Dashavtar (दशावतार)

 "Dashavtar (दशावतार)"

Watched Marathi movie "Dashavtar (दशावतार)". 

This film is directed by Subodh Khanolkar. Written by Subodh Khanolkar. Produced by Sujay Hande and others . Music by AV Prafullachandra. Cinematography Devendra Golatkar. The film stars Dilip Prabhavalkar, Siddharth Menon, Priyadarshani Indalkar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Bharat Jadhav, Ravi Kale and Mahesh Manjrekar. The film runs for about 2 hours 35 minutes and was released on 12th Sep 2025. I watched it in Cinema on 21st Sep 2025 with Dada, Jayant, Sucheeta, Vijay Jyoti, Prakash, Swati, Gargi and Sameer. This show was organized by Maharashtra Mandal Abu Dhabi.

Babuli Mistry (Dilip Prabhavalkar) is an aged actor, a Dashavtari. It's a specialization of playing the ten Avatar's of Vishnu. He is also a conservationist and loves the jungle. His son keeps asking him to stop acting as advised by doctor but the old man doesn't listen. Finally they have an agreement. If the son (Siddharth) gets a job Dilip will stop acting. He gets a job in a local mining company and Babuli announces his last performance.

But then comes the twist in the tale. A major shock. It's interval. After this the movie takes a turn toward a thriller. The movie keeps the audience interested from the word go, thanks to a good story, good direction and good acting. The end is predictable. A little too predictable. Could have been better.

Dilip Prabhavalkar dazzles in the role of honest, determined, nature loving father. He has ominous screen presence. He gives full justice to the role. I couldn't imagine any other acting playing this role. Excellent! Siddharth plays the loving son who is ready to sacrifice jobs in the city to stay close to his father. He is sweet. Priyadarshani plays his love interest. Her career is on an upward swing and she has become new heartthrob of Maharashtra. Ravi Kale impresses in his small role. Mahesh Manjrekar plays police officer who comes in after the interval and brings in a lot of style. Bharat Jadhav plays the forest officer. I don't understand why he agreed to do this role. The role has neither substance, nor depth. Bharat was completely wasted in it. Another wrong casting was of Vijay Kenkre. He looks adorable and doesn't look like a villain from any angle. Abhinay Berde plays a cameo.

Cinematography is top class. The angles, the way camera pans and the jungle scenes are very good. Special effects needed a little more work. The black jaguar doesn't look authentic. The fireflies also don't look real. There is one good song.

I won't be surprised if this year Dilip Prabhavalkar gets an award for this role. At the age of 81, his performance and energy are commendable.

A good movie.

Positives: Story, Acting, Direction.

Negatives: The predictable end.

Recommend watching. 

Something from Tiffany's

 "Something from Tiffany's"

Watched English movie "Something from Tiffany's". 

This film is directed by Daryl Wein. Screenplay by Tamara Chestna. Produced by Lauren Neustadter, Rees Witherspoon. Cinematography by Bryce Fortner. Music by Jay Lifton, Rayan Miller. The film stars Zoey Deutch, Kendrick Sampson, Leah Jeffries, Ray Nicholson, Shay Michelle. The film runs for about 1 hours 27 minutes and was released in 2022. I watched it on Amazon Prime on 18th Aug 2024. 

Kendrick and his daughter Leah go to a jewelry shop too but an engagement ring for Kendrick's girlfriend Shay. Ray also visits the same shop at the same time to by a pair of earrings for his girlfriend Zoey. As they exit the shop Ray meets with an accident and Kendrick helps him. In the confusion their gifts are exchanged. Zoey thanks Kendrick for helping Ray. On Christmas Eve, both are in for a shock. Kendrick for the absence and Zoey for the presence of the ring.

It's a Christmas feel good movie. So as soon as the characters are established you know where the story will lead. It's only how the director takes you there. Here's the director keeps it simple. Rather than making melodramatic or stretching the story, he keeps it simple and matter of fact.

Zoey is not beautiful but has a pretty smile. She comes across as honest, lively girl with ambitions. Kendrick is also honest, good at heart, compassionate person. Ray's character is undercooked. His acting also needs some more work. Shay is beautiful and portrays a typical career woman. Director has thankfully resisted urge to show her as a villain. Leah plays the daughter and part time Cupid very well.

All in all, it was a short and sweet movie.

Positives: Felt good.

Negatives: Undercooked character of tray.

Recommend watching.

The Union

 "The Union"

Watched English movie "The Union". 

This movie is directed by Julian Farino. Screenplay Joe Barton, David Guggenheim. Story by David Guggenheim. Produced by Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry and Jeff Waxman. Cinematography: Alan Stewart. Music: Rupert Gregson-Williams. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, Dana Delaney, Jessica De Gouw, JK Simmons, Mike Colter, Jackey Earl Haley, Alice Lee. The movie runs for 1 hours 47 minutes and was released in April 2024. I watched the movie on Netflix with Aditi on 17th Auh 2024.

The Union is a covert operations group working for American government. One of their mission goes wrong and all agents involved in mission in the field die, save Halle. The opposition gets hold of the hard drive that contains details and names of all covert missions of America and the identity of all its agents and assets. Now Union has to retrieve the case containing the hard drive but can't use any of their agents. Halle recruits the childhood sweetheart Mark.

Will Mark accept mission? Is he cut out for the spy stuff? What can he do? Will the case be retrieved? How will the movie end?

Well you don't ask trivial questions like how come Mark become expert spy in one week? How can his aim be better than an Olympic medalists? How can he do what no one else can do? etc.

It's an action flick with a little bit of story. With Mark being untrained spy, it's a little bit different. But the story has a good flow. Audience remain with the story.

There is a hint of a sequel at the end of this movie, so the Union franchise may continue.

Positives: Doesn't bore.

Negatives: Not credible.

One time watch.