A new Marathi film 'Bandya Aani Baby' which could not find theatres in Maharashtra including Mumbai for distribution , was released with a TV Premiere on Star Pravah at prime time on Sunday 13th June 2010. An unusual tale of a young boy ( Bandya) and a young girl( Baby), who land in Pune for their respective jobs and share the same room without the knowledge of the girl. The caretakers of the society, as a special case try to accommodate Bandya in the same room, where Baby lives, so that they could make double money. Bandya being a graduate, works in a multi national company as a Night watchman. The caretakers arrange for a separate ladder from behind for Bandya to enter and exit the room, while Baby is away in office.

Soon, Baby comes to know about the secret of somebody else sharing her room in her absence. Bandya admits the truth through a letter , by revealing the circumstances under which he was required to stay there. Having come to know about his sincerity and knowing that the boy is from her native place, she agrees to continue with the same arrangement. Both correspond through letters left for each other on the study table and fall in love with each other.

Baby wants to continue the affair in the same manner, without being in a hurry to meet him. But, in reality she comes across Bandya in the outside world , whom she first misunderstands as a thief, for having snatched away her purse. But, when she comes to know about the reality, she feels embarrassed and becomes friendly with Bandya , who calls himself Narayan , and addresses her as Laxmi. Baby shares her secret love affair with Narayan. In the meanwhile, she receives a proposal from a boy belonging to a wealthy family. Baby seeks the opinion of Narayan, who by that time comes to know that his new friend is none other than his room mate Baby. So, he tries to sacrifice his love, so that Baby could settle down as per her mother’s wish. Bandya’s friend Mangya however reminds him of his duty and reveals everything to Baby. The film ends with happy ending.

The film no doubt had a good theme, but unnecessary importance to a big team of characters living in the neighborhood, only applies break to the original love story. The film also incorporates another plot, in the form of a twist, by bringing in another boy who wants to marry Baby, only because she resembles his fiancée, who dies in an accident. The gimmicks played by character artistes staying in the neighborhood and the sub plot in the film look outdated. Till interval, the film is carried on well, but fails to generate interest post interval, as everything becomes predictable, reminding similar incidences of any outdated film. Director Subhash Phadke should have edited these unwanted scenes to make the film more presentable, to focus more on the love story between the two main characters, in Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai style.

by Ulhas Shirke © MMW