The most awaited movie for Marathi cinemas is finally here, Ekk Albela is a biopic of Bhagwan Abhaji Palav, fondly called as Bhagwan Dada who is considered to be the legend of the industry. Without his significant contribution, Bollywood as we know it today, would have been very different.
Producer Dr. Monish Babre and Director Shakhar Sartadel, have put in excellent(words maybe short to describe) efforts in recreating the yesteryear for this biopic, going back to 1940s and 50s. It just created a delightful smirk on my face all along the movie.
Let’s just be clear about one thing, making a biopic is a daunting task to accomplish, especially if it requires time traveling back to several decades(ambitious move). The trailer showed the quality of production value which is kept intact. As this is his biopic, it essays the journey of Bhagwan Dada trailing his life from protesting against the British rule and how his life track changes completely to become a successful B grade action film actor and transition to director of a film with showing the hurdles that he had to jump in accord to achieve his desire(his social film called ‘Albela’).
Being based on real life events, the writers have not misused creative liberty even a bit. Many characters and small plot added to the movie did not seem out of the place. But there are couple of places or parts where it fails to keep me engaged or rather turning in my seat.
Well, this biopic shows only a certain phase of Bhagwan Dada’s life and times, and the end of the movie feels abrupt, like something is amiss. It definitely got me curious to know more about his life and what happened next(hail Google).
My favourite, the direction, flawless. It is amazingly done, depicting the era of 40s and 50s. Every required mannerism and element was present, everything right where they should be. I could, literally, not stop my foot from dancing on Shola Jo Bhadke and lip sync Bholi Soorat Dil Ke Khote. The recreation, with everyone just moving slowly to the music and making expressions, reminding typically of B/W movies dances; is just mind-boggling.
Performances nailed the movie to T. First of all, Mangesh Desai take a bow. His efforts to be Bhagwan Dada is really stellar. The most important thing that he did not mimic the legendary star but put himself in his shoes, which made it more believable. The greatest challenge he faced was to be Bhagwan Dada, the performer and the person in the very same flick. This can be bit tiresome for any professional actor and could be seen in few scenes that he is still a performer where he needed to be a person.
This movie is Vidya Balan’s debut in Marathi film and she rocks it with her skills. She has a cameo to play and yesteryear actress named Geeta Bali. She totally suits the role as she oozes out that typical old world charm. Simply staying true to her character.
If you really love the dancing style of Raj Kapoor, Big B and Mithun Da, then this legend is the reason for their style, inspired by his dancing style.
Still need a reason, then think of time travel, head to the theatres to enjoy old era cinema, as movies made now can never be as the movies made then.
I would rate the movie a 3.5/5