Reviews

Review : 72 Miles – Ek Pravas (2013)

15/08/2013

Review : 72 Miles – Ek Pravas
Director : Rajeev Patil
Producers : Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna and Ashwini Verde for Grazing Goat Pictures
Writer : Ashok Vatkar
Cast : Smita Tambe, Chinmay Sant, Chinmay Kambli
Music : Amitraj
Genre : Drama

Critic Rating : * * * ½

User Rating :

[polldaddy rating=”7075363″]

Story Outline :

The film is based on Ashok Vatkar’s biography of the same name. In the pre-independence era in Kolhapur, Ashok (Chinmay Sant) is sent to a boarding school against his wish by his parents at a far off place. Unable to cope-up with the life in a boarding school, Ashok flees from the place to return to Kolhapur at any cost. During his unusual journey, he comes across a poor woman Radhakka (Smita Tambe) and her four children. As their journey progresses, a bond of warmth develops between Ashok and Radhakka.

Review :

It takes great skills to narrate a journey with a lot of tragedies in a non-depressing manner. Those skills are shown by Rajeev Patil in 72 Miles – Ek Pravas. Despite the numerous sad incidents, the film manages to make you smile due to its intelligent presentation, skillful writing and an intelligent climax.

Presenting such a biography on screen is an utterly difficult task. It was also very vital to get the audience involved in Ashok’s journey. Since the writer manages it so successfully, he deserves super praise. Although there are tragedies on the journey, it is the characters’ undying spirit of survival that keeps you impressed and glued throughout.

The proceedings, however, threaten to get tedious in the second half, where a couple of sequences could have been shortened. But you would hardly complain about this aspect after the climax, which is heartwarming as well as inspiring. Although I haven’t read the book, I can’t deny that Patil has produced an artistic meaningful cinema.

But, needless to say, the film is far away from the commercial genre. Hence, it will struggle to find takers from the entertainment hungry audience.

The director has received mammoth support from Sanjay Jadhav’s camerawork, which is nothing short of brilliant. He has managed to make a visual treat out of such a subject. Amitraj’s compositions also play their part. The track ‘Deva Sundar Jaga Madhe’ is the best of the lot and it stays with you even after you leave the hall. The background score and editing are also up to the mark.

The film demanded quality performances and that is exactly what the actors deliver. After Jana Gana Mana and Touring Talkies, Chinmay Sant is once again brilliant. Playing such a character would have been taxing for any kid but he rises up the occasion and how! But there is also Smita Tambe who stuns with an outstanding act. It’s a performance any actor would be proud of. Chinmay Kambli also shines in a difficult role. Child actors playing Kambli’s sister also deserve praise.

Overall :

72 Miles – Ek Pravas succeeds in telling a moving and inspiring tale. But releasing it with the over-hyped Chennai Express will go against it as far as box office success is concerned. The film surely deserved a better release period.

Review By : Keyur Seta