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Movie Name: Paani
Directed by: Adinath Kothare
Starring: Subodh Bhave, Kishore Kadam, Adinath Kothare, Rucha Vaidya, Rajit Kapur, Nitin Dixit, Sachin Goswami, Mohanabai, Shripad Joshi, Vikas Pandurang Patil
Genre: Drama
Release Date: 18 October, 2024
Language: Marathi
Running Time: 123 Minutes
Production Companies: Purple Pebble Pictures, Rajshri Entertainment, Kothare Vision
Rating:
A drought-stricken village becomes the backdrop as a commoner fights adversity and local goons to transform the place into a self-sufficient haven.
Paani: Movie Overview
Paani is an Indian Marathi-language drama film directed by Adinath Kothare and produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Madhu Chopra under the banner of Purple Pebble Pictures. The film stars Subodh Bhave and Kishore Kadam, with Addinath Kothare and Rucha Vaidya. In 2019, the film won the National Film Awards for Best Film on Environment Conservation. Paani is set for a theatrical release on 18 October 2024.
Addinath aka Hanumant Babu Kendre is an ordinary man living in a Nagderwadi, a village in Nanded, plagued with drought. Paani follows his journey towards making the village independent of water, all while dealing with local goons, a budding romance, and other disruptions of daily life. Hanumant Kendre’s marriage got called off by the girl Suvarna’s family due to water crisis in his drought prone village. Hanumant promised the girl that he would marry her the day he resolves this crisis in his village. “Will you wait for me?” He asked. What unfolded ahead is a breathtaking true story of human endeavor driven by love.
The film was screened at New York Film Festival in the United States of America and was awarded the Best Film on Environment / Conservation / Preservation at the 66th National Film Awards in 2019.
Siddhant Adlakha of Firstpost stated “On paper, Paani amounts to a linear tale of steely determination overcoming the odds. However, in Adinath Kothare’s hands, it’s a nuanced character piece.”
Paani Movie Trailer:
Movie Review:
An inspiring story of a common man’s uncommon struggle
From marriage prospects to rejection and the struggle to solve the problem of water scarcity, Addinath Kothare’s debut directorial Paani is a vivid journey. The story has the tenderness of the protagonist’s love on one side, and a harsh social reality on the other.
At its heart, this National Award-winning film based on the life of Hanumant Kendre, who is known as the jaldoot in the Marathwada region for his work in the field of water conservation, is a love story. Facing water scarcity, women of the household in the area have to go in search of water regularly. Hanumant (Addinath Kothare), who belongs to Nagdarwadi in Marathwada, is a prospective groom for Survana (Rucha Vaidya), who is from another village. But, due to the water problem in Nagdarwadi, the marriage is called off by Suvarna’s family. Hanumant takes this to heart. He feels his life has been destroyed by the dry wells and arid lands of his village. Hanumant and Suvarna are in love with each other. Determined to marry Suvarna, Hanumant makes a promise to solve the water crisis in Nagdarwadi. Thus begins a tough journey.
Paani exudes social and environmental sensibility. The harsh reality of the landscape of Nagdarwadi is effectively presented at the beginning of the film. But the film progresses very slowly, at times falling short on impact. The interweaving of true events into the story makes it confusing and adds to the slow pace of the first half. Additionally, the direction falters in balancing Hanumant’s struggles and local politics. However, in the second half, the story takes a firmer grip, making way for an impactful climax.
In the acting department, Addinath’s work is commendable. He is at his natural best here, portraying the struggle, determination and optimism through Hanumant’s portrayal. Rucha Vaidya’s character and her emotional entanglement should have been explored deeper. Due to the limitations of the screenplay, she doesn’t get much scope for performing. Subhodh Bhave in a small role is good. Arjun Sorte’s camera work is worth mentioning here as he captures the harsh reality of the drought in Marathwada well, as is the work of composer Gulraj Singh. The casting of local residents is also effective.
Paani is an inspiring story of a common man’s uncommon struggle and determination. In portraying that, this film succeeds and keeps the audience engaged.
