Review : Visually Spectacular Musical, ‘Chandramukhi’!
In Indian literature, including #Marathi, Moon is synonymous with a beautiful cuntenance of a woman. In majority of the films heroine is referred to as ‘#ChandKaTukda’. Recently released Marathi film ‘#Chandramukhi’ too follows that pattern, in fact it has moon in the title itself. Talking about beauty, Chandramukhi’s heroine #AmrutaKhanvilkar looks divinely beautiful throughout the film and has emoted well too. This is her first movie as a lead actress and she does full justice to the character. Again the character demands dancing and she scores there too because it’s a known fact that Amruta and dance go hand in hand. Like olden Marathi movies, this movie is based on lavni performers and their plight. Though the film is released now it’s based on #VishwasPatil’s novel novel by the same name which was written almost two decades back. There are flaws in #ChinmayMandlekar’s screenplay but dialogues written by him are impressive.
The story is about a Tamasha performer and a politician falling in love and it’s repercussions. Daulatrao Deshmane (Aadinath Kothare) is a Member of Parliament and is being considered for a berth in the central cabinet in Delhi. After a meeting his relative and an MLA Nana Jondhale (Rajendra Shisatkar) forces him to visit a courtesan’s den where he meets Chandramukhi. A happily married man Daulatrao gets fascinated by Chandra’s beauty and poetry that he falls for her. She too reciprocates. One thing leads to another and they become inseparable. His wife Damayanti Deshmane (Mrunmayi Deshpande) smells rat and warns him. But his fascination for Chandra keeps growing and a confrontation between the two ladies in his life escalates his problems. His political rivals use that against him which costs him ministership. He even is accused of wrongful confinement and rape. His father in law (Mohan Agashe) tries to diffuse the situation but what happens next and in between is the crux of the narrative.
Pravasd Oak, whose first directorial ‘Kachcha Limbu’ bagged National Award, has directed Chandramukhi. He has done a decent job but something extraordinary was needed to exploit this subject. Because this plot has been used in quite a few films viz. Pinjra, Natrang. Pinjra and Natrang had outstanding music and Ajay Atul’s score in Chandramukhi too is fabulous. The title song ‘Chandra’ is a rage on social media. It marks the entry of drop dead gorgeous Amruta Khanvilkar. Amruta has danced her heart out and excels in dramatic portions too. Prajakta Mali, another gorgeous beauty, makes a guest appearance in a dance number and it’s difficult to keep eyes off her. The screenplay seems far fetched and ‘love is blind’ phrase is stretched a bit too far. How can a politician kick away his chances to become a central minister for a girl? And it’s common sense that an extra-marital affair isn’t for keeps. But the writer had different ideas which do not seem logical in the modern world. The music is excellent but it doesn’t gel well with the narrative. The cinematography is excellent and so is production value.
Aadinath Kothare looks dashing and his ‘six packs abs’ make him look desirable. He has done a very good job in acting department and he and Amruta make a good looking pair. Mrunmayi Deshpande once again proves how terrific her acting prowess is. She, despite limited screen space, stands out and her emotive countenance and eyes are a treat to watch. Rajendra Shisatkar is good but sometimes goes over the top. Mohan Agashe, Radha Sagar, Samir Choughule, Surbhi Bhave etc lend good support.
Rating : ***1/2