they do in this film and that too despite being repeated on quite a few occasions.

A major reason why Kesari Chapter 2 rises to this level is because of Akshay Kumar, who has given one of his best performances. He succeeds in the transformation and becomes unstoppable during the courtroom scenes. However, you don’t see him enter the character of a real historical figure like C Sankaran Nair. The actor more or less shows his own mannerisms and style of dialogue delivery. But because of the impact and the fact that it’s a mainstream Hindi film, you don’t mind that much.

The rest of the actors also rise to the occasion. R Madhavan gives a fine act as the antagonist lawyer and he also succeeds in being emotional. This is Ananya Panday’s finest act till date. She is more than noticeable here. You just can’t stop hating Simon Paisley Day as General Dyer and that shows how well he has enacted the character.

On the flipside, the makers have taken lots of creative liberties. The real case actually took place in London, instead of Amritsar. More importantly, it took place after the death of General Dyer. And it was actually a case of defamation filed against Nair by Michael O’Dwyer, who was also responsible for the massacre, for writing a book against the British Empire. In the film, we see Sankaran suing the British empire for genocide.

Overall: Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Truth Of Jallianwala Bagh succeeds in providing a tribute to the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and point out how Britain has still not apologized to India for the same. But be prepared for a lot of fiction being added to the real incidents. At the box office, the film will score more in multiplexes than single screens, thanks to its subject and the Adult rating it has received from the censors.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Director: Karan Singh Tyagi

Producers: Dharma Productions, Cape Of Good Films and Leo Media Collective

Writers: Raghu Palat, Pushpa Palat, Karan Singh Tyagi, Amritpal Singh Bindra and Sumit Saxena

Cast: Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, Ananya Panday, Simon Paisley Day

Also read: Sikandar Review: Film about organ transplant needed script transplant

Jaat review: This Sunny Deol starrer is a paisa vasool entertainer

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Sunny Deol made a phenomenal comeback with Anil Sharma’s Gadar 2 in 2023. The film’s acceptance and box office run was such that nobody expected. Naturally, following this, there was a keen anticipation for his next. It has been a long wait as his next actioner Jaat with Gopichand Malineni has taken almost two years. But the wait has been worth.

Jaat starts off in 2009 when Ranatunga (Randeep Hooda), his brother Somulu (Viineet Kumar Siingh) and others are working as labourers in Sri Lanka for the Sri Lankan army. Once while digging a ground, Ranatunga comes across hidden bars of gold. He decides that they should steal the gold and flee from the place. They succeed in doing so by killing a number of Sri Lankan army personnel.

Ranatunga and others arrive in Andhra Pradesh through the sea route and settle in a village after bribing the cops. Slowly, he becomes a ruthless don and starts spreading his empire.

In the present day, Ranatunga’s men kill a large number of people in the most gruesome manner in a village. Inspector Vijaya Lakshmi (Saiyami Kher) and other female cops visit Ranatunga’s place to arrest him. However, they get trapped. Just then, a stranger (Sunny Deol) by chance enters the village and slowly comes across Ranatunga and his atrocities.

Jaat is based on a typical good vs evil theme but the film isn’t narrated and presented in a clichéd way. Normally in such stories, the hero, mostly a man in a uniform, is given the task to either arrest or eliminate the villain. But here, Sunny’s character unintentionally enters the village and, most importantly, wants an apology for a small incident. Coming to the latter, the whole ‘Sorry bol’ episode is hilarious masterstroke. It also gives rise to exciting confrontational and action sequences. The action isn’t like the typical dubbed south films we see on TV. The fights over here are quite creatively shot.

Jaat goes onto another level once Sunny’s character comes to know the demonic nature of Ranatunga’s character. However, then comes a time when the narrative becomes a bit slow and dragging with entertainment taking a backseat. But thankfully, a couple of sequences later in the second half, including the climax when a major revelation happens, make up for it.

Jaat is a typical Sunny Deol entertainer with a few meta references too both in the dialogues and fight sequences. Hence, those who aren’t his fans or don’t like such type of masala entertainers are bound to be disappointed. But notwithstanding this, the level of violence and gore could have been lessened. This wouldn’t have reduced the overall impact of the villain. Although one can’t expect logic in such genre of films, there are a lot of creative liberties taken.

Sunny Deol makes a late entry but the film completely rests on his shoulders and he delivers consistently. It’s a pleasure and a wonder to see him carry out such fight sequences despite being close to 70. He also scores in the dialogues, especially whenever he narrates the ‘idli’ incident. Randeep Hooda also shines as the villain and you love to hate him.

Saiyami Kher gives an honest act as a cop. Regena Cassandrra is a revelation in a ruthless role. Viineet Kumar Siingh displays his talent yet again. Upendra Limaye takes away all the claps and whistles in his cameo, just like he did in Animal. Jagapathi Babu and Ramya Krishnan are decent in their supporting roles.

Overall: Jaat is a paisa vasool entertainer if you are a fan of action masala entertainers, especially the ones starring Sunny Deol. At the box office, the film will score more in the interiors than in the metros as it’s an ideal single screen film.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Director: Gopichand Malineni

Producers: Mythri Movie Makers, People Media Factory and Zee Studios

Writers: Saurabh Gupta and Gopichand Malineni

Cast: Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, Saiyami Kher, Regena Cassandrra, Viineet Kumar Siingh

Also Read: Sikandar review: Film about organ transplant needed script transplant

Only Fawad Khan faces opposition in India, other Pakistani actors are spared

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Earlier this week, Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor starrer Abir Gulaal was announced. Directed by Aarti S Bagdi, the film is a romantic drama. As soon as the announcement was made, a section of the political class in Maharashtra came up in arms against the film since it stars a Pakistani actor. They have said that they won’t let the film release in theatres in Maharashtra on its scheduled release date, which is May 9.

This is not the first time that a film starring Fawad has faced opposition in Maharashtra after relations between India and Pakistan soured following the Uri and Pulwama attacks in 2016 and 2019 respectively. A lot of efforts were made to stall the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which also starred Fawad. Last year, his Pakistani film The Legend Of Maula Jatt also faced opposition in Maharashtra, although it wasn’t planned to release in the state.

Strangely, it is only Fawad whose films face opposition in Maharashtra while other Pakistani stars are spared. Its biggest example is the recent re-release of Sanam Teri Kasam, which happened on February 7. This film was not only allowed a release but there was not even a hint of opposition against it despite it starring Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane in the lead.

In fact, Sanam Teri Kasam not only became successful but also the biggest hit of all the films that have re-released since last year by earning close to a high amount of Rs. 40 crores. Interestingly, as you read this, it’s still playing in theatres in Mumbai in the second month of its release.

When a film earns this much and runs for two months at the box office, it obviously means that a large number of people went to see it. Hence, it’s difficult to believe that those who are protesting against Abir Gulaal were completely unaware about the re-release of Sanam Teri Kasam.

This isn’t the only example though. In 2016, there was massive opposition against the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil because of Fawad’s presence in it following the Uri attacks. The film, however, was shot much before the attacks happened but that didn’t budge the political protestors. Finally, a settlement was made and the film was able to release. However, a few months later Hindi Medium (2017) didn’t face any opposition, although it starred Pakistani actress Saba Qamar as the lead.

Similarly, in the last few years, Zee’s Zindagi has tied up with Pakistani artistes to produce OTT shows for Indian and Pakistani audience like Churails, Dhoop Ki Deewar, etc. But there hasn’t been a word against these shows.

This makes me wonder why only Fawad Khan faces opposition while other Pakistani actors are spared. Does their nationalistic sentiment get hurt only when a film starring a big Pakistani star releases? Is their nationalistic sentiment limited to the popularity of the actor and is devoid of any equality in their stand?

Also read: Why Vikramaditya Motwane’s documentary on Emergency is more powerful than Kangana Ranaut’s feature film on the same

Sikandar Review: Film about organ transplant needed script transplant

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Over the last few years, we have been dished out quite a few films (except Tiger 3) that are made just to showcase Salman Khan’s herogiri through fight scenes, dialogue baazi, songs and dances and, above all, his noble on screen nature. This has now become a new genre of filmmaking called ‘Bhai films’. Filmmaker AR Murugadoss’ Sikandar is yet another film in this genre.

The story starts off in Rajkot where Sanjay Rajkot (Salman) enjoys the life of an unofficial king of the city. He lives in a palatial bungalow. We don’t know whether he inherited it from his ancestors or earned money himself to build his empire. He has a wife Saisri (Rashmika Mandanna), who is much younger to him. She is married to him since quite a few years but is still unaware how he has so many nicknames. And it is after quite a few years of their marriage that she says she prefers to address him as only ‘Sanjay’.

During a flight, Sanjay beats up Arjun (Prateik Smita Patil) who was trying to forcefully get physical with a woman on flight after blackmailing her just before take-off despite the presence of her little son. Arjun turns out to be the son of a powerful minister (Sathyaraj) from Maharashtra. The senior politician and his son, obviously, are seething with anger and eager to take revenge from Sanjay.

Meanwhile, Sanjay goes through a terrible personal tragedy. This, somehow, brings him face-to-face with Arjun and his politician father.

Sikandar starts on a good note. Salman Khan’s entry is impressive. Thankfully, this is a not a typical entry scene where the hero beats up a few random baddies just to enter the film. As said in the above synopsis, his beating up Arjun is a part of the film’s story.

However, from here on, the film goes downhill and never recovers. The personal tragedy of Sanjay takes you by surprise but whatever happens after that is difficult to fathom. Linking the organ transplant angle with that of the minister appears forceful and defies logic.

This angle does have a couple of touching moments, especially with the kid who goes through lung transplant and the incident when the people of Mumbai gather to show support for Sikandar. But these incidents appear miniscule because of the huge fallacies the film is riddled with.

The cat and mouse game between Sikandar and the minister not only lacks logic (even by the standards of Bhai films) but is also filled with moments that either make you laugh unintentionally or go like, ‘What the hell just happened!’.

There are quite a few other major questionable moments in the main plot itself. Sanjay is the undisputed king of Rajkot and enjoys a Godly status. Yet, the people of Mumbai haven’t even heard of him even in today’s times of social media. Sanjay is not just rich but also super wealthy but he, for some reason, prefers traveling by train from Rajkot to Gujarat. Ideally, people with such wealth have their own chartered plane in today’s times. Also, the Fiat taxi used by Sanjay in Mumbai has been off the roads since almost a decade or more. Weirdly, the taxis in which his rest of the team travels are the latest ones.

Sikandar is, obviously, made to celebrate Salman’s stardom but he is one of the biggest casualties of the film. He appears without energy, dedication or even interest as he goes about his usual heroics. And the less said about his dialogue delivery the better. Rashmika Mandanna scores in expressions but once again highly irritates with her heavy accented dialogue delivery. Thankfully, she doesn’t have a lengthy role.

Sathyaraj, despite not being very good, is the best of the lot. Prateik Babbar plays a typical spoilt son of a high profile politician. It is painful to see Sharman Joshi being reduced to Sanjay’s secretary. The same sympathy is felt for a very talented bloke like Jatin Sarna. Kajal Aggarwal is decent while Sanjay Kapoor and Sulbha Arya are wasted. Anjini Dhawan is just average and her silly characterization makes it worse.

Overall: Sikandar is a poor product and makes for a tedious watch. The film is about organ transplant but I wish someone had transplanted its script with a script from its adjacent set just before it went on floors. The film will have a decent run at the box office till today, after which it will struggle.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

Director: AR Murugadoss

Producers: Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Salman Khan Films

Writers: AR Murugadoss, Rajat Arora, Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal

Cast: Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Prateik Smita Patil, Sharman Joshi

Also read: The Diplomat Review: Realistic version of Gadar

Follower review: Realistic glimpse into the making of a political troll

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Since little over a decade ago, politics has become a major interest for the youth. But the problem arises when this interest turns into an obsession for one political ideology. This aspect about today’s politics is realistically portrayed in Harshad Nalawade’s Follower (Marathi with Hindi and Kannada) while keeping the Maharashtra-Karnataka conflict of Belgaum at the centre.

The film tells the story of a youngster named Raghavendra Pawar (Raghu Prakash) aka Raghu, who stays with his mother in Belgaum after his father passes away in an accident. His elder brother works in the US. Belgaum is always in the news for its Marathi-Kannada conflict. Raghu also faces the brunt for being a Marathi in various ways.

During these times, he gets attracted to the speeches and ideology of a star political leader (Atul Deshmukh), who claims to be the messiah of the Marathi speaking people of Belgaum. Raghu joins his social media IT cell in order to spread the leader’s message and help him in his ‘cause’. Raghu’s political stand and activities strains his relationship with his close friends Sachin (director Harshad Nalawade himself) and Parveena (Donna Munshi).

Follower provides a glimpse into the life of a not just a follower but someone who believes that he is doing social work through his online activities by basically just being a troll. Nalawade’s portrayal will be relatable even for those who aren’t deeply aware about the Maharashtra-Karnataka issue because youngsters are seen obsessing over quite a few political parties throughout the country. The film shows how they never realize that they are just treated as pawns in the hands of their political ‘heroes’ for their ulterior motives. In a way, the film gives a slight remembrance of Avadhoot Gupte’s Zenda.

What makes Follower more interesting and intriguing is that it organically weaves a story of close friendship between three friends and perfectly joins the same with the political conflict. It also makes fine use of flashback. The story could have been narrated in a linear form and it still would have been likeable. But the back and forth narrative converts the film also into a mystery drama. The events that lead Raghu into becoming a staunch supporter of the star political leader is the biggest triumph of the film.

The production value makes the film look more like a telefilm. The lack of proper resources is clearly visible. This, however, doesn’t turn out to be a major issue because of the strong content at hand. The film is also shot in a creative manner by cinematographer Saket Gyani. It is laced with a number of impressive long one-take shots. The one that takes the cake is between Raghu and Parveen when both are riding their respective two-wheelers while conversing. The background score is minimally used, which goes with the nature of the film.

The performances are all natural. Raghu Prakash is fully suits the role of Raghavendra. He goes through the entire journey of his character in a dedicated manner. Harshad Nalawade also adds plenty of life to the character of Sachin. Donna Munshi also performs well and is also aptly cast as Parveen. Atul Deshmukh, the political leader, is thoroughly believable as someone who can brainwash the youth.

The issue about Maharashtra-Karnataka has toxic politics from both sides. For a major duration, it seems that the film shows the evil face of only one side. However, things even out later, which makes the movie neutral in its overall stand. The only questionable aspect is a sudden intimate moment between two pivotal characters, which appears forced.

Overall: Follower is a gritty realistic glimpse into the making of a political troll and its consequences.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Director: Harshad Nalawade

Writer: Harshad Nalawade

Producers: Humara Medialabs and Causality Films Production

Cast: Raghu Prakash, Harshad Nalawade, Donna Munshi, Atul Deshmukh

Also read: The Diplomat review: Realistic version of Gadar

The Diplomat review: Realistic version of Gadar

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Filmmaker Shivam Nair’s The Diplomat tells the real story of an Indian lady Uzma Ahmed (Sadia Khateeb), a single mother. She falls in love with a Pakistani national Tahir (Jagjeet Sandhu) while working in Malaysia in 2017. He promises to marry her and help treat her daughter, who suffers from Thalassemia.

However, after she lands in Pakistan, she sees the real face of Tahir. He takes Uzma to the deserted land of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where she realizes that he is already married and also has a few kids. But that’s not all. Tahir repeatedly physically and sexually abuses Uzma before forcing her to marry him.

Once by chance, Uzma gets to know that the only way to escape from there is by somehow reaching the Indian embassy in Islamabad and ask for help. She makes Tahir take her to the Indian embassy through some pretext and, when he and his friends are away, barges inside the embassy and begs for help. But JP (John Abraham), the Deputy High Commissioner at the embassy, doubts her intentions.

The Diplomat is a thrilling drama starring John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb. It tells the story of a woman trapped in a marriage in Pakistan.

As weird as it may sound, the basic plot of The Diplomat is like a realistic version of Anil Sharma’s Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. That movie also saw a woman happily visiting Pakistan, only to realize that she has been trapped. She is then brought back to India with the help of a ‘hero’. The only and a major difference is that The Diplomat is a real story. Hence, realistic means are used for her safe return to India instead of ukhadofying any hand pump.

The Diplomat gets going right from the first scene. The film starts with Uzma entering the office of the Indian embassy, which gets you glued to the proceedings. But, for some reason, she narrates her backstory in short initially, which could have been avoided. This is because when she finally sits down to narrate her past in detail, you already know what has happened. However, the ordeal she goes through is portrayed effectively, which makes you feel for her even more.

The film goes onto another level once the cat-and-mouse game starts with respect to Uzma’s safe return to India. This part is filled with thrill despite their being no action. But somehow, the makers felt the need for action. Hence, unnecessary fictitious conflict moments are created. One can understand the need to do this since it’s a mainstream feature film. But the conflicts cease to be as serious as they appear when they arrive. Another questionable aspect here is the lack of clarity about Uzma’s family. We are not given her backstory for reasons best known to the makers.

However, the emotional last few minutes ensure that you don’t think much about these points. The feeling of patriotism is evoked without jingoism or sloganeering, much like the Raja Krishna Menon’s Airlift (2016).

Sadia Khateeb is the real star of the film. She comes up with an authentic performance as her character goes through various ordeals at various stages. She projects vulnerability and strength with ease. There are some performances that elevate an actor’s career. This act should do this for her.

John Abraham gives one of his better performances. This time, he plays a rescuer who doesn’t indulge in action. The only issue is his awkward walk in those suits, which is not possible to ignore. Jagjeet Sandhu is thoroughly believable as the evil husband of Uzma. Revathy is likeable and commands respect as the late Sushma Swaraj despite the limited screen time. Sharib Hashmi, Vidhatri Bandi, Kumud Mishra and others provide fine support.

Overall: The Diplomat is a thrilling and moving real-life account of an Indian woman’s escape from Pakistan.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Director: Shivam Nair

Producers: T Series, JA Entertainment, Wakaoo Films, Seeta Films and Fortune Pictures

Writer: Ritesh Shah

Cast: John Abraham, Sadia Khateeb, Jagjeet Sandhu, Revathy, Sharib Hashmi, Kumud Mishra, Vidhatri Bandi

Also read: Superboys Of Malegaon review: Heartwarming ode to cinema and friendship

Sthal (Marathi Movie) review: Subtle yet powerful critique of forced arranged marriages of girls

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India is obsessed with marriages. Weddings take place all over the country in different regions and among different communities and they are celebrated like anything. However, even in today’s times in rural India, the practice of a girl’s forced arranged marriage still exists. Filmmaker Jayant Digambar Somalkar’s Sthal (A Match) boldly highlights this social evil.

The movie takes place in a village in Maharashtra named Dongargaon and it revolves around Savita Daulatrao Wandhare (Nandini Chikte). She is in her Final year of Bachelor of Arts course and her specialization subject is Sociology. Her father (Taranath Khiratkar) and mother (Sangita Sonekar) wish to get her married off soon but she wants to study further.

Prospective grooms regularly visit her house but eventually reject her. This increases the stress for Savita’s parents. Her elder brother Mangya (Suyog Dhawas) loves a girl from their village but he won’t be able to marry her until her sister gets married.

Sthal doesn’t waste any time in presenting the picture of an arranged marriage setting in a village. The elders from both the families have a chat. The girl is then made to sit uncomfortably on a stool and asked questions about herself as if she is accused of a crime. Without saying it, the film speaks out that this is nothing but humiliation for her. All this is achieved in a realistic and bold manner.

Sthal becomes all the more appealing because of the irony it presents through the subject Savita is studying in college – Sociology. In one of the lectures, she, along with her fellow students, is taught about Women Empowerment. The professor says that it roughly means that a woman should have the right to take her own decisions.

In another moment, the birth anniversary of the social reformer Savitribai Phule is celebrated in the college in a grand way and she is hailed as the torchbearer of progressive ideas for women. This is juxtaposed with the arranged marriage scenes at her place where Savita goes through the dreary exercise repeatedly.

The movie also throws light on the evil of dowry, which is very much practiced today. There is a scene where Savita’s friend tells her that their professor teaches women empowerment but doesn’t practice the same. To this, Savita points out that he is teaching it only because it’s a part of the syllabus. It indirectly means that the progressive ideas are only meant to remain in the books.

Sthal ends on an unexpectedly powerful note. The very last scene instantly brings back memories of Nagraj Popatrao Manjule’s Fandry. Nevertheless, it suits the film.

Nandini Chikte’s performance as Savita is as remarkable as the content of the film. She goes through the ordeal of being in front of the prospective grooms with a lot of realistic touch. She converses a lot through expressions and, at times, speaks out her mind with confidence. Sandip Parkhi does a fine job as the professor.

The rest of the supporting cast, including Taranath Khiratkar, Sangita Sonekar, Suyog Dhawas, Swati Ulmale (as Savita’s close friend Gauri) and others also bring about realistic performances.

Manoj Karmakar’s camerawork is simple, which goes with the nature of the film. The same can be said about the background score, which is minimally used.

The only negative point here is the length. This is felt the most when the entire wedding ceremony of Savita’s friend is portrayed, which could have been shortened.

Overall: Sthal is a subtle yet powerful statement against the social evil of girls’ forced arranged marriages, which take away their fundamental rights. The film is a perfect successor to The Great Indian Kitchen and its recent Hindi adaptation Mrs.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Director: Jayant Digambar Somalkar

Producers: Dhun Productions

Writer: Jayant Digambar Somalkar

Cast: Nandini Chikte, Taranath Khiratkar, Sangita Sonekar, Sandip Parkhi, Suyog Dhawas, Swati Ulmale

Also Read: Superboys Of Malegaon review: Heartwarming ode to cinema and friendship

Superboys Of Malegaon review: Heartwarming ode to cinema and friendship

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Malegaon, a small little town in Maharashtra, has its own little film industry. It all began after the mid-1990s when local artistes over there started making parodies of iconic Hindi films. These films were made in minimal costs and with whatever resources available. Some examples of these include Malegaon Ke Sholay, Malegaon Ki Shaan, etc. Filmmaker Reema Kagti’s Superboys Of Malegaon is a fictionalized tale of Nasir Sheikh and his friends who started the crazy film industry in Malegaon.

Starting off in 1997, the film tells the story of Nasir (Adarsh Gourav), who runs a video parlour in Malegaon. He struggles to attract audiences as he screens international films. The parlour opposite to theirs is doing well as it screens mainstream Hindi films. Nasir, one fine day, learns the trick of editing and starts compiling action sequences from different films and releases them as a single film.

The trick works wonders but his joy is short lived as he gets accused of piracy by the police, who destroy his parlour. Nasir, then, thinks of a solution. He decides to make his own film, so that he can screen it in his parlour without bothering about piracy. Hence, it will be a film by Malegaon, for Malegaon. His friends Farogh (Viineet Kumar Siingh), Shafique (Shashank Arora), Akram (Anuj Singh Duhan) and others join him in his unique mission.

Superboys Of Malegaon throws special light on the making of Malegaon Ka Superman, one of the most celebrated films from Malegaon’s film industry.

Superboys Of Malegaon sucks you into its interesting and heartfelt world from the first scene itself. Those in love with the medium of cinema would be enchanted by the old world charm on display though the video parlours and old single-screen theatres with wooden chairs. In this way, is a triumph of production design by Sally White.

The film is top-notch in its content too. Varun Grover and Shoaib Nazeer’s writing and Reema Kagti’s presentation makes you root for these kids of Malegaon at the outset. The film, especially the first half, keeps reminding you of Paresh Mokashi’s classic Marathi film Harishchandrachi Factory (2010). This isn’t a minus point for Superboys Of Malegaon because it’s natural to think of the 2010 film as both the movies are about a group of individuals going through various challenges, including minimal resources, to make a film.

Like the Marathi film, Kagti’s movie is also filled with heartwarming and funny moments in the first half when the protagonists go through the process of making their own film.

But Superboys Of Malegaon goes further ahead and kind of surprises you with the conflict element and the turns in the second half. One is taken by surprise at the turn of events and, frankly, at one point, you wonder where the film is heading. But the final act turns out to be a masterstroke through the making of Malegaon Ka Superman. The event leading up to the making of the film and its screening moves and makes you smile no ends.

The movie wouldn’t have reached this level without such naturally fine performances of its ensemble cast. Adarsh Gourav’s character goes through the different stages of his life from 1997 to 2010. He gets it right during each stage and carries each emotion with perfection. Viineet Kumar Siingh once again proves why he is one of the most talented actors of today’s times. Shashank Arora gets sidelined initially but becomes the center of attraction later. He comes up with a phenomenal act.

Manjiri Pupala is an actress to watch out for due to her sheer talent and confidence. Muskkaam Jaferi also chips in with a fine act. The film has good supporting acts from the likes of Anuj Singh Duhan, Saqib Ayub, Riddhi Kumar and others.

Coming to the negative points, a major story development in the second half happens abruptly and it’s also treated in a casual manner. The pace drops for a few moments in the second half. Strangely, the characters don’t seem to age from 1997 to 2010.

Overall: Superboys Of Malegaon is a heartwarming ode to cinema and friendship.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Director: Reema Kagti

Producers: Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby and Amazon MGM Studios

Writers: Varun Grover and Shoaib Nazeer

Cast: Adarsh Gourav, Viineet Kumar Siingh, Shashank Arora, Manjiri Pupala

Also read: Why Vikramaditya Motwane’s documentary on Emergency is more powerful than Kangana Ranaut’s feature film on the same

Why Chiranjeevi’s comments on wanting a grandson deserve more outrage

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I found the recent comments made by Ranveer Allahbadia more than shameful. I felt the same about the comments of his co-participants in the show India’s Got Latent. However, to see the high number of FIRs being registered on him quite baffling. This is simply because we have seen some of the most hateful or derogatory comments made by politicians get a lukewarm or no outrage.

The recent example and a very big one at that is that of the veteran actor and senior politician Chiranjeevi. At a recent event a few days ago, he said, “When I’m at home, it doesn’t feel like I’m surrounded by my granddaughters; it feels like I’m a ladies’ hostel warden, surrounded by ladies all around. I keep wishing and telling Charan (son and superstar Ram Charan), at least this time, have a boy so that our legacy continues, but his daughter is the apple of his eye. I’m scared that he might again have a girl.”

His comment is so problematic that it’s difficult where to begin. Firstly, he makes it clear that boys matter to him more than girls. He clearly isn’t happy being around women and girls even if they are a part of his own family because that makes him feel like a ‘ladies hostel warden’. He even goes onto say that he finds it ‘scary’ that Ram Charan might have a girl again.

Chiranjeevi is a massive star and a senior politician. If not for being the former, as a major political leader one would expect him to share progressive messages to the people of the country. But what is does is the extreme opposite of that.

We have seen and heard about plenty of couples continuing to have children until they get a boy as they believe it is a boy who carries the family legacy forward. The horrific practice of female foeticide is still very much on even in today’s day and age. The reason for these social evils still prevailing is that same obsession of having a boy over a girl.

Chiranjeevi’s comments came right when the controversy surrounding the comedians was taking place. There have been strong reactions to his comments. However, the outrage is nowhere close to what these comedians have faced.

We have clearly displayed what affects us the most.