Reviews

Review: Shegavicha Yogi Gajanan (Marathi Movie) – Only & only for worshipers

28/08/2015

Review : Shegavi Cha Yogi Gajanan (2015)
Director: Pitambar Kale
Producers: Kasturi Films Production
Writer: Nitin Naygaonkar, Deepak Gore and Aaba Gaikwad
Cast: Mukund Vasule, Milind Gunaji, Sanjay Khapre, Prema Kiran
Music: Nandu Honap
Genre: Drama
Review By : Keyur Seta

Rating : 2/5

Review:

The danger with devotional movies is that in the process of spreading the devotion of a God or Demigod, it can lag behind in proper storytelling. Director Pitambar Kale’s Shegavi Cha Yogi Gajanan suffers from this shortcoming. It is a film only and only for ardent worshipers of Gajanan Maharaj.

As per the title, the film is a biopic on Sant Gajanan Maharaj, who appeared for the first time in Shegaon in Maharashtra in the late nineteenth century. Gajanan Maharaj (Mukund Vasule) was first noticed in Shegaon by Bankatlal (Milind Gunaji), a rich landlord of the village.

Bankatlal is highly impressed and amazed by Maharaj’s ideologies and unmatched kindness. He and his close associates instantly become Maharaj’s dedicated followers. Soon, they realize the miraculous powers Maharaj possesses. Hence, his followers keep on increasing by the day. But along with worshipers, Maharaj also attracts the attention of some evil-doers.

If you are an ardent worshiper of Gajanan Maharaj, chances are that you will find Shegavi Cha Yogi Gajanan somewhat interesting. The film can also boast of rich and realistic production design, which brings alive a bygone era. This is well complemented by some vibrant and accurate costume design. Shivaji Kale, the DoP, has also contributed to the rich frames. Nandu Honap’s music complements the content.

But the basic aim of every feature film is to tell a story, which is clearly missing here. In fact, there is no proper plot. The entire film is just filled with incidents of Maharaj preaching his philosophy and defeating his detractors by performing miracles. Even the climax appears abrupt. The film overdoes in being devotional most of the times. Apart from writing issues, it also suffers from weak direction. This is felt more during the present day scenario, which is purely immature.

Mukund Vasule succeeds in bringing Gajanan Maharaj on screen. But he overdoes in behaving strange. Most probably, he was asked to do so. If he hadn’t done that, the character would have looked more convincing. Milind Gunaji provides a decent act as Bankatlal.

Jackie Shroff is just average in a cameo. There seem to be some problem with the sound of his dialogues. Plus, there are serious lip-sync issues with him during his Qawwali song. Other supporting actors like Bharat Ganeshpure, Prema Kiran, Sanjay Khapre, and others fit the bill.