Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)
Rating: 4/5 stars
"Lai Bhaari" in Marathi loosely translates to 'awesome', which is exactly the kind of sensation you get from seeing this wholly entertaining film. Though "Lai Bhaari" is a typical Marathi potboiler, an out-and-out commercial entertainer, Director Nishikant Kamat has made sure that he's ticked all the right departments, which in any case, is somewhat of a rare species now, irrespective of whether you're watching a Bollywood or Marathi film. After a long wait the Marathi film industry gets an out-and-out masala movie in its kitty. "Lai Bhaari" is your perfect family entertainer with the right dosage of action, comedy, and drama.
Kamat, who has given us such delectable films as "Dombivali Fast" and "Mumbai Meri Jaan", is completely in charge of "Lai Bhaari" as he narrates the story of Prince, Mauli, and Sangram (Sharad Kelkar as the villain is simultaneously dashing and menacing) in the fight of good versus evil. The film is no "Dombivali Fast" (Kamat's Marathi masterpiece), but then again, it never intended to be. Together, Kamat and Deshmukh mark a new dawn in the commercial annals of Marathi cinema – one with good production value and star power. "Lai Bhaari" is designed to be a commercial success and will be a game changer for Marathi cinema.
Writers Sajid Nadiadwala and Ritesh Shah pen a script that's formulaic, with ample action, laughter, and emotion thrown in. The crux of the movie basically deals with one of the protagonists, Sumitra Nimbalkar (Tanvi Azmi), who travels to Pandharpur to find a ray of hope, after Sangram killed her husband and son and took over their business. Sanjay Pawar's dialogues arouse excitement and applause, and one can only imagine the whistles and cheers that may erupt in single screens across Maharashtra. The film has its flaws, prime among them being the predictable storyline, but Kamat's narration and Riteish's performance more than make up for any feelings of predictability that might threaten to creep into your indulgence of a full-blown entertainment package.
Apart from the cast that includes Tanvi Azmi - absolutely wonderful as a wronged-mother out to avenge her family and seek closure – Sanjay Khapre as a truly devoted help, and Radhika Apte and Aaditi Pohankar who lend the glam quotient in copious amounts; the movie's masterstroke is the brilliant evocation of imagery associated with Lord Vitthal (Maharashtra's reigning deity and romantically also described as the God of the Poor), the Varkaris (his followers) and Pandharpur (the Lord's seat in southern Maharashtra). Special mention must be made of Sharad Kelkar who plays the evil-minded, blood-curdling Sangram with aplomb. Finally, here is a Marathi villain who will induce anger and make you cringe with his actions.
But, "Lai Bhaari" is completely Riteish Deshmukh's film from first frame to last, and the actor who has recently shown his versatility in the Bollywood film, "Ek Villain", now proves to us that he's well and truly ready (after quite a few unsuccessful attempts) to take on the mantel of leading man. Not only does he bring his own charm and flavor to the dialogues , but he's also managed to do the big action scenes with full conviction. Deshmukh in a double role - yes, you read that right - makes sure that the audience will love his chocolate hero looks (Prince) as well as his angry young man persona (Mauli). His Marathi acting debut is simply astounding. Coming after the appreciation for his performance in 'Ek Villain', it definitely seals the arrival of Riteish-the actor. He dances, he emotes and he fights with equal ease. In the first half there's little experimentation, but as he re-enters the plot as the rustic Mauli, he sets the pace of the film rolling. This is the first time the audience will see him in a hardcore action role and on that account he succeeds with full marks. Riteish Deshmukh, in his debut Marathi film, has managed to win the heart of both critics and the audience with his performance.
"Lai Bhari" also features Salman Khan and Genelia D'Souza Deshmukh in guest appearances. While Genelia looks gorgeous, Salman Khan's cameo (Khan happens to be a co-producer) and his 'bhau' act with Deshmukh as they engage with each other in a drunken stupor talking about Khan's exes will leave you in splits.
"Lai Bhari" is a textbook example of a mass entertainer, a film that tugs at the strings of every single emotion known to the Marathi soul, in that it uses all the tropes that are the cinematic equivalent of the Western Ghats. The film should pave the way for Marathi films who want to set records and push the envelope in engaging a larger audience. If you enjoy the old-school potboiler (read 'masala') action films, "Lai Bhari" is your thing. The film may not impress you thoroughly but it promises full entertainment at its core. With a good attempt at giving Marathi cinema an out-an-out commercial entertainer, Nishikant Kamat in the age of realistic cinema, churns out a classic Bollywoodish tale with a good spirit. "'Lai Bhaari' is a masala entertainer in Marathi. A complete blend of action, comedy and family drama, this one is worth repeated viewing just for the sheer pleasure of its raw entertainment value.
There's an arousing dialogue midway through the film that goes like this: "Amcha haat bhari, lath bhari, chya mayla saglach lai bhari", which totally epitomizes the overall feel of this movie. Much like its name the film's action is 'lai bhari', the dialogues are 'lai bhari', the background score is 'lai bhari', the performances are 'lai bhari', and pretty much everything is 'lai bhari'.
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