Pune Talkies Pvt. Ltd., Gajavadana Productions and Show Box Entertainment’s Ekda Kay Zala!! (Marathi) is the story of a proficient storyteller.
Kiran (Sumeet Raghavan) is a very good storyteller. He lives with his wife, Shruti (Urmila Kanetkar Kothare), little son, Chintan (master Arjun Purnapatre), father (Mohan Agashe) and mother (Suhas Joshi). Like his father, Chintan is also fond of narrating stories.
Kiran’s dream is to build an amphitheatre. Cultural minister Avinash Patil (Hrishikesh Deshpande) grants Kiran permission to build the amphitheatre. But soon thereafter, Kiran is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Although his treatment begins, Kiran feels depressed. Meanwhile, Kiran’s friend, Jay (Pushkar Shrotri), uploads videos of Kiran’s storytelling and story plays, which soon become viral. Also, the construction of the amphitheatre comes to a screeching halt as one doesn’t know how it would run after Kiran. But the cultural minister completes the amphitheatre.
When it is time for the amphitheatre to be opened, Kiran is invited for a storytellers’ conference in Dubai. Kiran attends the conference but breathes his last in Dubai thereafter. Chintan is now scheduled to inaugurate the amphitheatre with his storytelling but the question that arises is, who will write the story. Jay gives Chintan a story to tell, reading which Chintan realises the seriousness of his father’s illness. He rushes home only to get the news of his father’s demise. What happens thereafter?
Dr. Saleel Kulkarni has written a heartfelt and emotional story and screenplay. Although some portions are predictable, the drama does touch a chord in people’s hearts. There is a bit of comedy and several emotional scenes. Overall, the drama holds the audience’s attention and keeps them engrossed. However, it must be added that the film loses steam to an extent, after Kiran is diagnosed with leukaemia. Dr. Kulkarni’s dialogues are appealing.
Sumeet Raghavan performs very well as Kiran. Master Arjun Purnapatre acts ably in the role of Chintan. Urmila Kanetkar Kothare does a fine job as Shruti. Mohan Agashe is adequate as Kiran’s father. Suhas Joshi is alright as Kiran’s mother. Mukta Barve makes her presence felt in a brief role as Shukla Madam. Pushkar Shrotri is alright in the role of Kiran’s friend, Jay. Hrishikesh Deshpande has his moments in a tiny role as minister Avinash Patil. Rajesh Bhosale (as Eknath) and Satish Alekar are adequate.
Dr. Saleel Kulkarni’s direction is of a good standard. His music is appealing. Lyrics (by Sandeep Khare, Sameer Samant and Dr. Saleel Kulkarni) are good. Phulawa Khamkar’s choreography is fair. Soumil Shringarpure’s background music is impactful. Sandeep Yadav does a reasonably good job of the camerawork. Poorva Pandit Bhujbal’s art direction is of a fine standard. Editing (by Abhijeet Deshpande and Pravin Jahagirdar) is quite sharp.
On the whole, Ekda Kay Zala!! is an average fare but its business will be below-average because of lack of promotion and absence of a young star cast.
Released on 5-8-’22 at Jai Hind Mukta A2 (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Sunshine Studios. Publicity: fair. Opening: dull.
