Marathi Cinema has exaggerated it’s quality over-the-top since last 4 to 5 years. Films like JATRA, AGA BAI ARRECHA!, SAVARKHED EK GAV, DE DHAKKA, SAADE MADE TEEN, EK DAAV DHOBI PACHAD and of course, MI SHIVAJI RAJE BHOSALE BOLTOY. These films were entertaining, path-breaking and well made that have made this cinema very interesting. Marathi films unlike Bollywood movies aren’t romantic or action films but those are on different subjects, very innovative and creative. They mostly deal with social issues like discrimination or very imaginative with a blend of entertainment. I never thought of watching this film in theaters, but my parents took me as they wanted me to come as I wanted to relive me from my studies. Frankly telling, I have never been to a Marathi movie in theater but rather watched on T.V. or CD. There was a row of people at the box-office. I thought most of them would be watching CHANCE PE DANCE or 3 IDIOTS. But the whole line from college group to families was for NATRANG.Director Ravi Jadhav’s NATRANG is a film that would prove that Marathi movies are capable of anything. Not only this movie will dance at it’s music[which is it’s high point] but at the same time will carry you in an emotional journey. The film primarily works because of the screenplay, music and Atul Kulkarni’s *power-packed performance.Simply, NATRANG is a happy welcome for Marathi cinema in 2010 and a benchmark of it’s own.
Guna Kagalkar(Atul Kulkarni) a village wrestler with bulging muscles who is a farm worker by profession and lives happily with his wife(Vibhavari Deshpande) and children along with his old father(Yakoob Sayeed). It’s difficult for Guna to make two ends meet, especially because of his passion for ‘Tamasha’ a Maharashtrian dance form with ‘Lavnis’ (seductive songs).
Guna’s ultimate dream is to play a king’s role in ‘Tamasha’and so he gathers a team of unemployed friends in the village and starts his own ‘Tamasha’ troupe and a veteran ‘Tamasha’ artiste(Kishor Kadam) helps them find the ‘dancer’(Sonalee Kulkarni)) for their troupe. But, soon Guna is in a soup to find a ‘Nachya’ or the so called clown, who brings on the laughter in the ‘Tamasha’.Finally, the manly muscular Guna has to play ‘Nachya’ himself, much to his chagrin; but he does so for the sake of his troupe and gets a complete makeover by becoming thin and shaving his moustache off. Guna’s troupe becomes the talk of the town but he has to lose his wife and children for his ‘Tamasha’. Interspersed in this narrative is local politics besides the competition between various ‘Tamasha’ troupes, gay artistes, etc.Director *Ravi Jadhav has although take up the story from a novel, he presents it in a very subtle manner. From Gunya’s problems of his family to his transformation into a clown, the film keeps our hold at every moment. Never does it tries to be boring or sleepy.
The first half focuses much on the protagonist’s life as a wrestler and a farmer. These moments are soft, touchy and embracing. But the pace strengthens when his friend encourages his idea and full second half which is more of dances and’Tamashas’. Although the film flashes back several times, you can’t miss the present and flashback crashing or confusing.
Screenplay of the film is one part which is powerful. The film grabs your attention at the very early and never tries falling down. Some parts despite being flair, most of them are engaging.Music of Ajay-Atul is already a super-hit. In fact, they deliver one of their best. Apsara Aali and *Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari *worth a hear as well as watchable.Cinematography has been done well. Choreography deserves a special mention. The songs are well danced and of course, their were whistles of audiences during the songs. The last music of the movie is fabulous.On the other side, NATRANG may be found difficult for non-Marathi audiences. The dialogues of the film are quite rural and those could be understood only by Marathi masses. Never though, you may buy the DVD or VCD for subtitles. Don’t miss it!
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