Me Vasantrao Movie Review: This Musical Biographical Of Maverick Legend Vasantrao Deshpande Will Leave You Spellbound

Maharashtra has been blessed with many musical legends. From the giants like Balgandharva, Kumar Gandharva, the Mangeshkar Family, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, to recent sensations like Ajay-Atul, Maharashtra has a fine history in this field of art. Sadly, our new generation doesn't know about these legends. I'm not blaming all, but there is a major section of the youth who love today's ruined music when they aren't even aware of classical music. Some great singers and musicians have said on record that today's remakes and tiktok-oriented generation have destroyed the purity of music. This notion of mine (as I'm one of those young audience) was broken when Subodh Bhave made Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (2015) and the film became a blockbuster. That immature audience finally understood the real music in that film. But how many of them know about the original cast of the legendary musical play? Sachin Pilgaonkar did a fantastic job as Khaa Sahab but how many people have seen Vasantrao Deshpande doing that iconic role?People know the success but not the struggle behind it. Here comes a story of that maverick singer and his unending struggle before he got his deserving fame with Katyar. Me Vasantrao is true to its nature from the first scene and stays reliable till the end. Regardless of how late it is, Marathi cinema has finally brought the story that deserved to be told in grand style and with perfect cinematic values to the screen. We haven't got so many musical biographicals that can be remembered for a long time, except for Ravi Jadhav's Balgandharva (2011), but today I can say that we have got the best after that. Sadly, it took us more than a decade. Anyways, Me Vasantarao is here now, and it is a pure treat for music and cinema lovers, and you can't just miss it.As we know, the film is based on Vasantrao Deshpande's life, but it showcases many unknown facts from his early years. Actually, it's more about his struggling and unsuccessful days than his successful career, which began very late for a common artist. It stars right from his birth, how he survived death, how he started learning music, how he learnt it from other musical greats of that time and then how he had to give it up for his family responsibilities. From a common working class guy to a legendary classical singer, oh sorry, all-rounder singer, Vasantrao's story is full of inspiration and quite moving.Rahul Deshpande plays the lead role of Vasantrao Deshpande and he has performed it as if he was born to portray this role. After watching his performance, you'll agree that nobody else could have played this role better than him. His singing is already class, but he's a good actor too, and this film gives him that tough chance to prove that unknown talent. He has played Kha Saahab on stage, and he has proved his acting talent already, but I doubt that cinema lovers have seen it. As a result, this film is a fantastic opportunity for moviegoers to see him grow as an actor.The rest of the cast have done a fantastic job too. Anita Date as Vasantrao's mother is natural and effective, and so is Kaumudi Walokar in his wife's role. Pushkaraj Chirputkar is hilarious as P. L. Deshpande, and you'll enjoy his presence for sure. Amey Wagh gets into the shoes of Master Dinanath Mangeshkar and he lives that character on screen. Undoubtedly, it's his most passionate act to date. Kumud Mishra, Sarang Sathaye, Alok Rajwade and other supporting actors appear with full confidence.The screenplay keeps you hooked despite the long runtime as the narrative unfolds all the past events in unique linear equations. The dialogues are refined. They have got that allegorical touch, and sometimes subtle meaning attached. There's a lot of drama, yes, but it's not a heavy or dark film at all. Once P. L. Deshpande enters, he takes you on a laugh riot in every single scene. From Puneri strokes to satirical one-liners to deep meaning and human quality dialogues, it makes a perfect balance of everything. Upendra Sidhaye has written some good comedies before, and he gets the humour right again, but this time Nipun's intelligence adds amazing support.It's difficult to express the quality of music because the songs have become immortal. Though, I must say, Ghei Chand still works – no matter how many times we have listened to it. The quality is kept intact by composers Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki and Rahul Deshpande, and special mention should be given to the singing efforts too.Nipun Dharmadhikari has definitely shown improvement from his previous flicks, and let me tell you, this was a tough film to make. Sometimes the best comes out of you only when the job is tough, and Nipun has just proved that. Me Vasantrao was no ordinary script, but first he wrote it nicely and then presented it even better. This is an experience of various expressions. There is drama, there is comedy, there is music, and then there is a viewing experiment that will leave you spellbound. That's an additional metaphor as well.The bigger compliment than "claps" and "once more" is that amazed silence. What a thought and what a beautiful execution. You feel it and the film wins it there. Nipun gets full marks for his directorial skills, and he has raised the bar for himself and other filmmakers too. Me Vasantrao is a must-see for everyone who's been looking for quality films for a long time in the Marathi industry. We don't get such prim films made with fitness, so make sure you don't miss it.