‘RAUDRA’ (MARATHI) REVIEW | 1 April, 2022

Ultra Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and M.G. Pictures’ Raudra (Marathi) is the story of a hidden treasure. Trimbak (Rahul Patil), a locksmith by profession, comes to Vadgaon as a census officer. He is armed with a map which says that there’s a hidden treasure near a temple in the village. As it turns out, the temple is in the very wada he is putting up at. The wada belongs to Nanasaheb Kulkarni (Deepak Damle) who has given Trimbak a room in it to stay. Trimbak has his meals at Nanasaheb’s house. By the by, Nanasaheb’s daughter, Mrunmayee (Urmila Jagtap), falls in love with Trimbak who takes her help to locate the temple and the treasure. What happens thereafter?

Mangesh Balasaheb Gatkal’s story is sketchy and one of convenience. Why Nanasaheb or his 22 earlier generations have not been able to lay their hands on the treasure despite owing the wada and being in possession of an ancient book about everything in the village, is not explained. Ravindra Shivaji’s screenplay, based as it is on such a weak and half-baked story, is also uninteresting and unconvincing. The drama, therefore, fails to hold the viewers’ interest for long. In fact, boredom creeps in quite early on, the moment it becomes evident that much thought has not gone into the scripting. Ravindra Shivaji’s dialogues are below the mark.

Rahul Patil fails to impress as Trimbak. Deepak Damle does a fine job as Nanasaheb Kulkarni. Urmila Jagtap is so-so in the role of Mrunmayee. Amit Padvankar overacts as Bando. Anita Kokane’s acting is weak in the role of Sharda Kulkarni. Others lend routine support.

Ravindra Shivaji’s direction is very dull. Akshay Jadhav’s music fails to make any mark. Lyrics are ordinary. Swapnil Kedare’s camerawork is fair. Amit Suhas Padvankar’s art direction is okay. Akash More’s editing leaves a lot to be desired.

On the whole, Raudra is a flop show.

Released on 1-4-’22 at Jai Hind Mukta A2 (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Panorama Studios. Publicity & opening: poor.