Sphereorigins Multivision Pvt. Ltd.’s Baal Bhaarti (Marathi) is the story of the assumed superiority of English medium over Marathi medium schools.
Rahul Desai (Siddharth Jadhav) lives with wife Sunita (Nandita Patkar), son Chinmay (Aaryan Menghji) and mother (Usha Naik) in Kolhapur. Both, Rahul and Sunita, have to struggle to speak in English. Their son, Chinmay, also studies in a Marathi medium school and hence talking in English is problematic for him too. An incident prompts Rahul to get Chinmay admitted to an English medium school. However, Chinmay’s life becomes hell when he starts attending the new school as he can’t keep up with his English-speaking classmates.
One day, Chinmay has to present his project at a competition but he falters in English. The judge then asks him to speak in Marathi. Chinmay wins the competition. After that, he rejoins his Marathi medium school.
Nitin Nandan’s story has noble intentions but his screenplay does not have much to sustain the audience’s interest. Although the comedy created when characters in the drama speak incorrect English is entertaining, it is limited. Emotions are lacking. Nitin Nandan’s dialogues are appealing.
Siddharth Jadhav does well as Rahul Desai. Nandita Patkar is good in the role of Rahul’s wife, Sunita. Aaryan Menghji performs ably as Chinmay. Abhijeet Khandkekar lends fair support as Rakesh. Usha Naik is so-so as Rahul’s mother. Ravindra Mankani is okay as Bhagwat. Sanjay Mone provides ordinary support as the judge. Others are passable.
Nitin Nandan’s direction is alright but it ought to have been more heartfelt. Pankaj Padghan’s music is okay but there is no hit song. Lyrics (Valay Mulgund and Nitin Nandan) are so-so. Akshata Tikhe’s song picturisations hardly deserve separate mention. Pankaj Padghan’s background music is alright. Pushpank Gawade’s camerawork is okay. Prashant Rane’s art direction is ordinary. Kshitija Khandagale’s editing is reasonably sharp.
On the whole, Baal Bhaarti does not have too many commercial ingredients to sail safe at the box-office.
Released on 2-12-’22 at Jai Hind Mukta A2 (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Aarjay Pictures Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: fair. Opening: poor.