Eskay Productions’ PaniPuri (Marathi; UA) is the story of four couples who approach advocate Yashwant Jamadar (Makarand Deshpande) to help them get divorce. Jamadar holds himself responsible for the divorce of his daughter, Nima (Sayali Sanjeev), and her husband, Kartik (Piyush Mandavkar), and ever since that time, he makes efforts to prevent divorces rather than assisting in them. In this way, Jamadar makes the four couples — Siddhu (Kailash Waghmare) and Maya (Shivali Parab); Bodke Master (Bharat Ganeshpure) and Archana (Prajakta Hanamghar); Baban (Hrishikesh Joshi) and Radha (Pratiksha Jadhav); and Vinay (Sachin Bangar) and Gauri (Anushka Pimputkar) — avert their respective divorces. He also patches the differences between daughter Nima and son-in-law Kartik so that they live happily ever after.
Ramesh Choudhary has penned a story which is implausible as it gives the viewers the impression that every couple looks for a divorce when confronted with problems between themselves. Although it is designed as a comedy, this commonality about opting for divorce appears unpalatable. Besides, the emotional quotient is low as one feels sentimental only at a couple of places. Sanjay Navgire’s screenplay is ordinary. The comedy is funny at times but below the mark at other times. Sanjay Navgire’s dialogues are okay.
Makarand Deshpande does well as advocate Yashwant Jamadar. Hrishikesh Joshi is good as Baban. Pratiksha Jadhav is okay in the role of Radha. Bharat Ganeshpure is alright as Bodke Master. Prajakta Hanamghar does a fair job as Archana. Kailash Waghmare performs reasonably well as Siddhu. Shivali Parab is adequate as Maya. Vishakha Subhedar lends nice support as Maya’s mother, Shalu. Sachin Bangar is quite good as Vinay. Anushka Pimputkar has her moments as Gauri. Sayali Sanjeev gets very limited scope in the role of Nima; she is okay. Piyush Mandavkar is alright in a tiny role as Kartik. Abhay Gite lends routine support as Jamadar’s friend, Virus. Sumit Raghavan’s narration is nice. Others pass muster.
Ramesh Choudhary’s direction is average. Ajit Parab’s music lacks hit songs. Mandar Cholkar’s lyrics are adequate. Amar Mohile’s background music ought to have been more effective. Siddhesh Santosh More’s cinematography and editing are adequate. Chhabi Guragai and Neeta Guragai’s art direction is functional.
On the whole, PaniPuri is too ordinary to make a mark at the box-office.
Released on 15-11-’24 at Metro Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Panorama Studios. Publicity: so-so. Opening: weak.