Movie Review | Godavari: Arthouse Cinema At Its Best – FilmyVoice
Jitendra Joshi, who performs the lead character ‘Nishikant’ in Godavari gained the very best actor award at IFFI to be the one 4th Indian actor to win this award within the final 60 years! So as to add to the credibility, Godavari was the one Marathi movie among the many six movies chosen in Indian languages by the federal government for Cannes and the one Indian movie at this yr’s Vancouver Worldwide Movie Competition.
Probably the most silent characters of Godavari – Nashik – has a variety of mythological significance attributable to its references to tales of Ramayana, birthplace of Hanuman, one of many 12 Jyotirlingas, Kumbh Mela, supply of Godavari, and so forth. Nonetheless, even in up to date instances, the traditional metropolis of Nashik, on the banks of the river Godavari is seen to be sustaining its traditions occurring for years collectively.
Nikhil Mahajan’s ‘Godavari’ is a couple of conventional household in outdated Nashik. Nishikant Deshmukh (Jitendra Joshi) is a younger man who develops a adverse outlook about life as he’s compelled to take cost of his hierarchical enterprise. The movie opens with a stressed-out, chain-smoking Nishikant zipping round on a two-wheeler accumulating hire from tenants. He appears irritated with everybody, be it his spouse, his mom and even his senile grandfather, who repeatedly asks if the water within the river has touched Lord Maruti’s (Hanuman) toes.
Nishikant’s sombre temper is bolstered by the darkness of the condominium he leads his secluded life in, separated from his household due to fixed irritation, quarrels, and unhappiness on his shut ones and relationships. The identical is subtly depicted in a scene when Nishikant’s daughter utters that “she’s bored at residence,” Nishikant replies “me, too!” The cinematography, with lengthy photographs from numerous angles additionally communicates how insignificant Nishikant’s life has change into (a minimum of for himself).
So as to add to his woes comes a proposal from a developer to buy the household’s land holdings, which might require evicting his tenants creates extra stress on Nishikant. If that was not sufficient, sooner or later Nishikant involves know of one thing that adjustments his outlook on life. The information makes Nishikant take a look at himself, household, custom, and Godavari afresh. The small print which were lacking for thus lengthy start to confront him anew. Godavari turns into the journey of life from offended, aggressive to calm and loving, somewhat, from disbelief to religion or perception. This units Nishikant on a non secular journey during which the mighty river Godavari takes the eye.
Nikhil Mahajan’s Godavari will not be your typical run-of-the-mill melodramatic or excessive hero-heroine-villain films; it takes time to set its tone. For one Godavari could be termed as a personality examine centred round a tetchy landlord’s relationship to the river.
Vikram Gokhale, in these momentary and blurred photographs leaves a long-lasting impression coupled along with his single oft-repeated dialogue concerning the water touching Maruti’s (Lord Hanuman) toes. Nikhil Mahajan’s Godavari has the very best of the actors with impactful, pure efficiency. Jitendra Joshi’s fiery-eyed portrayal of the troubled Nishikant, as additionally his pensive and plaintive good friend Kaasav (Priyadarshan Jadhav). The mom, performed by Neena Kulkarni, additionally shines along with her delicate and genuine performing.
It’s a provided that Marathi cinema has extraordinary content material; Godavari is for many who prefer to see significant cinema and take again the message within the essence.
Film: Godavari
Director: Nikhil Mahajan
Forged: Jitendra Joshi, Neena Kulkarni, Sanjay Mone, Priyadarshan Jadhav, Gauri Nalavde and Vikram Gokhale
