Rose Audiovisuals and Carryon Fiilms’ Sohla (Marathi) is the story of hope, resilience and the strength of the human spirit.
Ramdas (Pravin Dalimbkar) lives in Alibaug with wife Nirmala (Varsha Malwadkar), college-going daughter Gauri (Vaishnavi Ghodke) and school-going son Pashya (Devdatta Ghone). Since Pashya turns 13, it is time for his Solha ceremony. The Solha ceremony is held when a son turns 13 years of age. On the day of the ceremony, the son wears his father’s footwear, and new clothes and goes to the temple. It denotes the son’s coming of age as he is now considered ready to take responsibility of the household along with the elders of the family. Since Pashya is a fan of Salman Khan, he wants to wear a kurta like his idol. But Ramdas can’t afford a new kurta as he is in debt. However, Ramdas sells the farm produce and, even though he can’t afford the kurta, he buys one for Pashya. As soon as he reaches home with the new kurta, there’s bad news waiting to unfold. Since Ramdas has not paid the loan instalment, his bullock is taken away by the lender. When Ramdas goes to get back his bullock from the lender, he is killed in a road accident. What happens to the Solha ceremony of Pashya? Is it held? How does the family of Ramdas move on in life?
Saaikat Bagbaan has written an interesting story about a poor family and how it has to spend on a ritualistic ceremony while struggling to make both ends meet. Saaikat Bagbaan, Anupam Purohit, Aditya Gawde and Ashutosh Balsekar have penned a screenplay which is fairly interesting and also engaging. The emotional scenes touch the heart at places. Even otherwise, the struggles of the poor family do move the viewers emotionally. However, the drama has many unknown or unpopular artsistes eneacting the characters, and that’s a big minus point. Dialogues (by Aditya Gawde and Ashutosh Balsekar) are good.
Master Devdatta Ghone is very good in the role of Pashya. Pravin Dalimbkar performs ably as Ramdas. Varsha Malwadkar does a fine job as Nirmala. Vaishnavi Ghodke is effective in the role of Gauri. Alessandra Whelan Merediz is okay as Aleesa. Master Swaraj Kolekar makes his presence felt as Pashya’s friend, Jhiprya. Master Aaradhya Patil is fair as Pashya’s friend, Jaangya. Master Chinmay Pongade is okay as Pashya’s friend, Bail. Prakash Sapre is so-so as Ramdas’ friend, Surgiya. Others do as desired.
Saaikat Bagbaan narrates the subject effectively. His direction is nice. Music (by Rahul Suhas and Ameya Shildhankar) is okay. Lyrics (Mandar Cholkar and Rahul Suhas) go quite well with the mood of the film. Rohit Kulkarni’s background music is impactful. Vishal Bawa’s cinematography is proper. Shruti Gavankar’s production designing is alright. Editing (by Saaikat Bagbaan and Ashutosh Balsekar) is sharp.
On the whole, Sohla is a fair entertainer but it will not be able to score at the box-office because of lack of face value and also because of the extremely poor start.
Released on 16-10-’26 at Metro Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Cinepolis India. Publicity: so-so. Opening: weak.