Pondicherry review: Sai Tamhankar, Amruta Khanvilkar's film is a gift you would like to open

The best part about Milind Jog's film is that not once do you feel like the film has been shot on smartphone rather than using a professional camera setup.

Pondicherry - Sai Tamhankar.

Pondicherry

Story:

Nikita (Sai Tamhankar) runs a homestay with her son Ishan (Tanmay Kulkarni) and one of her helpers. A mystery guest arrives at her doorstep in Rohan (Vaibhav Tatwawadi). Thereon, the plot follows the two actors' lives - complicated at that, unfolding one scene after another.

Review:

From the first scene, you understand that Pondicherry will be a visual delight. The soft music only helps the scene.

While you still sink in the glimpses and the marvel that unfolds, a song enters the film. Mahesh Manjrekar comes as a surprise. He appears in two scenes, both of which leave a mysterious smile on your face.

Vaibhav Tatwawadi (Rohan) is impressive from the first glimpse too. He holds a certain mystery which keeps the film together. He is not a character you will love insantly or at all but being the lead, he definitely earns your respect through one scene which reveals his identity.

Sai Tamhankar (Nikita) plays a soft-spoken homestay manager to perfection. She speaks in five languages (Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, French, English) through the movie which comes as a pleasant surprise. What I love the most about her character is how frank she and her son are with each other. Her breakdown scene, however, fails to leave an impact.

The two actors' chemistry is very complicated. While you constantly feel there is something going on, the spark is missing between them.

Child actor Tanmay Kulkarni (Ishan) does justice to the role of Ishan as well. He has so many emotions along with the innocence that only reflects on your face at a child that it makes you want to see him on the screen more.

Neena Kulkarni comes in a special appearance but doesn't do complete justice to the character. She doesn't get upset even when the scene requires it which is pretty confusing to watch.

In front of her, Amruta Khanvilkar (Manasi) is furious since her entry. When the two actors meet though, it is interesting. Manasi is the surprise package who unravels in front of you briefly and slowly.

Not once in the film will you feel the quality deteriorate just because it is shot on a smartphone. In fact, the movie is filmed better than many movies made. Director Milind Jog is to be credited for the same.

As amazing as the film is in the first half, it turns bizarre in the second. You just don't understand what is happening till the very last minute.

The last scene on the beach is an almost perfect tribute to the story the film goes on to tell. Its underlined emotions come out strong in the subtle scene, even though it could definitely have been executed better.

Verdict:

Pondicherry is a good watch. It has a story and emotions at the centre and the vibe of the place in-your-face. For a film shot on a smartphone, this movie's execution is sub-par. The only place where Pondicherry the film falls flat is during the bizarre, unexplained scenes like Sai running and Vaibhav following her or him suddenly being associated with a play. Those moments are rare and could pass off as artistic. Looking the overall packaging of the film, it is a gift you would like to open.

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Cast and Crew

Mahesh Manjrekar

Neena Kulkarni

Sai Tamhankar

Vaibhav Tatwawadi

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