Shashikant Pawar Productions and Devi Sateri Productions’ Raavrambha (Marathi; UA) is the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s brave soldiers. One such brave soldier is Raavji (Om Bhutkar).
Raavji is so dedicated that he leaves his own marriage with Ramba (Monalisa Bagal) to be by the side of Shivaji’s trusted man, Prataprao Gujar (Ashok Samarth), when Behlol Khan (Mir Sarwar) is ready to strike. What happens to Raavji and Prataprao Gujar? Do they defeat Behlol Khan?
Pratap Gangavane’s story is novel but it hasn’t been written in a way that the audience would experience thrill. His screenplay is okay but it lacks the edge. What’s more, the emotions that needed to be evoked, aren’t. Pratap Gangavane’s dialogues are commonplace.
Om Bhutkar is average as Raavji. Monalisa Bagal is so-so as Rambha. Ashok Samarth impresses in the role of Prataprao Gujar. Santosh Juvekar is good as Jalindar. Mir Sarwar makes his mark as Behlol Khan. Kushal Badrike is okay as Kurbat Khan. Shantanu Moghe makes his presence felt in the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Rohit Chavan is alright as Gulabya. Apurva Nemlekar lends fair support in a brief role as Shaheen Aapa. Kiran Mane makes his presence felt in a brief role as Hakim Chacha. Mayuresh Pem has his moments in a tiny role as Ali Aadilshah. Ashwini Bagal (as Shalu), Pankaj Chavan (as Moropant), Vinayak Choughule (as Khashaba) and Shivam Deshmukh (as Dadaji) are adequate. Others pass muster.
Anup Ashok Jagdale’s direction is alright. Amitraj’s music is ordinary. Lyrics (by Guru Thakur and Kshitij Patwardhan) are okay. Rahul-Sanjeev’s choreography is not eye-filling. Aditya Bedekar’s background music is reasonably good. Sanjay Jadhav’s cinematography is fairly nice. Shaolin Mallesh’s action and stunt scenes afford thrill. Vasu Patil’s art direction is of a good standard. Faisal Mahadik’s editing is quite sharp.
On the whole, Raavrambha will not be able to make a mark at the box-office.
Released on 26-5-’23 at Plaza (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru August Entertainment. Publicity: fair. Opening: very ordinary.