After achieving success through her first Marathi production 'Mission Champion',
Film maker Veena Lokur from Belgaum has now offered one more sensible film
'Platform'; which speaks about the Girl child abuse in India. Veena Lokur, who
also makes her debut as a director through this film, has gone beyond the
subject of Female foeticide to show the reality in our society, where girl child
is still considered as a burden by the parents; especially in the weaker section
of the society.
Through this film, Veena Lokur has launched her daughter Sai, who plays an
important central role of Shivani Deshmukh, from a well to do family. Shivani,
who is a final year college student, is about to find a campus recruitment and
is returning home after attending a workshop; when she witness a horrifying act
of parents, who just drop their two daughters into her compartment and run away,
as the train leaves a platform after the halt.
Shivani (Sai Lokur) who takes the lead to hand over the girls to the Police,
when she reaches her destination. But, she is deserted by all her friends. It is
only her best friend Aditya (Astaad kale), who supports her and the two little
girls ( aged 4 and 5 yrs) are taken to the Police station. But, at the Police
station they experience the reality about the law, besides the child abuse.
However, Aditya's father (Sharad Ponkshe) being a lawyer, suggests them a way
out. It looks like all roads are closed for Sai , as the parents of the missing
girls cannot be traced. Shivani takes up the custoday of the two girls, much
against the wish of her parents (Mohan Joshi and Veena Lokur).
When, Aditya also notices Shivani going out of the way to help the girls and
getting emotionally involved in them, he too loses interest in her and leaves
for US to take up a job.
He however, keeps in touch with Shivani over phone like
a good friend. Shivani separates from her parents and adopts the girls. She
takes good care of them, by offering good education for next 11 years. When the
girls attain teenage, a particular incident in their life takes them to their
past. Shivani has to reveal the true happenning. This is almost towards the
climax of the film, when director Veena Lokur concludes her story with an
appropriate end.
The film has a strong subject to convey, but to show the actual
happening on
the platform, her screenplay takes its own time. It is only little before
interval, the film actually takes the momentum. To fill up the gaps in the first
session, the director has taken help of music, with the inclusion of two songs.
Lyricist Ashwini Shende's fine wordings have received the composition from
talented music director Nilesh Moharir.
Cinematographer Suresh Deshmane's wonderful work is clearly visible, especially
in the outdoors. His execution with different camera angles has made the job of
director much easier. Being a debutant, Veena Lokur has done her best.
Newcomer Sai Lokur, who also makes her debut as an actress, looks more confident
and appealing. She has performed the role of a protagonist with sincerity.
Astaad kale, who also plays the leading man for the first time, is at ease and
perfectly fits into that role of Aditya. Mohan Joshi and Sharad Ponkshe in the
role of parents have nothing much to offer, but they have played their
respective roles well. Veena Lokur is just fine in the role of sai's mother in
the film and so are the other characters of the film. The two child artistes and
the grown up girls have performed their parts well. The film has already won the
State Government award as one of the best films this year. But, to be eligible
for international awards, it requires editing, especially in the three songs,
except one background and few unwanted scenes in the first session. However,
'Platform' does succeed in passing a social message at the most appropriate
time. This being a sincere effort from the lady film maker, it is to be
appreciated.
