Shivratna Production’s Indrajaal (A) is about a hidden treasure and the hunger to get it.
During the British Raj, Indian revolutionary Beera had looted the British treasure and had hidden it in the Mahakaleshwar jungle. The treasure still remains buried there. This treasure can be located and taken by the finder only once in every 12 years on the occasion of the Khagras solar eclipse. Krishna Bandal (Asim Patel) from Beera’s family goes in search of the treasure along with his mother, Dharmini (Kalpana Sarang), and Jettaswami (Yashraj Dimbale). But rather than yield the treasure, the search ends in the death of Krishna Bandal. Krishna’s son, Surya, still a child, vows to fulfill his father’s dream. Years later, Surya (Mahesh Nikam) sets out in search of the treasure. Jettaswami and the forest ranger (Namdeo Murkute) are also searching for the hidden treasure when Surya is in the jungle. Jettaswami is being helped by Jogan (Darshana Rasal). At that time, Kirti (Shanaya Tripathi) with boyfriend Prajakt (Dheeraj Sharma) and other friends — Roshan (Satyam Chhetri), Alok (Rahul Kulkarni) and Aanchal (Santana Deshmukh) — are in the jungle for trekking. Suddenly, Aanchal disappears. After that, Kirti, Prajakt, Roshan and Alok try to run away from the jungle but Jogan stops them as they realise, they would need Kirti to reach the treasure. Left with no alternative to survive herself and to save the lives of her friends, Kirti and the friends stay back. After that, Surya, Jettaswami and the forest ranger join forces. Dharmini also reaches the jungle. Soon, Prajakt is killed as the sacrifice of Kirti’s lover is needed to reach the treasure. After that, Alok and Roshan are also murdered. Jettaswami also dies. Finally, Kirti gets the treasure. Yaksh (Kiran Mane) then reveals to Kirti that she would’ve laid her hands on the treasure soon after Prajakt’s life was sacrificed but that didn’t happen because Jettaswami was secretly in love with her (Kirti). That is why, she could reach the treasure only after the death of Jettaswami.
Namdeo Murkute’s story and screenplay don’t impress the viewers. The drama often becomes predictable. The audience also get the impression that the proceedings are being unnecessarily stretched without much consequence except to prolong the drama. However, since the screenplay fails to hold the viewers’ interest, the drama doesn’t keep the viewers engaged or entertained. Namdeo Murkute’s dialogues are alright at places.
Shanaya Tripathi is good in the role of Kirti. Mahesh Nikam is okay as Surya. Yashraj Dimbale lends nice support as Jettaswami. Namdeo Murkute is so-so as the forest ranger. Darshana Rasal is alright as Jogan. Kalpana Sarang makes an ordinary mark as Dharmini. Dheeraj Sharma acts in a routine manner as Prajakt. Rahul Kulkarni lends average support as Alok. Satyam Chhetri fails to impress as Roshan. Yogesh Dangat (as Bhura), Sanjana Deshmukh (as Aanchal), Kiran Mane (as Yaksh), Ajim Patel (as Krishna Bandal), Vijay Ingale (as Mane), Kalpesh Jagtap (as Raghu), Kamlesh Dangat (as Bhura), Jivan Wagh (as Adivasi leader Lakkha) and the rest provide dull support.
Jageshwar Lalita Dhoble’s direction is weak, limited as it is by the insipid script. Gaurav Chati’s music is ordinary and so are Yogesh Dangat’s lyrics. Ooday Salvi’s background music is fairly appealing. Aakash Sethi’s camerawork is okay. Action and stunt scenes (by Shaila Tike-Kulkarni and Mohit Sahani) afford ordinary thrill to the viewers. Sachin Patil’s production designing is nothing to dance about. Jageshwar Lalita Dhoble’s editing leaves something to be desired.
On the whole, Indrajaal is a flop show.
Released on 24-7-’26 at Gem (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru August Entertainment. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.