Ek hajarachi note (एक हजाराची नोट)

"Ek hajarachi note (एक हजाराची नोट)"

Watched Marathi movie "Ek hajarachi note (एक हजाराची नोट)". Directed and produced by Shrihari Sathe. Screenplay Shrikant Bojewar. Music Shailendra Barve. It stars Usha Naik, Sandeep Pathak, Ganesh Yadav and Shrikant Yadav in main roles. The movie is about 1.5 hours long and was released in 2014. Rekha Kaku recommended this movie to me. 

Usha Naik is a widow whose son committed suicide. She works as house maid and manages to survive in her village. One day a politician comes to their village and distributes 100 rupee notes. Hearing about her son, he gives her 4 notes of one thousand rupees. She decides to put it to good use by purchasing a few things, that she wanted for long but could not afford, in a nearby town. There she faces various hardships, some hilarious, some serious. 

What hardships does she face? Will the money finally make her happy? Can she buy what she desires? How does she spend thousand rupee note?

The story starts on a lighter note showing the village life but it also has a sad border of her son's suicide. When she decides to spend the thousand rupee note, situation becomes hilarious because no one has a change for such a big amount. But then comes a twist and the mood of movie suddenly turns from light to sombre and serious. From this point on the movie becomes intense. 

How the system exploits poor and how police and politicians treat poor people like animals is depicted realistically and it makes your blood boil. The poor have little choice and just want to save their skin. They become a toy in the hands of powerful. Poor can't digest big money. There are vultures all around. It's a tragedy. 

Usha Naik, a yesteryear heroine, plays the role of old lady to perfection. She brings to life a lady who has suffered a lot but has not lost her spirit and who is good natured. Sandeep plays her neighbour who is like a second son to her and does justice to his role. Ganesh Yadav suits as a politician. Shrikant Yadav plays the cop. His negative role is so effective that you start hating him. 

Direction is very good. Director establishes the basis and background, then proceeds to introduce the subject (thousand rupee note), then moves to lighter difficulties caused by the notes and then handles the serious subject. The transition is natural and progressive. He has done a commendable job. He scores final point with the way he ends the movie. This ending is fantastic and I could not think of a better ending. 

A very good movie. Must watch.