Aapla Manus

Aapla Manus is a riveting 2018 Indian Marathi-language thriller film, brilliant in its unique blend of mystery, drama, social commentary, and emotional wrist-twists. Directed by Satish Rajwade, the movie stars three exceptional actors: the absolute titan of Marathi cinema, Nana Patekar; the charismatic Sumeet Raghavan; and the versatile Iravati Harshe.

At the thematic heart of the film is a family composed of a husband, wife, and ailing father living in the pulsating city of Pune. Sumeet Raghavan plays Rahul Gokhale, a successful but overwhelmed urban professional juggling his taxing work life with caring for his elderly father, played by Nana Patekar. Rahul's wife, Bhakti Gokhale, portrayed by Iravati Harshe, also shares this burden of taking care of an aging parent while managing household and professional responsibilities.

However, the film strays far from being a typical family drama. It delves into the labyrinth of intergenerational expectations, misunderstandings, remorse, and guilt. These themes take shape in the strained relationship between Rahul and his father, who seems to be more satisfied in the company of a local shop owner than his own son.

Then comes the turning point in their lives when a movie-crushing accident upends the course of everyone's lives irreversibly. Enter Nana Patekar, in yet another captivating role, as Senior Inspector Maruti Nagargoje. An eccentric yet sharp crime investigator, his character adds an entirely new dimension to the narrative, bringing a palpable tension and making Aapla Manus not just a family drama but also a gripping mystery.

Nagargoje is not just there to unravel the truth behind the unfortunate incident but also to expose the intricate emotional ties within the family, arriving with a splattering of philosophical thoughts, unwelcome questions, and unsettling truths that ripple through the lives of Rahul and Bhakti.

Even as the narrative progresses, medium-paced yet tension-filled, viewers are tactfully guided to self-interrogate their relationships and the societal pressure that often drawbacks as scapegoats for personal failure. The plot brilliantly weaves in contemporary societal debates about urbanization and its implications for traditional family structures.

Director Rajwade does a remarkable job of articulating these complexities and cringing realities without losing grip of the film's overall entertaining paradigm. The screenplay, complimented with perfect dialogues, and the brilliant acting by the cast, pushes the audience on an edge-of-the-seat experience. Moreover, the cinematography beautifully captures the changing cityscape of Pune, and the production design does a fantastic job of reflecting the essence of a middle-class Marathi household.

The biggest strength of Aapla Manus is its star Nana Patekar. In a rarity for him, he gets to play two different characters, and he performs both characters' required schizoid shifts with consummate skill, demonstrating his broad range as a performer. His presence in the film is both grounding and electrifying. Sumeet Raghavan and Iravati Harshe, while sharing the screen with a formidable actor like Patekar, give performances that are authentic and commendable.

Overall, Aapla Manus is a thought-provoking film that is as much a family drama as it is a social commentary. It asks tough questions about familial responsibilities, intergenerational relationships, and the price of progress; while also working flawlessly as an engrossing thriller, full of suspense and surprises. This mix of social issues and thriller elements, held together by stellar performances, makes this film a must-watch for anyone who appreciates cinema that makes you think, even as it entertains.