HARISHCHANDRACHI  FACTORY
One of superior cinema works of recent times
by Vishal Verma

Released by UTV Motion Pictures of a Paprika Media presentation of a Mayasabha production.

Producers: Ronnie Screwvala, Smiti Kanodia, Paresh Mokashi
Writer –Director: Paresh Mokashi
Genre: biopic – drama- comedy
Target Audience: General

Starring

Nandu Madhav – Dadasaheb Phalke
Vibhavari Deshpande – Saraswati.
Gary Richardson - Cecil Hepworth
Dhiresh Joshi – Nadkarni. 

Marathi dialogues with English subtitles

 

Technical Analysis

The second Marathi movie to be submitted for Academy consideration after 2004 ‘Shwaas’, "Harishchandrachi Factory" written and helmed by Paresh Mokashi is a remarkable cinematic tribute to a rare hero like Dadasaheb Phalke the father of Indian cinema.

It’s hard to think of a more realistic, detailed portrayal in this amazing first biographic that is a simple portray of age, determination and human spirit.

In today’s cinema, heroes like ‘ Harischchandrachi factory’ are hard to find and you feel better after for having met him.

The most striking point of this biopic is that the art by Nitin Desai is so close to the facts, be it the street or the tramp or the house or the equipments, or any props used.

The movie grips the viewer by its period detail.

First timer writer-director Paresh Mokashi is earnest in its history checking’s and during the same time also sweeps the audience with its sense of excitement as the birth of bollywood takes place.

Mokashi seems to have a detailed study on both Phalke and Harishchandra and restages scenes and anecdotes. Period look is detailed. The lingo used, the costumes, and the colour tone everything is in sync with the era.

Madhav as Phalke and Vibhavari as his wife and pillar of support are picture perfect.

The second half when the actual film making begins becomes more entertaining but the movie has some problems which can,t be ignored like the story lacks conflict and the tensions during the British Raj is surprisingly absent
What do today’s maker think and know about our pioneer is not dealt.
What about Phalke’s failure when sound took over during the 30’s?.

All this doesn,t mean that Harishchandrachi Factory should be missed, its definitely a superior piece of cinema in recent times and is an important film.

The movie scores 4 out of 5

One for the effort and sincerity

One for the art work

One for the performance

One for technicalities

The movie loses point on not having layers, socio economic situation during those time and doesn’t ends on a serious note.




The Story

Dadasaheb Phalke (Nandu Madhav) had abandoned a well established printing business after a quarrel with his business partner is married to his second wife Saraswati (Vibhavari Deshpande).

He gave his word to the worried partner that he would never enter into the printing business again as competition! Phalke is instantly unemployed and workless. The family is struggling to survive. One day he accidentally stumbles across a tent theatre that screens a silent motion picture. He gets awestruck. The idea of film making struck him. Along with his hardworking wife and two enthusiastic kids by his side, he ventures into a field unknown to contemporary India.

Making of India's first feature film, 'Raja Harishchandra' which turns out to be an amazing adventure.

The Phalke family encounters mostly funny but also a few grave situations during their journey of film making. a team of crazy yet lovable people helps in winning over patrons and eventually money. Together, not only did they deliver the first Indian film, but they had ensured it to become the first super hit film too.

In 1914, Phalke refuses offers from his English friends to make films in London so that film making gets established as an industry in India. 

Promotion

The movie has already created buzz by winning regional accolades and getting the oscar ticket, the all india release will attract patrons of meaningful cinema to the theatres.    

Business Analysis

A light tone biopic on the father of Indian cinema is an important event for any meaningful cinema aficionados who simply can,t afford to miss.

Other Credits

Executive producer, Shrirang Godbole. Camera (color), Amalendu Chaudhari; editor, Amit Pawar; music director, Anand Modak; music arranger, Narendra Bhide; art director, Nitin Chandrakant Desai; costume designers, Mrudul Patwardhan, Mahesh Sherla, Geeta Godbole; sound (Dolby Digital), Manoj Mochemadkar; sound designer, Pramod Purandare; visual effects, Chintamani Vanak, Amit Patwardhan. Reviewed at Famous Studios, Mumbai on 28 Jan 2010. Running time: 101 MIN.

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