New Zealand Motion Pictures Ltd. and Katha Vachan’s Bol Bol Rani (Marathi; A) is a murder mystery. There is a murder in a small town. A young journalist, Aabhas (Subodh Bhave), comes to unearth the truth about the murder, but he is unable to draw any conclusions as three different people tell him three different versions of the murder.
A drunkard, Radherao Thorat (Dhananjay Sardeshpande), tells journalist Aabhas that dancer Maya (Sai Tamhankar) was married to Malak (Chinmay Mandlekar) who had kept her in chains since five years. Florist Gangi (Madhuri Bharati) often visited Maya when Malak was away, and used to tell Maya to break the iron chains and run away. One day, Malak spots Gangi and wants to catch her, but she escapes. That very night, an ironsmith (Sambhaji Sasane) lands in Malak’s house. That’s when Malak puts a gun on Maya’s head. There’s a gun shot and someone is killed.
When Aabhas asks Gangi for her version, she tells him a very different story. According to Gangi, Malak is a very nice man, but his wife, Maya, is a drug addict. Dravya (Sambhaji Sasane) supplies Maya drugs regularly. When Malak gets to know about Maya’s drug addiction, he hides the packets of drugs. Maya is desperate to get the hidden drugs when Dravya comes there. Seizing the opportunity, Maya snatches Dravya’s gun and shoots at Malak’s leg. Dravya runs away and returns after a while to reclaim his gun. That’s when it is fired again. It is not known who fires it and on whom.
Aabhas next asks Kisna (Padmanabh Bind) for his version because Maya’s name is printed on the back of his jeep. According to Kisna, Maya’s husband, Malak, is a good person. Maya goes to meet poet Shahir (Sambhaji Sasane) after many years. This then becomes a regular practice because Maya loves Shahir’s poetry. One day, when Malak returns from work, he sees Shahir at their home and asks Maya to explain. That’s when Shahir aims his gun at Malak. There’s a loud gun shot, but it’s not clear who has killed whom.
Confused, Aabhas returns.
The story is based on Bhalchandra Sule’s stage-play, Aankhi Ek Narayan Nikam. It is interesting in parts only. Saurabh Bhave and Himanshu Nimbhorkar’s screenplay is average. Although some portions of the drama are engaging, they don’t add up to make an engrossing fare. Perhaps, the biggest drawback is that the viewers are left confused in the end. Hence the satisfaction of having seen a conclusive drama is missing. Saurabh Bhave and Himanshu Nimbhorkar’s dialogues are so-so.
Sai Tamhankar is very good as Maya. Chinmay Mandlekar performs ably as Malak. Sambhaji Sasane is alright as the ironsmith/Dravya/Shahir. Subodh Bhave plays journalist Aabhas well but, in a way, he has been wasted because there’s no heroism on his part. Madhuri Bharati acts well as Gangi. Padmanabh Bind is alright as Kisna. Dhananjay Sardeshpande is average as Radherao Thorat. Others pass muster.
Sid Vinchurkar’s direction is ordinary. A.V. Prafullachandra’s music is alright. Lyrics (Saveri Verma and A.V. Prafullachandra) are average. A.V. Prafullachandra’s background music is quite impactful. Vivian Pullan’s camerawork is impressive. Swapnil Karnawat’s art direction is okay. Apurva Motiwale Sahai’s editing leaves something to be desired.
On the whole, Bol Bol Rani is a dull fare and will, therefore, flop at the ticket windows.
Released on 17-7-’26 at Plaza (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Cinepolis India. Publicity: so-so. Opening: poor.
