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PHOTO PREM (Marathi) - A beautiful film on death and smile together that deserves to be seen remembering the ultimate truth of life. (Movie Notes by Bobby Sing)

24 Jun, 2021 | Indian Regional language Gems (Other Than Hindi) / Movie Reviews / 2021 Releases

The concepts of death and smile represent two extreme situations in our lives and hence it is tough to assume then together in a plot talking about senior citizens in particular. Surprisingly, Photo Prem not only incorporates them both in its innovative storyline but also comes up as a beautiful light-hearted film capable of lifting your spirits in these tough times.

It’s a known fact that we don’t like to talk about death because of our own fears. But have you ever thought about death in a lighter tone? For instance, have you ever thought that which photograph of yours, the family members would choose to hang on the wall after you are gone? Sounds weird, scary, insightful or funny! It might sound and mean all these together, but that’s exactly what Maee - the protagonist in the film, fearlessly thinks about, searching for her photographs as the available choices with the family. 

As a camera-shy person, she actually hasn’t got even a decent picture in all the family albums and thus decides to get one before she dies, leaving a loving memory for all as a smiling photograph.
 
Presenting a fresh perspective, Photo Prem directed by Gayatri Patil and Aditya Rathi is funny, sarcastic and enlightening, revolving around the subject of death without a single sequence of sadness including the climax. But at the same time, it also falls short of being a great film as the screenplay spends too much time in the middle on all similar sequences. Besides, it also cautiously keeps avoiding a dark tone in order to be light and humorous, which at times looks superficial. Nevertheless, the execution still fabulously works and here is a film that dares to try the impossible breaking the set formats. 
 
In all, Photo Prem deserves to be seen as a must, especially for its concept, the charming Neena Kulkarni, and her monologues bringing a big smile to our faces. In fact, its quite possible that the last dialogue or rather last word in the film might make you laugh out loud as it did to me. So go for it at the earliest and have a good time remembering the only certain thing in life without an exception – that is our DEATH. 
 
Rating : 3.5 / 5

Directed by Gayatri Patil and Aditya Rathi
Starring : Neena Kulkarni, Sameer Dharmadhikari and more.

Streaming at : Amazon Prime (with English Subtitles)

NOTE : The article in an edited form was first published in THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL Newspaper (Mumbai Edition) on 22nd June 2021.

Tags : PHOTO PREM (Marathi) Review by Bobby Sing at bobbytalkscinema.com, New Marathi Films Reviews by Bobby Sing, New Regional Movies Reviews by Bobby Sing, Must Watch Indian Regional films list by Bobby Sing, Must Watch Regional Gems List at bobbytalkscinema.com
24 Jun 2021 / Comment ( 0 )
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