Sairat

My review: Sairat

I finally watched Nagraj Manjule's critically acclaimed and the highest grosser ever in Marathi, "Sairat". I am glad that this is the first marathi movie that I watched since it is not a generic movie that could have been made in any language with its settings in the urban milieu. Nagraj Manjule, by setting the story in the milieu from which he comes from is able to diligently capture and reproduce it on screen. So far any one who is not familiar with the cultural and sociodemographic milieu of  rural Maharashtra this movie is a window of opportunity to that end. 

Though on the surface the story may sound simple that of a poor young man falling in love with a rich girl and the repercussions of it, the movie is much more than that. For the starters this movie must be the only one so far as far my knowledge that does a role reversal of sorts with the female lead playing the protagonist with the male lead giving her ample support. It is the strong willed Archie (Rinku Rajguru) who calls the shots in their relationship, who saves her beloved from the hands of the goons by wielding a gun, who directs submissive Parshya (Akash Thosar) into eloping with her, who drives the bike with her husband carrying the baby in the pillion. 

In my view, though it authentically represents the caste differences, the repercussions of inter-caste marriage, the sociocultural fallout of such a digression in a closed village type of setting, the movie is more an ode to all those strong willed educated girls from the rural India who have become more assertive and strong and their struggle with the patriarchal society which seeks to protect the social order from any skews as a result of their actions.  

Coming back to "Sairat" as an entertaining movie, I just loved the colour, levity, and life the movie has in it's first half. Back by a wonder background score and lovely songs, the first half which is more than one and half hours just breezes through. It is a celebration of the naive rural lifestyle, the fun, the love and the banters. On the other hand, the second half is more sombre, mostly shot in the dark or with natural light, there are no songs, yet keeps you engaged. Nagraj is terrific in the manner in which he is able to communicate the emotions and feelings of the lead pair and evoke the same in the viewers. It is just sheer brilliance and not everyone's cup of tea. 

One of the main reasons as to why "Sairat" has become such a phenomenon is the movie's lead actor, Rinku Rajguru. What an expressive actress for a change, who is earthy, imperfect, innocent and no frills attached. She carries the movie on her shoulders. From a naive yet strong, almost tomboyish teenager to a lover who struggles to cope with the aftermath of elopement to an unfamiliar city where getting a space to rest is a big task to an ambivalent girl who is torn between love and family to a mature married mother, the effortless ease with which Rinku is able to get into the teeth of each stages of her character is just astounding. It is quite difficult to shed off Archie from your mind long after you have watched the movie. 

Akash Thosar is a perfect foil for a fiery Rinku. As a submissive yet pining Parshya, Akash is good. Among the support cast it is Tanaji Galgunde who steals the show in the first half as physically disabled Balya. Be it in the lighter scenes or the emotional ones, he is just so natural. Watch out for the scene in which he thinks he has got a love letter from his girl and what it finally ends up as and the amazing transformation in the body language, facial expressions and emotions he is able to bring about. It is one of the best scenes written for a supporting actor in a long time. All others in the support cast have lived their roles. 

Apart from Rinku, another reason why you would enjoy the movie is its music. Both the background score and the songs are composed by Ajay-Atul. The sound of music in this movie reminds me of Ilayaraja from his hey days and are a definite reasons for the movie being this successful. All the songs are enjoyable and are beautifully picturized. 

Nagraj Manjule's casting, screenplay and direction needs special mention. His grasp of the rural milieu of Maharastra is astounding and its reflects on screen. Also he seems to have a knack for entertainment while underlining the societal responsibilities and concerns in a movie. It is to his credit that "Sairat" has become one of those rare movies you end up loving it absolutely. It evokes each and every emotions in the viewer in intended to. And it is that movie which stays in your head for long after it is over. And it made me crave for multiple viewing. 

Bottomline: A thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking classic.   

4/5