Direction: Amit Abhyankar
Production: Golden Dreams Production House
Cast: Nandu Madhav, Chinmay Sant, Santosh Juvekar, Madhura Velankar Satam, Asmita Joglekar
Music: Dr Saleel Kulkarni
Rating: * * * ½
Plot: School teacher Ramchandra Sontakke (Nandu Madhav) is fed-up of teaching in a school in a tribal area of Maharashtra called Mhalunge. He longs to get a transfer to a school with more civilized students. In order to impress his senior, who will be visiting the school on Independence Day, he organizes a flag hoisting ceremony and a patriotic play to prove his mettle.
His student Katu (Chinmay Sant) is eager to sing the National Anthem on Independence Day. For this, he needs to be dressed up in new white clothes. However, his parents Dagadu (Santosh Juvekar) and his wife (Madhura Velankar Satam) can never afford it as they are struggling for even the basic necessities of life (food, clothing and shelter). Will Katu be heartbroken?
Review: Tribals are looked so down upon in our society that they are almost considered from different species. Naturally, their children are regarded the same. However, given a chance, these children can match up to their civilized counterparts and develop love for the nation if they are given proper education. This bold message is sensibly delivered in Amit Abhyankar’s Jana Gana Mana, a film which will change many a perception towards the so-called backward classes.
(Click to engarlge)
Sameer Joshi’s impressive writing is seen right in the initial moments as the tribal life is presented realistically with the inclusion of simple but rib-tickling humour. The fact that these children are not aware even of the name of our country will come as a shocker for most of us. A well-performed humorous scene follows when Madhav’s character struggles to explain the name of our country and its history to the students.
But what takes the cake is the actor’s one-act play performance at the interval portion where he narrates a historic incident in one take. Talking of one-take scenes, there’s another one where Madhav, on a bicycle, tries to dodge bullock carts coming from opposite direction, which could have been dangerous. Looking at Madhav’s overall performance, you can’t help but applaud the actor’s talent and dedication.
Apart from few dragging moments in the later part of second half, there isn’t any flipside. Lastly, Chinmay Sant’s act in the climax touches your heart. This also gives rise to a twist (not possible to reveal) which sends a positive message that every child has a right to education irrespective of his or her social status.
Rajesh Khale’s camerawork and Dr Saleel Kulkarni’s music suit the mood of the flick. Editing department should be praised too for the tight length (less than two hours).
Child actor Chinmay Sant adapts a tribal lifestyle with ease and delivers a top-notch performance. Santosh Juvekar and Madhura Velankar Satam are remarkable in challenging roles. Asmita Joglekar as Chinmay’s sister does well too.
Overall, Jana Gana Mana deserves applause for presenting a serious issue in a light-hearted manner while retaining the sensibility of the subject. However, it won’t have an easy run at the box-office since it is released with the Bollywood biggie Agneepath. Hence, it is highly in need of positive word-of-mouth.
Good piece indeed.
Thanks a lot sir 🙂
Hi, nice review, very well done.
Have you seen the marathi movie, Ya Gol Gol Dbyatla?, Can you review that movie for us.
Thank you.
Thank you so much Sudhanwa for the appreciation 🙂
As my schedule is too tight this week, I won’t promise but I will try watching it.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Keyur 🙂
I watched this Movie
Its amazing xD
Yes 🙂
can somebody help me
a Theater which has subtitle?
I saw Shala also but there where no subtitles : (
Sorry Raj. There are no subtitles for Jana Gana Mana or Shala 🙁
Probably you can read the story of the film on the net and then watch the movie. That will surely help you gain lots of ideas about the plot.
All the best 🙂
Ðear Raj,
I will soon make subtitled copy of Jana Gana Mana available on the Internet on pay-per-view platform.
Please watch the Jana Gana Mana fan page on Facebook for updates regarding the same.
-Amit
Dear Amir Sir,
I am so happy to see the director of the movie commenting on my blog 🙂 Thanks a lot! Congratulations for your movie.
Also glad to know that Jana Gana Mana will be available on the internet with sub-titles.
Was good to meet you at Ravindra Natya Mandir few days before the release of your film.
All the very best.
Warm regards,
Keyur 🙂
Hey Keyur,
Thanx for a great write-up!
Just One correction- it Ramchandra Sontakke and not Prakashchndra!!!
lol
-Amit
Hi sir,
So sorry for the goof up! I have rectified it now!
And the pleasure is mine. Really liked your movie.
Good to see your comment.
Warm regards,
Keyur 🙂
Hey Amit,
Raj here if u remember met U @ PFF after ur movie Screening
Gona call U soon, i wanted to show this movie to my Foreigner Frds
but no subtitle Theaters i could Find 🙁
Hi Raj,
I should be able to make the subtitled version available by next week.
-Amit
Isn’it Sad ?
There are some sad scenes but you will feel joyful after the film ends.
Really nice movie…
Mast aahe..khup aavdli aaplyala!!!!
Sorry he Marathi typing nit disat nahia,
I was saying “ Mala ha Sanwad khup awadala. REVIEW khupach chan ahe pan tyawar zaleli charcha tyahun chan ahe.”
Dhanyawaad Onkar 🙂
P.S – Marathi typing chya locha zala aahe ithe. Will try to solve soon.
This is a great movie !!!
This movie should have been named ‘Shala’ which would have been appropriate !!
Ekdum sahi performance… Bachhan Movie !!