This is a story of Maharashtra's Chief Minister (CM). It starts with him surviving an attempt by his political rivals to topple him. After returning from Delhi to Mumbai, he attends a marriage function in the evening where he feels insulted by an elderly (and much awarded) singer who does not get up to greet him when a round of introductions are going on. The host clarifies matters and the CM realizes that in this the singer had not slighted him. However, the CM had already made unwarranted, disparaging remarks about this singer. The guilt of this error now gnaws at him, and he wonders how to make up for his faux pas. Actually, the singer had made a request to the then Chief Minister eight years ago for a flat to be allotment in Mumbai in the government quota (which can be done by the CM at his discretion). Now, this CM, wanting to assuage his guilt, decides to give him a flat immediately (by sunrise). The major part of the story narrates how various officials are made to work through the night trying to overcome procedural hurdles, against their protestations and contrary to their usually bureaucratic habits, to make this possible.
The CM and Rehmatpurkar (the Secretary in charge of flat allotment) exchange some words for this extremely unreasonable demand to fulfil all the formalities by morning. Here, the CM has been shown as the hero. Of course, the viewers will root for this no-nonsense CM. However, as the Secretary points out, all papers could have been processed and approved in a month's time, in the routine course. The story unknowingly shows an immature CM who resorts to political expediency because of a bruised ego. His official powers causes havoc to half a dozen officials. It is to be noted that the flat request had been in cold storage for eight years not because of some bungling by some official, but because the earlier three CMs in their discretion (?) did not deem it important to act on it.
This is a simple movie narrating a simple story which essentially is about misguided heroism arising out of guilt due to a faux pas. Refreshingly, it does not take sides. The taut narration fills us with anticipation and that makes it worth watching. Those not accustomed to the workings of government offices and bureaucracy will find much to hold their interest as the story is rich in detail and reflects a lot of prior home work. There are no jerky moments in the narration; it moves at a brisk and even pace. The story is neither convoluted, nor philosophical, nor profound. There are some funny moments, not germane to the central story.
One usually sees a lot of hangers-on and 'yes' men around any political leader in India, looking to curry favors in the political durbar. The film does not forget this and packs many of its scenes with authentic looking people from the rural and mofussil areas who seek an audience, want favors and try to latch on to their political masters. This little but well executed detail adds to the tapestry. Kudos to the casting.
The dialogues were lively, with no rambling.
Sachin Khedekar (as the chief Minister), Mahesh Manjrekar (as Mr. Rehmatpurkar), Hrishikesh Joshi (as P D Shinde) acted quite well.
