Baban

Baban Story: With an aim to make it big in life, Baban balances studies and work since a young age. In college, he falls in love with Komal, but Baban’s arch rival Abhay starts giving him a hard time.

Baban Review: The last time that one could experience pin drop silence in a cinema hall was during the climax of Nagraj Manjule’s Sairat. The sheer shock value of the scene sent shivers down viewers’ spines. With Baban’s climax, director Bhaurao Karhade repeats that experience. However, that’s where the similarities between the two movies end. While Sairat was a love story altogether, Baban is more about the struggle of a young lad to overcome hurdles and be successful.

Baban (Shinde) is a small time milk supplier in a village. When the milk contractor pays him less than the promised amount, Baban decides to supply milk to canteens at an industrial area and makes a good amount out of it. This irks Abhay (Chavan), a local bully who considers the area his business territory. Baban and Abhay clash more than once, but things take a nasty turn when Baban’s growing business poses a threat to a local politician’s (Devendra Gaikwad) clout.

The film works on multiple levels and has its fair share of cons too. In that sense, Baban is inconsistent when it comes to execution. The rural politics are presented well in the film and the director has kept the appeal as raw as possible. This helps you associate with and feel for Baban. The blooming love story is relegated to the background for most of the film as Baban tries to escape from the crab mentality of his fellow folk. The performances are the best thing about this film and are responsible for keeping you hooked for most of its running time.

Bhausaheb Shinde, who debuted with Karhade’s National Award winning Khwada, carries this film on his strong shoulders. He does complete justice to the Baban’s part. Debutant Gayatri Jadhav is effortless and performs like a seasoned actor, especially during the climax. The other two actors who stand out are Shital Chavan, in the small role of Pappi, and director Karhade, who plays Baban’s drunkard father.

Where the film loses its grip is in its slow pace, unnecessary addition of songs and certain repetitive scenes. Though not entirely, the final minutes of Baban hit you hard and make up for quite a lot of the cons. So, if are a patient moviegoer, this film can certainly turn out to be a good watch.