Reviews

Marathi Tigers Review : Provocative and Pretentious

08/02/2016

Review : Marathi Tigers (2016)
Producer : Navid Hangad
Directer : Avdhoot Kadam
Star Cast : Dr. Amol Kolhe, Vikram Gokhale, Ashish Vidyarthi, Vidhyadhar Joshi, Teja Devkar, Mahesh Koli, Kiran Sharad, Ashwini Ekbote and Uma Gokhale. Vikas Patil as Tamma
Writer : Mahesh Koli
Music : Swapnil H. Digde
Genre : Drama
Review By : Rasik Tirodkar

Rating : 1/5

Review:

Marathi Tigers is a film based on the Belgaum issue. It has Dr. Amol Kolhe in the lead and also has stalwarts like Ashish Vidyarthi, Vikram Gokhale, Vidyadhar Joshi and Vikas Patil.

Belgaum lies in Karnataka, but the marathi speaking population of the district cry discrimination and want Belgaum to become a part of Maharashtra. It is a very sensitive issue that has caused a huge uproar in Karnataka. The film tries to exploit this issue under the garb of preaching the message of unity in diversity. And therein lies one of the biggest issues with Marathi Tigers. Its approach is rather confusing. On one hand you are preaching unity in diversity but on the other you back the Marathi population with their demand to be included in Maharashtra. The title itself takes clear sides.

In the film, we have Lingappa (Ashish VIdyarthi), a powerful politician, who takes down a board in a village called Yellur that claims the village to be a part of Maharashtra. Anna (Gokhale) is a local leader and Shiva is his protégé. Anna has also raised Rachappa like his own son. Shiva is a leader who fights for the Marathis in the town. Lingappa’s right hand man Chana’s daughter Seema (Kiran Sharad) falls for Shiva, but Rachappa has feelings for Seema.

There you have a run of the mill, done to death love story. Marathi Tigers tries to tackle the important political issue under the garb on this love story. It not only does injustice to the political topic in hand, but the love story too is very unimaginative and drab. It lacks any kind of originality.

Another major issue I had with the film are the provocative intentions. Right from the posters itself it is clear that the film is taking sides and trying to exploit the sensitive issue for its own good. The film’s release has been severely opposed in Karnataka and other border regions.