Sanjay S. Dutt Productions and Blue Mustang Creations’ Baba (Marathi; UA; meaning ‘Father’) is the story of a child who has been raised by a couple which can neither hear nor speak.
Madhav (Deepak Dobriyal) and Anandi (Nandita Patkar) raise a child since birth. The child, Shankar (master Aaryan Manghji), is now eight years old.
Rajan (Abhijeet Khandkekar) and his wife, Pallavi (Spruha Joshi), complain to the police one day that Shankar is actually Pallavi’s son and pray that she be given his custody. The story goes that Shankar was Pallavi’s illegitimate child whom Pallavi’s father had given away to the midwife. The midwife had handed over the child to Madhav and Anandi. Before his death, the father tells Pallavi the truth about her child, and hence Pallavi files a case in the court to get Shankar’s custody.
Rajan’s advocate, Sapre (Shailesh Datar), tells the court that although little Shankar can hear, he cannot speak because Madhav and Anandi can’t speak and also because they cannot afford to send him to a doctor to cure his muteness. The advocate pleads that in the interest of the little child, his custody be given to Pallavi.
The hearing is adjourned for 22 days. So that Shankar is not taken away from him, Madhav does all under his command to ensure that Shankar can talk, but the only word the child does learn to speak in the 22 days is ‘Baba’.
Does the court grant Shankar’s custody to Rajan and Pallavi? Or is Shankar allowed to stay with Madhav and Anandi?
Manish Singh’s story is quite interesting and although it is unusual for the Marathi film-going audience, it is not new for those who watch Hindi cinema. Manish Singh has written the screenplay, with additional screenplay by Raj R. Gupta, Tejas Prabha and Vijay Devaskar, which keeps the viewers engaged but it lacks in emotions. Yes, the drama does evoke some sentiments but they aren’t enough.. Frankly, the scenes in which Madhav does all that he can do to retain Shankar’s custody should’ve completely shaken the audiences emotionally. Dialogues, penned by Raj R. Gupta, Tejas Prabha and Vijay Devaskar, are alright but they are few because two main characters – Madhav and Anandi – are mute.
Deepak Dobriyal acts ably in the role of Madhav. Nandita Patkar does a fine job as Anandi. Spruha Joshi is quite nice as Pallavi. Abhijeet Khandkekar is okay as Rajan. Master Aaryan Manghji makes his mark as Shankar. Chittaranjan Giri evokes laughter with his impressive acting in the role of Tryambak. Shailesh Datar (as advocate Sapre), Jayant Gadekar (as government pleader Madke), Jaywant Wadkar (as the judge), Kailash Waghmare (as the parrot man) and Tejas Deoskar lend good support.
Raj R. Gupta’s direction is fair but needed to be more sensitive. Music and background score (by Rohan Rohan and Sushmit Limaye) are okay. Mangesh Kangane’s lyrics are alright. Arjun Sorte impresses with his camerawork. Art direction (by Siddharth Tatooskar and Bhakti Tatooskar) is appropriate. Aasif Ayaz Pathan’s editing is decent.
On the whole, Baba is not as emotional as a film of this kind should’ve been. As such, it will not do much at the box-office.
Released on 2-8-’19 at Plaza (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru NH Studioz. Publicity: fair. Opening: below the mark.