- Date of Release: 6 October 2023
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Language: Marathi
- Watch On: Theatres Only
Aatmapamphlet
Introduction
It is still a Tuesday but I did opt for a small little Marathi film which was making waves with its glowing word of mouth. With that, I decided to watch and review the new Marathi film Aatmapamphlet which is now available in a theatre near you. This film was not on my radar at all and it completely came out of nowhere, only to create a lot of buzz on social media that prompted me to venture into it. While I did not know what the film was about, a quick look at the premise made me reminiscent of Marathi films like Shala and Killa in this genre which is essentially a coming of age tale during thr good ol’ school days. But what made me a little more curious was the story being told through the social and economic reforms of the country through the 90s, that added a layer of intrigue for me. It was almost like taking the concept of Forrest Gump and integrating it in a film like Shala or Killa which promised for an interesting watch. But I just wasn’t prepared for the brilliance that the film had to offer over its course of 95 minutes. So then does Aatmapamphlet manage to impress, let’s find out.
Story & Screenplay
Aatmapamphlet follows the story of a young boy whose budding love story coincides with the social reforms that the country undergoes through the 90s. Now, I have tried to keep the story as vague as possible whereas in reality, there are many things to unpack in what was one of the best cinems going experiences that I have had this year. The story is absolutely beautiful with a wonderful little message lacing the drama which continues to be relevant even today. Yet, the seriousness of the story is handled in the most light and frothy manner with dollops of humour in a tale that unfolds like a satire. The screenplay standing at just 90 odd minutes is light and breezy while being bold and unabashed about the points that it wishes to address along the way. The 90s kids will find this ride nostalgic while revisiting their school life through the major events that transpired through the 90s. There is a touch of Wes Anderson, Edgar Wright and Raju Hirani with the events that unfold, in what was one of my favourite screenplays this year!
The drama sets the tone of the tale immediately by highlighting the fact that it is a love story. This before also explaining the term ‘Aatmapamphlet’ which is essentially an autobiography while only handpicking events from the life of an ordinary person. Soon, the drama goes into a flashback that acquaints the viewers with the family tree of the protagonist amidst the humble background that they belong to. A little context about the predecessors of the protagonist is hilarious even as the events would generally have been labelled as ‘serious’. And instantly, I knew that this is a satire told through a light-handed gaze while addressing important topics along the way. There was a touch of Wes Anderson to the drama which soon transformed into a touch of Edgar Wright while never losing its individuality and voice at any given point of time.
The proceedings are hilarious but also engrossing given that the story is told through the lens of a young boy from school. And the way we used to see the world as kids was very different from the adults, and this fact is beautifully represented through the drama. The love angle in the drama is nostalgic while not compromising on the humour quotient. Right from waiting the whole day for the glimpse of her while wishing to go to school everyday just to see her, we have all been there, and the events did put a wide smile on my face. But the most interesting aspect of the drama was to balance the narrative by tackling issues of caste, religion and other social reforms in a rather hilarious manner.
The drama beautifully highlights how kids are forced into a certain pre-programmed notion by the society only to sow seeds of division in the young minds. So once you start understanding the concepts of religion and caste, there is a divide too even amongst your best friends at times, and that is wonderfully showcased here through certain events in school. But the writers do not wish to dwell in the conflict while always sticking to the satirical tone of the drama. So the resolution of the conflict amongst friends does bring a huge smile on the faces of the viewers while I found myself clapping and laughing hysterically. And thus, a touch of Raju Hirani umassumingly crept in the narrative too! Ahh Brilliant!
The two topics of love and social reforms run in parallel as the drama quickly traces some of the important events that transpired through the narrative. But at no point do the writers overindulge in the proceedings while always maintaining a balance without losing its tone. In fact, at a given point the social reforms with respect to caste are used as an undercurrent while touching upon aspects on how it deftly affects the love story in a good and a not so good manner. But the messaging of unity in diversity was always prevalent, representative of the group of friends who belonged to different castes and religion, but always willing to help each other. Isn’t that what the world should be? This is particularly relevant when there are two ongoing wars across the globe!
The events leading to the final act are interesting. While my only criticism about them was that they were extremely rushed, the writers weren’t satisfied with the messaging of unity juet related to the country. And hence, they pushed the envelope to the entire universe while providing a beautiful message of universal brotherhood across the entire universe! This, while the tone of the drama remained quirky and hilarious(very Wes Anderson-esque). Overall, the screenplay is perhaps the best original piece of writing that I have witnessed all year! The moments of brilliance account for a great cinematic experience.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are quirky and layered while presenting the messaging in a simplistic note that creates a solid impact. The BGM is excellent and it enhances the impact of several scenes throughout the narrative. The cinematography is incredibly good, often seen oscillating between the 35mm and the wide 70mm that did add layers to the narrative style while always remaining aesthetically beautiful. The editing is crisp and sharp and always to the point. Director Ashish Bende seemed to have handpicked the events of his own life and weaved a poignant but hilarious tale around it(the name of the protagonist is also Ashish). But the direction here is excellent combining the techniques of Wes Anderson, Edgar Wright and Raju Hirani but also forming his own individuality wherein he creates several hilarious moments that are so relevant and poignant. It was a stunning piece of direction, definitely amongst the top 5 works this year!
Performances
The performances are outstanding here by the ensemble cast. Ketaki Saraf as Aai and Bhimrao Mude as Baba are excellent and they are wonderful to witness onscreen. Chetan Wagh as Borya is hilarious and he does such a good job here in a character who will put a smile on your face. The kids Khushi Hajare as young Shrushti and Manas Tondwalkar as young Ashish are a treat to watch. Pranjali Shrikant as Shrushti has such a pleasant presence onscreen and she does an excellent job here. Om Bendkhale as Ashish is brilliant to the core and you are always invested in his journey wherein he sees the world through his unique lens. His innocence is on full display here in a very affable but layered character that ends up imparting several life lessons along the way. It was a stupendous performance by Om. All other kids are outstanding and all of them are so heartfelt in their respective performances.
Conclusion
Aatmapamphlet is a beautifully woven yet hilarious social satire with dollops of nostalgia while imparting a relevant message of universal brotherhood. You will see traces of Wes Anderson, Edgar Wright and Raju Hirani in the filmmaking technique in one of the most brilliant narrative styles in what was one of my best theatrical experiences this year. Certainly amongst my favourite films of the year across languages, this drama comes with my highest recommendation. Available in a theatre near you and Highly Highly Recommended.
