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Starring:
Shreyas Talpade, Amrita
Rao, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Ravi Kishan, Yashpal Sharma,
Ila Arun, Divya Dutta
Director -
Shyam Benegal
The film is
set in a fictitious Indian village and it tells the
humble story of the inhabitants of that village. The
central character is Mahadev, one of the few educated
young men from Sajjanpur. His ambition is to be a
novelist, but finds it easier to make a living by
writing letters sitting next to the Post Office. His
ability to write persuasive letters makes him popular
with the largely non-literate population of the town.
Aware of this power, he soon uses his talent to
manipulate people with amusing and sometimes not such
amusing results.
With this as the narrative frame, Welcome to Sajjanpur
shows in an entertaining musical and comic way,
characters and events that are at once hilarious and
poignant. A delightful satirical take on a contemporary
Indian village.
Ramkumar (Ravikishan) is the dandy of the village. Works
in the local health centre and is forced to treat
patients. Even though he has very little knowledge of
medicine, the doctor is frequently absent. Ramkumar is in
love with the young widow Shobha Rani.
Shobharani (Rajeshwari Sachdev) is youthful and
attractive. She was widowed in childhood. She lives with
her father-in-law Subedar Singh.
Ramsingh (Yashpal Sharma) is the illiterate ex-sarpanch of
Sajjanpur. His present focus is on trying to make his wife
Jamuna Devi, the sarpanch of the village. Arrogant and
shrewd, he believes in muscle power to get things done.
Vindhya (Divya Dutta) young and educated, is a no-nonsense
girl and quite out of place in conservative Sajjanpur.
Mausi (Ila Arun) is melodramatic, superstitious and silly
lady given to hysterical excesses.
Crew:
Presenter: UTV Spotboy
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Co-Producers: Zarina Mehta, Deven Khote, Siddharth Roy
Kapur
Director: Shyam Benegal
Music: Shantanu Moitra
Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire, Ashok Mishra
Director of Photography: Rajen Kothari
Story: Shyam Benegal
Screenplay & Dialogue: Ashok Mishra
Production Designer: Samir Chanda
Editor: Aseem Sinha
Production Design - Samir Chanda
Production Manager - Niraj Kothari
Sound Recordist - Sachin K. Sanghvi
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Mahadev (Shreyas Talpade) is a
young graduate from Sajjanpur village who lives with his
widowed mother. She has a vegetable stall outside their
house. Romantic by inclination, witty and charming, his
imaginative turn of phrase makes him a popular letter
writer. An incident in his childhood appears to be the
reason for his bachelorhood. Meeting Kamala, a childhood
sweetheart, rekindles the love he had for her. In his
fantasies, he sings to her and dances like a contemporary
film hero.
Kamala (Amrita Rao), a pretty and endearingly innocent,
she belongs to a family of potters. She lives with her
mother-in-law. Her husband works in Mumbai, having left
soon after her marriage. Kamala was a classmate of Mahadev
in primary school before she was suddenly taken out of
school for unstated reasons. This has left her unlettered.
Shreyas Talpade is easily
one of the most talented young actors of the current
generation. He is brilliant in a finely balanced and
very natural performance. Amrita Rao is wonderful as the
married village belle. Ila Arun and Divya Dutta are
amazing as the conflicting mother-daughter duo. Ravi
Kishan displays his comic talents in a substantial role.
Rajeshwari Sachdev is impressive in the funny scenes.
Yashpal Sharma and Kunal Kapoor are rightly cast in
their roles.
Here is some good entertainment, innovative storytelling
with some interesting themes and clean cinema with
hilariously witty dialogues, rich and sincere characters
and laugh-out-loud situations.
- Amar Jeet
Cast:
Mahadev - Shreyas Talpade
Kamla - Amrita Rao
Shobha - Rajeshwari Sachdev
Ramkumar - Ravi Kishan
Ramsingh - Yashpal Sharma
Mausi - Ila Arun
Vindhya - Divya Dutta
Collector - Rajit Kapoor
Bansi - Kunal Kapoor
Ravi Jhankal
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