Dhadakebaaz (meaning powerful) is a Marathi movie directed by Mahesh Kothare. This was the first Cinemascope Marathi movie. The movie mixes many elements including fantasy, comedy, action and romance churning out an entertaining product.

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The Plot

The movie begins with a voice over. Many centuries back, there was a magician’s fort near the town of Shivapur. One of the magician’s disciple was Gangaram. One day Gangaram committed a mistake which made the magician very angry. As punishment, the magician shut him inside a brass bottle along with some magical sand. Gangaram would remain inside the bottle for a thousand years until his relative would come to retrieve the bottle. Gangaram needs to fulfil the wishes of his relative by using the magical sand. And he will be set free when all the sand has been spent.

The scene cuts to the present. Lakshya (Laxmikant Berde) is dreaming of a magic lamp where the genie bathes him in golden coins. He wakes up to the grim reality. He is actually in a jail with 2 friends Mahesh (Mahesh Kothare) and Bappa (Deepak Shirke). They are petty thieves and notoriously famous as they keep landing in jail. Mahesh is an ace archer, Lakshya keeps pursuing magic whereas Bappa is a bodybuilder possessing great strength.

They fight and part ways temporarily after leaving the jail but are soon united again. They celebrate with a song of friendship Hi dosti tutaychi naay. They decide never to steal again and earn money through decent means. They soon reach the present day Shivapur in search of work. There is a workers agitation going on. Through a misunderstanding, Lakshya is arrested and taken to the local police station by Havaldar Rede (Ravindra Berde) and locked up.

Lakshya is sharing his cell with Divtya (Bipin Varti) who is a member of Kavtya Mahakaal’s gang. Apparently this is a dreaded gang and the police are desperate to capture the leader Kavtya. In the night, 3 members of the gang attack the police station in order to rescue Divtya. Through some funny actions, Lakshya manages to capture all 3 members and lock them in the cell while Divtya escapes. The police sub inspector Uma Jadhav (Ashwini Bhave) is impressed and releases Lakshya. Mahesh reaches the station to bring back Lakshya and has an argument with Uma. Apparently Uma is well aware of Mahesh and his criminal past.

Meanwhile Lakshya has impressed and befriended a flower seller Ganga (Prajakta Dighe) by saving her from some goons in the market. Mahesh and Bappa also join the fight. She invites them to her house for tea. They find Havaldar Rede in her house. He is her uncle and not happy to see the criminal Lakshya and his friends in his sister Paru’s (Shanta Inamdar’s) house. But the ladies ignore his concerns. Ganga helps the trio by giving them accommodation in the stable. Ganga and Lakshya soon fall in love and sing a romantic duet Phu bai phu.

Kavtya’s 3 members are still in jail and Divtya makes an attempt to rescue them But Lakshya and his friends help the police and the gang has to run away. Meanwhile, Mahesh saves Uma during the fighting and romantic sparks fly between the two.

One day, the goons from whom Lakshya had saved Ganga follow the couple seeking revenge. Lakshya and Ganga run away from the town and take shelter near the old magician’s fort. Lakshya, by accident finds a hidden door and slides down all the way down to land near the magical bottle. He is overjoyed to find the bottle and meet Gangaram, who tells him his story and asks him his first wish. Lakshya immediately tells Gangaram to rescue him and Ganga from the goons. He does so by making both of them fly in the sky.

Lakshya is impressed by Gangaram and his magical sand. Its like a dream come true. They agree on a “whistle” signal for summoning Gangaram whenever Lakshya needs a favour. Lakshya tells Mahesh and Bappa about Gangaram but they disbelieve him. They have received a painting job to paint the Mahadev temple in Shivapur and worried how to get it done on time. Lakshya immediately summons Gangaram who completes the painting in 5 minutes. There is a Mahashivratri celebration song. At the end of the song, Kavtya attacks the town with his gang. Lakshya manages to get Gangaram’s help and counter Kavtya and the gang soon fleds from the scene.

Kavtya is shown as wearing a skull mask. He is angry at the humiliation. His gang members keep an eye on the trio and find out about the magical bottle. They inform Kavtya who makes plans to steal the bottle.

Does he achieve it? Will the police be successful in capturing Kavtya? And what happens to Gangaram? All is revealed in a Sholay type climax.

The Music

Pravin Davane (lyrics) and Anil Mohile (music) do the honours. Typical of Mahesh Kothare movies, the songs are rhythmic rather than melodious. Hi dosti tutaychi naay and Ninne preminchenu were popular. And you have the staple parody song where Gangaram (voice of Sudesh Bhosle) imitates multiple actors including Dada Kondke, Shatrughan Sinha, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and Raaj Kumar supported by the parody versions of songs like Gangu tarunya tuza befaam, Mach gaya shor, Duniya mein logon ko, Kabutar jaa jaa, Jumma Chumma and My name is Lakhan. All fun to watch with Lakshya’s antics.

My Thoughts

Dhadakebaaz is a fast faced movie. There are multiple characters and the story keeps moving ahead. The action and chase sequences are well done. The special effects seem dated now with all the advanced technology available. Amongst the cast, its Laxmikant Berde who stands out with his easy screen presence and humour. His reactions and comic timing are too good. And he actually performs a double role as Gangaram. Gangaram’s look seems to be inspired from Dada Kondke. He is lovable in both the roles. The other actors perform nicely but Laxmikant steals the show.

Kavtya Mahakaal’s identity is never revealed. His voice is similar to Gabbar Singh’s character from Sholay but hardly impactful. He appears comical and not the evil villain one would have expected to scare the whole town. This was Prajakta Dighe’s debut movie and she appears confident. Ashwini Bhave doesn’t have much to do. Her romantic relationship with Mahesh seems forced. But overall Mahesh Kothare succeeds in making an entertaining movie and keep the viewer hooked.