• Review : Raakshas
• Producer : Vivek Kajaria and Nilesh Navalakha
• Director : Dnyanesh Zoting
• Star Cast : Sai Tamhankar, Sharad Kelkar, Rutuja Deshpande, Umesh Jagtap
• Screenplay : Dnyanesh Zoting
• Review by : Abhay Salvi

Rating : 2.5/5

Raakshas Movie Review:

The poster of this film was supposedly inspired by the poster of a modern classic directed by this year’s Oscar favorite director Guillermo Del Toro. It goes by the name ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’. Raakshas’ inspiration from the mentioned film is not restricted simply to the poster but it’s present in the film itself. It’s not a crime though filmmakers around the world do that & they add many of their own things to those films. Raakshas’ addition could be highlighted as the backdrop of the tribal culture in Maharashtra. Alike Pan’s Labyrinth this film uses the ‘Fantasy’ element & mixes it with the actual narrative of the film, moreover there are a few more similarities too. But the problem is that in ‘Raakshas’ the fantasy element doesn’t manage to create any excitement of its own. It feels like a mere narrative device used to take the other narrative set in reality forward. And it becomes repetitive throughout the length of the film.

There’s a quality about films that have ‘fantasy’ as an important part in the story. The creation of the fantasy world! It need not be done as a clear cut introduction. It can happen over time as the screenplay moves forward. In case of ‘Raakshas’ this world is never really created. You don’t really care about this world or the little girl who discovers it. The other & actual narrative of the film is not really a narrative but just a backdrop, a backdrop that had much scope of belonging to a different film, which could have treated it as closer to the real world & explore every face of it. I don’t have a problem with fantasy but it’s inclusion needs to be justified!

‘Raakshas’ is a film that over complicates the narrative & it’s connection with fantasy only to over simplify it later. Sharad Kelkar’s character is a documentary maker who was once a ‘Blasting Engineer’! A ‘Blasting Engineer’ to make the narrative convenient! The film had much scope if it had discovered a fantasy device of it’s own rather than blindly following the pattern of the mentioned film.

Having said all that ‘Raakshas’ is still a pleasing experience for your senses, the film is wonderfully shot, edited & the background score is probably the best I have heard in a Marathi film! The score inhibits the spirit of the ‘tribal’ backdrop completely. The performances are good too. Sai Tamhankar has little things to do herself as she is more driven by other characters in the film including her daughter. In a way this helplessness of making any decision on her own is an integral part of her inner conflict. And Sai Tamhankar nails it perfectly in her performance. The little girl ‘Rutuja Deshpande’ too has good camera sense & the director succeeds in bringing out her non-child like behavior. The minimalist approach in her performance again needed a better world (of fantasy).

The biggest disappointment of the film arrives when it ends. The whole narrative of the tribal people fighting against the builder mafia for their forest ends on an incomplete & problematic note. By the end the metaphor of ‘Raakshas’ gets completely messed up & so does it’s fantasy equivalent which also feels irrelevant.

Overall:

A better screenplay & a more original ‘fantasy’ world would have made wonders to this film. But still as a director Dnyanesh Zoting makes his presence felt. With a better script in hand Zoting can be a director to watch out for!

The post Raakshas Review: Well Directed & technically well made But Lacks the ‘Thrill’! appeared first on MarathiStars.

Sai Tamhankar & Sharad Kelkar starrer ‘Rakshas’ has been a highly awaited film ever since the poster of the film was out. The fantasy thriller genre is not the staple of Marathi cinema hence the basic theme & genre itself has a novelty to it. And now the trailer of the film increases the novelty factor to another level.

Dnyanesh Zoting is a young filmmaker who seems to have a distinct voice & vision! Presented by Half Ticket fame Samit Kakkad & produced by Vivek Kajaria, Nilesh Navalakha who previously brought us ‘Fandry’ & ‘Half Ticket’, this film is definitely deeper than it appears & has a mystery that could make a social connect with the understanding audiences. Sai Tamhankar too is seen in a very simplistic avatar & she fits the part perfectly.

What exactly is the mystery of this forest that is supposedly a fantasy world? Why does Sharad Kelkar’s character go there? And how does he disappear? All this questions would soon be answered. The dark treatment visible in the trailer truly makes it a fantasy beyond fancy!

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A one of a kind mystery thriller ‘Raakshas’ starring Sai Tamhankar & Sharad Kelkar will soon be releasing in theatres. The first teaser of the film was recently revealed online. ‘Rakshas’ is  produced by Vivek Kajaria & Nilesh Navlakha under their banner ‘Navlakha Arts & Holy Basil Combine’, & is presented by ‘Half Ticket’ fame Samit Kakkad.

‘Rakshas’ stars a fresh leading pair in form of Sai Tamhankar & Sharad Kelkar. This teaser suggests us that the film revolves around tribal people & jungle. Interestingly this connection comes from writer-director Dnyanesh Zoting’s own childhood memories. This little teaser introduces us to a little family of three. We can see the little girl who tells her mother that the jungle has eaten her father! What exactly does that mean? What’s so horrific about the jungle? What has the father got to do with it?

As of now we have to keep thinking about answers to these questions! But soon when the film releases on 23^rd February we can have all our questions answered in the theatre itself.

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• Movie : Raakshas (2018) | राक्षस
• Producer : Vivek Kajaria and Nilesh Navalakha
• Director : Dnyanesh Zoting
• Studio : Samit Kakkad Films, Navalakha Arts, Holy Basil Productions
• Presenter : Samit Kakkad
• Star Cast :
  • Sai Tamhankar
  • Sharad Kelkar
  • Rutuja Deshpande
  • Vitthal kale
  • Vijay Maurya
  • Umesh Jagtap
  • Dayashankar Pandey
  • Purnanand Wandhekar
• Story : Tanmayee Deo & Dnyanesh Zoting
• Screenplay & Dialogues : Dnyanesh Zoting
• Music : Andrew T. Mackay
• Sound Design : Avinash Sonawane
• Background Score :
• Cinematography (DOP) : Mayur Hardas
• Editor : Mayur Hardas
• Co – Editor : Charu Shree Roy
• Art Director : Sachin Bhilare
• Costume : Kalyani Gugle
• Make Up : Santosh Gilbile
• Vfx : Corridor Studios Pvt Ltd
• Supervising Producer :
• Re-recording Mixer :
• Visual Promotions : Jayesh Shikarkhane & Team
• Associate Producer : Anand Bafna & Ravi Jangda
• Executive Producer : Kapil Sharma
• Line Producer : Jitesh Upade
• Creative Producer : Vivek Wagh
• Genre : Drama, Suspense
• Release Date : 23rd February 2018

Synopsis : A documentary filmmaker, who is covering the protest of a remote forest tribe, goes missing. His nine-year-old daughter, along with her mother, arrives in the remote tribal area in search of the missing man. While the mother carries an extensive search through conventional means, the daughter does the same by referencing the plot of a fairytale. The quest gets fulfilled when reality and fantasy come together to unfold an ancient tribal myth.

Raakshas Marathi Movie Photos, Poster :

Rakshas Marathi Movie Trailer:

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The college romantic comedy Photocopy had its music launch recently. At the event I got an opportunity to chat with Vijay Maurya who has written the screenplay and has also directed the film. An actor popular for his roles in Hindi films, Photocopy is his debut as a director. Here are excerpts from the conversation:

How did you get into direction?

It all started from acting, of course. But then you work with very talented writers and directors and then you get inspired from them. I used to write from college days and slowly found success. Success in the sense people started liking my writing work. That is also how I got inspired from directors I was working with and have now got into direction.

You mentioned that certain directors you worked with inspired you. Who would those be?

Anurag Kashyap with whom I worked in Paanch and Black Friday; Imtiaz Ali (Socha Na Tha); Nishikant Kamat (Mumbai Meri Jaan); Nagesh Kukunoor (Bombay to Bangkok). Working with all these directors inspired me to direct a film.

How did Photocopy happen to you?

The producer Neha Rajpal and I have a common friend in composer Shailendra Barve. They asked Shailendra whether they know Vijay Maurya as they wanted me to write the film based on a story in their mind. Shailendra introduced us to each other and that is how I got attached to the project.

What made you take the decision to direct Photocopy?

First of all the story by Neha and Akash Rajpal was very charming. It is about twin sisters falling in love with the same guy. It is a beautiful story with a lot of potential to be fleshed out into a film. I have admired the cinema of Vijay Anand, Mansoor Khan and Imtiaz Ali. They have made romantic films in their own style and with a difference. After the producers approached me with the film, I told them that I will work on the script first. After finishing the script I thought I could attempt to direct the film and at least manage to come up with 10% of what the above mentioned director have achieved. I conveyed this to the producers and they were glad to hear this. And then we started with the filmmaking process.

Now that you have turned director would we continue to see you acting in films as well?

Yes, certainly. But I have become very choosy about the roles. I recently played the lead role in a Konkani film named Naachom la Kumpasar for which I won the Goa State Award. It has been running to packed theatres for the last one and a half year.

I am curious to know your mother tongue.

My mother tongue is Hindi, but I have been born and brought up in Mumbai so Marathi comes easily to me. And Konkani is not too different from Marathi either.

And what about directing films in the future?

It all depends on the script. If the screenplay is good enough I would certainly like to direct a film. I have been directing ad films for a while now. I have made at least 150-200 ad films. But this is my first feature film, so the excitement is that much higher.

Interview By : Rasik Tirodkar

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Suspense thriller film 1234 directed by Milind Kavade is slated for release all over Maharashtra on 5th August 2016. The film stars Bhushan Pradhan, Priya Marathe, Sanjay Narvekar, Vijay Patkar, Vijay Kadam, Ganesh Yadav, Yatin Karyekar, Jaywant Wadkar, Pradeep Patwardhan, Teja Deokar, Arun Kadam, Mrinalini Jamble, Vishakha Subedhar, Aniket Kelkar, Anshuman Vichare, Jagannath Nivangune, Kamlesh Sawant, Guru Anand and Pranav Raorane in the key roles.

The film is produced by Kalpesh Patel under the banner of his K. P. Cinevision and Shailesh Pawar under his banner Sheetal Films productions.

Milind Kavade has always directed films which are different from the league and hence it would not be farfetched to claim that the film 1234 will be a step forward for him. The title does not let anyone get a whiff of what exactly is in store for the viewer. “There is no doubt that 1234 will set out to tell a gripping story which is daringly different. I’d say that all the actors have contributed in great measure to enhance the audience interest in the film which has a unique title and out of the box content. I have til date given a lot of importance to experimenting with different subjects. The USP of the film is that besides entertaining the audiences, the film also sets out to drive home a profound message.

Milind Kavade has not only written the subject and the screenplay but also directed the film besides writing the dialogues in tandem with Sagar Wankhede.

“Sunya Sunya Otanche Bol Saare…” is the only duet in the film and it has been sung by Kunal Ganjawala and Anandi Joshi. Lyrisc has been written by Sachin Andhare and the song has been composed by Amitraj. The duet was picturised at the Ramoji Rao Studios in Hyderabad on Bhushan Pradhan and Priya Marathe. Choreography for the film has been done by Bhanu of South. Sentanio Terezio has cranked the camera. Sandeep Kunchikore is the art director, Vaibhav Wagh the Casting Director and Vaishali Deshmukh the costume designer.

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• Movie : 1234 (2016) | व्रुन्दावन
• Producer : Kalpesh Patel, Shailesh Pawar
• Directer : Milind Kavde
• Studio : K.P. Cinevision, Sheetal Film Production
• Star Cast : Bhushan Pradhan, Priya Marathe, Vijay Kadam, Anshuman Vichare, Jaywant Wadkar, Pradeep Patwardhan, Vishakha Subhedar, Sanjay Mone, Yatin Karyekar, Kamlesh Sawant, Abhijeet Chavan & Sanjay Narevekar.
• Story & Screenplay : Milind Kavde
• Music : AmitRaj
• Lyrics : Sachin Andhare
• Dialogues : Sagar Wankhede
• Director of Photography : Santonio Terzio
• Action : Anandraj & Ramanna
• Background Score : Salil Amrute
• Editor : Pranav patel
• Sound Design : 
• Choreographer : Bhanu
• Art Director : Sandip Kunchikorwe
• Costumes : Vaishali Deshmukh
• Casting Director : Vaibhav Wagh
• Genre : Drama
• Release Date : 8th August 2016

1234 Marathi Movie Poster / Still Photos :

1234 Marathi Movie Official Trailer:

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The trailer for Milind Kavde’s action thriller 1234 has recently released on various social media. The trailer is action-packed and gives a sneak peek into the high intense action drama of the film.

The title 1234 suggests that there are four stories happening simultaneously at four different places in one night. Whether these four stories connect each other or not will be seen in the film, but the passionate and powerful drama surely catches the attention of the audience. The film has a large ensemble cast and includes Bhushan Pradhan, Priya Marathe, Sanjay Narvekar, Vijay Patkar, Ganesh Yadav, Yatin Karyekar, Pradeep Patwardhan, Jaywant Wadkar, Vijay Kadam, Arun Kadam, Aniket Kelkar, Mrunalini Jambhale, Vishakha Subhedar, Teja Devkar, Sanjay Mone, Vijaya Moraya, Abhijeet Chavan, Kishire Chaugule, Anshuman Vichare, Jagannath Nivangune, Kamlesh Sawant, Guru Anand, Pranav Raorane et al.

The trailer of the film surely makes us curious and interested in the story. The action scenes and chasing scenes are very realistic. The locations are very real and all the actors are looking very intense. The DOP is Santanio Terrazzo and art direction is by Sandeep Kunchikorve.

The film will be releasing on 27^th May 2016 all over Maharashtra.

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1234 a suspense thriller directed by Milind Kavde is ready for release. The trailer and first look of this film was recently launched at Famous Studio in Mumbai. Cast and crew of the film were present for this event.

The film stars Bhushan Pradhan, Priya Marathey, Sanjay Narvekar, Vijay Patkar, Ganesh Yadav, Yatin Karyekar, Pradeep Patwardhan, Jaywant Wadkar, Vijay Kadam, Arun Kadam, aniket KElkar, Mrunalini Jambhale, Vishakha Subhedar, Teja Devkar, Sanjay Mone, Vijaya Moraya, Abhijeet Chavan, Kishire Chaugule, Anshuman Vichare, Jagannath Nivangune, Kamlesh Sawant, Guru Anand, Pranav Raorane et al.

The film has only one song sung by Kunal Ganjawala and Anadi Joshi. This song is written by Sachin Andhare and composed by Amitraj. The DOP is Santanio Terrazzo and art direction is by Sandeep Kunchikorve.

The release date of the film will be announced very soon.

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Navalakha Arts and Holy Basil Production present ‘Raakshas… The Monster’ is an upcoming Marathi movie written and directed by Dnyanesh Zoting and produced by Nilesh Navalakha and Vivek Kajaria. Associate producers are Anand Bafna and Ravi Jangda. This movie is starring beautiful and stunning actress Sai Tamhankar, Actors Sharad Kelkar, Vijay Maurya and Umesh Jagtap.

Producers of this movie Nilesh Navalakha and Vivek Kajaria have given chance to many new directors and Dnyanesh Zoting is one of them. Navalakha Arts and Holy Basil Production proudly saying this, “Dnyanesh Zoting is the 7th first time director from their production house.”

Navalakha Arts and Holy Basil Production have been working on this movie for almost 2 years. Even before the shoot, the movie has traveled to Rotterdam International Film Festival and got selected in Drishyam Sundance Writers Lab.

Navalakha Arts and Holy Basil Production team is very excited about the movie. This movie will be released in coming new 2016 year.

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