Pen Studios, Hardik Gajjar Films and Back Bencher Pictures’ Bhavai is a love story set against the backdrop of Ram Leela.
Raja Ram Joshi (Pratik Gandhi) revolts against his father (Rajendra Gupta) to become an actor when he gets the role of Raavan in Ram Leela being performed in his village by a theatre company owned by Bhawar (Abhimanyu Singh). At first, Rani (Aindrita Ray), who plays Sita in the stage-play, hates Raja Ram because of a misunderstanding. But soon, Raja Ram and Rani become fond of each other and ultimately fall in love with one another much to the dismay of Bhawar who has a glad eye for Rani. What happens when Raja Ram and Rani try to leave the theatre company to pursue their dreams of becoming big actors?
Hardik Gajjar has written a story seeped in traditions and although it rings true in villages, the story will not appeal to the city audiences. Firstly, the Ram Leela backdrop will not find favour with them. Secondly, the love affair itself will not appeal because the city folk are open about affairs now. The screenplay, penned by Hardik Gajjar and Shreyes Anil Lowlekar, moves at a very leisurely pace, further limiting the appeal of the drama. Although the earthiness of the story and screenplay are endearing, the fact remains that their appeal is limited. A plus point of the screenplay is that Gajjar and Lowlekar have included the elements of romance, comedy and emotions in it. Shreyes Anil Lowlekar’s dialogues are appealing.
Pratik Gandhi is both, confident and endearing, in his maiden Bollywood film. He is a very natural actor and does a likeable job in the role of Raja Ram Joshi. His dance is supremely graceful. Aindrita Ray is fair as Rani. Abhimanyu Singh impresses as Bhawar. Rajendra Gupta is first-rate as Raja Ram’s father. Rajesh Sharma has his moments as Bajrangi. Flora Saini is very expressive as Urmi. Krishna Bisht leaves a mark as Gomu, Raja Ram’s bosom pal. Bhagyashree Mote makes her presence amply felt as Pyari, friend of Rani. Ankur Vikal (as Bhurelal), Ankur Bhatia (as Lachhu), Gopal K. Singh (as Ratan Singh), Anil Rastogi (as Netaji) and Shibesh Devnath (as the tailor) provide able support.
Hardik Gajjar’s direction is good. He has made a good film, given the subject. Team Sara Music and Aanand Shandilyaa’s music is quite appealing. ‘Bansuri’ and ‘Ishq fitoori’ are very melodious numbers. ‘Kahe muskaay re’ and ‘Mohe Ram rang rang de’ are also quite nice. Lyrics (Shabbir Ahmed and Kumar Manjul) are appealing. Song picturisations (Longines Fernandes and Naresh Bind) have the old-world charm. Prasad Sashte’s background music is fair. Chirantan Das’ cinematography is of a fine standard. Production designing (by Jayant Deshmukh) is appropriate. Editing (by Kannu Prajapati and Satyanarayan Sharma) is sharp.
On the whole, in spite of being a well-made film, Bhavai doesn’t stand much of a chance at the ticket windows because the city audiences will not be able to identify much with it. As is well-known, the major box-office revenue comes from the cities. Even otherwise, new star-cast films don’t stand much of a chance in small centres.
Released on 22-10-’21 at Inox (daily 3 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay by PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity: fair. Opening: weak. …….Also released all over. Opening was poor everywhere.