Released to poor response in Pune and Aurangabad on 3-11-’23 by Darshan Productions thru Laxmi Entertainment, Zenith Films, Nalinee Productions, Kunal Nimbalkar Films and Shri Swamini Productions’ Aatur (Marathi; UA) is the story of a middle-aged couple desirous of having a baby.
Kumudini (Priti Mallapurkar) and Dr. Shirish Kamat (Yogesh Soman) are a childless middle-aged married couple living in a village in Maharashtra. Dr. Kamat is posted here as a chief medical officer. Kumudini has faced circumstances in her life, which have made her want to beget a child at any cost. The desire to have a child of her own is so acute that she starts believing that she is pregnant. In reality, she is suffering from pseudocyesis, also known as phantom pregnancy. Her husband tries to help her out of her disorder but matters only worsen.
Tejas Paraspatki, Anand Nikam and Kiran Shashikant Jadhav have written a story and screenplay, which are more depressing than emotional. Of course, the drama does evoke tears at times but the single track on which it moves makes it a bit too heavy for the audience. Also, since it is a psychological disease which Kumudini suffers from, the drama would appeal more to the class audience than the large mass base. Mayuresh Madan Joshi’s dialogues are nice.
Priti Mallapurkar does a fine job as Kumudini. Yogesh Soman plays Dr. Shirish Kamat effectively. Chinmay Udgirkar is quite nice as Dr. Shreyas. Mukta Patwardhan lends fair support as Goda Akka. Pranav Raorane has his moments as Rane. Rashmita Shahapurkar is alright as Dr. Kale. Vinay Joshi is okay as Dr. Raje. Dhanashree Kumawat (as the nurse), Shreepad Joshi (as the tea seller) and Raghunath Patil (as the ward boy) do as desired. Aradhya Sonawane is average as the baby.
Shivaji Lotan Patil’s direction is quite sensitive. Prafulla Jadhav’s music is functional. Lyrics (Aditya Pawar and Sanket Parkhe) are good. Honey Satamkar’s background music ought to have been better. Camerawork is alright. Mahesh Kore’s art direction is average. Nilesh Gawand’s editing is appropriate.
On the whole, Aatur is a well-made film but its commercial prospects are weak.