Shyamchi Aai (2023) Marathi Movie Review:
A technically flawless spectacle, Shyamchi Aai, delivers a tear-jerking tale of motherhood! Dahake’s version shines bright in all departments be it Acting, Cinematography, Direction or Music.
Rating: ️️
Plot:
A cinematic re-telling of the celebrated autobiography ‘Shyamchi Aai’ by Pandurang Sadashiv Sane! It is primarily based on Shyam’s relationship with his mother and her struggles to pass down values through generations!
Team:
Director – Sujay Sunil Dahake
Cast – Om Bhutkar, Sandeep Pathak, Mayur More, Sarang Sathaye, Urmila Jagtap, Gauri Deshpande, Akshaya Gurav, Jyoti Chandekar,
Original Story – Pandurang Sadashiv Sane
Screenplay – Sunil Sukthankar
Cinematography – Vijay Mishra
Art Direction – Amey Bhalerao
Editor – B. Mahanteshwar
Music – Ashok Patki
Detailed Review:
Sane Guruji’s classic novel ‘Shyamchi Aai’ is an integral part of Maharashtra literature and culture. It is deeply rooted in every kid’s childhood. And then there is the 1953 film of the same name directed by Acharya Atre which won the Best Film award at the first ever National Film Awards. Sujay Sunil Dahake’s 2023 directorial ‘Shyamchi Aai’ had to match these two monumental pieces of art! So, the expectations are already set high!
A technically flawless spectacle, Shyamchi Aai, delivers a tear-jerking tale of motherhood! Dahake’s version shines bright in all departments be it Acting, Cinematography, Direction or Music but the only complaint is; it progresses at a turtle pace. Extremely slow!
The tale starts with Sane Guruji’s (Om Bhutkar) arrest during a farmer’s protest. At his stay in Dhule Jail, he meets a young leader Vinoba Bhave (Sarang Sathaye). As their relationship cultivates at the community readings and discussions, Sane starts writing Shyamchi Aai. The book is based on his childhood experiences with his mother.
We are transported to Sane’s childhood where a timid Shyam (Sharva Gadgil) is afraid of jumping into a well. His mother, Yashoda (Gauri Deshpande), backs him up infusing courage and values into him as he grows up. Shyam’s father (Sandeep Pathak) has his own struggles of staying out of poverty. Such extreme struggles form the base of Shyam’s childhood and how this helps him become a leader he is today!
With a powerful story and source material at hand, Sujay Dahake, proves his mantle delivering a powerful piece of art! The acting department of this film is like a pandora’s box! One mind-blowing performance after another. Gauri Deshpande shines through and through! Her performance plays the perfect catalyst for your tear bags to keep flowing! Even the child actor Sharva Gadgil aces the part!
The cinematography is pleasing and some of the most interesting frames seen in Marathi Cinema in a while. To bring out a plethora of shades through the monochrome is quite a daunting task but the film manages to capture it brightly! The extreme slow pace of the film will make you lose your attention from time to time. And well like every other aspect of life, even Cinema is about patience! I don’t really know who to blame for the slow pace, but making it just a bit engaging would have made it significantly better!
All in all, Shyamchi Aai (2023), is a cinematic marvel but will test your patience and tear bags from time to time!
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