Maharashtra Shahir (महाराष्ट्र शाहीर)

​"Maharashtra Shahir (महाराष्ट्र शाहीर)"

Watched Marathi movie "Maharashtra Shahir (महाराष्ट्र शाहीर)". 

This film is directed by Kedar Shinde. Written by Vasundhara Sable, Kedar Shinde. Produced by Sanjay Chabriya, Bela Shinde. The film stars Ankush Chaudhari, Sana Shinde, Amit Dolawat, Atul Kale, Harish Baraskar, Dushyant Wagh, Nirmiti Sawant, Shubhangi Sadavarte, Ankush Prashant More. Cinematography by Vasudev Rane. Music by Ajay-Atul. The film runs for about 2 hour 28 minutes and was released in 2023. I watched it on Amazon Prime on 7th Jun 2023 with Aditi. 

This movie is biography of Maharashtra Shahir, Shahir Sable. Starts with little Krushna who can’t stay away from singing but is forbidden to sing by his mother. His introduction with Sane Guruji. Love affair with and marriage to Bhanumati. His contribution to freedom struggle. His poetry and songs to awaken the masses on various issues. Basically his life. 

Ankush plays Shahir Sable. However his acting is a little awkward. He has lost a lot of weight, so his face looks drawn. Sana plays Bhanumati, his first wife. She does well for a debutant. She speaks Marathi as if she is not Maharashtrian. More efforts needed. Ashwini plays his mother and she is impressive. Nirmiti and Amit do well in their cameos. 

It’s a biographical movie, so one doesn’t expect lot of drama. But Shahir Sable’s life has a lot of drama. Starting from marriage to a girl from different cast, the contribution to freedom struggle, fame, separation, remarriage, financial loss, final recognition based on efforts of next generation.

The director, however, doesn’t tell us anything about what happened to Bhanumati after their divorce. He also doesn’t take the movie till Shahir’s death. There is hardly anything about his relationship with the children after they are grown up or with his second wife. Kedar does well, but he is a better director than that. 

For those who don’t know Shahir Sable, it’s a good watch. For those who have seen him perform live and who know his songs, like me, it’s nostalgia. 

Positives: Shahir Sable’s story.

Negatives: A bit monotonous.

Recommend watching.