Everest Entertainment and Wetcloud Productions’ Gulkand (Marathi; UA) is a story of the obstacles which come in the way of the marriage of two lovers, Omkar (Tejas Raut) and Minakshi (Jui Bhagwat). The hurdles are not extraneous but from within the two families!
Actually, Minakshi’s mother, Neeta Dhavale (Saie Tamhankar) and Omkar’s father, Girish Mane (Prasad Oak), were in love with each other in college but could not marry. The affair is sort of rekindled after the two families meet. Omkar’s mother, Ragini Mane (Esha Dey), gets to know of the exchange of messages between her husband and Minakshi’s mother, on their mobile phones. She informs Minakshi’s father, Makarand Dhavale (Samir Choughule), about her suspicion and the two of them — Ragini and Makarand — start keeping tabs on Girish and Neeta. In doing so, Ragini and Makarand are often seen together so that it sometimes appears as if the two of them are in a relationship. Omkar also gets some proof to that effect. Fearing that Neeta and Girish would get a free hand if Omkar and Minakshi were to get married, Ragini and Makarand go to the extent of doing crazy things to stall the impending marriage. What happens finally? Do Omkar and Minakshi get married? What happens to the budding relationship between Girish and Neeta?
Sachin Mote has written a story which relies too heavily on coincidences and misunderstandings. Therefore, the implausibility factor is so high that it comes in the way of the viewers’ enjoyment. Sachin Mote’s screenplay is entertaining insofar as the comic scenes are concerned. But some of the comic scenes appear too far-fetched. Neeta ditching Girish every time looks very convenient. Similarly, the misunderstanding about Ragini and Makarand’s relationship appears contrived. The extreme step which Ragini and Makarand adopt in trying to stall the marriage of Omkar and Minakshi looks ridiculous. Romance is very limited. Emotions are conspicuous by their absence. All in all, the drama does not entertain consistently or continuously. Sachin Mote’s dialogues are appealing.
Saie Tamhankar does a fine job as Neeta Dhavale. Prasad Oak is alright as Girish Mane. Samir Choughule is effective as Makarand Dhavale. Esha Dey is lovely as the simple and suspecting housewife, Ragini Mane. Tejas Raut is fair as Omkar. Jui Bhagwat is alright as Minakshi. Sharvil Agate lends average support as Minakshi’s younger brother, Nakul. Vanita Kharat is okay as Vanita Dhone. Mandar Mandawkar is so-so as Munna. Akshay S. Joshi is ordinary in a tiny role. Others fit the bill.
Sachin Goswami’s direction is average. He has not been able to make a thoroughly entertaining drama. Music (Avinash-Vishwajeet and Amir Hadkar) is appealing. Chal jaau date var is the best song, followed by the title track. Mandar Cholkar, Prashant Madpuwar and Sachin Mote’s lyrics are good. Rajesh K. Bidwe’s choreography is eye-filling. Avinash-Vishwajeet’s background music is alright. Uday Singh Mohite’s cinematography is okay. Santosh Phutane’s art direction is of a fair standard. Mayur Hardas’ editing is reasonably sharp.
On the whole, Gulkand is an average fare because of its comedy. Otherwise, the drama is found lacking.
Released on 1-5-’25 at Metro Inox (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PVR Inox Pictures. Publicity: so-so. Opening: quite nice (due to the Labour Day and Maharashtra Day holiday).
