I watched Photo Prem in orig. Marathi w/Eng. Subs on Primevideo.
Photo Prem is a refreshing change from the standard mostly mediocre fare that is passed off as "comedy genre". This film is wry humour at its best.
Neena Kulkarni is Maee, always sporting a tensed look on her face. At the funeral of her husband's colleague Joshi's wife, she realises that the deceased person has no photo to put in the mandatory frame. A suitable photo for the deceased to be remembered by ..... or the lack of it, arouses her interest and she starts scouring the photos in the newspaper obituaries page every day, realising that there is no half decent photo of herself that could be used for her obsequies, as she has always been shy of being photographed. The rest of the narrative revolves around Maees quest for a half decent photo that she would want her family to remember her by for posterity. Various sub plots also play out, fusing well with the main theme. Chaitrali Rode is excellent as Shanta the cheerful talkative maid. Geetanjali Kamble is the perfect busy body neighbourhood lady who Neena first meets at Joshi's wifes funeral, and then seemingly everywhere. Wonderful dialogues in those encounters!
The acting by all is really good, the dialogues and self musings crisp and witty, the sets realistic even as if you think about it, the story is not such far fetched fantasy after all. Good direction and cinematography and excellent music. The one flaw is that Maee is supposed to be 55 years old but actually looks closer to 70. Just a minor aberration.
Photo Prem is a well crafted film, worth watching.
