Sunday, July 06, 2008

Movie Review: Valu (Marathi)

Marathi cinema is coming of age, and there have been some amazing movies in the recent past, including Saatchya Aat Gharaat, Anahat and Bindaasth. Valu (wild bull) adds to that list of must-see movies.

Set in a small village in rural Maharashtra, the story revolves around the community scared of the wild bull (called Durkya, probably because his snorts) and their efforts to capture him with the help of the forest officer (lovingly called Farrest) :)

The story is simple and the movie builds on the simplicity of the characters and their innocense. The excitement about the "daacumentry" coming to the village (the forest officer's brother and his wish to make a documentary on the whole incident sends the village into overdrive!), the planning and execution of the capture, the Sarpanch and his wife, the "other" politician in the village, the "jaanve" (Brahmin) and his ambulatory problems, and really, the bull itself and how it "earns" its reputation, is just so beautifully done!

A couple of hours of pure entertainment and enjoyment, this is an absolute must-see movie!

Unfortunately, you will not really enjoy the movie unless you can understand and follow the dialogues - and no amount of transalation and subtitles can ever make up. This movie has done more to rekindle my interest in this language and this beautiful state than all the stunts by our politicians can ever hope to!

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