Panghrun

Panghrun (2022) : Movie Review -

Love triangle is one of the most complicated themes to handle for any filmmaker even when you think of Old Hollywood films. Whether it was the biggest hit of all time like 'Gone With The Wind' to modern blockbusters like 'Doctor Zhivago' (1965) and 'The Graduate' (1967) - all having illicit relationships, they all had something gone wrong somewhere in the concept. On the other hand, you have evergreen classics like 'Sunrise' (1927) and 'Casablanca' (1942), which may remain unmatched forever. In Marathi Cinema this concept hasn't come out like often, but once in a while we had some good films. Manjrekar made Kaksparsh exactly 10 years ago, to show what we were missing. The purity behind the subject won everything despite the slow narrative because ultimately it built up that slow-burn. Post Kaksparsh, Mahesh seems lost. He hasn't made a single film that can be remembered by the audience and critics. 'FU', 'Me Shivaji Park', 'Vyakti Ki Valli' and his last release 'Nay Vara Bhat Lonchya', nothing remarkable was there. Thankfully, he had a classic like 'Natsamrat' that we still remember. Clueless, wandering in the search of quality product, Mahesh gets back to his periodic love story to revive the same formula of Kaksparsh and makes Panghrun- only to deliver another forgettable film.

You know, periodic-love story is a genre where purity of the content matters the most, and while handling that you secretly create a drama that finds the connect to every kind of audience. Kaksparsh didn't have any vulgar scenes or dialogues as in directly, but yes, indirectly it said a lot through those intimate activities. Panghrun falls in the same club, but it has lots of impurities and flaws. Moreover, it's a highly predictable film that fails to keep your interest alive till the end. The love story is set against the age gap and that's alright, i mean we had V. Shantaram's hard-hitting feminist masterpiece 'Kunku' (1937) on the similar storyline, but Panghrun, despite being contrary to Kunku's subject, doesn't really create any sort of bond. At least, nothing like that showed up on screen. A window dancer, who fancies some happily British officer, is married to an older man, very much to her demur. Soon, she finds herself suitable for him and tries to interest him, but the man, who is still immersed in the memories of his first dead wife, detains himself. The third angle comes into play a major part here. A young boy, disciple of the man, finds his wife attractive and soon the infatuation turns into physical pleasure. While Kaksparsh was equally divided, Panghrun is more about masculine side than the feminine one. Even that happens when the female character is fantasizing it, so naturally the practical sense vanishes and for bad. If you remember Satyajit Ray's Bengali Classic 'Ghare Baire (1985), which explored the same subject of extramarital affair or infidelity whatever you say, then you will quickly catch the shortcomings here.

Gauri Ingavale who has remained mostly a child artist so far, has come to maturity. No matter if her character looks a little insipient, her performance is way more mature. Amol Bavdekar suits the age, attitude and singing qualities of the character and maybe that's why he looks like a perfect fit for the role. Rohit Phalke's over-expressionist act may irritate you a little but rest of the time he makes a fine actor. For classical Musical lovers, Panghrun is a real treat. Not mentioning all, but definitely top 3 - 'Hi Anokhi Gath', 'Sahvena Anurag' and 'Ilusa Ha Deh'. The film loses the pace because of the excessive use of songs and background music. Every dramatic scene is followed by an unnecessary score which looks fine at the beginning, but gradually begins to spoil the momentum.

Mahesh Manjrekar is to blame for the writing, if not his direction. He has written Panghrun in such outdated manners that you even forget the periodic importance of the story. Halfway through and you already know what's gonna happen and even that how's gonna happen. Rohit Phalke's constant endeavour to make physical contact with Gauri, her platonic engagement with him and then realising the sin when things have gone out of hands, all that is so dated and mediocre. Just like 'The Gone With The Wind' takes 4 long hours to realise that the girl was a fool. That was still okay for the late 30s but dear Paghrun, it's 2022 and it's not okay at all. On the positive side, the film has some beautifully shot moments that are full of hearts and brains. The pre-climax scenario is messy but it survives somehow as the final conclusion makes more sense. Overall, an average film that can be watched once but if let me warn you, it's no match to Kaksparsh. Not by far.

RATING - 5/10*

'Panghrun' is a period drama film which showcases the story of widow. Gauri Ingawale who can be seen dancing. In a way, the makers have given us sneak-peek into Gauri's character from this periodic drama.

Panghrun (Cover Up; or Cloak It) blew me away. A powerful film that explores woman's sexuality through a matrimonial setting, it objectively describes the plight of a woman (Gauri Ingavale) thrown into the confusion of life that stems from the execution of expectations that society puts on her first with a child marriage to an unknown person and then through superstitious customs as a widow. She is then further asked to maintain the traditional circle with a remarriage, this time to a widower double her age and who is still not free from his previous relationship from which he now has two kids. Mahesh Manjrekar's Marathi romantic period drama follows the woman and her desires as she begins a new life in this man's house. She is less a wife and more a caretaker for the two daughters who expressively call her 'mother' but for a young woman as herself, in her prime and with a desire to quench her lust, has other things in mind. The duty of a husband is more than psychological and social is what Panghrun highlights but it is so subtle in its approach, accentuated by the marvelous performances by the cast, it is going to make you gasp in awe every few minutes. The woman is told it's not her fault that she got married at a young age or when her husband died but she is blamed when something untoward happens later, an effect that has long been developing because of her husband, a scholar and a popular figure in the village in Konkan and yet so oblivious. He is a respected personage in the vicinity who has enough wisdom to do what's right, but fails to perform or even detect a signal that's so beautiful and important in the field of matrimony, it shows that no man/woman is entirely capable of everything.

I am absolutely stunned by Ingavale's performance where she plays the role with so much conviction she drives the film on her own shoulders. I can't believe how an amateur actor like her can put up a show that's so mature, especially when dealing with topics that are purely adult. Panghrun in every way is a mature film for a mature audience. It is groundbreaking just for having the courage to chase the topics of woman's sexuality - that women are sexual beings too and which often gets ignored in the grand scheme of matrimony in a country like India - and matrimony and marital pleasure and religious customs. It has dance performances with Mozart playing on a gramophone, touchy romance, little comedy through dialogues, a form of energetic classical dance, fabulous Marathi classical hymns, and an overall perfect execution. By the end of Panghrun, you will stand up and applaud. TN.

(Watched and reviewed at its world premiere at the 21st MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.)

Do the movie moves at a slow pace hit it doesn't allow audience attention to waiver. Trust Mahesh Manjarekar to create lifestyle of Brahmin household from 100 year old konkan.

Outstanding music direction, lively abhagas and some great performances grace the movie.

And a message to top it all that amply focusses on needs of a woman that was disregarded then and also now to a great extent.

Pagharun is not just a Movie. It is an Experience. Brilliant Direction from Mahesh sir. The power of this movie is it's background Music. It just enhances the power of the scene. Casting is just perfect. Gauri in her 1st film is superb. Specially her dance performance is worth watching.

A must watch. You had never watched a movie and a story like this. Thank yu all team for this amazing Movie.