Chandramukhi review: Amruta Khanvilkar's film will remind you of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's cinema

3.5/5

Story:

Politician Daulat Rao (Addinath Kothare) gets introduced to a red-light area but he has no intentions of cheating on his wife Dolly (Mrunmayee Deshpande). However, when his eyes meet Chandramukhi (Amruta Khanvilkar)'s, he cannot deny the spark between them. Will she end up being his mistress or will Daulat leave Dolly for Chandra?

Review:

As soon as Chandramukhi begins, you can sense that the film will be based in power. Dr. Mohan Agashe as Dada Saheb makes a brief appearance and you get to understand that the movie has something brilliant to offer. The music is in sync with the scenes and soon, the male lead Addinath Kothare (seen as politician Daulat Rao) leaves an impact. He is not only the typical Maharashtrian male in looks but shows pride on his face from start to finish.

Mrunmayee Deshpande as Dolly is sweet but powerful. She isn't naive and knows what being a politician wife means. The scene blackmailing her husband Daulat is one of the most powerful.

Amruta Khanvilkar finally appears and her voice appears before her. After voice, the camera angles work their magic in introducing the lead actress of the film. Her introduction, obviously, is a little commercial in the sense that the co-incidences are way too much to handle but Chandramukhi (Amruta)'s dance performance makes up for that.

She is the perfect embodiment of a woman who is an artist - a folk dancer in this case. Chandra has her morals set and not even her intense story with Daulatrao or his power can break those.

Her backstory is explored and it doesn't come as a surprise but is a delight to watch anyway. The dots connect well with the present and that works well for the film.

One scene, where she is taken away from her wedding just because every folk dancer is considered a prostitute, has been well executed. Amruta's expressions bring the scene alive. A part of her dies slowly and she manages to express that with her eyes alone.

Everything about Chandramukhi and Daulatrao appears to be straight out of the Disney world. All of it is so magical that you want to believe it but know somewhere know that it will all come crashing one day.

Sameer Chowgule (Batasha) comes as a breath of fresh air to the film. He is the funny face in the otherwise intensely romantic film.

Prajaktta Mali's character is finally explored but it is too brief. She appears in just one scene and leaves little impact through the scene. If you expect something to happen around her character, be rest assured, you will be disappointed.

The film is visually stunning in most scenes too. Splashes of colour help build the scenes.

The scene between Dolly and Chandra tends to get a little too much on the dramatic side. This is disappointing, considering it is the first time the actresses meet.

Of course, the stories connect and things you only half-expect unfold. This happens especially in the last few scenes of the movie. The flow between the scenes never break and instead, they are beautifully woven together.

Dr. Agashe appears in the first and last scene. As impressive as he was when the movie begins, this actor wins you over even when the film comes to an end.

Amruta Khanvilkar's monologue at the end of the film is powerful enough to make Chandramukhi what she is. She is a larger-than-life character and Amruta nails the role with her pauses and shy-yet-bold nature.

Verdict:

Chandramukhi is one-of-its-kind film. The movie will almost make you believe you are watching a Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie, because of how visually spectacular it is and how the story is woven together beautifully. Of course, this film has a few loopholes and characters you wish the makers explored more but that does not hamper your viewing experience too much. This one is a worthwhile watch.