Review: Natasamrat - Truly A Masterpiece!

ALL ABOARD! This stunning adaptation of the leagendary play of the same name, 'Natasamrat' made the perfect start of New Year. At a time when so many hit films including Balak Palak and Katyar Kaljat Ghusli are based on popular Plays, 'Natasamrat' too is truly an unique theatrical experience that is a treat for any theatre lover.
Natasamrat essayed by ace actor Nana Patekar who has been lauded for his intense roles as much as for his comedic performances, has undoubtedly given one of the best performances of his career in this film. Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, the film takes you through an eternal journey of not just an aging actor who was deserted by his family or the story about the society's insensitivity towards art and culture but the story of an actor who came out of the theatre but could not get theatre out of him. A huge mantle to carry the film is a heartbreaking yet heartwarming classic of how the kids whom he has given everything selflessly turn against him. During this period if anything is dearest to the selfless but self-righteous Appa, is his pride along with the support of his better half Kaveri played by Medha Manjrekar.

Just as Nana's character Ganpatrao Belwalkar says in the movie, 'A true skill of any actor is not to let his viewer get distracted by a packet of snacks while watching him on stage'. Nana does the exact same thing to you. It is not that Nana has not impressed us with his stage or screen presence before. But this film is different. Simply, because it is a great challenge in itself to fit into the shoes of some iconic actors like Shriram Lagoo, Satish Dubhashi, Dutta Bhatt etc who have played the role of an aging Shakespearean actor earlier with so much ease and perfection. Though, Nana Patekar steals the show with the mesmerizing performance as Appasaheb Belwalkar, the reigning king of stage who has lived the glory of golden era of Marathi stage and played all the Shakespearean characters with gusto, the supporting actors including Medha Manjrekar, Vikram Gokhale, Neha Pendse, Mrunmayee Deshpande, Ajit Parab and Sunil Barve has been designed beautifully, that gives justice to every character and completes the film in every sense.

The soulful dialogues penned by Kiran Yadnyopavit and Abhijeet Deshpande such as 'To be or not to be', 'Jagava Ki Marava', 'Koni Ghar Deta Ka Ghar' will echo in your ears as you will feel satiated left with teary eyes and completely at peace by the end of it all, by the sheer brilliance of what is created on screen for us. The film delivers what it promises, so start this New Year with a delightful treat like 'Natasamrat' that is truly a Masterpiece!

Source: Marathidhamaal