Badaam Rani Gulam Chor

Director – Satish Rajwade

Music – Saleel Kulkarni

Screenplay – Dr Vivek Bele

Cast – Upendra Limaye, Mukta Barve, Anand Ingale, Pushkar Shrotri, Vinay Apte, Mohan Aghashe & Sudhir Gadgil

          Director Satish Rajwade, who’s gained a reputation over the years with his treatment of man-woman relationship, returns to the big screen with ‘Badaam Rani Gulam Chor’, which is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed Marathi play ‘Makadachya haati Champagne’. However you’re in for a shock when you discover that the big names amongst the cast and crew don’t live up to your expectations.

          Chaku (Upendra Limaye) decides to get married and invites his lady love (Mukta Barve) to his house (named Unbreakables).  He shares it with two other friends Pustak (Pushkar Shrotri) and Maakad (Anand Ingale) who’re are swept of their feet by her presence. They tell her that they are named according on their characteristics. It is revealed that Chaku is stubborn, Pustak is intelligent beyond doubt and Makaad loves to create trouble. The girl loves the concept and introduces herself as Pencil as she takes no responsibility for her previous actions.

          Pustak learns that Chaku has still not asked her out and decides to join the race to win her. This creates a rift between the two. Maakad works out a strategy wherein the girl would spend equal time with the two and announce her result after it. She ultimately falls for Pustak but their marriage is sparked by misunderstandings. Maakad uses this opportunity to convince Chaku that he should get back to Pencil if she opts out of her troubled marriage. Does this evil plan work?? For the answer watch the film.

         

The film is marked by flaws right from the beginning. Upendra Limaye and Pushkar Shrotri are not natural on the screen. You’re too used to seeing Upendra’s gimmicks and Pushkar’s nerdy look. Mukta Barve pretends to be a mid twenty chick and overacts throughout the course of the film. The simplicity in her acting is absent (which was at its peak when she did the play ‘Jaadu Teri Nazar’). The only relief is that of Anand Ingale who is cast perfectly in the role of Maakad.

          The original play was conceived and directed in a much better way. Sharvani Pillay is missed terribly.  If you’ve seen Dr Vivek Bele’s earlier works then there’s nothing new for you. The dialogues wont impress you if you have seen ‘Never Mind’ and ‘Katkon Trikon’. It’s a combination of what you’ve already seen or heard. On top of it the script is written from the perspective of theatre. That’s the main problem. The subplot of a political rivalry is added to increase the length of the film (And... only Vinay Apte knows why he agreed to be a part of it).

          Cinematography involves no skill. Most of the shots are close-ups. Music and Lyrics by the combination of Saleel Kulkarni and Sandeep Khare is pathetic. Why are you using rural terminology like ‘Hyo Pahije and Tyo Pahije’ in songs for urban comedies? It lowers your credibility. Background music is extremely loud and used to such an extent that you wonder whether you’re sitting for a Marathi film or a Ram Gopal Varma film. In one particular scene (where Maakad hands over a wedding ring to Pencil) the transition from Western Music to silly village music is such that (given the chance!!!) you’ll throw eggs and tomatoes at the editor.

          The impression created by Satish Rajwade is tarnished at the end of this film.  Is this the same director who made you smile in Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai?? Why would you take the risk of adapting a classic play that has no scope for the big screen?? Why not continue with your regular style of film making?? I had the chance to interview Mr Rajwade when during the promotions of ‘Guntata Hrudaya He’ in Bmcc last year. When asked about criticism he said, “I make films according to my perspective. Take whatever you like from it.” In this case there’s nothing to take and nothing to like.

          If you have not seen the play or any Dr Bele’s or Mr Rajwade’s previous works then you have a high chance of enjoying this film. I’m going with one out of five stars for Satish Rajwade’s ‘Badaam Rani Gulam Chor’. Avoid it.