Kaksparsh

wogma rating: Beg or borrow, but do watch (?) - If not, then definitely watch it when it comes on TV/DVD.

quick review:

A lot of people may not find Kaksparsh the easiest film to watch, but Mahesh Manjrekar deserves a pat on his back just for the story that he has chosen to tell. A tale of love that transcends what is considered acceptable by society even today, this period piece is a credible film and a feather in Mahesh Manjrekar’s cap.

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Director: Mahesh Manjrekar
Running time: 140 minutes
Categories: Regional
Genres: Social
More Movie Info

"A film should be like a pebble in your shoe." - Lars Von Trier

Love stories come in all shapes and sizes. Some, like that of our very own Raj and Simran, make you root for the protagonists, they make you want the two to end up together. Then there are some, like my personal favourite, Casablanca, which make you feel like there is no love like one which is unrequited. And then, there is Mahesh Manjrekar's Kaksparsh, a complex love story unlike any other.

Set across a time span of a few decades, the film starts off in pre-independence India, where Hari, a man of strict principles, is planning the wedding of his brother Mahadev, with the help of his close friend Balwant. Mahadev marries a teenaged girl, who hasn't even reached puberty yet. Tragedy strikes barely a few months later, as young Mahadev dies the very night they were to finally consummate their wedding.

Then starts the journey of a complex, near-exasperating story - a love story. Kaksparsh can make some people uncomfortable, test the patience of some, perhaps even make a select few walk out. It poses questions for most of the narrative and resolves them at the end, only to pose new, larger and more difficult questions as it fades out. The most important of them - what, really, is love?

Mahesh Manjrekar deserves appreciation, first for choosing this story to tell and then for the manner in which he has told it. The look, feel and mood that the film creates is first rate, even if the production design had a lot of scope to enhance the feel.

One of Kaksparsh’s triumphs is the cast of the film. Sachin Khedekar anchors the film with a solid performance. Playing a stubborn man with strong opinions and principles is far harder than it sounds. For such a character to achieve any level of credibility is a task, and he more than delivers. Ketki Mategaonkar and Priya Bapat who play the young widow Uma in different stages of her life are extremely likeable and believable. Sanjay Khapre as Balwant is extremely competent as well. His face radiates the sense of stability that his character is meant to emanate.

Kaksparsh holds your attention because of little details and moments. The customs and rituals of a Brahmin family in pre-independence India, little things like the language the older brother uses in a letter to his younger brother, even the historical connection that has been made with the character of Balwant, all these moments lend a texture to the film.

Even more intriguing are the scenes involving the life of a young widow in the backward Indian milieu - especially a widow who has been bereaved even before the marriage is consummated. Love isn’t just about a man and woman having romantic feelings for each other. It is about how much you are willing to give up and how far you are willing to go for the person you claim to love.

Kaksparsh deserves to be watched because the makers of the film dared to do something that few people do – tell a story that needed to be told, even if a majority of the audience will not identify with the characters and their motivations. It re-establishes Mahesh Manjrekar as a director with promise. Most importantly, it opens another trove of questions regarding what makes mankind unique as a race – the concept of love.

This article is by guest author Pradeep Menon. Pradeep is a filmmaker and a dreamer. He loves books, rain, winters, tea and his parents. Cinema, however, is the only truth he believes in. He breathes and bleeds film, mostly in hues of saffron, white, green and blue. You can watch his short films at www.youtube.com/cyberpradeep.

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25 readers - 25 yays 0 so-so 0 nays

Want to Watch, by Pravin Paratkar : Well directed,touchy story

Want to Watch, by Vikram Karve

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Alok : Must must watch movie... Specially after interval its just mind blowing.

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Amol Talekar

Yay! Thumbs Up, by AVB : Excellant

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Balamurali Krishnan Achary : In Tamil it is KAAVIYAM!

Yay! Thumbs Up, by charuhas korde : 100

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Gurudatt : An Absolute must watch film, i wrote this the night i saw the film, cud not sleep without commenting

Yay! Thumbs Up, by harish shelar

Yay! Thumbs Up, by K

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Mithun Mhashakhetri : All the characters were played greatly.

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Monica Kulkarni : 5 on 5. Great movie. Must watch.

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Narendra Gaekwad : indefinate..love(?) story .

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Parag : Must watch movie...Oscar material..

Yay! Thumbs Up, by ramesh jaya

Yay! Thumbs Up, by rrane : goo good good

Yay! Thumbs Up, by rwita

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Sainath Damodar Mhatre : 95

Yay! Thumbs Up, by satyajit : Great!

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Saurav Chatterjee | সৌরভ চ্যাটার্জী : Fantastic movie.... ! Must Watch... Dekhtei hobe bondhugon...

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Shyam Dhage

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Sunil

Yay! Thumbs Up, by sunil sawai : EXCELLENT MOVIE

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Sunil Thange : Nicely handled story!

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Sushant

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Tamrakar Yogesh

Yay! Thumbs Up, by vishal vilas mahadik : 100000000000000000

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: Scenes involving a widow being physically attacked.
  • Language: Strong, but with no profanity.
  • Nudity & Sexual content: Scenes set around newly married couples in their intimate moments, but with no nudity or actual sexual activity.
  • Concept: A love story between an unlikely man and woman.
  • General Look and Feel: Morose, with an earthy colour tone. .

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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Comments (9)

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Just Posted on our Facebook Page for promoting Marathi Movies. Hope the review reaches all our 9800 members !
Thanks Mr. Pradeep Menon for giving regular and timely reviews for Marathi Films !

@Pradeep, I would really appreciate if you check out our Facebook Page :-) www.facebook.com/Marathi.Cinema

Must must watch movie... Specially after interval its just mind blowing.

A balanced review. We are going to see the movie tomorrow.

Parag

Extremely good movie...heart touching...kudos to mahesh n team...

Young Generation should watch this movie.All the character act was good and should get the award for best movie of the year.

satyajit

Great film.
Memorable acting, rivetting performances, great editing, all departments have performed well.
Kudos to Mahesh Manjarekar and the entire team. Thanks for giving us an unforgettable experience,Mahesh Ji.

vishal vilas mahadik

Firstly I thank you Sir Mahesh Manjrekar to give Marathi Cinema a new vision and by upgarting our standard and 2ndly I thank you all the casted team of Kaksparsh for giving me and our whole Marathi generation one of the best Marathi Move of all time Thank you once again and I wish all of you all of the best and Waiting for one more of your all floless performance

Shyam Dhage

Excellent movie, very nice story, direction and acting.

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