Hirkani

Another example of how the Indian cinema falls short on the technical aspects of filmmaking! The running time of the movie is around 100 min.(which itself is too less for any period film, should have been at least 140 minutes or greater) out of which around 20 minutes are dedicated to Hirkani's legendary descent. This is core of the film and is dismal. Maharashtra has hundreds of accomplished climbers who have trekked across the Sahyadri. They could have helped with guessing and projecting the possibilities of how Hirkani would have descended in a freestyle way but such efforts don't seem to manifest. While Sonalee Kulkarni's makeup and acting is surprisingly good, the other actors fail to make any impression, including Prasad Oak as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Actors utilized for characters of Kavi Bhushan, Bahirji Naik, Pant(now it's unclear if they were taking about Moropant Pingale or Ramchandra Pant Amatya!) and others are unsuitable! There is not a single view(VFX-based) of how majestic fort Raigad would have been in 1670s, moreover, they didn't bother to show how Hirkani Buruj and the western cliffs look today(remember, Raigad was termed as 'Troy of the East'). The music somehow doesn't suit a period film. I will continue to watch and encourage period movies, especially about the Maratha empire but the filmmakers need to raise the bar much higher, put blood and sweat and create technical and historical masterpieces.

The film suffers due to shallow execution of the main plot. The real drama starts post interval and ends abruptly. The scenes of climbing down are shot with perfection but the graphics used for animals are poor. The female lead has lived the character of Hirkani but the character of male lead lacks depth.

Hirkani is a very simplistic yet interesting story of a woman who gets stuck within the premises of Shivaji's fort after the gates are locked in the evening. As per law, the gates can only open at dawn and the mother who is desperate to get to her newborn makes a daring attempt to climb down the cliff to reach the village below. This is basic human drama without any political connotations, despite being a chapter from real history.

However what made an inspiring lesson in Marathi textbook isn't quite translated likewise on celluloid. Firstly the film takes a little too long to reach the first act and too much time is spent on the setup. There is an elaborate song on Shivaji's glory soon followed by another love song of Hirkani's romance with her husband. While one expected more interpersonal relationship between Hirkani and her son, here the focus is too much on her bonding with the husband - which essentially isn't much important to the story as the husband leaves on an expedition soon after.

However what bothers more than anything is that while one perceived the story as a brave attempt by a woman to scale great heights in history for her valour, here she is shown as a meek mother all through. While one eagerly looks forward to her journey down the cliff to her home, unfortunately she comes across as a victimized crybaby in the entire escapade who is bruised and battered en route. You don't feel much for her pain because she doesn't come across as a proactive doer but someone who is just adjusting to circumstances. This is the major letdown from the part of the makers.

While there was absolute opportunity to portray this woman as a fearless and brave personality who would go to any extent to get to her child, she comes across as an agonized soap opera character. Also from the start, she is shown as a docile woman who cares for her husband and just follows the male prototype (like getting inspired from him to fight the wolf) without having her own individuality.

The direction also seems dated with some functional performances and in your face drama. I am not even talking about production values, SFX, background score and other technicalities. We could have ingored all of those budget constraints had the storytelling been more persuasive.

While the makers had honest intentions to explore an interesting chapter from history, their interpretation leaves a lot to be desired!

In real #Hirkani is exemplary mother..

• But, Sonali Kulkarni Ruined this character with her overacting..
• Set Used as Raigad was not worth
• Animations are of too low quality..
• Mr. Oak might have asked somebody else to play role of our beloved Maharaj.. (Chinmay Mandlekar Missed that charm of Maharaj's Appearance in movie)
• Choreography (I really Don't want to Comment)

In Short this movie is executed very carelessly..

HIRKANI REVIEW :-

Small but a brave tale of Hirkani is part of primary school books and that's what excites you to watch Hirkani. The nostalgia is already there now it is just about how it's done? Shivaji Maharaj is perhaps the biggest subject in Maharashtra. One can not only make 100+ films from his brave tales but can also make 100+ films on his brave Mawalas (Soldiers). Hirani was not an integral member of Shivaji Maharaj's army but what she had done for her child is nothing short of miracle. Prasad Oak brings this bravery tale on screen with sepctacular visuals. The problem appeas in execution which has so many fictional changes to make this real story look unrealistic.

We all know Hirkani's story that she came down form western corner of Fort just for the sake of her child who is alone and hungry at home. Here, film begins with Shivarajyabhishek Song which is without any doubts one the finest theatrical experience of the year. After this staggering start film slows down and takes time settle the character of Hirkani. Sonalee Kulkarni as Hirkani looks promising and almost does the justice to the character. Her body language, accent and expressions shows that she really wants to be that Hirkani. Her chemistry with Ameet Khedekar who plays her husband Jeevajirao is commendable. Who plays Shivaji Maharaj? Okay, i am not gonna give any spoilers here, please find the answer in theatres near you.

Hirkani was a very short story which didn't really have potential to be expanded in a feature film. That's one of major reasons why it needed fictional changes, and unfortunately film is lost in it's own cinematic Liberty. Despite having short runtime of around 99 minutes, Hirkani still doesn't find the clear expansion of the script. First half looks better compared to 2nd one because fictional properties are less there. Music by composer Amitraj is good, that 'Rajyabhishek Song' is truly Marvellous. Cinematography of Sanjay Memane looks decent while costumes are attractive.

Director Prasad Oak does excellent job in the first half where he set the chatacters very well and keeps the excitement rising high. Second half as conclusion to that excitement is underwhelming and mostly unrealistic. The guy who has delivered a Classic like Kaccha Limbu going offtrack like this is completely unbelievable and unacceptable.

As a whole, Hirakni has some moments to enjoy but it also has some low moments. It is Visually spectacular, grand and gives you goosebumps at so many ocassions. Actors delivering thier best may satisfy you as an audience but only of you're a Fan of anyone among them. A strong story of brave Mother deserved a better execution and Hirkani would have became a Must See product, but at the moment it end up on Average Note.

RATING- 4/10*