Nataranga

No, its not a movie for people who understand marathi, but a movie for anyone who can understand the language of passion. We are all passionate about some or the other thing at some or the other level. But what is the extent you can go to pursue it? The movie expands the horizon of the limitations of an entreprenuer and hence the ways to get over them.


The movie begins with the feet of an old man, faltering on the steps of the podium of "Zee Gaurav Puraskar" - a prestiguous award ceremony, and while he reaches the podium, the movie takes us to the flashback of how and what the man had to go through to pursue his dream. Guna Kagalkar (Atul Kulkarni), a man with a wrestler's physique, charming face and a typical masculine Indian moustache is a personality that all the men envy and all the women adore. Everything is perfect in his life, except for his passion for the Tamasha - the Marathi folk theatre. The man's addiction to tamasha forces him to drain down at least half of his earning, leaving behind his penniless wife and educationless kid.

With the machines greasing mankind's progress, Guna and his gang anticipating the sinking ship of their respective traditional livelihoods, resolute to disembark and make a ship out of their passion - the Tamasha. Being an entrepreur at determination and an artist at heart, Guna intrinsically carrying the traits to be the leader of the clan starts investing his money, time, vim, vigour to the extent of gambling his own dignity on the success of their new Tamasha.

The story of the movie revolves around the fact that Tamasha - the marathi folk theatre is incomplete without the presence of 'Nacha' - a panzy gay character. Here Guna has the entire pack ready with talent that garuntees entertainment. Even the female dancer that shall be taking the center stage stands alongside of these entreprenuers. But the only missing part is the presence of a panzy character. Days pass by with no hope and energy starts oqzing out of the chest swelled Tamasha. Guna's frustration is evident in one of his dialogues in the movie, "There's hunger right within, and a plate full of food right in front, but there are no hands to eat and no teeth to chew." Guna out of choice decides to play the panzy character himself. And thus begins an altogether new journey which eventually brings success.

The Indian film fraternity is sharpening itself towards perfectionism while following the likes of Tom Hanks and Renee Zelwegger. We had Aamir Khan flexing his muscles in Ghajani, just because he felt the role demanded that physique. Similarly, Atul Kulkarni, understanding the demand of the role, invested some good time in gym in sculpting a beefed up physique. Ajay - Atul as usual have been phenomenal in their music. But the most noteworthy aspects of the movie are exceptional direction from Ravi Jadhav and a remarkable acting by Atul Kulkarni. I wont be surprised if Atul wins the National award.

Rating: ****