Movie Review : Katyaar Kaalzaat Ghusali {Marathi}

कट्यार काळजात घुसली...  One of a kind! That about sums up the review of this absolutely unique movie in a nutshell. This is a movie made in the land of Music, a land where every type of music has a following and a practice; a land where music is central to movies, functions, gatherings, theatre – almost everywhere you look. A land with a long tradition of excellent musical compositions and performers. And getting the kind of response that it has managed to garner from such a discerning audience is indeed a massive plus for the team of the movie कट्यार काळजात घुसली.

कट्यार काळजात घुसली...  A movie that is unlike any I have seen in my life. Aisi movie dekhne ke baad ek hi shabd aayaa hai zabaan par : beautiful!  As the last strains of the last climax  song died away, the audience sat stunned into silence...  And,  when the lights came on,  and the screen read : Digdarshak Subodh Bhave - quite a good number of people stood up for a standing ovation... It was an AMAZING experience.  If this movie is in your city,  don't listen to it's music on tv,  or on your music system.  Music lovers watch this one in a hall!  Boss,  aaj maan gaye Subodh Bhave ko,  what a movie and what a performance!

THE PLOT

The plot is based on the play of the same name, which is a rather famous play in Marathi theatre. That itself poses huge challenges; adapting such a famous stage play is, at the best of times, a very hard task. Kudos to the entire team of this movie for taking up the challenge; and double kudos for actually executing it to near-perfection. It is said that perfection is impossible for a Human; that said, this movie comes the closest to perfection that I have seen.

The plot revolves around 3 characters – Panditji, the royal singer; Khansahab – a singer of a rival Gharana who was helped by Panditji; and Sadashiv – the protégé of Panditji. The background is a music competition of Indian Music which is sponsored by the King, with an aim to developing Indian Music – with the prize being the coveted Royal Singer’s chair – and a specially crafted Katyaar  - the official holder of this katyaar is entitled to a state pardon of one murder with this Katyaar. This forms the backdrop.

The story unfolds with Panditji {Introducing Shankar Mahadevan} defeating Khansahab {Sachin Pilgaonkar} for 14 straight years, until a twist of fate leads to a victory for the now-burning-with-desire-and-revenge Khansahab. Panditji subsequently leaves the city, without informing anyone. There the matter rests, until Sadashiv {Subod Bhave} arrives on the scene with an objective to restart his musical education from Panditji... from this point the movie takes off, with a determined Sadashiv wanting to avenge Panditji  - at first through violent means; and subsequently through music.

The problem is that, his defeats to Panditji notwithstanding, Khansahab is a highly talented and accomplished Ustad, a maestro; and our hero Sadashiv  a newcomer. He is helped by both Panditji;s daughter  Uma {Mrunmayee Deshpande} and Khansahab’s daughter {Amruta Khanvilkar} – and by the court poet, Banke Bihari {Pushkar Shrotri}, as they try to together develop Sadashiv’s obvious natural talent into an accomplished voice. The rest of the story revolves around his efforts to improve, going upto the climactic musical conflict with Khansahab...

THE REVIEW

This is a musical – and is a veritable treasure trove of absolutely fantastic musical compositions that will transport you to a world of classical, semi-classical as well as contemporary music in an effortlessly put-together ensemble of skilled performances. In a two-and-a-half hour movie, you are treated to nearly 57 minutes of superb music, making for a fantastic and unforgettable experience of pure joy, and sheer musical magic composed or recreated by Shankar  Ehsaan Loy

Of particular note is the opening bhajan – Soor Niraagas Ho, Ganpati, Soor Niraagas Ho... this sets the tone for the entire movie, as you are immediately transported  into a world of sheer magic placd in tones right from the opening of the movie. This is superbly complemented by a range of other songs of almost every Rasa and emotion, like the engaging and superbly fast-paced racy raga Dil Ki Tapish Aaj Hai Aaftab – which is followed immediately by the classic Ghei  Chhand  Makarand.  Two contrasting numbers in two diametrically different styles that stun you into silence and a different world of pure and sheer pleasure!

Sur Niraagas Ho | Official Song | Katyar Kaljat Ghusali | Shankar Mahadevan

Dil Ki Tapish | Official Song Video | Katyar Kaljat Ghusali

Ghei Chhand Makarand Jugalbandi | Official Song Video | Katyar Kaljat Ghusali

But the one song that stays – a flawless admixture of wonderful music, and unbelievable near magical direction, photography and special effects is the one of a kind Man Mandira Tejaane, a song which  leaves a mind-blowing impact on each of your senses – your memory, your eyes, and your ears as you literally struggle to choose what to savour – the fabulous camerawork and effects – or the unbelievable rendition that is emanating from the dolby surround speakers, making for a fabulous experience that is close on a lifetime experience of beauty and sheer magic!

Man Mandira - Shivam Mahadevan | Katyar Kaljat Ghusli | Shankar Mahadevan & Sachin Pilgaonkar

The performances are flawless – and every actor has made a deep impression in her or her role; that said, the performance of Sachin Pilgaonkar as Khansahab stands out; but, good as it was, in my opinion Sachin was overshadowed by yet another power-packed performance by the redoubtable Subodh Bhave, who we saw in Lokmanya Ek Yugpurush as well. Subodh has, yet again, returned a truly class performance, as he dominates each scene he is present in.

All in all, this is a movie that is a must watch if you love music, and are fluent or at least conversant in the Marathi Language. Ideally, watch this one in a theatre – this movie is not one where you can understand the full impact and power in a TV set or on a mobile. The magic of the movie, the songs, the resplendent picturisation of the same as well as the story and its attendant music is one which has to be imbibed, absorbed and inhaled in a proper theatre. I rate is 5 stars out of 5, and as one of the finest movies I have ever seen in any language, alongside my other top favourites...



Credits and source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyar_Kaljat_Ghusali_(film)