Gentle in every frame with a script that's laced with humour and set against the exotic landscape of Konkan, Narbachi Wadi is a film that effortlessly draws you into the peaceful and simple life that Narba (Dilip Prabhavalkar) leads. As he looks after his plantation with care, its monetary value lures the village landlord Rangarao Khot (Manoj Joshi). W hile his attempt to get the Wadi fails, 20 years later his son Malhar (Joshi again) tries again, not through force like his father, but through tact. He tells an aging Narba that it is only after Narba dies that the Wadi will be taken over by the Khots. Till then to keep him happy, Malhar gives Narba money every month as 'help'. As Malhar waits for Narba to die, weeks, months and years pass - and Narba shows no signs of failing health. How Malhar deals with this and the funny and piquant situations that arise from this is what the film's about.
The plot is threadbare, and Aditya Ajay Sarpotdar has woven a tight script that has just the right blend of emotions and humour to make the film sensitive and thoroughly enjoyable. Dilip Prabhavalkar in the lead role not only looks the kind, aging ajoba (grandfather), but he endears you with his performance. It's a grandfather who's the lead star and he carries the film not just ably but with panache, with fantastic support from Manoj Joshi, Nikhil Ratnaparkhi, Kishori Shahane, Atul Parchure and Vikas Kadam. While the humour will make you smile all through the film, the greed versus contentment thought that runs through the entire film, leaves you with a message without getting preachy - one of the many reasons, why everyone including kids should be watching Narbachi Wadi.
