Platoon One Films Pvt. Ltd.’s Ab Toh Sab Bhagwan Bharose (UA) is the story of a backward village in which live two young brothers with impressionable minds. Their ideas about faith and religion are constantly questioned and changed as their world expands and takes into its fold India’s fast-changing socio-political landscape.
Sudhakar Nilmani Eklavya has written a well-meaning story which will appeal to the intelligentsia mainly. The screenplay, penned by Sudhakar Nilmani Eklavya and Mohit Chauhan (Farar), moves at its own slow pace. Yet, the drama does keep the class audience reasonably well engaged. Of course, there’s nothing in it for the masses. The innocence of the two young brothers, Bhola and Shambhu, comes across interestingly. The death of Nanababu first and the tragic turn of events in the climax come as shocks to the viewers. The duo’s dialogues are nice.
Satendra Soni shines as Bhola. He is uninhibited in front of the camera. Sparsh Suman is lovely in the role of Shambhu. He delivers an endearing performance. Masumeh Makhija is suitably restrained as Radha. Vinay Pathak lends nice support as Nanababu. Shrikant Verma has his moments as Panditji. Mahesh Sharma is natural as Mohan mama. Sawan Tank leaves a mark as Dwaraka. Manu Rishi Chaddha (as Bhokaru Baba) leaves a fine mark in a guest appearance. Sarthak Bhise (as Bishun), Alka Chatwal (as Shyama), Vicky Madhawan (as Kailash), Pankaj Sinha (as Is-Are-Am Sir), Arjun Srivastav (as Turtle Sir), Jitendra Vadher (as Sheetal Sir), Prabhakar Pandey (as the education officer), Krishna Singh Bisht (as the sootradhar), Ansh Kumar (as the elder Muslim kid), Ganesh Kumar (as the kar sevak), Sudhakar Nilmani Eklavya (as the radio news reader), Uday Sahu (as the bus driver), and the others provide reasonable support.
Shiladitya Bora’s direction is quite nice. Indian Ocean’s music and Sanjeev Sharma’s lyrics are in synch with the mood of the film. Background music (by Amit Kilam, Rahul Ram and Nikhil Rao) is alright. Surjodeep Ghosh’s cinematography is of a good standard. Krishnendu Ghosh’s action and stunt scenes are functional. Rishabh Kushwaha’s production designing is okay. Sooraj Gunjal’s editing is fairly sharp.
On the whole, Ab Toh Sab Bhagwan Bharose is a well-made film but meant only for the festival circuit as its commercial prospects are very weak.
Released on 13-10-’23 at Inox Metro (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PVR Inox Pictures. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over.