Drishyam Films, Platoon One Films, Innoventures, Paytamasha and UA Kathachitra’s Ghaath (Marathi; A) is about Naxalites and their war with the law enforcement agencies.
ACP Nagpure (Jitendra Joshi) has been posted in a Naxal-infested region and is keen to return to the city where his family lives. But for that, he needs to kill or arrest at least one Naxalite to prove that he has added value. Raghunath (Milind Shinde) is tired of being a Naxalite and wants to leave the world of crime. So he plans his own murder and uses ACP Nagpure for it. Nagpure kills Perku (Janardan Kadam), an Adivasi who lives in the jungles, and lets it pass off as the murder of a Naxalite so that he can return to the city to be with his family. Raghunath thinks, he can use the opportunity to leave the Naxalite world and start life afresh with Kusari (Suruchi Adarkar) whom he loves. But does Kusari want to marry Raghunath? Why did Raghunath join the Naxal movement? His brother, Falgun (Dhananjay Mandaokar), is also part of the Naxal movement.
Chhatrapal Ninawe has written a fairly interesting story although it must be said, it gets confusing at times. Ninawe’s screenplay is quite engrossing but, by its very nature, the drama is more class-appealing than mass-appealing. Since the usual ingredients of a masala film — like romance, comedy and emotions — are missing, the drama will appeal only to a thin section of the audience. Although the script keeps the viewers involved, it cannot be denied that the subject is dry and depressing and hence cannot be everyone’s idea of entertainment. Dialogues, penned by Chhatrapal Ninawe and Vikas Mudki, are average.
Jitendra Joshi shines in the role of ACP Nagpure. Milind Shinde does a fine job as Naxalite Raghunath. Janardan Kadam is very natural as Perku. Suruchi Adarkar makes a mark as Kusari. Dhananjay Madaokar leaves a fine impression as Falgun. Lalu Pendam (as Kalu), Rahul Gawande (as Masram), Kajal Rangari (as Kunjam), Ajay Lonare (as Raka), Vandana Jiwane (as Kusari’s mother), Vikas Mudki (as hawaldar Mudki), Vinod Raut (as the police commissioner) and Chhatrapal Ninawe (as Naxal chief Somaji) lend the necessary support.
Chhatrapal Ninawe’s direction will appeal to a thin section of the audience as, like the script, it is class-appealing. Madhur Padwal’s background music is quite good. Udit Khurana’s cinematography is appealing. Dyandeo Indulkar’s production designing is appropriate. Navnita Sen’s editing is crisp.
On the whole, Ghaath is a well-made film but its box-office prospects are bleak because it is more a film for connoisseurs of cinema than for the masses.
Released on 27-9-’24 at Movie Time Goregaon (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by Platoon One Distribution. Publicity & opening: poor.