Gulab Jaam (2018)
Director: Sachin Kundalkar
Director Kundalkar is known for some notable work In Marathi cinema like Restaurant, Vazandar, Rajwade & sons, Gandh etc. “Gulab Jaam” may not be his best but it’s certainly one of the better films made in Marathi cinema.
An UK based banker Aditya ( Siddharth Chandekar) wraps up an hurried engagement in Mumbai and hops into a pune train instead of his uk flight. He embarks on a self searching journey to Pune with the sole intent of learning authentic maharashtrian vegetarian cuisine as he plans to set up a Marathi gourmet restaurant back home in the UK. He comes across an reclusive and accentric middle aged tiffin supplier Radha ( Sonali Kulkarni) who after much persuasion takes him under her wings to tutor him and share her secret recipes.
Kundalkar has used Pune as a backdrop for this delicious movie as the city boasts of a rich Marathi heritage and culture most of which is still relevant and kept prosperous. The story does have its moments, the love hate relationship between Aditya and Radha is beautifully conceptualised though there are some complex sequences as well. Rather than the lead players the director intelligently uses the city locations & the aromatic dishes ( even as an audience you can actually feel the non existent aroma through the beautiful lip smacking cooking sessions) as the main ingredients in this cinematic recipe.
The mystery behind Radha’s unusual behavior is well guarded and when revealed is quite shocking & poignant. One must applaud Kundalkar for his brilliant use of cinematography & camera work, even though Radha prefers living indoors and most scenes are filmed inside her dimly lit kitchen & living room there is zilch claustrophobic feeling transferred to the audience.
Veteran actress Sonali Kulkarni without a doubt delivers the best performance of her 25 year long career. The painful complexity of Radha is brilliantly acted by Kulkarni who transforms like a chameleon as per the requirement of the concept. Siddharth might be a junior but he performs at par with Kulkarni, as the young NRI who’s adamant to learn from a difficult tutor he’s done a commendable job. Shamin Pathan as the maid makes her presence felt, Two artistes who get on the nerves are Chinmay Udgirkar as Radha’s ex flame & Madhura Deshpande as Aditya’s nagging gold digger fiancé, both of them manage to appear as bland as a tasteless meal. Special mention of Renuka Shahane who storms on screen in just two scenes but adds the required spice in this sweet film with her fiesty and inspiring act.
Kundalkar definitely has his focus on the right target & the overall impact of this slice of life drama is certainly positive yet an highly convenient & not so novel ending makes you wonder why the director didn’t try something unpredictable or unfilmy considering it’s such a “different” film.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
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