SHRI RAM SAMARTH (Marathi) | 2 November, 2019

Bharati Zumbarlal Rathi, Sanjay Rathi, Vipra Entertainment and Dishadeepa Films’ Shri Ram Samarth (Marathi) is the life story of saint Ramdas Samarth.

Maai Patankar (Alka Kubal-Athalye) lives in the village and is a disciple of saint Ramdas Samarth. She narrates the life story of the saint — right from his childhood — to a group of five friends whose car has had a breakdown in the village.

The concept is by advocate Vijaya Pravin Maheshwari while the script is written by Prakash Jadhav, Manoj Yerunkar and Vitthal Ambure. The story is fairly interesting but does get monotonous at places. The screenplay lacks in light moments and emotions. It is a linear drama with few highs. Dialogues, by the trio, are appealing.

Shantanu Moghe does a nice job as saint Ramdas Samarth. Karan Bendre is okay as the teenaged Ramdas. As little Ramdas, master Advait Raikar is endearing. Alka Kubal-Athalye acts ably as Maai Patankar. Prakash Suravase is okay as Shastri Buva. Saurabh Gokhale is ordinary as Chhatrapati Shivaji. Sayaji Shinde is okay in a guest appearance. Mahesh Kokate (as Upadhyay Guruji), Vijaya Suman, Hrudaynath Rane and the others lend routine support.

Santosh Todankar’s direction is alright. Music (Mahesh Naik and Sanjay Marathe) is so-so. Lyrics (original songs of Ramdas Samarth) are popular among the Marathi-speaking audiences. Sujit Kumar’s choreography is functional. Sameer Athalye’s camerawork is eye-filling. Mahendra Raut’s art direction is functional. Subodh Narkar’s editing could’ve been tighter.

On the whole, Shri Ram Samarth is an ordinary fare but it will be liked by the followers of the saint.

Released on 1-11-’19 at Bharatmata (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Rajat Enterprises. Publicity & opening: dull.