Smile please (स्माइल प्लिज

"Smile please (स्माइल प्लिज)"

Watched Marathi movie "Smile please (स्माइल प्लिज)". Direction Vikram Phadnis. Screenplay  Phadnis & Iravati Karnik. Production Saanika Gandhi, Nisha Sujan. Music by Rohan-Rohan. The film features Mukta Barve, Prasad Oak, Satish Alekar, Aditi Govitrikar, Vedashree Mahajan, and Lalit Prabhakar. The movie runs for about 2 hours 14 min. I watched it on 13th Mar 2020 with Aditi and Mihika.

Mukta, a successful fashion photographer and divorcee, lives with her father in a plush bungalow in Mumbai. Despite Prasad's (ex- husband) efforts, her daughter hates her. One day she is diagnosed with early onset of dementia. 

How bad is it? Is there a cure? How will her daughter respond? How will Mugdha cope with it? How will her family respond? Will there be an angel?

Director has dared to take a very interesting and out of the way topic for a commercial film. The story neither tries to provide solution to the malady nor does it give sermon on how society should react. It simply states the facts and presents a story. 

Mukta's character is central to the story. She is shown as practical person, not overly emotional. One who has not become bitter by divorce and is still friends with her ex. When dementia sets in, she has good days and bad. Mukta excels in the role. I could not imagine anyone else doing this role. When she looses herself, Lalit enters as a temporary guest. His entry turns things around, not dementia - it's irreversible! Lalit plays an interesting character. He is there to give joy to others. Young, handsom, full of life and good natured. He elevates the mood of the household. He justifies his selection for the role. Prasad's character in the movie is opposite of what he was before divorce. But director doesn't bother to illuminate spectators about the reason behind this change. Although he acts well, his character sends mixed signals. This is a discordant note. Satish Alekar is a well known author and playwright. He demonstrates that he is a good actor too. Vedashree does well as the daughter. Aditi Govitrikar is a casting blunder. She can neither act nor can she speak good Marathi? Why was she chosen? Star value? In company of accomplished actors, she is exposed. 

What I liked most is the end of this movie (No, it wasn't the relief!). The movie ends on a high note. Can't think of a better ending. Impactful, realistic and profound. 

Recomend watching. Don't miss it.