Harishchandrachi Factory: A candid Marathi movie not to be missed by any Indian
I
hardly knew anything about the versatile writer, director and theatre
personality Paresh Mokashi till I watch the movie Harshchandrachi Factory.
Earlier I had seen some movies of Amol Palekar, Dada
Kondke and others in theatre and some in Dooradarshan. I learned Harischandrachi
Factory was selected as India's official entry to Academy Award in the
best foreign language film category, making it the second film after Shwaas
(2004), in Marathi cinema to receive this honour. I also read from Malayalam
newspapers that Harischandrachi Factory won the best debutant director
award from Kerala Chalchitra Film Society and 18th G. Aravindan Puraskaram 2009
from Pune Chalachitra Film Society.
This
was my slight information and modest background about the movie Harischandrachi
Factory while watching it the other day at Dombivli Puja cinema which
helped a lot in enjoying the movie in a different perspective without any
barriers or influencing the versatile and genius Director Paresh Mokashi's fame
and eminence. I watched the movie sitting amongst the well-educated class
audience of Dombivli. It was really an incredible experience. Probably I was
the only non-Maharashtrian amongst the audience.
The
movie Harishchandrachi Factory starts with showing the early life of
father of Indian cinema Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb
Phalke, who lived from 30th April 1870 to 16th February 1944. Unlike other
bio-pictures, Harichandrachi Factory made on a great man's life in a
full-fledged feature film and beautifully narrated the story in an absolute way
that will be cherished by any good movie lover.
All
will wonder why nobody thought of making a film based on Dadasaheb Phalke
almost 97 years after making the first film Raja Harischandra in India
by him in 1913. With Dadasaheb Phalke Indian film history begins and he will
remain ever the light house of Indian film world. From a humble beginning in
1913, now in India we produce more than 1,000 feature films in all languages.
Nobody in any Indian language made a film on Dadasaheb Phalke until Director
Paresh Mokashi entered with his debut film in Marathi Harischandrachi
Factory.
The
story-narration technique used by Paresh Mokashi was amazing. There was not a
single moment in the film that lagged or disappointed the audience. The fast
phase of the movie and rhythm were exemplary which created a very good mood,
fun and interest to watch the next scenes. The events were beautifully
connected in such a marvellous manner that there were no dull moments and we
are grateful to Director Paresh Mokashi for his brilliance, style and
craftsmanship.
The
classic humour is the highlight of this movie. Even the tragic events are
depicted with light humour. When Phalke wanted to make the 'drama of the curtain',
his relatives and well wishers took him to Thane mental hospital was one good
example. Another one, while his wife assisting the film processing Phalke does
the chapatti making act.
There
lies a holy thread of national integrity in the storytelling and the
well-picturised scenes removes language barriers to enjoying the movie.
Amalendu Chaudhary's excellent camera work equally created the good mood and
charm of the movie. Similarly Geeta Godbole's make up, Amit Pawar's editing, Anand Modak's
background music and costumes by Mrudul Patwardhan, Mahesh Sherla and Geeta
Godbole were fabulous.
I
thrive to know Marathi language and culture and therefore I have a feeling that
I can understand Marathi better than any ordinary Malayali. This feeling helped
me to enjoy the movie better knowing the context, meaning and situations.
The
wonderful chemistry that works out between Phalke (played by Nandu Madhav), his
wife (played by Vibhavari Deshpande) and their two children, even the new born
third child, were splendidly portrayed in the movie. Whatever he does his
entire family supports him. Phalke is shown as a gentle husband and father, and
as a filmmaker too, he is determined but not too aggressive. Phalke was an
eccentric, workaholic man bursting with self-confidence, extremely poised and
confident in his performance. Curious to learn the new 'moving form of drama'
he takes big risks, selling off his valuables to watch more movies and buy
books on the subject. And soon, he takes the biggest risk and embarks on a
journey to London, to meet up with filmmakers and learn the craft only with the
address of one London film magazine.
Perhaps
Dadasaheb could have made more money and fame if he had been accepted the
tempting offer from British film world. However, he politely declined the offer
and Paresh Mokashi in few words portrayed that situation. It really moved me
and I was in tears. Giving long phony speeches, futile lip services and painting
face with tricolour is not the real patriotism. Paresh Mokashi described it in
few words and well-edited scenes.
No
doubt Harischandrachi Factory is a delight to watch. This candid
Marathi movie is a must watch and not to be missed by any Marathi Manus or
rather by any Indian whether a Malayali, Bihari, Tamilian, Kannadiga, Telugu,
Bengali or from any region or state.
Dear
Paresh Mokashi, my heartist congratulations for giving us such a beautiful
film.
The writer compiled the first Marathi-English-Malayalam dictionary with Marathi grammar and Marathi pronunciation guide in Malayalam
Published in
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