Kaksparsh Movie Review: Potential Wasted
Marathi, Regional Tadka — By Rasik on May 22, 2012 11:10 pm
Kaksparsh is easily one of the most promoted Marathi films in recent times. Zee Talkies having taken up the distribution have gone all out in securing the film a good release in cinema halls as well. The film has entered the 3rd week and still the shows are running housefull which is certainly a rarity for a marathi movie. Though it is heartening to see a marathi film getting such publicity what it also does is half convince the people about the film even before watching it.
I have had a rather hectic last half a month or so which has actually helped me keep a little distance from the heavy publicity and thus maintain my objectivity. And I feel that the film is definitely not as good as its makers are proclaiming it to be or even the general consensus amongst the people tells you.
Kaksparsh is a period film set in the 1930s-1950s Konkan Mahrashtra. Haridada, the patriarch of a Brahmin family, is like a father to his kid brother Mahadev. He decides to get Mahadev married off to a very young Durga who is later renamed by Mahadev as Uma. But tragedy strikes as Mahadev dies even before consummating their marriage.
According to Hindu rituals, as a part of last rites a bowl of rice and sesame seeds is offered to a crow which is supposed to represent the deceased soul. The soul of the departed is only supposed to receive ‘mukti’ when the crow actually eats out from food the offered. During Mahadev’s last rites, as no crow seems to be willing to touch or eat the food offered, Haridada murmurs something and a crow does finally oblige. We come to know what Haridada actually murmured only towards the end in the film.
As per the custom prevalent in Pre-Independence days a widow is supposed to shave off her hair. But Haridada objects to Uma’s hair being shaven off without giving an explanation of this decision of his, much to the disappointment and anger of the society at large. He then over a period of time keeps taking decisions with respect to the widowed Uma which keeps baffling his family and makes everybody and even the audience believe(rather misleadingly) that he has developed feelings for the young Uma.
The plot surely is interesting but then the director Mahesh Manjrekar or even the scriptwriter Girish Joshi doesn’t deserve credit for it as the film is an adaptation of the book by the same name written by Usha Datar. Rather an opportunity to make a truly memorable film has been wasted.
The biggest issue with the film, especially the first half, is that it feels rushed. The film is like a saga across generations unfolding on the screen. However, such tales work only when they take their own sweet time to develop the plot and its characters. Mahesh Manjrekar, here, seems to be a lot worried about the attention span of his audience and swiftly proceeds forward from one scene to another. Also, at times it feels as if the movie has been re-edited to fit into the 2 hour bracket just to suit the need of the multiplexes and other exhibitors.
Girish Joshi’s script narrates the film in flashbacks which don’t always seem smooth. It also has a tendency to spoon feed the audience. The character played by Vaibhav Mangale as the Upadhyay of the village is almost a caricature.
What works in the favor of the film is primarily the pre-independence Konkan set-up. Ajit Reddy’s camerawork deserves major credit for it. The costumes, the language all are quite authentic and you do feel transported to a bygone era. Another major plus of the film is the performances. Sachin Khedekar as the patriarch of the family is simply brilliant. So is Megha Manjrekar who plays his wife. Others like Savita Malpekar who plays the bitter old widow(Namu Attya) and Haridada’s friend Balwant played Sanjay Khapare are also impressive. But Ketaki Mategaonkar, who is steadily developing a fan following, isn’t that convincing as the very young bride turned widow. Also, there are some interesting things that you learn from the film like in those times marriage was supposed to be consummated only on an auspicious occasion.
The film also does have a few memorable scenes like the one where the old widow Namu Attya tries to make Uma understand how fortunate she is as Haridada treats her in a much better manner than what widows in those times were normally subjected to. Another striking scene is that of Uma, a widow completely deprived of any sexual pleasure, secretly enjoying the sound of Haridada’s newly married son Sankarshan and his wife making love to each other.
Though the above points make the film worth a watch the cons of the film surely outweigh the pros. For me personally the wasted potential is what majorly makes the film a dampener. The film has enough material to blow you away but the makers are content with scratching the surface. Now, another project which Zee Talkies is associated with after Natrang will be added to my list of the most overrated marathi films of recent times.
Rasik
Cinema, a few years ago, has taken over cricket as my first love. The World Wide Web is to be blamed for that. Deeply in love with present Marathi Cinema.
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zee talkies are biggest disgrace to marathi cinema, not a single cinema released by them was good.Mahesh is just an average director,in Lalbaug Parel to he was rushing things like a serial.
They promote their movies as if it is Cannes material. This time Ha Bharat Mazha got a very bad release courtesy them.
What i rather felt was…that the 2nd half should have been a bit more elaborated instead. The love blossoming between adult Uma and Haridada should have been shown. There is not a single scene about that and we are just made to assume the same. -Sushant
Yes, even i felt so. Actually, I had that issue all throughout the film. Thanks for commenting Sushant.
I
saw this movie accidentally because my father insisted that he wants
to a watch a movie and we all rushed to the theater. He had done
advanced booking for Marathi movie.
The
movie is simply great because I had never imagined before of such
sensible marathi movie. Mahesh Manjrekar has done it in a very
passionate way.
I
would request all the critics not to compare the movie with Usha
Datar’s book. See the movie as an independent one rather than
comparing the scenes narrated in the book. What we can take is the
acting, direction, dialogues, scenes, music and many more things.
I
feel that the marathi movies are far better than the current hindi
movies which are all copied from the Hollywood or South-Indian films.
I think this is the major drawbacks of Indian cinema and not movies
like Kaksparsh. I truly feel that the movie is still a better one
than the hindi movies. Sachin Khedekar is a genius actor and he
deserves the credit. It is Maharashtra Government failure of not
promoting marathi movies, especially good one like Kaksparash.
haridadachi bhumika clear hotach nahi.tyache vyaktimatava changle mhanayche ki vait? na tyache prem vyakta hot,na tyache sudharnvadi vichar……….kahitari apurnta janavate….baki cameratun kokan chhan…
Agree with you on most of the points, dada.
It’s running to packed houses here, courtesy just one show in a day and the promotions ofcourse.
Based on a story by Usha Datar,this movie revolves around Haridada (Sachin Khedekar), who is the head of the Damle family. Haridada gets his younger brother Mahadev (Abhijit Kelkar) married to the adolescent Durga, who is later named Uma (Ketaki Mategaonkar). However, the happiness of the Damle family is short-lived as Mahadev passes away due to illness on the night his marriage was to be solemnized.
Being a widow, Uma now has to live life full of sorrows. But Haridada has been her support throughout. His affection and care towards Uma raises a lot of questions.
Review: This movie talks about love and its loyalty. Director Mahesh Vaman Manjrekar presents this fact in his latest offering Kaksparsh, a film that haunts your mind even after you come out from the theatre. This is more of a hard hitting love story which is not obvious from the name of the film.
Another best part of the movie is the art director’s sincere efforts which has actually helped the audience feel that era with that set up. Ajit Reddy’s artistic camerawork too deserves equal applause. Rahul Ranade and Ajit-Sameer’s compositions and the background score add further realism. Also the creatively written script completes the amazing movie package.(Girish Joshi).
The movie also has flashback in the second half which worked very well for it makes the audience curious in knowing the final outcome.
According to me the entire movie was possible because of Khedekar’s terrific act. It is the performance of this great marathi star that is the backbone of Kaksparsh as he gets into the skin of Haridada and pours plenty of life in it. One of his best acts!
Priya Bapat, Ketki Mategoankar too have given terrific performances. Savita Malpekar essays a character which would have challenged any talented actor. Vaibhav Mangle and Sanjay Khapare too were fantastic. Fine acts are also provided by Medha Manjrekar and Abhijit Kelkar.
Overall, Kaksparsh is a wonderful old era movie which will surely interest all. Due to its amazing script it has covered 100 days at box office.