Mast Punekar Production’s The Trap (Marathi; UA) is a psychological thriller. A once-famous mystery novelist loses his memory in a tragic accident which also leaves his daughters injured. A psychiatrist offers to help him recover, but beneath his caring façade lies a dark obsession. The psychiatrist secretly manipulates the novelist who now struggles to break free from the trauma and uncover the truth.
Amol Laxman Khapre has written a story which fails to excite or even engage the viewers. Instead of making the film a thrilling experience, the story makes it dull and boring. Abhijeet Kolekar’s screenplay, with additional screenplay by Amol Laxman Khapre, is below the mark. The drama progresses very slowly and fails to involve the viewers. Therefore, the audience never really feel invested in it. Abhijeet Kolekar’s dialogues, with additional dialogues by Amol Laxman Khapre, are commonplace most of the times.
Hardeek Joshi does a fair job as Dr. Rachit. Sujit Jadhav is so-so in the role of Vikram. Mohan Joshi leaves a mark as Dr. Sathe. Sanjay Khapre is effective as the police inspector. Shyam Mohite is adequate. Swati Limaye lends ordinary support as Sharmila. Hritika Patil is alright. Others pass muster.
Amol Laxman Khapre’s direction is weak. Nitin Ugalmugale’s music is more functional than anything else. Abhijeet Kolekar’s lyrics are okay. Song picturisations (by choreographer Pavan Gawand) are below the mark. Darshan Sutar and Nitin Ugalmugale do a routine job of the background music. Cinematography (by Lavesh Dali) is ordinary. Pratik Tandale and Gulab Phulmali’s art direction is dull. Somnath Oman’s editing is loose.
On the whole, The Trap is a dull and drab drama with bleak box-office chances.
Released on 10-4-’26 at Maxus Andheri (daily 1 show) and another cinema of Bombay thru Firefly Films. Publicity & opening: poor.
