Film Review: Sangeet Manapmaan - Marathi

Jio Studios and Shree Ganesh Marketing And Film’s Sangeet Manapmaan (UA) is a period love story adapted from Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar’s classic stage play of the same name.

Story & Screenplay

The film is set in the kingdom of Sangrampur, ruled by Rani Sarkar (Nivedita Saraf). With Commander Kakasaheb (Shailesh Datar) nearing retirement, he begins searching for a successor. His deputy, Chandravilas (Sumeet Raghavan), aspires to the position and is also in love with Kakasaheb’s daughter, Bhamini (Vaidehi Parshurami). However, Kakasaheb chooses a simple shepherd, Dhairyadhar (Subodh Bhave), to train as a warrior and hopes to marry him off to Bhamini. This decision sparks jealousy and conflict — leading to a tale of ambition, betrayal, love, and loyalty. The suspense remains: who ultimately wins Bhamini’s hand, and who becomes the new commander?

Shirish Gopal Deshpande and Subodh Bhave expand the original story, while Deshpande and Urja Deshpande handle the screenplay, with additional inputs by Prajakt Deshmukh. The story is engaging in parts, but the screenplay falters due to its slow pacing. The first half drags considerably, and although the drama picks up post-interval, the length remains a drawback. The inclusion of 14 songs further stretches the narrative, testing the patience of viewers. The love story itself is predictable and lacks emotional depth, though Prajakt Deshmukh’s dialogues are effective.

Performances

Subodh Bhave delivers a splendid performance, excelling both as the humble shepherd and as the determined warrior. Vaidehi Parshurami is graceful and convincing as Bhamini. Sumeet Raghavan impresses as the ambitious Chandravilas, bringing the right mix of charm and cunning. Shailesh Datar is dependable as Kakasaheb, while Nivedita Saraf does a decent job as the queen. Neena Kulkarni leaves a strong impact in her brief role as Chimnabai, Dhairyadhar’s mother.

Among the supporting cast, Upendra Limaye (Dhiren) is fair, Archana Nipankar (Kusum) is passable, and Jitendra Agarkar (Chakri) is ordinary. Cameo appearances by Amruta Khanvilkar, Shankar Mahadevan, and Bela Shende add glamour and vibrancy, while the rest of the ensemble fits in suitably.

Direction & Technical Aspects

Subodh Bhave’s direction is assured, but he fails to trim the narrative — a tighter film would have been far more impactful. The music is a highlight: original compositions by Khadilkar carry a classical charm, while Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s new songs add freshness. However, despite being melodious, none stand out as chartbusters. Sameer Samant’s lyrics blend well with the mood.

The choreography by Deepali Vichare and Subhash Nakashe is visually appealing, and Santosh Mulekar’s background score heightens the drama effectively. Cinematography by Sudheer Palsane is adequate, while Pradyumna Kumar Swain’s action sequences are decent. Santosh Phutane’s art direction maintains authenticity, and Ashish Mhatre’s editing is sharp but could not salvage the film’s excessive length.

Verdict

Sangeet Manapmaan is a visually pleasing, well-acted adaptation with strong performances, particularly from Subodh Bhave and Vaidehi Parshurami. However, its slow pace, excessive length, and overabundance of songs dilute its overall impact.

⭐ Rating: 2.5 / 5