Sushilkumar Agrawal, Ultra and Midas Arts’ Bhagubai (Marathi; UA) is the story of a lady whose spoken words somehow create problems between people.
Bhagubai (Nirmiti Sawant) lives in the village with husband Dinkar Rao (Shashank Shende), son Laxman (Mangesh Desai), daughter-in-law Madhuri (Bhargavi Chirmule) and grandson Golu (Dnyanansh Vishal Kulkarni). Although she is a good person, her spoken words invariably create rifts between people. One day, Bhagubai’s daughter-in-law, Madhuri, prays to God for peace in the house and in the village. Soon thereafter, Bhagubai loses her voice. But before that, she has already created a rift between two brothers, Tatya (Vitthal Nagnath Kale) and Mandar (Nagesh Bhosle), who have reached the court to settle their dispute involving property. Bhagubai has also created a terrible misunderstanding between Madhuri’s family and the family of Chhaya (Payal Jadhav) who was supposed to marry Madhuri’s brother, Avinash (Nikhil Chavan). What happens to the two disputes? And what happens to Bhagubai’s voice?
Rohit Salvi’s story is silly. The screenplay, penned by Kiran Bidkar and Rohit Salvi, with additional screenplay by Sanjay Amar, is dull and boring. The drama, therefore, simply doesn’t appeal. The resolution of the disputes is as kiddish as the rest of the drama. Therefore, even the climax fails to create any impact on the audience. Vitthal Nagnath Kale and Sanjay Amar’s dialogues are so-so.
Nirmiti Sawant acts well in the title role. Shashank Shende is good as Dinkar Rao. Mangesh Desai is okay as Laxman. Bhargavi Chirmule makes a fair impression as Madhuri. Dnyanansh Vishal Kulkarni provides average support as Golu. Vijay Patkar is adequate as sarpanch Gangadhar. Nagesh Bhosle has his moments as Mandar. Vitthal Nagnath Kale makes his presence felt as Tatya. Nikhil Chavan does an average job in the role of Avinash. Payal Jadhav provides routine support as Chhaya. Milind Dastane (as Rane) and Namrata Pradhan (as Tatya’s wife, Tara) are ordinary. Others just about fit the bill.
Sanjay Amar’s direction and cinematography, with additional cinematography by Neelaabh Kaul, are below the mark. Kashi Kashyap’s music is dull except for the title song (which is average). Vikrant Hirnaik’s lyrics are ordinary. Vibhas Sawar’s background music is dull. Peter Gundra’s editing is loose.
On the whole, Bhagubai is a disastrous fare.
Released on 24-4-’26 at Mukta A2 Bharatmata (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by Ultra Media & Entertainment. Publicity & opening: frighteningly poor.