Rakshas (film)

Raakshas
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDnyanesh Zoting
Screenplay byDnyanesh Zoting
Story byDnyanesh Zoting
Tanmayee Deo
Produced byNilesh Navalakha
Vivek Kajaria
StarringSharad Kelkar
Sai Tamhankar
Vijay Mourya
Umesh Jagtap
Rujuta Deshpande
CinematographyMayur Hardas
(Additional Photography)
Rakesh Bhillare
Sayak Bhattacharya
Edited byMayur Hardas
(Co-Editor)
Charu Shree Roy
Music byAndrew Mackay
Production
companies
Navalakha Arts and Holy Basil Productions
Distributed byNavalakha Arts and Holy Basil Productions
Release date
  • 23 February 2018 (2018-02-23)
Running time
119 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMarathi

Raakshas (English: Monster) is a 2018 Indian Marathi-language fantasy thriller film written and directed by Dnyanesh Zoting, produced by Nilesh Navalakha and Vivek Kajaria. It was the first-time pairing of Sharad Kelkar and Sai Tamhankar, along with Vijay Maurya and Umesh Jagtap.[1] Rujuta Deshpande also portrayed a very important role in the film.[2] The shooting of the film was held in 2015. The film released on 23 February 2018.[3][4][5][6]

Plot

The story revolves around a missing documentary filmmaker and his daughter’s quest to bring him back.

Cast

Reception

Critical reception

Mihir Bhanage of The Times of India gave the film a rating of 3.5 out of 5 saying that, "Raakshas explores the unexplored. Shot almost entirely in the jungle, the woods become an integral character in the story. In terms of performances, this film earns brownie points."[7] Shriram Iyengar of Cinestaan gave the film a rating of 2 out of 5 and said that, "Dyanesh Zoting's parable of a jungle monster around the story of land-grabbing conglomerates is a good attempt at magical realism but lacks the finishing touch that could have truly made it magical."[8] Marathi Stars praised the acting performances of Sai Tamhankar and Rujuta Deshpande, direction as well as the technical aspects of the film but criticized the conclusion given to the story. The critic said that, "A better screenplay & a more original ‘fantasy’ world would have made wonders to this film. But still as a director Dnyanesh Zoting makes his presence felt." and gave the film a rating of 2.5 out of 5.[9] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express praised the concept of the film and the acting performances. The critic gave the film a rating of 2.5 out of 5 and said that, "The melding of the myth and the real is not as effective, though, and the film becomes repetitive in places. But overall, ‘Raakshas’ holds, and is a welcome step in the direction of making non-Hindi contemporary, inventive cinema accessible to all."[10]

References

  1. ^ "Sharad Kelkar talks about his upcoming Marathi film 'Raakshas'". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Rakshas film". Archived from the original on 26 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Rakshas to release in February".
  4. ^ "Sharad Kelkar happy to break screen image with Dnyanesh Zoting's Raakshas". Archived from the original on 8 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Sharad Kelkar starring 'Raakshas' poster out now".
  6. ^ "Raakshas Official Teaser Sai Tamhankar Sharad Kelkar".
  7. ^ "Raakshas: The Monster Movie Review". The Times of India.
  8. ^ "Raakshas review: Mix of fantasy and hard-hitting reality that leaves you dissatisfied". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Raakshas Review: Well Directed & technically well made But Lacks the 'Thrill'!". Marathi Stars.
  10. ^ "Raakshas movie review: The Sharad Kelkar starrer keeps you engaged". The Indian Express.