My Experience with Cinema – Rama Madhav

Posted on by rajkamalvrs

Almost 7 years back I read SWAMI…by Ranjit Desai !
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All those who know about Marathi Literature would know about this MASTERPIECE and I am sure many of them would have read it many times.
This book is about the RICH HISTORY of Peshwa’s. The story of MADHAVRAO PESHWA. About his life, his leadership, his love for his country & his short but BIG association with his wife RAMABAI.
Peshwa’s were based in PUNE and are known for the ROYAL LIFE they used to have. Their attire, their existance, their ego, their respect, their leadership, their language and their script…everything was different and was mermerising. The Book describes and illustrates their elite life style very effectively.

It was a GREAT EXPERIENCE reading SWAMI. I remember reading it non-stop because of the captivating story and plot.

There are many like me, who inspite of being a MAHARSHTRIAN, are unaware about the GREAT HISTORY of MARATHAs; for whatever reason. Because of my reading habit I learned about it thru SWAMI & RAU.
But had never visualised how it could be.

MRUNAL KULKARNI, a brilliant actor and an excellent DIRECTOR, gave us opportunity to SEE what it was like.
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With a SUPER TALENTED TEAM, comprising of Mrunal Kulkarni herself, Ravindra Mankani, Amol Kolhe, Prasad Oak, Shruti Marathe, Sonalee Kulkarni and NITIN CHANDRAKANT DESAI, the ART DIRECTOR; it was possible for us to EXPERIENCE THE GOLDEN ERA of MARATHA’s.
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In the presence of such a HUGE STRONG starcast, it should have been very difficult for Shruti Kalsekar (Rama – childhood), Parna Pethe (Rama – young) and Alok Rajwade (Madhavrao). But after looking at their performance…no one could figure that out ! 🙂
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Parna Pethe, as young Rama, looked beautiful-innocent-strong ! She expressed her emotions very well ! She was a treat watching.
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Alok Rajwade, as MadhavRao peshwa, made an IMPACT. He potrayed the transition from 8 year old yound prince to 25 year old STRONG KING very well. His performance was the HIGHLIGHT of the movie.
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They say, that Madhav Rao was 8 years old when he got married to Rama, who was 5 years old then. At the age of 16 years, Madhav Rao became the PESHWA and at 25 years of age, he was diagnosed with TUBERCULOSIS (which was incurable then) becuase of which he died.
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In all the actual period, this couple spend together was merely 3-5 years.
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But their LOVE for each was TIMELESS and DIVINE.
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Both of them had taken huge responsibilities at very early age.
But they were STORNG with their decisions like a MATURED PERSON.
To quote an example of each…
* Madhavrao denied proposal of second marriage, which showed his emmense love for Rama.
* In turn, Rama proved her love by becoming SATI when Madhavrao died.
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During the last 15 mins of movie, I remembered the last few pages of SWAMI. I was wondering if the picturisation of Rama’s decision of getting SATI will be as effective as it was in the BOOK (though I could not recollect what exactly was written, I can very well recollect what I felt while reading that).
But to my surprise, the impact was very much the same.
And that was the BEST PART of the MOVIE.

So…
if you want to LIVE the ERA of PESHWA !
if you want to see how a couple, inspite of spending very few years together, LOVED and LIVED forever !
if you want to know about PUNE, the city where you live !

You SHOULD MEET RAMA-MADHAV once…!
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– Vishal Rajendra Shinde
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