Redbud Motion Picture’s Avkarika (Marathi) is the story of sanitation workers and the importance of their work in our lives.
Satya (Virat Madake) is a sanitation worker in Pune. The mukadam, Bhausaheb (Prafullakumar Kamble), is tense about an impending survey of the area and keeps firing his sanitation workers to maintain utmost cleanliness. Satya’s friend, Dilya (Rahul Phaltankar), is also a sanitation worker. Satya is a widower and has two daughters, Dipu (baby Vaibhavi Kute) and Pari (baby Unnati Mane). Satya has to travel out of Pune for a family commitment, but Bhausaheb turns down his request for leave because of the impending survey. However, Satya decides that he would fulfill his family commitment despite Bhausaheb not having granted him leave.
On the night before Satya has to go for the family affair, Satya and daughter Dipu clean the streets. Survey officer Wankhede (Dr. Nitin Londhe) comes to Pune, but Satya is, naturally, missing. What happens thereafter?
Arvind Janardan Bhosale’s story is average. Another film, Aata Thambaycha Naay, based on the lives of sanitation workers, was released recently and hence the core characters appear the same. In that sense, the story lacks novelty. Arvind Janardan Bhosale’s screenplay has some heart-touching scenes but they aren’t enough to sustain the viewers’ interest all through. Also, the drama does not have much variation as it is all about the survey officer’s inspection. Arvind Janardan Bhosale’s dialogues are ordinary.
Virat Madake acts ably as Satya. Rahul Phaltankar is okay as Dilya. Prafullakumar Kamble is alright as mukadam Bhausaheb. Baby Vaibhavi Kute lends decent support as Dipu. Dr. Nitin Londhe is adequate as survey officer Wankhede. Rohit Pawar is ordinary as Satya’s co-brother, Suresh. Peeya Kosumbkar hardly impresses as Satya’s wife. Sneha Balpande is average as Satya’s sister-in-law and Suresh’s wife. Vinod Khurungale (as Vinod), Mahadev Jadhav (as the supervisor), Kaluram Kengar (as Shinde), Pooja Wagh (as the doctor), Nitin Bansode (as the police inspector), Vilas Jeurkar (as the corporator), baby Unnati Mane (as Pari), baby Kartiki Batte (as Sonu) and the others provide routine support.
Arvind Janardan Bhosale’s direction is okay. Shreyas Deshpande’s music is average. Lyrics (by Arvind Janardan Bhosale) are alright. Virtual Tapes Production’s background music ought to have been more impactful. Karan Tandale’s camerawork is fair. Shailesh Randive’s art direction is okay. Atharva Mule’s editing should’ve been crisper.
On the whole, Avkarika is a fairly well-made film but its commercial prospects are bleak.
Released on 1-8-’25 at Jai Hind Mukta A2 (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru August Entertainment. Publicity & opening: poor.