(‘Weekend Recco’,as the name suggests,will be
a weekly column@RT.These posts will basically be short reviews of movies from
the Indian subcontinent which we believe are worth your time and money!)
Harischandrachi
Factory
Language-Marathi
Year-2009
Director:Paresh
Mokashi
Banner:UTV,Paprika Media,Mayasabha
Genre:Bio-pic/Satire
Based on the life of
Dada Saheb Phalke,the father of Indian Cinema,’Harischandrachi Factory’ is a
sweet little film which will charm you with it’s inherent honesty.The movie
which traces the life of DhundirajPhalke and his struggles to make the first
indigenous feature film was India’s official entry to the Academy Awards for
the year 2010. Unlike the usual dark,pretentious and depressing art house fares
that we get to see way too often,HF is a cute,entertaining tale replete with
successful attempts at dark humour.The ‘mental hospital scene’,Dhundiraj’s
search for ‘Rajaharischandra’sheroine’ in the ‘red streets’,the scenes following
the sale of Phalke’s wordly possessions are all genuinely hilarious and often
satirical which makes this movie a fun watch for even the non-Maratha viewer.The
movie also offers an interesting time travel to the India –of the 1900 s.
What I liked the most about the
movie:
1.The
brilliant performances by NandhuMadhav(Dada SahebPhalke) and
Vibhavari Deshpande(SaraswathiPhalke).Even the child who played Phalke’s son was
very good.
2.The static
frames,modest set design and the re recording could successfully create the
‘period feel’ which was required for the film.
3.The
overall mood of the film.Though it had scope to become preachy and over
sentimental,Paresh Mokashi resorted to maintain a feel-good feel through out
the film.The length of the film(the movie is just about 119mins in duration)
was also optimum.
4.The
underlying Phalke-Saraswathi romantic track was charming.
What I didn't like:
1.In the
movie everything comes too easily for Phalke.The ‘London scenes’ for instance,
are far from convincing.
2.HF
doesn’t through light on the ‘failed attempts’ and the bouts of depression and
desperation which Phalke and Saraswathi might have gone through while making
‘Raja Harischandra’.The director’s attempt to portray Phalke as a ‘man of all
virtues’(at some point in the film Dhundiraj’s brother even calls him
‘Harischandra’!) was a bit unwarranted.
 |
| A poster of the film |
Verdict-On the whole ‘Harischandrachi Factory’ is a fitting tribute
to the pioneer of Indian Cinema,DadaSahebPhalke and it’s undoubtedly one movie
which should be watched by every Indian.Rating-4/5
This post is cross posted here
This post is cross posted here
-nikhimenon 2013.
