KNK Box’s Dashami (Marathi; A) is a murder mystery. Pune city has been rocked by three murders. After the third murder — of pathology lab owner Dinesh Mehta (Sham Mashalkar) — police inspector Asif Mujavar (Ravi Prakash) is asked to investigate the murder cases. During the probe, Asif Mujavar reopens the Lakshmi Desai (Gauri Ingavale) rape case. The needle of suspicion in the rape case points to Vasu (Lakshmi’s boyfriend) who is already in jail, and Bunty (Yogesh Bhosle), son of MLA Anand Mhatre (Mahesh Manjrekar). While the investigations are still in progress, autorickshaw driver Malhar (Vijay Nikam) and Bunty are also found murdered.
In the end, it is revealed that Malhar had first raped Lakshmi. After that, she was raped by Bunty and his two friends. It is also revealed that Lakshmi, pretending to be comatose, had murdered Bunty’s two friends, the lab owner (for giving a fake rape report) and finally, Bunty and Malhar. The case is closed because technically and on record, Lakshmi is lying comatose in the hospital — which is to dodge action against her for the murders.
Suresh Pandit’s story is not very convincing and it also lacks novelty. Similar rape-and-revenge stories have been seen dime a dozen in the past. Suresh Pandit has penned a screenplay which is hackneyed. Even the revelation of the suspense does not excite the viewers because there’s nothing noteworthy about it. Dialogues (by Suresh Pandit, Hrishikesh Gupte and Amit Bendre) are okay.
Gauri Ingavale is good as Lakshmi Desai. Ravi Prakash acts well as police inspector Asif Mujavar. Makarand Anaspure lends decent support as Lakshmi’s father, Prabhakar Desai. Vijay Nikam leaves a mark as autorickshaw driver Malhar. Mahesh Manjrekar makes his presence felt in the role of MLA Mhatre. Devendra Gaikwad is so-so as suspended police inspector Jawalkar. Raaj Kundan provides ordinary support as Lakshmi’s boyfriend, Vasu. Yogesh Bhosle is barely passable as Bunty Mhatre. Prasanna Ketkar (as police commissioner Sudhanshu Roy) and Sham Mashalkar (as lab owner Dinesh Mehta) lend fair support. Sandesh Jadhav, Shivraj Walvekar, Sheetal Ahirrao, Prem Narsale, Prasad Khaire and Vivek Yadav do as desired.
Yogesh Bhosle’s direction is average. Suresh Pandit’s music is functional. Lyrics (by Vaibhav Deshmukh and Suresh Pandit) are ordinary. Sujit Kumar and Phulwa Khamkar’s choreography is so-so. Avi Lohar’s background music is okay. Camerawork (by Vikas Singh) is fair. Action and stunt scenes (choreographed by Ajay and Kartik Dangri) are not really thrilling. Anand Sathe’s art direction is okay. Vinay Shinde’s editing ought to have been sharper.
On the whole, Dashami is a dull fare.
Released on 23-10-’26 at Plaza (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru August Entertainment. Publicity: so-so. Opening poor.