Marathi Movie- Rajwade & Sons

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'Rajwade & Sons' is not just a story of three generations, but in many ways also a story of identity. The older generation- more so the Patriarch- has established an identity(which has also been referred to as a brand name). The younger generation wants to erase that identity as they are in a quest of their own. While there is an in-between generation which actually doesn't have its own identity.So there is something for each generation to identify within the movie. 

The movie conveys a message but ever so subtly, without being preachy. That is one of its biggest successes. The movie also looks fresh but not pompous.Gone are the days of Marathi movies being made on a shoe string budget. This movie leaves no stone unturned to look visually appealing & enriching. It has got an ensemble cast.The senior actors like Satish Alekar & Jyoti Subhash bring with them their loads of experience & sagacity.Then there are Atul Kulkarni, Sachin Khedekar & Mrinal Kulkarni-all fine actors in their own right who have all done wonderfully well. And then there are 4 actors from the young generation- Siddharth Menon, Mrunmayee Godbole, Alok Rajwade & Krutika Deo. They have not just held their ground in front of the awesome seniors, but have displayed an effortless ease in portraying their roles. 

All this however would not have been possible without the director's vision. I think Sachin Kundalkar is firmly in the driver's seat in the movie. His conviction in the movie is seen all through out. There are a few things that I would like to specify to show how the director is also 'seen' in the movie-
1) There is a reference to the Marathi play - 'Wada Chirebandi' written by Mahesh Elkunchwar.On the first occasion, it is just a passing reference when you see the book in the Rajwade mansion. But on the second occasion, Laxmi (Mrinal Kulkarni) is shown to have played the role of Vahini from that play. 'Wada Chirebandi' is among other things, a play that comments on joint family. And also talks of the suppression of aspirations/individuality of the women in joint families. By showing this & the connections that are made by dialogues of Mrinal Kulkarni & Jyoti Subhash, the plight of the women in Rajwade family has been taken to a different level altogether.
2) The reference to the Pune city in various ways. The city comes across as a limitation to the aspirations of the younger generation. And this, they are made aware through the character of Vikram. It is indeed true that we Punekars have a very restricted view of the world. So to set oneself free also means to let go of the this limitation. This is indeed a refreshing view. 
3) The reference to P L Deshpande & his genre of humour. 
4) According to me, the most brilliant scene is the interaction between Sachin Khedekar & Vikram. I won't be able to describe the technicalities, but it is a single shot, without any break. That enhances the impact of the scene. And kudos to both the Sachins for pulling it off so well... Only those artists with the theater background would be able to conceive such a scene & execute it to perfection.

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Everybody is liking the film & from different perspectives. All of them are correct in their own right.The film is indeed a story of 3 generations & the changing time & circumstances.

But I would like to say something about the character Vikram. As his character has been kept under wraps, there is a kind of mystery around him.

 We have seen similar characters in movies like 'Bawarchi'. But Vikram, played by Amitriyaan Patil, brings in a different dimension altogether. He is not just sensitive & a rebel. He doesn't just inspire the younger generation to find their own feet or seek their individuality/identity. 

He goes even beyond all this & that I find most interesting.I don't think I have seen such an aspect being explored by any film so far. So this becomes a unique thinking, though you could argue that it is quite romantic.Through Vikram's talks with the Rajwade family & also in particular with his sister,Laxmi, we get to know about his evolution since the time he had left the Rajwade home. He has struggled alright, but he has lived life on his own terms & thinking. The fact that he doesn't own his flat is seen by his Father quite conventionally, but Vikram sees it differently.He doesn't want a house in a particular city or country to be a binding, a compulsion because of which he would have been restricted/forced to stay in that particular city. Though it is difficult to imagine, if that compulsion goes away, then there could a sense of liberation, a freedom. If this is taken further, then one could stay wherever one feels like staying, live life at one's will & change the city/country after a while to go to a different place altogether. This idea of travelling & leading life with minimum baggage (both literally & figuratively) is a wonderful concept.To explore something which a person has never done before is nothing short of an adventure & the experiences from such a life are thrilling. Vikram asks Laxmi on these lines as well- Had she ever undertaken a journey all alone & found something which only she had found in the world. I find this idea of finding oneself through 'Wanderlust' very fascinating. Combined together, the wanderlust & not staying in one place forever, one could think of the idea of Global Citizenship- A person whose identity transcends the geopolitical borders & is above the nationalistic identities.We see this phenomenon gaining popularity the world over.But it is not so commonly thought in this part of the world. Therefore not depicted in the movies so prominently as well. So thought to mention it here..