Shala

The name can be misleading. Shala is not about kids going to school nor is it a children's film, even remotely. All that it has in common with Stanley ka Dabba begins and ends at the animated sequence that plays with the opening credits. Shala takes you to the next level: while you are still at school and your friends are important, you step onto the threshold of the adult world and start making sense of it.

Most actors in the film have delivered a restrained performance. Anshuman Joshi emotes wonderfully as the protagonist Mukund Joshi. Ketaki Mategonkar who plays Shirodkar does a contrived act initially but entices with her charm in no time. Joshi and the other boys, particularly Mhatre (Ketan Pawar) are required to dabble in a range of emotions as they come-of-age: love, fear, rage and rejection. They do it naturally and convincingly.

Do not give Shala a miss. It is a self-assured and grounded debut by a filmmaker which offers a lesson or two in simple storytelling straight from the heart, complete with soulful music. It is one of those gems that Marathi cinema throws up once in a while; totally localized in flavor yet universal in appeal.

Is this film meant to be just a nostalgic journey into the 80's through the eyes of a teenager or is it a commentary on the era?

If it is a nostalgic journey, that part is shown very well. The teenage crushes, the school's day to day activities and the teachers. Anyone in his 40's can relate to this.

But I think the writers and director wanted to comment on the emergency imposed and the various fallouts of the situation. Probably it is the censor board or the director himself things are not clear.

Being a Marathi speaker sometimes things went over my head. The subtitles were also not helpful.

Overall a good watch.

Wow... It's a Beautiful Romantic Movie... This is the Best Marathi Movie i have seen in recent years . This Movie is for everybody who visited School in Your Childhood . When u start watching movie m sure You'll Definitely Remembered Your School Days. Sujoy s Dahake's Direction is Outstanding... It's Simple Script. All Drama, School Scenes, Romantic Scenes, Frndship Scenes Beautifully Shoot by Director Sujoy s Dahake. Anshuman Joshi as "Mukund Joshi" n Ketaki Mategaonkar as "Shirodkar" both Delivered Fabulous Performances... This two r Heart of this Movie "Shala".. All the Scenes Between them r Extremely Beautiful n very Heart Touching.. Mukund Joshi's all Frnds also very funny Specially "Mhatre" is Braveheart.. All D Characters is in the Movie Briefly Shown by Director.. From School Teacher to Headmaster.. Among all D Teachers "Santosh Juverkar " as History Teacher is Very Loveble one n Amruta Khanvilkar is in Saree Very Glamrous. n "English Teacher" She is d Real Villain in this Movie. On d Other Cast Mukund's Mother n Sister Really Caring n Loving. But Mukund's Uncle "Jitendra Joshi" As "Naru Mama" is Very Romantic.. I Like Kewada's Father Very much his role is Negative but he is very Entertaining... n Other one is Mukund's Daddy "Nandu Madhav" He is Such an Great Actor .. he is Simply Superb, His Role is Very small but he delivered Amazing Performance.. He is Very Lovely n Caring, n he giving Suggestions very Sufficiently. This Movie is Having Everything Drama, Emotions, Love, Frndship. Specially Mhatre's Building Scenes r Best in d Movie. It's a Beautiful Experience of 100 Minutes.. My Rating is for this "School" Movie is 10 out of 10.. Don't Miss This One.. Strongly Recommended to Everybody... do Revisit this School..!

I am reacting to the review of "pushkarjsh88". I wasted 5 precious minutes of my life reading your comments. This is one of the best film i have ever seen. But after reading your comments i can understand what pathetic life you are living man. I guess your favorite films would be in the lines of Bodyguard, Ready and so on. So please spare us all your disgusting reviews and get a life man. And one important thing watch some good movies, that's what this site is for, getting info about good movies. And please don't even bother to comment on this. Now something about the movie. I think you wont regret watching this movie at all. All my childhood memories came back through this film. Amazing performance by all the characters. Amazing direction, music everything. I would suggest please watch this movie, you thoroughly enjoy it.

I missed the movie when it was released, watched it now when the national awards were declared, the movie says that it will take you back to schools. I must admit, it really takes you back to those school days. A very nice movie, excellent direction, brilliant background score and nice star cast, each and every character looks perfect for the role and they have acted it so well, that you get stuck with them. I will recommend for all those who really want to visit there school days again, its something different not those regular school movies we may have seen. I am giving 10 or 10 for Shaala, it really took me to those golden days, which I will miss forever in my life. I must say that any one who went to school will relate this movie with there real school life, this movie is shows the 9th, 10th std students. They have shown it so well, even we use to behave in similar way as shown in the movie. It is the age when you enter a different world! Hats off to the Shaala movie team. Its a worth watch!!