Kabir Communications, Aakriti Productions Pvt. Ltd., S.K. Jain Jamai and J.P. Agarwal’s Dhai Aakhar (UA) is the story of a woman in an abusive marriage, who tries to rebuild her life after her husband’s death.
Harshita (Mrinal Kulkarni) is a widow who lives in Lakhanpur village of U.P. with her two sons and their wives. She can’t concentrate on anything as she has just come out of a traumatic marriage after her husband’s (Rohit Kokate) demise. As time passes, Harshita develops a bond with Sridhar (Harish Khanna), the author of a book she reads and finds its story very similar to her own life story. Soon, she meets him in Varanasi and even stays with him for some days. All hell breaks loose when her sons find the letters written by Sridhar to their mother before the two had met. They are so angry that they don’t allow her to enter her own home when she returns from Varanasi. The younger daughter-in-law, Bela (Prasanna Bisht), permits Harshita to enter her home, but the pettiness of the two sons doesn’t cease. What happens thereafter?
The film is based on Amrik Singh Deep’s novel, Tirthatan Ke Baad. Asghar Wajahat’s adapted screenplay, like the story, holds appeal only for the elite audience as it lacks the usual ingredients of a masala film. The drama, more often then not, is boring and dull. The ending is quite abrupt. Asghar Wajahat’s dialogues are okay.
Mrinal Kulkarni performs ably as the main protagonist, Harshita. Harish Khanna is alright as author Sridhar. Prasanna Bisht does a fair job as Harshita’s younger daughter-in-law, Bela. Rohit Kokate is so-so in a brief role as Harshita’s husband. Chandan Anand lends average support in the role of Harshita’s older son, Ranjit. Neer Rao is ordinary as Harshita’s younger son, Vineet. Smriti Mishra provides ordinary support as Harshita’s older daughter-in-law, Sushma. Aadya Agrawal is okay as Harshita’s grand-daughter, Kanti.
Praveen Arora’s direction is weak. Anupam Roy’s music is functional while Irshad Kamil’s lyrics are weighty. Anupam Roy’s background music is alright. Sandeep Gn Yadav’s camerawork is fair. Asad Khan’s art direction is nothing to shout about. Editing (V.S. Kannan and Rahul Jaiswal) leaves a lot to be desired.
On the whole, Dhai Aakhar is a flop show as it is devoid of entertainment.
Released on 22-11-’24 at Gem (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Filmastra Studios. Publicity & opening: terribly poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was dull everywhere.