Chitraksha Films and Smile Stone Studio’s TDM (Marathi; UA) is a love story.
Babu (Pruthviraj Thorat) is a hardworking young man who lives in the village and works for Bhiku mama (Rohit More). Bhiku mama‘s daughter, Neelam (Kalindi Nistane), loves Babu. Desirous of buying a tractor, Babu takes a bank loan. Once he buys the tractor, he starts his own business. He defaults in paying the EMI, because of which the bank confiscates his tractor. Left with no alternative, Babu joins Bhiku mama once again. Soon, Babu and Neelam’s romance blossoms. Not in favour of this, Bhiku mama starts groom-hunting for daughter Neelam. The distraught Neelam asks Babu to marry her, but she is shocked when the latter pleads helplessness. What happens thereafter?
Bhiku Deokate, Bhaurao Karhade and Prof. Kiran Gadhve have written a story and screenplay, which have romance, comedy, drama and emotions, all in small doses. The romance is not at all heartwarming. The comedy is okay while a couple of emotions do touch the heart. But overall, the drama is not up to the mark. Worse still, the ending is abrupt — to make way for a sequel, obviously! The trio’s dialogues are ordinary.
Pruthviraj Thorat does well as Babu. Kalindi Nistane is okay as Neelam. Sheetal Patil lends routine support in the role of Babu’s sister, Sarita. Rohit More is alright as Neelam’s dad, Bhiku mama. Lata Tarde (as Babu’s mother), Nana More (as Babu’s father) and Bhaurao Nanasaheb Karhade (as Arundada) lend average support.
Bhaurao Nanasaheb Karhade’s direction is ordinary. Music (Rohit Nagbhide, Onkarswaroop and Vaibhav Shirole) is good but it can’t be termed hit. Lyrics (by Dr. Vinayak Pawar, Vaibhav Shirole and Kunal Gaikwad) are alright. Neha Mirajkar’s choreography is dull. Sarang Kulkarni’s background music just about passes muster. Veerdhaval Patil’s cinematography is functional. Atul Lokhande’s art direction is alright. Sanket Jyoti Arvind’s editing could’ve been sharper.
On the whole, TDM (short for ‘Tractor Driver of Mahindra’) is a flop show.
Released on 28-4-’23 at Movie Time Goregaon (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru UFO Cine Media Network. Publicity & opening: poor.