गर्व आहे मला मी महाराष्ट्रीय असल्याचा :)

Just watched a Marathi movie in a theater after a very long time. The movie - Mi Shivajiraje Bhonsle Boltoy. Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, and also starring him in the title role(but not the lead!!) of the pride of Maharashtra : Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But the movie belongs to Sachin Khedekar, who plays the middle class 'Marathi manoos' to perfection. 

The movie brings out the angst of the Marathi manoos through the story of Dinkar Rao Bhonsle(Khedekar), how he feels lost in his own Mumbai. But rather than indulging in some sort of 'outsider'-bashing, we are taken the root of the actual problem. It is the lack of ambition and drive to succeed that is making him lose his hold over his own city. As a Maharashtrian(oops Maharashtriya) watching this movie, it is full of scenes which look straight out of one's daily life experiences. We follow Bhonsle as he is converted from a push-over to a hero with the help of the spirit of Shivaji Maharaj, who is distressed that someone who shares his last name should feel ashamed of being Marathi.

The supporting cast is awesome too. Makarand Anaspure as Maharaj's trusted man provides the necessary comic relief. But another comedian Siddarth Jadhav, does a complete turnaround playing a ruthless don Usman Parkar. Me and my friend have rechristened him "The Indian 50 Cents" after seeing him in this movie. I was also quite impressed by the beautiful Priya Bapat who plays Bhonsle's daughter. And famous adman Bharat Dabholkar played an amazing cameo as the evil Mughal Afzal Khan. That particular part of the movie which describes how Maharaj killed the deceitful Afzal Khan was truly inspiring to me. 

The way Bhonsle single-handedly fights the builder mafia is a bit far-fetched, but I guess its permissible cinematic liberty. The inspiring message that this movie sends out to the people of Maharashtra overshadows all else. Especially at this time, with the elections around the corner, with people desiring leaders who will truly represent Maharashtra at the Centre. 

On a different note, it was truly heartening to see full houses for this superhit movie. It has made me believe Maharashtra will rise again.

असेल हिम्मत तर आडवा!!!!!!