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Naseer’s play in Blore interrupted
Feb 24th
By Bangalore Mirror Bureau (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 24, 2010)
Last Saturday, when four people barged on stage at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, during a rendering of Waiting For Godot, it’s likely the audience must have for a moment considered the sudden disruption an improvisation in the script. A Beckett play is normally the equivalent of watching paint dry, but the cast comprised the likes of Benjamin Gilani, Akash Khurana and Naseeruddin Shah and they were clearly not amused.
As for the ones who caused the disruption, they claim that they had no option. All four – Anupama Raju (37), Prakash V (46), Vaibhav Nishanimath (21) and Venkatappa (78) – are residents of a complex adjoining the auditorium. They interrupted the performance to announce that the cars blocking the entrance to their residences had to be removed immediately.
“My mother is 68 and a heart patient and she suffered an asthma attack. We needed to rush her to the hospital and could not get our car out because the parked vehicles were blocking our way,” said Prakash, who went on stage to make the announcement. “Despite repeated requests to the security at the gate to announce the number of the car, they told us that we had to wait till the interval! It was almost an hour after we first contacted them that we barged on to the stage. Our intention was not to disturb the artistes but what else could we do?” asked Prakash.
Naseeruddin Shah, on stage when this happened, was of course disoriented. “My first thought was there was an emergency – a fire or something – because we had similar issues at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai,” he said. “In hindsight, I should have kept my cool and not reacted but when you are interrupted in the middle of a performance and the adrenaline is pumping, it is hard to do that,” he added.
Shah said he empathised with their plight of not being able to take out their car during a medical emergency. “But I would have suggested that instead of wasting time with the authorities of the auditorium, they should have hired a taxi and rushed her to the hospital, because that was the priority,” he said.
“Even during Bangalore Habba, during Amjad Ali Khan’s performance, I had to go and create a ruckus because a car was parked right in front of my house,” said NG Suresh, Vaibhav’s father.
Venkatappa who has served as the special officer to both HD Deve Gowda and his son H D Kumaraswamy during their tenure as chief ministers, said that the traffic police needs to step in and regulate traffic flow during performances. “Only when there are VIP guests do they come in for protection,” he said.
Cinemas cowed down by threat from Sena
Feb 12th
Multiplexes & Malls More Worried About Damage To Property Than Profits From Film
Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 12, 2010)
Mumbai: Despite assurances from the Maharashtra government and the police that adequate protection would be given to cinema halls screening ‘My Name Is Khan’, multiplex owners and theatres across the state have decided not to screen the Shah Rukh Khan starrer on the first day of its release on Friday.
Each of Mumbai’s 70 cinemas were expected to rake in about Rs 2 lakh a day. But exhibitors were not worried so much about losing that amount as they were worried about losing money due to damage to property. The latter, they think, would be costlier and more of an annoyance in the long run.
About 90% of multiplexes are situated on leased property and mall owners, too, are in no mood to bear losses for the sake of a film’s release. Exhibitor and distributor Ramesh Sippy said, “If a film like ‘My Name Is Khan’ does not release on the first day, the minimum loss for a day would be around Rs 3 crore (for all Mumbai multiplexes), but the potential damage to property is what is working on the exhibitors’ minds. At present, a multiplex like Inox is situated in such a location (Nariman Point) that if the front of the property is damaged the multiplex would be unable to pay the reimbursement. So most of the multiplexes have decided against releasing the film in the present scenario.’’
Multiplex owners are reportedly under pressure from mall owners who are in no mood to incur any losses due to damage. The owner of a mall in the western suburbs said, “We really don’t have faith in the police force. They will do nothing if the Sena comes and vandalises our property.’’
Multiplexes have had several meetings with the police, chief minister and home minister and remain under pressure from the government to release the film, but most of them said they have no faith in the police force. An industry source said that the multiplexes have been told that if they don’t release ‘…Khan’, they shouldn’t release any other film. Another industry source said, “The government even told multiplex owners that if there is any damage, the state would compensate them. But even that did not convince them to release the film.’’
Vishal Kapoor, chief operations officer, Fun Cinemas, said, “All of us decided not to screen the film tomorrow as the environment is not healthy. We will wait and watch for the scene to get better.’’
Sippy added, “There are so many multiplexes whose screens were torn. To replace a screen is not only expensive, but the owners lose business for two to three weeks because screens are not of standard size and are made to order.’’
Manoj Desai, managing director of G-7 multiplex, Bandra West), has already planned to replace ‘My Name Is Khan’ with the Anthony Hopkins film ‘The Wolfman’. He said, “I have incurred a loss of Rs 3 lakh. The screen of my Maratha Mandir was torn down on Wednesday evening. I just cannot afford to take more losses.’’
On Wednesday, most multiplex chains were also complaining that, while their halls were provided full security in Mumbai, their cinema halls outside the city did not have any police cover, which they have pointed out to the police and state.
Meanwhile Sippy also said, “Audiences would certainly not want to enter a cinema hall and watch a film surrounded by cops.’’
First day, no show? Cinemas will take final call today
Feb 12th
FILM UNDER A CLOUD: CM Ashok Chavan feels plex owners are unduly afraidGovt Assurances Fail To Calm Owners’ Fears
Mumbai: In an embarrassing show of noconfidence in the Congress-led state government, multiplex and theatre owners on Thursday more or less made up their mind not to release the Shah Rukh Khan flick, My Name Is Khan, in Mumbai and other parts of the state on Friday.
Exhibitors will now take a wait-andwatch approach on releasing the film in Maharashtra. Late-night reports said that after a meeting of multiplex owners and distributors, it was decided that the former would meet again at 9.30 am on Friday to take a final call—it might be decided that each multiplex chain would release the film at only one plex and wait for the response. But it was clear that the fear factor weighed oppressively on every plex owner’s mind.
Tinsel town insiders reacted with shock and dismay at the possible no-show of the movie in Bollywood capital and were calculating financial losses but civil society in Mumbai said the loss went much beyond the movie’s profit-and-loss economics. The general feeling was that the plex owners’ fears exposed an enormous lack of confidence in the government’s ability to take on political blackmail and provide protection against vandalism.
Chief minister Ashok Chavan tried his best to get the theatre owners to screen the film on Friday, promising them “full security’’. “They (the theatre owners) must release the film,’’ he said. But his assurance found no takers either in Mumbai, the Sena’s backyard, or elsewhere in the state.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 12, 2010)
Mumbai: In an embarrassing show of noconfidence in the Congress-led state government, multiplex and theatre owners on Thursday more or less made up their mind not to release the Shah Rukh Khan flick, My Name Is Khan, in Mumbai and other parts of the state on Friday.
Exhibitors will now take a wait-andwatch approach on releasing the film in Maharashtra. Late-night reports said that after a meeting of multiplex owners and distributors, it was decided that the former would meet again at 9.30 am on Friday to take a final call—it might be decided that each multiplex chain would release the film at only one plex and wait for the response. But it was clear that the fear factor weighed oppressively on every plex owner’s mind.
Tinsel town insiders reacted with shock and dismay at the possible no-show of the movie in Bollywood capital and were calculating financial losses but civil society in Mumbai said the loss went much beyond the movie’s profit-and-loss economics. The general feeling was that the plex owners’ fears exposed an enormous lack of confidence in the government’s ability to take on political blackmail and provide protection against vandalism.
Chief minister Ashok Chavan tried his best to get the theatre owners to screen the film on Friday, promising them “full security’’. “They (the theatre owners) must release the film,’’ he said. But his assurance found no takers either in Mumbai, the Sena’s backyard, or elsewhere in the state.
Uneasy calm as cops keep Sainiks at bay
Feb 11th
SMASH HIT? A mobile hoarding for the movie attacked at the Andheri flyover
THE TIMES OF INDIA (February 11, 2010)
Mumbai: Chief minister Ashok Chavan has said, “It’s my wish that this (the controversy over the SRK-starrer ‘My Name Is Khan’) should be sorted out with mutual understanding. The common man should not be made to suffer because of this ongoing controversy. The police department is taking stock of the situation and adequate security arrangements will be made for the release of film.’’
State home minister R R Patil, too, assured film distributors of adequate security. “Those who want to protest against the film can do so but it should be done peacefully and not by disturbing law and order,’’ Patil said. “We will spare no one guilty of lawlessness,’’ he added.
However, the CM’s and the home minister’s statements failed to evoke much confidence. It wasn’t that the state government and the police machinery did not walk the talk. But an uneasy calm prevailed near cinema halls and most theatres didn’t sell a single ticket in the city, Thane and Navi Mumbai.
Shiv Sainiks came prepared to vandalise Kasturba theatre in Malad on Wednesday afternoon. “Twenty-five persons were nabbed before they could tear up posters or smash glass panes. The accused included a vibhag pramukh, a shakha pramukh and four women,’’ an official said. Another group damaged some hoardings on the Western Express Highway—away from any multiplex or single-screen theatre—in Andheri and a band of around 10 Sainiks landed up at Kulraj’s Broadway multiplex in Borivli (E) though they were picked up before they could resort to any vandalism.
The central and eastern suburbs, which saw heavy-duty protests on Tuesday, did not see any violence at all on Wednesday. Much of the activity on Mumbai’s streets on Wednesday was actually courtesy policemen. More than 1,600 people were detained. The biggest names were those of MLA Vinod Ghosalkar and former MLA Dagdu Sakpal but both were released after some time. The others were taken into preventive custody included corporator Aparna Narvekar, deputy shakha pramukhs Shaila Gaikwad, Shyam Salvi, Jaywant More and Vinod Salvi, shakha pramukhs Sunil Chavan and Hemangi Joshi and shakha sanghatak Amit More. Many of them, however, got bail after court production.
Officials said around 3,000 cops would be deployed in and around halls to prevent trouble the next couple of days. Police commissioner D Sivanandhan has cancelled all casual leave and weekly offs of policemen.
Top cops also assured exhibitors of security. “We have advised theatre owners to keep the first three rows empty and post guards near the screen. We’ve asked them to instal CCTVs with night vision,’’ JCP Himanshu Roy said.
CM threatens to snap Uddhav’s Z-plus security
Feb 10th
ADVANCE WARNING: Sainiks tore posters and vandalised the booking counter at Mehul cinema in Mulund on Tuesday
Sena Renews Warning To Disrupt SRK Film, Attacks 2 Theatres
Prafulla Marpakwar | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 10, 2010)
Mumbai: With the Shiv Sena on Tuesday resuming its attacks against the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan, embattled chief minister Ashok Chavan warned that if the party did not allow the smooth screening of the film he would ask the lawenforcing agencies to immediately withdraw the Z-plus security cover of Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray. Incidentally, the CM’s threat comes a day after the government withdrew the security cover of nearly half a dozen Shiv Sena legislators.
On Tuesday, Sainiks went on the rampage, attacking several halls where advance bookings for the film were on, even ripping the screens at two theatres—Huma Adlabs at Kanjurmarg and Metro Cinema in south Mumbai. Following the attacks, producer Karan Johar, along with distributors, met Mumbai police commissioner D Sivanandan to seek security for screening the movie. Chavan met multiplex owners and distributors later in the evening on the issue. He told them that his government was committed to ensuring the safe release of the film.
“My government will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands. If the Sena is indulging in violence and halting the film’s release, we will have no option but to withdraw the special security cover provided to Uddhav Thackeray,’’ Chavan said.
Uddhav, along with his father Bal Thackeray, has the highest security cover in Maharashtra with over 100 constables in each shift and 15-16 constables to guard him. Chavan is probably the first Maharashtra CM to threaten Uddhav with withdrawal of security cover.
Sources said Shah Rukh Khan had taken up the issue of security for his film with Rahul Gandhi who, in turn, asked Chavan to initiate stringent measures against the Sainiks.
Miffed Uddhav gives up cop cover
Late on Tuesday night, miffed Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray gave up the Maharashtra government’s security cover provided to him, reports Ambarish Mishra. “I don’t need your security. I am returning your constables,’’ he said. The state has already withdrawn the official security given to Sena leaders Prakash Bala Sawant, Anil Parab and Ravindra Waikar. All three had taken the lead in organising black flag demonstrations against Rahul Gandhi during the Congress leader’s Mumbai visit last Friday.
Multiplexes in Mumbai stop MNIK bookings
Feb 10th
Despite halls being vandalised, and threat of Sena protests, Shah Rukh and Karan Johar say… Khan WILL release this week
By Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 10, 2010)
With the Shiv Sena going on the rampage against the theatres screening My Name Is Khan, the sudden and violent change of stance after indicating a truce has shocked the film industry.
Several Sena dominated pockets of the city including Mulund, Kanjurmarg, Ghatkopar and Chembur witnessed attacks on theatres planning to screen My Name Is Khan. Huma Adlabs, Shreyas, Ashish and Metro were among the theatres attacked.
Yesterday, the film’s producer Karan Johar met up with Police Commissioner D Sivanandan to discuss the situation. While the police has warned of strict action against troublemakers and over 200 arrests were made on Tuesday, the situation remains volatile. And bearing the brunt are the theatres.
“We are waiting to hear from the distributors (Fox Cinemas) to take an official stand on whether or not to go ahead with the release of My Name Is Khan. It is as much their decision as ours,” said Shunali Shroff of Fame Big Cinemas, adding, “Hopefully, by Wednesday morning, things should get resolved.”
Devang Sampat, GM Marketing, Cinemax said, “We are yet to take a call on this. I have still to speak to the operation team since this is more of an operation call.”
Meanwhile, in an interview to a television channel, Shah Rukh Khan said that while he has had a warm relationship with Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, he didn’t feel there was anything he had said which he should apologise for. He also said that he had not sought any appointment with them to sort out the issue.
It may be recalled that the Shiv Senas had taken an objection to Shah Rukh’s comment that Pakistani cricket players should be allowed to play in the IPL.
At the time of going to press, representatives from all the multiplexes were in a meeting with Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to find a solution to the impasse.
SRK, Sena wind down, film may open peacefully
Feb 7th
STARRY RETURN: Shah Rukh at Mumbai airport on his return from London where he had been to promote his film My Name Is Khan
Bharati Dubey & Ambarish Mishra | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 7, 2010)
Mumbai: Both parties in the Shiv Sena-Shah Rukh Khan feud appeared to climb down a little on Saturday without backing off from their ideological positions amid talk that a Bollywood actor and a senior state politician had played mediator between the party and the actor.
The Sena, despite insisting that Khan was a “traitor’’ for taking up the cause of Pakistani players who were not picked by any team for IPL, said on Saturday that it was not interested in disrupting the screening of his next release, My Name Is Khan.
The first Sena official comment—on not wanting to disrupt the film—came, significantly, a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declined the safety of a helicopter and travelled by Mumbai’s lifeline, the local train, through some traditional Sena bastions, sending out an unmistakably strong political rejoinder to the Sena and its agenda.
Khan’s comments, too, after he touched down in Mumbai on Saturday morning, were much more guarded than those he had made abroad. Not once did he say he had said anything wrong—when he commented on Pakistani players not being picked for IPL teams (his own team did not pick any)—but he made the right noises to indicate that he was not interested in taking the war of words forward in the run-up to the release of his film on February 12.
But the Sena’s climbdown, a day after the Gandhi scion took the wind out of its sails, was slightly more spectacular despite the potshots it took at the Congress and Khan.
In an editorial in Saamna, Sena chief Bal Thackeray said: “The Congress is free to rule the country in the manner it thinks is proper. Let Pakistan carry on its terrorist activity in Mumbai and let Shah Rukh Khan release his film with the blessings of the Gandhi Dynasty. The Sena will not do anything.’’
‘Why should Sena alone suffer?’ Mumbai: While the Shiv Sena said on Saturday that it would not hold up the screening of Shah Rukh Khan’s next film, My Name Is Khan, the actor indcated that he was not interested in taking the war of words forward.
Sena CEO Uddhav Thackeray told TOI on Saturday: “Why should the Sena alone stick its neck out on terrorism or regional pride? Pak-sponsored terrorism is a major threat to India and Mumbai’s security. However, the Congress leaders are not willing to take a firm stand on these issues as they believe in taking orders from 10 Janpath. Other political parties too keep mum on this sensitive issues. So why should Shiv Sainiks suffer police excesses and imprisonment. Matoshree, after all, is also on the hit-list of Pak terrorists.’’
On his part, Khan said it was sad that his remarks on Pakistani cricketers in the IPL had been misconstrued. Asked if he would go to Matoshree to explain his position, Khan said Bal Thackeray was a senior leader and he had gone to his residence whenever he was called. “I have been there so often. Yes, I would like to go and have a drink with him,’’ he said. But he also said he did not think the current issue merited any conversation. “If my stand needs to be explained to someone, I have already done it. I don’t think there is an issue on that front,’’ he said.
Khan, however, left a window open for conversation. “If there has been any misunderstanding, let’s be gracious and talk it out,’’ he added. “I think what I said was misconstrued. I am what I am because of Mumbai and I would like everyone in Mumbai to be happy. I think what is happening is very unfortunate. I think all the groups also want Mumbaikars to be happy. Then why create this kind of atmosphere?’’
In New Delhi, chief minister Ashok Chavan weighed in, saying it would act against anyone trying to “bully’’ others. “All movies, be it of Shah Rukh’s or anybody else’s, if they are approved by the censor board, will run and the government will protect them. We will make sure that not only the Shiv Sena, but any person or organisation trying to create disturbance is dealt with strictly as per the law of the land,’’ he said. “Even I will go and watch those movies.’’
Asked why his own team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, had not picked any Pakistani player, the actor said his team was keen on taking Abdul Razzaq. “But my coach informed me later that he had a finger injury. There was a slot available but one should also take into consideration the prevailing atmosphere,’’ he added.
He, however, refused to comment on the reasons for the Sena backing off. “I really don’t know that and cannot comment on a group’s thinking or working pattern. But I am thankful that now the film will be released without any stress. There are 250 people involved in the film. I am really happy to know that me and my film are being taken as two different entities,’’ he said.
He also said arts, sports and culture could help build ties with other countries and should be encouraged. Told that Thackeray had called him a traitor, the actor said, “It feels really awkward for me to explain that I am an Indian and not a bad one and love my country. I don’t need to prove it to anyone.’’
He added: “I really felt like crying when I was being questioned for being a regular Indian. It hurt me even more when my daughter called and asked me, ‘Papa, do we have to leave India?’ I had to send my wife, Gauri, back to be with the children.’’
Sena demands action against Rahul
Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded that the state should take action against Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for his statements on the role of north Indians in protecting Mumbai during the 26/11 terror attacks. “He has made serious statements about the Indian forces. Such statements can lead to division in Indian army and result in disintegration of nation” said Uddhav in Pune. TNN
SRK flick will get cop cover
Feb 2nd
Mani D’Mello | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 2, 2010)
Mumbai: Even as police commissioner D Sivanandhan assured the city that “no attacks on theatres screening actor Shah Rukh Khan’s yet-to-be released film My Name is Khan will be tolerated,” exhibitors and distributors Shringar Films Ltd are believed to have written a letter to Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray stating that they will not be releasing the movie unless it is cleared by him.
However, when contacted, company director B Shroff refused to comment. Officially the release date of the film (Feb 12) remains unchanged.
On Monday, CM Ashok Chavan and home minister R R Patil discussed the issue with the police.
Union textile minister visits Bharatmata, says no to razing
Jan 21st
RAY OF HOPE: Union textile minister Dayanidhi Maran (third from left) with Milind Deora and Ashok Chavan at the Bharatmata theatre on Tuesday
Prakash Joshi & Yogesh Naik | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; January 20, 2010)
Mumbai: Union textile minister Dayanidhi Maran on Tuesday assured Mumbaikars that the historic Bharatmata cinema in Lalbaug will continue as it has played a significant role as a cultural centre for Marathi cinema.
Maran, who took a round of the area and visited Bharatmata, said he would respect the feelings of the Marathi people about the theatre as he belongs to Tamil Nadu, where films are respected.
Mumbai Regional Congress Committee president Kripashankar Singh had called on Maran and UPA president Sonia Gandhi to demand that the National Textile Corporation must respect the sentiments of the Marathi people and stop the demolition of Bharatmata.
Gandhi had promised to look into the issue and direct the government accordingly, Singh told TOI. The Shiv Sena and MNS have also taken an aggressive stand to save Bharatmata.
Chief minister Ashok Chavan, who accompanied Maran during the visit, was very happy with the Union minister’s assurance.
“Bharatmata cinema has become a cultural symbol respected by textile workers residing here for generations. We are happy that such symbol will be retained for future generations,’’ Chavan added.
There was strong demand from textile workers, Marathi film personalities and cultural bodies to save Bharatmata which has been showing only Maratahi films since 1940 at concessional rates.
A city civil court has dismissed an appeal filed by the owners of the theatre who challenged the eviction notice issued by NTC.
Movie Review: ‘SHIKSHANACHYA AAICHA GHO!’ by FENIL SETA
Jan 21st
What does 17 multiplied by 7 equal to?
When was Alaudin Khilji born?
When did Qutub-ud-din Aibak come to power?
It’ll be difficult to answer these questions and we don’t even care about it as it doesn’t concerns with whatever career we are pursuing. But the school-going students have to deal with such questions and their answers day after day and exam after exam. They have to study day and night and mug up answers of hundreds of such questions so that they can be promoted to next class. If they won’t, they’ll fail. Ironically, later in their life, they are, quite possibly, never ever going to feel the need to know about Alaudin Khilji in their life. Thus, without doubt, the education system is completely flawed. ‘Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho!’ deals with this issue and raises several valid points.
The story of the movie: Shrinivas Rane (Saksham Kulkarni) is extremely talented when it comes to cricket but is average in academics. His father Madhukar Rane (Bharat Jadhav) always persuaded him to leave his cricket classes and instead concentrate solely and fully on his studies. He is living with Shrinivas and daughter Durga (Gauri Vaidya) in a chawl. It becomes almost impossible for him to make two ends meet and regularly has to borrow money from Ibrahim Sheikh (Siddharth Jadhav), a goon-turned-businessman. Thus, Madhukar wanted Srinivas to work hard in studies so that he can have a secure future. After a point, he compelled Shrinivas to leave his cricket coaching classes and enrolled him for scholarship. The cricket coach tried to explain Madhukar that Shrinivas can be in national team someday and that one can have a great career in sports too. But his advice fell on deaf ears and Madhukar became stricter with Shrinivas when he failed in his scholarship exams. In a fit of rage, Madhukar slapped his son due to which Shrinivas falls down and his head hits the edge of his bed. He’s immediately taken to hospital where the doctor give the bad news-Shrinivas is in coma. Watch the film to find out what happens next and how Madhukar fights the education system tooth and nail.
‘Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho!’ has some funny moments. It has some wonderful touching scenes and at several points, it shakes you. In many sequences, you break into applause too. The film thus provides wholesome entertainment but at the same time, it has some important teachings which are the need of the hour. The film wonderfully shows that children should be allowed to choose whatever they like to do. If they are not doing great in academics, they should be allowed to thrive in whatever they are good at. There are countless examples of people who have today achieved considerable success in their fields but were very bad when it came to studies. Parental pressure must subside. The message is put across beautifully and the film should bring a change in the mindset of the parents, teachers and students alike.
The film also scores with its duration. It’s just 110 mins long and in fact, the intermission point comes only after 40 mins! But the short 1st half does have a lot to offer. The best point was definitely when the father hits his son because of which the latter had to be hospitalized. But the best is reserved for the 2nd half. The father realizes how wrong he was and feels the need to bring a revamp in the existing education system. From here, the film turns thoroughly exciting. The way he goes on doing the needful is a treat to watch. There’s a scene where the neighbours of Madhukar in the chawl contribute money to buy a wheelchair and for the operation. It really touches you and projects the plus-point of living in a chawl system. There is a sense of cohesiveness and closeness among people living in chawls which cannot be found in buildings where people live inside flats. The pre-climax scene where he enters the Chief Minister’s residence forcefully and talks to the CM (Sachin Khedekar) take the cake away. But one scene doesn’t appeal here. The CM asks for alternatives to the current education system and the answers given by Madhukar to this didn’t seem satisfactory.
The characters in this film were well written and leave a mark. Ibrahim Sheikh doesn’t leave those who don’t return his money. But when he learns that Madhukar, who owes him a lot of money, is in a grave problem because of his son’s hospitalization, he becomes ‘human’ and stops asking Madhukar to return his money. Then there’s Nalini (Kranti Redkar), residing in the chawl and who had raised lot of eyebrows because ‘she used to go for work when the rest of the world slept’. She had no respect among chawl residents but she didn’t care because she had money. But she wasn’t proud or greedy-she provides complete financial help to Madhukar when his son is hospitalized.
Every actor in the film looks real and straight out of life. Bharat Jadhav is the lead and undoubtedly, was the best performer in the film. Watch out for him in the intense scenes-he was just perfect. Saksham Kulkarni also looked every inch a student residing in a chawl. Although he was confined to bed and wheelchair for almost the entire 2nd half, he leaves a mark. Siddharth Jadhav was brilliant and provided lot of laughs. Kranti Redkar looked preety and gave top notch performance. Gauri Vaidya was flawless. Mahesh Manjrekar, the director of the film, is also there in a guest appearance. Sachin Khedekar impresses although he was only for a scene. The actors who played the role of neighbours and the cop were great.
Ajit, Samir and Atul’s music doesn’t leave much of mark as all songs are played in the background. But their background score was great. Deepak Kulkarni’s dialogues were sharp and contribute a lot in making the film extraordinary. Ajit Reddy’s cinematography was perfect. The film has been extensively shot in Shivaji Park and in neighbouring places like Dadar Chowpatty, Balmohan Vidyamandir, Sushrusha Hospital, L J Road (near Raja-Rani Travels) etc. Also, this is the first film to be shot on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
Mahesh Manjrekar has written the story and screenplay and also directed the film. In all 3 departments, he ‘scores full marks’! The screenplay was really very interesting. The film doesn’t get boring at any point and at times, it’s unpredictable too. Direction did full justice to the script. Great work by Manjrekar!
The publicity campaign of the film managed to create hype. The promos attracted eyeballs. Also, in the film posters, even the education qualifications of the crew members were mentioned as follows:
Story, Screenplay and Direction: Mahesh Manjrekar (Intermediate Science Fail)
Producers: Sanjay Chhabria (BA Pass, accidentally), Ashwani Manjrekar (Under Graduate), Satya Manjrekar (7th Fail)
Music: Ajit-Samir-Atul (SYJC Fail & Lesser)
Cinematography: Ajit Reddy (FYJC Science Fail)
Innovative isnt it?!
Some of the best scenes of the film:
1. The first 10 minutes
2. Madhukar persuades the principal to enroll his son for scholarship
3. Cricket Coach advices Madhukar to let Srinivas play cricket
4. Madhukar hits Srinivas and the intermission point
5. Madhukar bailed out
6. Madhukar blasts teacher in Srinivas’ school
7. Madhukar’s neighbours buys wheelchair for Srinivas
8. Madhukar hiding from Ibrahim
9. Ibrahim at Madhukar’s house
10. Madhukar calls Nalini on the terrace
11. strongThe last 15 minutes
On the whole, ‘Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho!’ is a great film with a strong message that is bound to impact those who watch it. Businesswise, it hasn’t taken a historic opening like Mahesh Manjrekar’s previous flick ‘Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy!’ but nevertheless, it is running successfully. It is important that the film reaches to as many as possible in Maharashtra considering the students’ suicides have mysteriously risen since few days. Schools should block-book theatres and take their students to watch this film!
My rating-**** out of 5!
