Golden Ratio Films, Planet Marathi, Creative Viibe Productions, Flying Dragon Entertainment, Yaelstar Films and Lightwithin Entertainment’s Chandramukhi (Marathi; UA) is a love story.
Daulatrao (Adinath Kothare) is an MP who is married to Dolly (Mrunmayee Deshpande). Dolly’s sister (Surbhi Bhave) is married to MLA Nanasaheb (Rajendra Shisatkar). There is animosity between Nanasaheb and Daulatrao because the former is crooked.
Daulatrao has an extramarital affair with a tamasha singer-dancer, Chandramukhi (Amruta Khanvilkar). Nanasaheb leaks the news of the affair to Daulatrao’s wife as well as to the media. What happens then?
The film, set in the 1980s, is based on Vishwas Patil’s novel of the same name. The story is interesting. Chinmay Mandlekar’s screenplay also has good moments. His characterisations are very nice. The climax, however, is disappointing. Chinmay Mandlekar’s dialogues are fairly good.
Amruta Khanvilkar does an excellent job in the title role. She looks pretty too. Adinath Kothare looks handsome and performs very ably as Daulatrao. Mrunmayee Deshpande is appealing as Dolly. Dr. Mohan Agashe lends decent support as Dadasaheb. Rajendra Shisatkar leaves a fine mark in the role of Nanasaheb. As Batasha, Sameer Chaughule’s comedy is entertaining. Surbhi Bhave is fair in a brief role. Vandana Waknis (as Chandramukhi’s mother), Ashok Shinde (as Chandramukhi’s father), Neha Dandale (as Lalan), Prajakta Mali (as Naina who appears in a song-dance number), Radha Sagar and Smita Gondkar provide reasonable support.
Prasad Oak’s direction is quite nice. But he has not been able to make a completely entertaining fare because there are dull moments. Ajay-Atul’s music is alright. Guru Thakur’s lyrics go well with the film’s mood. Song picturisations (Deepali Vichare and Ashish Suresh Patil) are eye-filling. Mangesh Dhakade’s background music is okay. Camerawork (by Sanjay Memane) is nice. Nilesh Wagh’s art direction is appropriate. Faisal Mahadik and Imran Mahadik’s editing ought to have been sharper.
On the whole, Chandramukhi is an average entertainer.
Released on 29-4-’22 at Plaza (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Sunshine Studios. Publicity & opening: good.