SS Studios and Adik Films’ Aranya (Marathi; UA) is the story of a Naxalite. Jiva Mahka (Hardeek Joshi) is a Naxalite. He is the son-in-law of Naxal commander Pungati (Vijay Nikam). Jiva lives in the jungles with wife Malu (Veena Jagtap) and little daughter Jija (Hritika Patil). A stage comes in Jiva’s life when he decides to surrender to the police for the sake of daughter Jija’s future. However, Jiva’s brother-in-law, Chinna Pungati (Chetan Chavada), is against the idea of Jiva and some others from their group surrendering to the police. What happens thereafter?
Amol Digamber Karambe’s story, based on his own novel of the same name, is dull. His screenplay, with additional screenplay by Amol Khapre, is also lacklustre. Emotions are conspicuous by their absence. Even the action scenes don’t afford thrill. Amol Digamber Karambe and Amol Khapre’s dialogues are okay.
Hardeek Joshi is alright as Jiva Mahka. Veena Jagtap is so-so as Malu Mahka. Hritika Patil is ordinary as Jija Mahka. Vijay Nikam does a fair job as Naxal commander Pungati. Chetan Chavada is adequate as Chinna Pungati. Suresh Vishwakarma lends routine support as police inspector Balaji. Shivraj Walvekar hardly gets any scope. Amol Khapre and Janardhan Kadam fit the bill. Others pass muster.
Amol Digamber Karambe’s direction is dull. Nitin Ugalmugale’s music is nothing to dance about. Mukund Bhalerao and Rapboss’ lyrics are okay. Lavesh Dali’s cinematography is fair. Action scenes are functional. Sai Murali’s editing should’ve been tighter.
On the whole, Aranya is a poor show and will flop at the box-office.
Released on 19-9-’25 at Glamour (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru August Entertainment. Publicity & opening: dull.
