Dhyanimani is an expression which means deeply embedded in one’s thoughts, mind, and heart. It describes something you are constantly aware of, remembering, or preoccupied with, even subconsciously. That is the complexity of the human mind and it is difficult to predict its behaviour and reaction to a given situation. This can have a prolonged effect on a person as he/she is unable to distinguish the difference between reality and imagination. The Marathi film Dhyanimani explores a similar theme about human psychology. It also talks about societal pressures that may lead to undesirable consequences.

Dhyanimani is a seemingly simple story of a happy family but all is not “normal.” The film has a limited star cast of Mahesh Manjrekar, Ashwini Bhave, Abhijeet Khandkekar and Mrunmayee Deshpande. Mahesh Manjrekar had produced the play with the same name in the 1990s and adapted it as a movie years later in 2017. Prashant Dalvi is the writer and Chandrakant Kulkarni has directed the film.

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The Plot

The story begins with a young couple staying in Mumbai. Dr. Sameer Karandikar (Abhijeet Khandkekar) is a clinical psychologist working at the university. His wife is Aparna (Mrunmayee Deshpande), a microbiology research student. Aparna is not in a good mood. Her pregnancy test result has come out positive. Apparently, the couple have married at a young age and are not ready to welcome a child so early in their married life.

She calls Sameer to give him the unexpected “good” news. Things settle down after they talk at home and share the news with Sameer’s father Vinayak Karandikar (Madhav Abhyankar). Aparna calms down and accepts the situation. They are ready to welcome the bundle of joy in their house. Sameer proposes they go on a short trip for a change of scene and Aparna agrees.

But they cannot go far from Mumbai due to their commitments. Sameer’s father proposes they should go to Roha in Konkan, and stay at a resort that he is aware of. The resort in charge is one of Karandikar’s old students Sadanand alias Sada Pathak (Mahesh Manjrekar). Sada’s wife is Shalini (Ashwini Bhave), who also was Karandikar’s student. Both have a lot of respect for Karandikar Sir and treat him like their father. They have a 12-13 year old son Mohit. Shalini regularly writes to Karandikar keeping him updated about all the happenings in their life. Sameer and Aparna have heard a lot about Sada and Shalini though they have never met. They agree to go to the resort without any prior intimation to the Pathaks.

The couple head to Roha by train and arrive in the morning. The setting moves to the resort guest house where Sada and Shalini reside. Shalini is serving breakfast to Sada. There is routine family talk. Mohit has gone on a school trip and will be back in the evening. Shalini seems to be a housewife whose world is centred around her husband and son. Sada gets irritated by her constant chattering. She reminds Sada that Mohit needs a new uniform, he is growing so fast. They will go this Friday to the market. Shalini keeps talking about Mohit this and Mohit that and Sada asks her to calm down. Apparently, the Pathaks are not very well off and Sada has to keep an eye on the house budget.

Finishing breakfast, Sada is about to leave for work when the bell rings. They see the strangers at the door and look at each other questioningly. Sameer and Aparna greet them. Sada and Shalini don’t recognize them but matters are cleared, and they are welcomed happily. Sameer asks Sada to arrange for a room in their resort. But Shalini tells them that he is Karandikar Sir’s son and like family, the couple will stay with the Pathaks in the guesthouse. Sada seems to be not very comfortable with the suggestion but he agrees and leaves for work.

As the couple settles down, Shalini has a long conversation with Sameer over tea. He informs her that he is not a medical doctor. He is a doctor of  psychology. She says she had studied psychology as a subject during her graduation. She talks about Mohit and child psychology.  She mentions that Sada seems to be having a psychological problem. He is constantly worrying about his work, boss, career progression and so on. She fears Mohit will develop a complex like him. Sameer asks her not to worry, such tensions are normal.

Sameer and Aparna decide to spend the day exploring the area. Before leaving they ask Shalini what gift should they get for Mohit. Shalini responds that is not required as he has so many toys and other stuff. She inadvertently mentions that Mohit was talking about a table tennis bat, Sameer thanks her for solving his query!

The young couple have an enjoyable day. They return to the guest house in the evening to find a worried looking Shalini waiting at the entrance. She informs that Sada and Mohit have not come back. Sada comes home and Shalini pesters him to go to the school and find out what has happened. Sada pacifies her and goes immediately. Sameer offers to come with him but Sada asks him not to worry. He will be back soon.

In the meantime Shalini has become hyper and tells Sameer and Aparna about how one of their neighbour’s son didn’t come back after he met with an accident during a school trip. Sameer tries to calm her down. It’s almost 11.00 pm. She asks them to go and sleep. She will wait for Sada and Mohit to come and serve dinner.

Sada comes home alone. He tells her that the bus is yet to return. There are senior students in the bus and there is no cause for worry. But Shalini is in a foul mood. She keeps talking as the lights go off suddenly because of a power cut. It’s 11.30 pm when Mohit reaches home. Sameer and Aparna hear Shalini shouting at Mohit. She is angry because he wants to go to a karate camp the next day. She admonishes him for not spending time at home. His behaviour is not acceptable. The dialogue continues as she serves him dinner.

Sameer tells Aparna that it’s better to meet Mohit now and give him the gift. They will not meet him tomorrow once he leaves for the camp. Aparna agrees. They step out in the darkness to go towards the dining table. Shalini’s non-stop jabbering is on. The lights come back suddenly and they are shocked at what they are seeing. Shalini is alone at the dining table. She is talking to thin air. Reality strikes. Mohit does not exist and lives in Shalini’s imagination.

Aparna and Sameer are too shocked to react and go back to their room. The next morning they step out early and discuss the matter. So, Shalini herself is the “psychological” case in the house. In an intense scene, Sameer confronts her directly but is taken aback at the way she counters his argument. She has been living with this lie or hallucination for years and Mohit has become a part of her life.

Later, a desperate Sada tells the truth to them. The Pathaks were childless for many years. The doctors diagnosed that Shalini can never become a mother due to a medical condition. The revelation sent her into a severe shock. The impact was so serious that she gave “birth” to an imaginary child and brought him home. Sada was obviously furious and left the house for a couple of days. When he returned, Shalini made him accept the reality. He promised never to leave her again and that he will always care for herself and their son Mohit. So, this is how the “three” of them have been living happily all these years.

Sada is fine with the arrangement as he has accepted Shalini’s condition. More importantly, she is happy. But Sameer points out that it is dangerous to live like this. Shalini needs to be treated and the illusion needs to be broken. He is happy to attempt it with Sada’s help.

Will Sada agree? More importantly, what is Shalini’s reaction as Mohit is indeed her heart and soul. Can she stay alive without his existence in her life?

The Music

The film has one song Ashi Kashi Vedi Maya written by Sandeep Khare with music by Ajit Parab. It appears as a male version in Ajit Parab’s voice and later a female solo in Madhura Datar’s voice.

My Thoughts

Dhyanimani is a case of missed opportunities. The plot has great potential with the sudden twist and suspense embedded in it. The story works as a play but it’s film version is disappointing. There are many loose ends and instances of lazy writing. Main issue is the lack of reference to and usage of technology as the film is set in 2017 when mobile phones and social media were prevalent in daily life. Many plot points that would have worked in the context of the play are not convincing in the movie.

An example is when Mohit does not return home, their is no clear suggestion to call the school, the teachers or other parents. (A single mobile call would have solved the problem!) Of course, making this suggestion would have put Shalini and Sada in a spot but such plot holes need to be addressed properly. The suspense build up is good but you feel it could have been better.

Mahesh Manjrekar is good in parts. Maybe some other actor would have been better suited to the character. Somehow his chemistry with Ashwini Bhave does not impress much. Abhijeet Khandkekar and Mrunmayee are adequate. Abhijeet plays a psychologist but his expertise is under utilized. He seems to give up easily when it comes to dealing with Shalini. Ashwini Bhave is impressive in the emotional scenes and the scene where she “deals” with Dr Sameer when he questions her about Mohit. But overall, she is loud and over the top. Her dialogue delivery and tone is unnecessarily artificial from the beginning. Her constant chattering starts to irritate you. A subdued and controlled character would have helped to generate that normal atmosphere before the shocking revelation is made. You don’t connect with the character. As a result, the impact when you know the truth about Mohit and Shalini’s condition is significantly reduced.

A more thoughtful approach would have made it a better film with better results.