Duniya Na Maane / Kunku (1937) :
Brief Review -
An astounding combination of A Woman's Revolt agianst oppressed marriage and A Man's Salvation on the same. The Greatest Woman Empowerment Saga Of All Time. I didn't believe it for a moment that V Shantaram made such a daring film in 1937 that hasn't been dared by other Indian filmmakers even till date, but as i have seen Kunku i have to believe and do nothing but clap for the Master Filmmaker. Kunku is a gutsy film for all times, not just its time and can you believe that less daring films than this are still called daring films then just imagine how daring this film was, is and will always be. The film is a worthy adaption of evergreen Sangeet Sharda which focuses on the issues like child marriage and treatment of women in Indian society. Neera is trapped into marrying an old widower Kakasaheb. Neera refuses to consummate the union claiming that while suffering can be borne, injustice cannot. She stands still till the end and revolts against everyone who throw her into this helpless situation and then the intellectual salvation of the man lifts this film to unreachable height. Shanta Apte gives a remarkable performance in the lead role. She looks beautiful in traditional attires and is even referred as Greta Garbo of Maharashtra in the film. When she sings the iconic 'Psalm of Life', i was literally pumped up. Screenplay is impeccable with lots of clapworthy and pathbreaking scenes, dialogues are thought-provoking and music album delivers two Iconic songs. Words will fall short to admire V Shantaram for making this unforgettable masterpiece but all i can say is, i have seen Woman Oriented Classics like Aurat, Mother India, Anuradha, Sujatha and many more and i still found Kunku more gutsy and more powerful which means it's best of All Time not just in Marathi or Bollywood cinema but in Indian Cinema. An Astonishing Gem!
RATING - 9/10*
By - #samthebestest.
