Gulkand: Marathi Movie Review
Rating: ⭐️⭐️1/2
Plot: A nostalgic romance unfolds when former lovers reconnect in their later years, facing new challenges and rediscovering the sweet complexities of love despite their age.
Runtime: 146 Minutes
Team:
Director: Sachin Goswami
Writer: Sachin Mote
Cinematography: Uday Mohite
Editor: Mayur Hardas
Music: Avinash Chandrachud, Amir Hadkar and Vishwajeet Joshi
Starring: Sameer Chowgule, Sai Tamhankar, Prasad Oak, Esha Dey and Jui Bhagwat
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Gulkand Review
Sachin Goswami’s “Gulkand” feels like a skit straight out of “Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra”. The ensemble cast is also from the same world. And I am positively stating this because it will make you laugh at the mindless slapstick comedy like a child. Starring Sai Tamhankar, Sameer Chowgule, Esha Dey and Prasad Oak, Gulkand packs a delicious jar of ‘Gulkand’ but also may not be to the taste of everyone.
The film revolves around two couples, Mane and Dhavale. Mr Mane (Sameer Chowgule) is an innocently dumb husband to Mrs Mane (Sai Tamhankar), who feels like a woman out of her husband’s league. Mr Dhavale (Prasad Oak) is an uptight land dealer married to a foolish Mrs Dhavale (Esha Dey) who is also an OTT addict. Both couples clash when the Dhavale’s visit Mane’s with regards to their children getting married. This is where things get interesting.
Neeta Mane and Girish Dhavale are actually lovebirds from their college days. Their love starts to rekindle as they start texting each other daily. Ragini Dhavale manipulates Makrand Dhavale into spying on their partners. All this births conflicts, personal insecurities, and generational differences. The hide and seek between both pairs starts taking comic and dramatic turns.
The film rides highly on situational comedy and feels more like an improv. The film’s cast delivers standout performances that elevate this. Sameer Chowgule deserves all the praise in the world. His comic timing is impeccable. Tuning in on the same energy is Esha Dey, who also kills with every punchline. Both of them together give you a post-laughter stomach ache. Sai Tamhankar has a natural grace to her presence, but somehow doesn’t justify being a mother of two. Prasad Oak plays a forgettable character, and one cannot really blame him. The supporting cast, especially Vanita Kharat shines comically bright.
Sachin Mote, a celebrated comedy writer in Marathi Television, brings out his slapstick comedy full guns blazing. But unfortunately, unlike skits, a film cannot sustain itself purely on comedy, and this is where he somehow falters. Sachin Goswami’s direction is below average, and it shows when he fails to generate any kind of emotional high, even when his characters are vulnerable. The cinematography is decent. The music is forgettable. A track, which I have already forgotten, comes as an unnecessary number out of nowhere. Additionally, the plot occasionally falls into predictable tropes, which may not surprise seasoned moviegoers. The pacing in the second half is dragged, with some scenes feeling slightly drawn out. These issues, however, do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the film.
Gulkand is a delightful dessert. While it has significant flaws, they do not overshadow its biggest strength – the slapstick comedy executed to perfection. It is definitely not something I like, but MAHARASHTRACHI HASYAJATRA fans will have a fun ride! Go watch with your family to have an even better time!
