Cast: Prakash Raj, Akash, Radhika Apte, Sree Teja, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Nasser, Brahmanandam, Talaivasal Vijay, Ananth, Melkote, Murali Sharma, Hema, Sharat Babu, Tanikella Bharani, Prabhudeva and others Story: Mahesh Manjrekar Dialogues: T J Jnanavel, Mahesh Raja Music: Ilayaraja Lyrics: 'Sirivennela' Seetaramashastry Director of Photography : K V Guhan Art: Kadhir Editing: Kishore Banner: Duet Movies Produced and directed by: Prakash Raj Release date: Feb 10, 2012 CBFC Rating : U |
Widower Subbu aka Subramaniam (Prakash Raj) is middle-class government employee with two young children. Life is a struggle for him as he has to pay for their study. Not only is he a hard working father but also takes care of them like their mother would have. Elder son Karthik is interested in cricket than studies. Subbu wants him to excel in studies and achieve something in life. Contrary to Subbu’s dreams Karthik hopes to become a great cricketer like Dhoni, whom he idolizes. Karthik’s coach (Nassar) notices that this student will surely become an ace cricketer someday. Karthik has added pressure from the school principal who wants 100 per cent result. He even threatens Karthik that he would be thrown out of the school in case of failure. The film then takes a series of dramatic twists and turns.
Analysis
What’s more important curriculum or a child’s interest? Is excelling in all subjects the only mantra for students?
Prakash Raj's directorial venture, Dhoni, questions all these and more. It is a well-intended film that deals with this topical issue. Taking basic story from a Marathi film ' Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho' written by Mahesh Manjrekar, Prakash Raj along with his writers has weaved a beautiful script that attacks the current education system which burdens the child.
The film starts off with a scene in which Prakash Raj lands in a prison that creates interest. The first half of the movie focuses on the struggles of a middle class widower working on a meager government salary and the life of Nalini (played beautifully by Radhika Apte) who serves as a mistress to a goon and leads a happy perfect normal life in a middle-class colony. Second half of the movie delves more into the topical issue of education system.
While the first half of the movie has many engrossing moments, the movie loses tempo towards the climax with unconvincing scenes like Prakash Raj meeting a Chief Minister and having a lengthy preachy argument. On the whole, the film has meaningful moments with a subject that everyone can relate to. And the best part is Prakash Raj has not fallen into the commercial trappings.
Performance
Prakash Raj is brilliant actor and he proves it once again. He carries the film with his compassionate performance. He also has put on weight to look a like a middle-class widower. As a director he has shown his skills. Deft handling of scenes like Radhika Apte telling her story post the interval and pre-interval sequences make him a good director.
Akash as a kid obsessed with cricket comes up with engrossing performance. The other child Sree Teja is a neat performer. Radhika Apte speaks little but express through her eyes. Her role is etched out well and she does it perfectly. Brahmanandam, Gollapudi and Murali Sharma are excellent too. Prabhu Deva appears in a song that is told in a director's point of view.
Among the technicians, maestro Ilayaraja work stands out. His background score has elevated many poignant moments. Among his songs - Mattiloni Chettu and Gayam Tagili are the best.
Cinematographer Guhan's beautiful camera work doesn't make you feel that it is shot in limited locations. His work gels with the subject. Editor Kishore should have shortened the film especially the verbose scenes towards the climax.
Bottom-line
Dhoni is a poignant film about the parent and children, the flawed education system that exhausts the children by putting pressures than providing the exhaustive learning process. Despite some melodrama and pretty ordinary penultimate scenes, it is a good film sans 'commercial elements'.
Rating: 3.25/5
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