Review : Ekda Kay Zal : Story of a Storyteller’s father-son bond!
A few years back in a #AamirKhar starrer #3Idiots a concept of school with practical training was manifested which garnered a lot of support. Once more a similar concept has been incorporated in a marathi film #EkdaKayZal directed by music composer turned director #DrSalilKulkarni. Usually stories around mother-son bond are made but in movies like #Waqt, #Apne, #Masoom etc a father-son bond was explored. In marathi films #TaryancheBet, #Baba, #Ringan etc conceptualised the same. Ekda Kay Zal too is mainly on a father-son bond and it’s aftermaths. In a sub text it points out a lacunae in the prevailing education system and subtly suggests remedies.
Marathi films have been exploring various content heavy subjects and Dr Salil Kulkarni takes it forward. Ekda Kay Zal explores family bonds and father-son relationship and takes it to another level. Kiran (Sumeet Raghavan) is running a school of a different kind. In the school, Nandanvan, in Pune, children are taught various subjects through storytelling and the use of theatre. He has support of his family which includes his wife Shruti (Urmila Kanetkar Kothare), little son, Chintan (Child artiste Arjun Purnapatre), father (Mohan Agashe) and mother (Suhas Joshi). His father was a reputed publisher but supports his son’s endeavour. Kiran tells one story every month through skits which allows students to understand subjects easily. He has bigger plans of expansion like to own an amphitheatre and gets assurance from the same from a Cultural minister Avinash Patil (Hrishikesh Deshpande). Meanwhile, Kiran’s friend, Jay (Pushkar Shrotri), uploads videos of Kiran’s storytelling and plays, which garners support from the public. But soon thereafter, Kiran is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Although his treatment begins, Kiran feels depressed. What happens to Chintan, who is entirely dependent on his father, forms the crux of narration.
Dr Salil Kulkarni has kept everything simple here and that makes it more impactful. The dialogues are appealing and he has interspersed light humour to keep the proceedings not too heavy. The drama holds the audience’s attention and keeps them engrossed. But things slow down a bit after Kiran is diagnosed with leukaemia. Dr Kulkarni, being a medico himself, has shown medical processes and happening with authenticity. Music and lyrics are helpful to the narration. The movie scores high in acting department. Sumeet Raghavan is always a treat to watch while performing. The ease in his acting is marvellous. He has shown variety of emotions which makes his role humane. Mohan Agashe, Suhas Joshi, Urmila Kanetkar, Pushkar Shrotri are very good. The child actor Arjun Purnapatre impresses with his innocent portrayal.
Ekda Kay Zal is a slice of life film and will be liked by all generations.
Rating : ***1/2