Divine Touch Productions’ Territory (Marathi) is about tigers in the jungles of Yavatmal. A trap is laid to capture a tiger because it has killed a couple of people. But the tiger is not caught. A few days later, a tiger in the jungle kills a cow. The next day, a tiger is found murdered. Daroga Jiddewar (Kishor Kadam) suspects that the villagers have killed the tiger, and he asks police officer Deshmukh (Sandeep Kulkarni) to investigate.
It turns out that tigress Laxmi’s son, Jai, had been murdered. Laxmi’s other child, Veeru, is still alive and so is Laxmi.
A few days later, there are seven to eight human deaths and hence the court orders that the killer tiger be captured. What happens thereafter?
Sachin Shriram’s story is half-baked. His screenplay is so sketchy that nothing really makes exciting sense. Most of the drama looks either contrived or too convenient. Sachin Shriram’s dialogues are ordinary.
Sandeep Kulkarni does well as police officer Deshmukh. Kishor Kadam performs ably as Daroga Jiddewar. Dinesh Ingole (as guard Meshram) and Bharat Rangari (as Bapurao) lend average support. Sunayana Khobragade (as Chanda) and Ravikiran Kandalkar (as the hunter) make their presence felt in tiny roles. Virag Jakhad, Sudeshna Navkar and the others do as desired.
Sachin Shriram’s direction is very ordinary and unimpressive. Yash Pagare’s background music is below average. Krishna Soren’s cinematography is okay. Kiran Deore’s art direction is functional. Mayur Hardas’ editing leaves something to be desired.
On the whole, Territory will meet with a disastrous fate.
Released on 1-9-’23 at Jai Hind Mukta A2 (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Filmastra Studios. Publicity & opening: very weak.