Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (KKG) - Perfectly crafted, fascinating musical fiction

Katyar Kaljat Ghusali  (KKG) is an excellent Marathi movie adopted from a musical Marathi play named the same.  It is perfectly crafted, intelligently constructed, strongly acted and fascinating experience. This is one of those films that changes the course way people think about adopting the Marathi drama. This is one of the most beautifully directed screenplay that grips you with an engaging storyline. Overall, you do not watch KKG, but you experience it.

I thought it is a film of big fictional ideas and remarkable discipline of characters. Good characters behave with values till the end, and evil character gives up only in the last few minutes. I am deeply impressed by Subodh Bhave’s work, even though this is his first film as director,  he manages to establish himself among the best filmmakers currently working at the top.

On the surface, this is a story between two musical giants or Gharanas during the British era when artists used to survive due to King’s support. Two musical maestros are played by Shankar Mahadevan and Sachin. While Shankar’s Panditji belongs to maharshtrian classic music Gharana. Sachin’s “Khansaheb” belongs to the Mughal Miraj Gharana. These two Gharanas are shown in a confrontation with each other. Khansaheb gets jealous after he loses 13 years continuously to Shankar Mahadevan. His wife plays a role in a conspiracy to get rid of the voice of Shankar Mahadevan and story goes forward and adds the flavor of revenge. Sakhi Tanwar plays as the wife of KhanSaheb and her first Marathi role, and she does her best. Subhod Bhave makes a late entry into the film before the interval but changes the course of the film. The message of the film is that music should be used to spread love, and it should not be used to gain power and positions. I am not reveling the plot as I want you to see the film.

The magnificent acting of Sachin, Shankar M., and Subodh Bhave binds the film together. The roles of daughters of both singers are played by Mrunmayee Deshpande and Amruta Khanvilkar, and they manage to create a most innocent bond that audience can believe.

The most vital factor is script and the adoption of Natya music. The songs are literate and beloved; some romantic, some comic, some surprisingly philosophical, every single one wonderful. The carefully drafted script and visually spectacular experience makes this movie as best Marathi movie in this year. The film as many songs but all songs is relative and takes the movie story forward. Even if you are not a classic music lover still music grips you with its lyrics.

In the last, in a heart-thumping sequence that reminds us Director Bhave, is one of the best in managing the emotional sequences with the support from his scriptwriter and actors.  Bhave and his cinematographer does some excellent callbacks like when fireflies come along listening to Shankar’s voice. The Graphics of “Kattyar where it goes into water and come-up” is new to Marathi films. Although this is a stellar adaptation in every respect,  filled with vibrant small roles for excellent character actors and instilling two love stories with their own very different feels. One is Subodh’s ( Character Name – Sadashiv)  love for music and his guru, and another is Mrunmayee’s love for Subodh. The fiction-based KKG  is a suspenseful yet thoughtful musical story, which holds the audience throughout.

This is very near to a perfect film. Apart from the wonders of its words and music, KKG is a visual triumph as well.

I strongly recommend this film to everyone and rate this as 4.5  out 5.