Cast: Rekha, Nana Patekar, Nakul Vaid, Deepti Naval, Raima Sen
Director: Gautam Ghose
Producer: Bipin Vohra
Music Director: Khayyam, Gautam Ghose
Cinematography, Story, Screenplay and Editor: Gautam Ghose
Choreography: Saroj Khan, Saswati Sen
True that movies like Yatra take you back in the history of the versatile and culturally rich film era, true that such stories are rarely told in today’s times. But the biggest truth is that films like Yatra have absolute no place in the multiplex audience’s mind. 21st century is far away from the journey of Yatra.
The story of Yatra is different from the regular block but the screenplay and director’s narration fail to capture the audience’s mind. The film’s look is offbeat and far from commercial Hindi cinema. What is the point of making a film when you can’t pull the audiences to the theatres?
Nana Patekar plays Dasrath Joglekar, a renowned writer. He is on his way to Delhi to receive the prestigious Literary Award. On the way, he meets one of his ardent fans Nakul Vaid, who is a filmmaker by profession and is devoted to Dasrath’s pieces of writings. They discuss about the novels that Dasrath has written and dig the past by striking a conversation about one of his famous novel’s Janaza.
Lajvanti (Rekha) is a prostitute and Janaza is all about her. After receiving the award, Dasrath moves on to explore the life of Lajvanti yet again. He starts for his hunt without informing anyone from his family.
As far as Dasrath’s memories go, Lajvanti used to perform mujras in Mehndi Galli. People from every part of the society used to assemble here to blow away their part of naughtiness. Time has changed and so has Lajvanti. She is now Miss Lisa and mujras have been replaced by popular filmi songs.
Lajobai gets a shock when she finds Dasrath in front of her. She treats him by singing some of the finest melodies of the past. Things take a toll when their lives play a small turn around.
The plot is like our Indian Cricket team, it is just good on paper but on the celluloid it just falls flat. The characterization of Nana Patekar and Rekha is weak. Most of the scenes miss the logical touch. The climax is the biggest disappointment as the story is ends abruptly.
Khayyam and Gautam Ghose’s music far from capturing your soul. Dialogues are praiseworthly. Cinematography is dull at times and look very bright with Rekha in the scenes.
Acting wise, Rekha looks repetitive as she has portrayed such roles in films like Umrao Jaan and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. She hardly has anything new to offer. Nana is good in his part and plays his side with natural touch. Deepti Naval is good.
Overall, Yatra will find it difficult to attract good business in the theatres. The movie can be seen only if you want to get a dark glimse of 19th century kinda mujhras and culture.
Radiosargam Movie Rating: 4/10
Hanumant Bhansali
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