Lagna Pahave Karun

Cast: Umesh Kamat, Mukta Barve, Siddharth Chandekar, Tejashree Pradhan, and Swati Chitnis

Language: Marathi

Duration: 2 Hours 5 Minutes (125 minutes)

Direction: Ajay Naik

Nikhil’s Rating: ***1/2

Lagna Pahave Karun (Give Marriage a Shot) is a movie that talks about marriage as an institution. Nishant Barve (Umesh Kamat) is a young man who is working in America and has come to India to get married. He meets a girl and is about to tie the knot in a fortnight. He realises that the she has only one goal; she wants to marry, so that she gets to move to America. As a result, he backs out.

Aditi Tilak (Mukta Barve) is a focused and mature young lady, who happens to meet Nishant. She has a business proposal that has been rejected by many. Aditi desires to establish a Marriage Bureau, where marriages are arranged such that they do not lead to divorce.  Nishant is interested in lending a hand to establish it. Together, they come up with the idea of a “Scientific Marriage”, which bypasses the traditional horoscope method. The first couple to get married at the bureau is Anandi (Tejashree Pradhan) and Rahul (Siddharth Chandekar).

All is well until an experienced Astrologer, Shiela Dixit  (Swati Chitnis), challenges Rahul and Anandi’s marriage based on her horoscope findings. How will Nishant and Aditi ensure that the first marriage lasts and, at the same time, save their business? How will Aditi handle the business if Nishant flies back to the USA? Will Nishant feel like leaving?

There are a few important themes in this movie. The primary one is that without compatibility; a marriage makes no sense. Secondly, an individual’s free will and the need for freedom of expression pre- and post-marriage are powerful factors.

This movie is a delight to watch because of the interesting premise and the modern setting it takes shape in. It is also good to experience – vicariously, of course – the changes a person goes through as he/she becomes more aware of him/herself, post marriage.

Ajay Naik, the writer-director; has done a commendable job because it is a movie that is relevant to the youth and parents alike. Apart from the entertaining story and screenplay, the dialogues take the narrative forward and are very enjoyable. The Cinematography is eye filling. Editing by Suchitra Sathe is very good. Ajay Naik’s Music is mostly in the background to highlight emotions. Kasa Ha Maza Sajana is a good song, and is shot well.  As far as acting is concerned, all of the artists have done a very good job. The end felt a little rushed.

To conclude, Lagna Pahave Karun is a very entertaining film; with pivotal themes that are relevant to the youth of today and to parents too. As the saying goes, “Marriage is the end of one life, and the beginning of another!” Watch it! In Marathi I will say “लग्न पहावे करून” नक्की पहावेच!

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oojzGgV4LAc

#Drama