Me Vasantrao (2021) Poster

(2021)

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10/10
A tribute to one of the greatest personalities in Indian classical music
saarangp1 April 2022
Another masterpiece after Katyar Kaljat Ghusli, "Mee Vasantrao" movie is based on the real life events of Vasantrao Deshpande - one of the greatest Hindustani Classical Vocalist.

His grandson - Rahul Deshpande - always dreamt of making a biopic on his late grandfather and his vision finally came true.

This movie is an epic musical journey of one man, and the various hardships he faces before catching his big break at one point in his life. This journey must be experienced on the big screen.

Great acting, direction, editing, music (of course!). If you are a fan of Indian Classical music / Natya Sangeet or you just want to see the journey of a great personality, this movie will be a blessing for you.

Even if the movie is 180 minutes long (yes, you heard it right!) you'll never feel it that way because it is so captivating and increases your curiosity at every moment - "What happens next?"

The movie has a strong message for all kinds of artists and musicians.
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10/10
A captivating journey of a gifted artist!
godbolesanika16 April 2022
Truly a masterpiece paying homage to one of the greatest artists of all time! Rahul Deshpande has done a brilliant job and deserves every ounce of praise. A captivating tale with music woven through every distinct moment. A must watch for music lovers, and for people who still wish to hold on to classical music.
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10/10
A movie with a canvas as broad and as original as the Maestro Vasantrao Deshpande himself.
preetamtiwari5 April 2022
We are emotional by nature, we love our heros, we put them very close to godliness and by doing so we unknowingly do injustice to the relentless efforts invested, scarifies made, journey travelled by them. We simply think these were gifted ones, and believe that the respect, the fame and the aura they have has been since very beginning.

Mee Vasantrao is an honest attempt to take you thru a journey of a gifted artist who was also a common, insecure man like most of us. His emotional struggle between fulfilling his responsibilities and his passion. His attempt to break boundaries of classical music and to experiment. His efforts to learn from all paths of music. His suffocation, his frustrations, his anger and his conflict with situation.

Nipun Dharmadhikari has done an exceptional job as a director in this story telling. Some critics typically raise concerns that biopics made in india lack research. This movie is an answer to those critics. The amount of research and hard work put in in script writing, dialogues and preproduction by Nipun and his team is pretty much visible in every scene and frame. A lot has been written about Vasantrao jee by various contemporary writers and music gurus. Some of his audio, video interviews are available to refer to. While portraying his character writers have very beautifully used references from these audios, videos and written literature. While portraying his exceptional talent and skill, Nipun has also made sure to make Vasantrao's character grey enough. This makes Vasantrao the character more human and the movie more real. He has shown vulnerable side of an artist without impacting the aura. There are number of scenes wherein a lot of verbos could have been used. Nipun does it the right way 'by using visual medium'. Characters hardly speak in important scenes and a convey a lot thru expressions, body language and eyes. Vasantrao's patch up with Darvekar master, Begum Akhtar jees or Lawani samaradni akkas appreciation for Vasantrao's gayaki, his visual interactions with PL while performing...there are tons of scenes worth mentioning of.
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8/10
You are a gifted singer, but fame eludes you
beevenkat6 April 2022
You are a gifted singer, but fame eludes you. Hence you work as a clerk in a government office to make ends meet. But when you reach the age of 40, you quit your mundane job and passionately focus on singing. Gradually you attain success. Your vocal cords mesmerize your fans to such an extent that they forget to clap. The deafening silence becomes your ultimate compensation. Rahul Deshpande who plays the lead, is amazing. In supporting roles, Chirputkar, Wagh and Date are excellent. Music is outstanding. Do watch #MeVasantrao in cinemas. Running time needs to be reduced by 15 minutes. Rating 4/5.
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10/10
Masterpiece !!!
pratikdalviub13 April 2022
The film manages to entertain as well as inform. All the artists have done extremely beautiful work. What struck me most was the set of the film and the costumes. Watching the movie really feels like going back to the 1920s; All the credit goes to the director and the art director. In the story of the film, each character is given good time and wieght.
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10/10
a peek into marathi society of the 1940~50s
rajasb-115206 April 2022
Brilliant portrayal of the life of Pt Vasantrao Deshpande. I had the fortune of listing to a live performance of his. Was glad to get a peek into the personality that was.

Marathi society is fast losing the culture and the connect to the stalwart personalities that made up the society. This somehow connects to the past.

All the performances were good as were the songs. Last song was brilliant. Thank you for making this movie.
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10/10
One of the best movies ever
mehulgaikwad-515833 April 2022
Me Vasantrao is a complete movie in every sense, music - story - acting - Direction. There rarely comes a movie which u watch once and u want to go back and watch again the same day. A complete family movie of one of the greatest singers in Indian history, his struggles, his critics and his survival and triumph. U may miss a great lot if u don't watch it in theatre.
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10/10
Absolutely stunning!
nkaalwar11 April 2022
Absolutely stunning film! Wonderful music!! Perfect movie in all respects. A great tribute to a legend. A classical story of struggle and rebellion carried through the subtle notes of music.
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10/10
A true musical in every sense...
jayeshchit2 April 2022
A true musical in every sense... The director has done a commendable job of making us experience the journey of Vasant rao Deshpande.

All actors have done a great job, especially the role of Vasantraos mother played by Anita Date.

And ofcourse, Rahul Deshpandes voice is mesmerizing as always. A must watch for all music lovers. A good message that the movie conveys.. its never too late to follow your passion...
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10/10
Outstanding
mailaj-539-36418412 April 2022
A masterpiece movie which is strong on all fronts. Excellent acting by all actors, brilliant writing and direction. Rahul Deshpande has done a fabulous job in the title Role. Highlight of the movie is Pushkaraj Chirputkar who plays the role of P L Deshpande. It's impossible to find a flaw, in spite of 3 hours running time. Kudos to Nipun for bringing alive a story of an incredible singer.
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10/10
Leaves you spellbound...
nishad-jadhav4 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
In this movie, Master Dinanath Mangeshkar explains young Vasantrao that; receiving 'once-more' for your singing from the audience is good. But there can not be any bigger reward than the silence of the audience after they listen you singing...Your singing should leave them speechless... spellbound!

This is exactly what this movie does to you....it leaves you speechless...spellbound! For me, a great movie should make you feel connected to its characters and their emotions. All the characters in this movie stand true to this criteria 100%. You feel struggle of Vasantrao's mother, you feel warmth of love which Vasantrao's 'mama' shares with him, you get worried when P. L. Deshpande gets worried for his talented but stubborn friend and you feel the agony which Vasantrao faces when he wishes to devote his life to music but responsibility of family holds him back from doing so.

The biggest strength of the film is its casting. All the actors, irrespective of the screen duration of their role, have done awesome job. Watch out for Vasantrao's encounter with an old lavni singer. What a master piece of scene it is!!! (Babu moshaay...role 'lamba' nahi 'bada' hona chahiye.. :-))

The next biggest strength is of course music of this film. You can not just separate out songs ! All the songs are integral part of the narrative. Music just effortlessly flows through the movie. It is as essential as dialogues.

The film scores very high on all other technical movie-making aspects, like cinematography, art direction, editing, costumes and yes...make-up. It reminded me of movie 'Chhichhore', where in spite of expensive prosthetic make-up, actors looked so plasticky. In 'Mi Vasantrao' movie, aging of actors has been depicted so skillfully with minimal make-up and perfect wigs.

Director Nipun Dhamadhikari has reached new heights of his craft with this movie. Respect!!!

I'll not be surprised if this movie wins multiple national awards.

I am going to watch this movie 'once-more' and I am sure it'll leave me spellbound....again and again and again!!!
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10/10
Heart touching musical saga
mangeshskillnet5 April 2022
The movie very soulfully portrays the life of Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande. It lets viewers experience the very soul of music. After overcoming many hardships and apprehensions about leaving his job, Panditji discovers where his happiness truly lies. He decides to dedicate his life to singing and the musical stage gets a bright, shining star who knows how to break shackles and give a treat of never heard before 'gayaki' to the listeners.

Enacted by his grandson Rahul Deshpande, this movie is a musical blockbuster. Rahulji's singing is truly out of this world, and he captivates the audience in all forms of music that he portrays - like lavani, lori, abhang, natyageet among others. It is a delight listening to him.

Nipun Dharmadhikari has directed the film excellently. Some of the scenes are definitely going to stay with you long after you have watched the film.
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10/10
Musically Mesmerizing Movie
mihir-1106410 April 2022
This movie gives the autobiography of the legendary singer Vasantrao Despande. The performances of the all the artists in the movie has left a lasting impression on me. Would have wanted a few more scenes of Amey Wagh. He did an amazing job . Rahul Deshpande paid a great tribute to his Grandfather and has continued his music legacy!!!
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10/10
Finally, something superlative to watch and listen to again and again.
writingdog4 April 2022
Here's a tale of a gifted singer who was born to a vocalist from a bygone era. It's a green room moment for the legendary Pandit Vasantrao Deshpande, where he's reflecting upon his life journey, before one of his grand finale performances. It's a journey you unknowingly take with the legend and almost forget you are watching a movie.

His progressive thinking mother (a strong portrayal by Anita Date) brings him up all by herself, despite being married into a well-to-do family. She does so to keep her self-respect and her son's future intact.

The movie does not dwell too long through her struggles, but with just one mesmerizing song (rendered beautifully by Shreya Ghoshal). Vasantrao's penchant for vocals is seamlessly woven in with him seeking a guru in every great singer he comes across. He skips school to watch and learn Dinanath Mangeshkar's plays and performances. He develops a bond with most of his guru's, but is never lucky enough to sustain his learning spree, which is intermittently curtailed with worldly responsibilities. And his 23-year-long sabbatical from singing is the most painful part of his journey. Or so it may seem, until his real struggle begins with establishing himself as a self-styled vocalist. The resistance he faces from prudish purists is the essence of the movie. Those are the real painful moments most creative artists from any field will be able to relate with. Yes, tears can roll out.

Kudos to the producers for bringing out this less known tale of our beloved legend Pandit Vasantrao Deshpande. Brilliantly, I repeat, brilliantly portrayed by his grandson Shri Rahul Deshpande. RD's vocal brilliance and music prowess is well known among fans and music lovers. But the fact that he can act, and that too so well, comes across as a real surprise.

Full marks to the director Nipun Dharmadhikari for maintaining the sanctity of the era, the culture and the legend with mind-blowing art direction, that never brings us out into the present day. The lamps, the locks, the hand-painted advertisement on the wall, the carts, the trunks, the lighting, the costumes... everything transports us into that period.

Yes, it has 22 breathtaking songs, each one a timeless wonder. It's a must watch for lovers of good cinema and music afficionados.
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10/10
Amazing Biopic, best of biopic in Marathi till date
godbolesagar4 April 2022
Rahul Deshpande has lived his dream in portraying his grandfather! Just proved that he is an equally amazing actor.

Dialogues are fantastic. P. L. Gets punchlines throughout the movie. Scene with Akka was brilliant. Had goosebumps while watching Rahul performing a Lavani Nipun has done justice to every character.
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10/10
Master piece
chinuminuchavchav2 April 2022
Dialogue are so beautifully written... melodious music and speechless performances of everyone....movie has maintained its balance on both the side....at one it will make you laugh and on other side it made you cry as well..... Awesome treat for everyone specially for music lovers🙌🙌🙌
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10/10
A beautiful tribute to a gifted artist
sagardjadhav9 April 2022
Me Vasantrao is a biopic based on the life of Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande, narrated in an autobiographical format.

The movie underlines the fact very strongly that on the outside, the life of a successful artist may seem alluring, but the struggle for recognition behind it is rarely ever taken note of.

The movie is packed with polished performances by actors like Pushkaraj Chirputkar, Anita Date, Ameya Wagh, and of course, Rahul Deshpande. All of the songs are worthy of innumerable "once more"s. Nipun Dharmadhikari, the director, has chiseled the movie into the gem that it has turned out to be.

A great creation that acknowledges the struggles of a supremely talented artist, Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande.
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10/10
A perfect tribute to the legendary grandfather by the grandson
meghakolhekar2 April 2022
"Mee Vasantrao" takes you through the struggles of Dr. Vasntrao Deshpande, a legendary and revolutionary vocalist whose style was beyond imagination for his conemporaries who belived in encapsulating classical music in "Gharanas"... Panditji himself had tutoring from various Gurus and captured every style like a sponge, but developed his own style beyond that... "Maza Gharan mazyapasun suru hota-My Ghrana originates from me" is the famous reply that Dr. Deshpande gives to his critics.

The film is made with lot of passion-as expected because none other than Raul ji Deshpande, the famous grandson of Vasantraoji playing his own grandfather. Casting is so perfect, that the famous characters which we have read in literature--Pu la Deshpande, Pt Dinanath Mangeshkar, Lahor wale Ustad ji, Begum Akhtar come alive before your eyes... Vasantrao ji's mother played by Anita Date is a powerouse performance.. Everyone ,smallest of the small roles, have perfecly played their cast.

But the winning and heart-touching performance is of course by Rahul ji Despande, who proves that he is an equaly well equipped actor:-) Not only in the field of classical music, or Natya sangeet, he is an ace performer here too... His expression, voice, the pain in his eyes, and the climax scene... everything is so adorable and cherishable... The soul of the film is the music. Again, Rahul ji hits an ace here .. Not only the re-created songs but the new songs are composed so uniquely, that the whole jukebox is worth preserving. Hats off to the lyricists too.

Perfect casting, powerhouse perormances, everlasting music, wonderful camera work and classy direction, makes this film a-must-see by all (language no barrier) and a "once-more-many-more-see" for ardent fans of Pt. Dr. Vasanrao Deshpande..
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10/10
Must watch movie to learn how to alive your passion
leenak-137845 April 2022
This movie is for everyone, not only singers and actors should see but also everyone will get life lessons. I went to movie theater after 5years today and it just blow my mind his to live your passion. Every character has done fantabulous job. More this kind of biopic should be made by Marathi industry.
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10/10
Captivating film
Pradeep609708912 June 2023
What a perfect film this was. I don't know Marathi. I understood through subtitles. The actors are so good, they communicated through their emotions. The film took me to different places in the sub-continent.

I had never heard of Vasant Rao Deshpande nor P L Deshpande, but I could still connect to them as artistes who lived in a different time. I appreciate the writer and director for not showing a lot of violence and death (1947 riots, etc). Whatever little was shown conveys the message to us, the viewers.

This was a deep-rooted, satisfying film that showed so much about Indian culture without talking about it.
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8/10
MI VASANTRAO
kvijay-152065 April 2022
I see this movie, I appreciate n legend "Vasantraoji" this is one of the biograph master piece. I feel reality & amazing music n no words say about Vasantraoji...... UNSEEMLY....🍁
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10/10
Once in decade performance
ganeshteknic11 April 2022
This movie is exception as each and every character has delivered excellent performance irrespective of how small or big their role is. It seems like every actor was acute admirer of Shri. Vasantrao therefore every contribution was carefully holisitc. This makes this movie once in decade art.
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9/10
A Masterpiece from Maharashtra
vasantmdesai19 June 2023
This is a story of a legend who was bound by the common man responsibilities and the hardships of an era gone by, a talent limitless encroaching the taboos of Hindustani Classical music scene.

The film showcases global-level direction and music, acting par excellence, and writing that hits at the heart.

Pt. Deenanath Mangeshkar: "Asa gaava lokan samor ki lokanni sabdach visaravet, swatacha awaj visarava. Asa gaava ki vichar karnach visarava."

Spellbound and Speechless. #MeVasantrao is a Masterpiece from Maharashtra and deserves worldwide recognition.

Thank you, @NipunDharmadhikari & @RahulDeshpande.
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10/10
Wowie
rkntknphotos3 April 2022
Perfect movie in all respects. Great tribute to one of the greatest masters of music. Great acting by the cast ,great direction ,great dialogues. It has captured the very essence of Desphpandes life and delivered to the audience in a heart touching manner. Wishing the movie a grand success at the box office.
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10/10
As real it can get to the Musical Legend!
jagdish-0203017 July 2022
The efforts of actors, script and soul touching music. Made it quite unique.

Movie shows many layers of the Legend which was undiscovered till now. As real it can get to the Musical Legend!
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