Name of the film: Dhangarwada
Date of Release: 26th November 2015
Producer: Vijaykumar Dalvi, Prakash Masurkar
Director & DOP: Sameer Athlye
Music: Parikshit Bhatkhande
Artistes: Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Milind Gavali, Ganesh Yadav, Varad Chavan, Pallavi Patil, Suhasini Deshpande, Pooja Pawar Salunkhe, Madhav Abhyankar, Jaywant Wadkar & others
Now days, we find a lot of variety thanks to film makers attempting new subjects. Some of these subjects throw light on neglected communities in our society. ‘Dhangarwada’, made under the banner of Ramlaxman Productions, throws light on one such community. Through this film, cameraman Sameer Athlye is making his debut as a director and he has done justice to this subject.
The story of ‘Dhangarwada’ is based on journalist Vijaykumar Dalvi’s novel of the same name. Through this cinematic version, the director has tried to present the problems faced by the shepherd community in their day to day life. This community in the village is not even allowed to take animals for grazing in the open fields. If anyone from their community dares raise their voice against this injustice, the women in that family are targeted. Over and above, there is always domination from the moneylenders and the elite. If this is not enough, there is also pressure on them from their own community panchayat. In short, the film has presented the reality on how the family of shepherds is subjected to injustice at every level.
The writer of this film, Vijaykumar Dalvi, has taken care to present the screenplay in such a way that while taking cinematic liberties, he has ensured that the story maintains the proper flow. Therefore, Sameer Athalye, who has experience worth 25 years as a cameraman, was able to maintain the required speed in the screenpla. This is the last film of late actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar, who has done full justice to his role as a head of the caste panchayat in this film. Among the other performers are talented artistes like Varad Vijay Chavan, Pallavi Patil, Milind Gavali, Ganesh Yadav, Madhav Abhyankar, Suhasini Deshpande, Pooja Pawar, Jaywant Wadkar and Ganesh Aaglave.
The film has been shot in a shepherds’ colony near the Maharashtra-Karnataka border, hence giving it a realistic look. Alka Kubal Athalye, who is the person behind the making of this film, has kept herself away from acting; perhaps to focus on other important aspects of film making.
The film does turn typical filmy in the few scenes; but you cannot call it a defect in the film. In fact, those interested in watching something different, will find that this film is an ideal choice for them.
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