Direction: Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni
Production: Devisha Films
Cast: Girish Kulkarni, Nana Patekar, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Sonali Kulkarni, Mohan Agashe, Usha Nadkarni, Kishor Kadam, Jyoti Subhash, Atisha Naik, Naseeruddin Shah (special appearance)
Music: Mangesh Dhakade
Rating: * * * ½
Plot: In the rural areas of Maharashtra lies a peaceful village called Mangrul. One day Keshav (Girish Kulkarni), a village youth, sees lord Dattatrey (Datta) in his dreams while taking a nap under a tree. He makes a hue and cry in the village saying God made an appearance for him. Anna (Dilip Prabhavalkar), most respected figure of Mangrul, advises him against announcing such personal matter as it’s a question of faith.
However, it is too late as a journalist (Kishor Kadam) sensationalizes the news about Lord Dattatrey making an appearance in Mangrul. Hence, there is a demand for a Dattatrey temple. Bhau (Nana Patekar), a political activist, doesn’t approve it as he wants the funds to be used for better purposes but he seems helpless. The temple is built and the village becomes a holy place. Mangrul goes through a 360 degree change due to commercialization but nobody is complaining except Anna. Soon, due to the blindness of commercial progress, God is forgotten.
Every village has a right to progress commercially but how ethical it is to use a temple and its God to achieve it? The question is raised in director Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni’s latest offering Deool. While it does this, the audience is treated to some quality cinematic experience that deserves applause.
Your heart is won right at the very start due to the brilliantly conceived artistic opening credits. For the first time I witnessed applause for opening credits. Girish Kulkarni’s screenplay is deliberately not pacy because it was necessary to set the mood for a soothing rural flick. It largely succeeds in keeping the audience interested due to the unfolding of interesting events and realistic humour, which regularly gets you in splits.
Having said that, several serious moments, after the story is developed, are well appealing and moving. Special care is also taken to give good amount of screen time to the mammoth star cast. Girish also excels as a dialogue writer. All in all, intelligent writing is the backbone of Deool.
After Valu and Vihir, Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni once again proves his mettle as a talented filmmaker. He deserves strong applause as directing a tale with a number of sub-plots and characters can be chaotic.
(Review continued after picture.)
What surprisingly amazes you is the splendid cinematography. The village landscapes are an absolute delight to watch. It won’t be an understatement to say the camerawork over here is of international standards. The background score too doesn’t lag far behind.
The only flipside is the slow pace after the start of the second half and few other portions. There are chances that the climax might not be appreciated by the commercial cinema admirers for being open-ended.
Music composer Mangesh Dhakade has complimented the film smartly. Songs ‘Deva Tula Shodhu Kutha’, ‘Datta Datta’ and ‘Welcome’ are hummable and emerge at the right situations.
In a performance oriented film it is vital that all actors are at their best and that’s exactly the case with Deool. Girish Kulkarni stuns with a brilliant act while showcasing amazement, anger and misery with utmost perfection. His act is worthy of all awards. Returning to Marathi films after long, Nana Patekar is lovable. His sense of humour is up to the mark.
Dilip Prabhavalkar once again shows why he is one of the most respected names in the industry. His act is moving as well as enlightening, although his character is similar to the one he played in Morya. Sonali Kulkarni displays another praiseworthy act and so does Mohan Agashe.
The film is well supported by the rest of the cast including Kishor Kadam, Usha Nadkarni, Jyoti Subhash, Atisha Naik, Hrishikesh Joshi and others. Naseeruddin Shah (making his Marathi film debut) leaves an impact in a cameo.
Overall, Deool proves to be a well-crafted piece of art which is enlightening. It is sure to enjoy good collections at the box-office. However, the collections might be affected from second week onwards once Swarajya and Dubhang release on November 11.
The Common Man Speaks 
Posted by Mugdha on November 5, 2011 at 4:14 am
आज ‘देऊळ’ चित्रपट आणि त्यातील मुळ गाभ्याचे म्हणजे ‘श्रद्धा’ कि ‘अंधश्रद्धा’ खरी या कोंडीत सापडलेल्या माणसाच्या ‘मनाचे’ दर्शन घेतले .आणि माझी मती गुंग झाली.मन सुन्न झाले .तसे पाहता सिनेमा जसा सुरु होतो आणि जसा त्याचा शेवट होतो तसाच येणाऱ्या प्रत्येक प्रसंगाच्या अनुषंगाने माणूस त्यात मनाने त्यामुळे येणाऱ्या विचार करायला लावणाऱ्या विचारात माणूस एकरूप होऊन रंगून जातो. गावातल्या केशव (गिरीश कुलकर्णी) या व्यक्तीला गाय शोधात असताना साक्षात दत्ताचे दर्शन होते.तेथून त्याला झालेल्या ‘त्या’ दर्शनाचा होणारा बाजार म्हणजे देऊळ हा चित्रपट .
या सिनेमातून त्यातील कथानकातून ,योग्य व्यक्तीरेखातून पण अतिशय मार्मिक चपखल अशा विनोदातून मांडलेल्या ‘भक्तीची बाजारपेठेची’ व्यथा नक्की खऱ्या भक्तांपर्यत पोहचेल .’देवाला’ असे राजकीय खेळीत अडकवल्या मुळे त्यात बिचाऱ्या निरागस आणि खऱ्या भक्ताचा आणि त्याच्या खऱ्या श्रद्धेचा नाहक बळी जातो. महाराष्ट्रात असंख्य देवस्थाने आहेत .प्रत्येक देवस्थानला भक्तीचा महापूर येतो .येणारा भक्त आणि त्या मागची भावना विचारात घेऊन देवाच्या नावाखाली चालणाऱ्या बाजारपेठेला खिळ मारत, संधिसाधू व्यावसायिक लोकांपासून सावध राहण्यासाठी, समाजासमोर सत्य मांडण्यासाठी उमेश कुलकर्णी यांचे लाभलेले अप्रतिम दिग्दर्शन, गिरीश कुलकर्णी यांची कथा पटकथा आणि हसता हसता विचार करायला लावणारे त्यांचे खुसखुशीत संवाद , स्वानंद किरकिरे सुधीर मोघेंची अर्थपूर्ण अशी गीते, मंगेश धाकडे यांचे वेगळ्या धाटणीचे मस्त संगीत, लक्षात राहणारा नाना पाटेकर यांचा ‘भाऊ’ खूपच वेगळे ‘हाव भाव’ करून ‘फारच भाव’ खाऊन जातो. त्यांच्या पत्नीची केलेली भूमिका ‘सोनाली कुलकर्णी हिने तिच्या नेहमीच्या भूमिकेमधून बाहेर पडून’ वेगळी’ केली आहे.गिरीश कुलकर्णी यांचा ‘केशव’ हसवतो आणि रडवतो पण .त्यांनी रंगवलेला ‘केशव’ हा त्यांच्या देहबोलीतून आपल्या हृदयात घर करून राहतो. दिलीप प्रभावळकर यांचा ‘आण्णा’ अतिशय प्रभावी झाला आहे .त्यांच्या तोंडचे वाक्य ( ज्याला देव हवा आहे, त्याने तो आपआपला शोधावा.. ज्याला नको आहे, त्याने शोधू नये ,हे स्वातंत्र प्रत्येकाला आहे, हे वाक्य पार आपल्या मस्तकात जाते. ‘देऊळ’ चित्रपटाद्वारे ‘श्रद्धेचा आणि चाललेला भक्तीच्या बाजारीकरणाचा ‘राजकीय गैर कारभाराचा’ डोळे सताड उघडे करणारा ‘नारळ’ फोडण्यात शंभर टक्के यशस्वी झाला आहे .मला वाटते अशा या ‘देऊळाचे’ दर्शन प्रत्येकाने एकदा तरी ( तिकिटाच्या) रांगेत उभे राहून आपले मन ‘खऱ्या भक्तीरसाने’ तुडूंब भरून श्रद्धेने घ्यावे असे मला वाटते. मुग्धा भिडे,पुणे
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 6, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Thanks for the detailed comment Mugdha mam 🙂
Posted by shailendra kulkarni on November 7, 2011 at 6:00 pm
This movie is excellent no doubt about it. End is quite thought provoking.
But one observation about the review, the village in the movie is Mangrul and not Umbra.
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 8, 2011 at 6:33 am
Thank you so much Shailendra for pointing it out. I appreciate.
Posted by mukund on November 12, 2011 at 1:23 pm
आम्ही पती पत्नी दोघे देऊळ चित्रपट पाहायला गेलो होतो, आम्हाला आवडला.. आक्खं थिएयेतर अनेक वेळा खो खो हसत होते..वाटले हा माझ्या सर्व आवडत्या व्यक्तींनी पाहायला पाहिजे.निखळ आनंद. इक साधा विषय पण किती चांगल्या पद्धतीने गुंफता येतो … त्यावर आखा पिक्चर निघू शकतो ? राजकारणाचे धडे देणारा, देवाच्या बाजरी करणावर आसूड ओढणारा ..म्हणून देवळात गेलेच पाहिजे…
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 12, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Khoop changla aani khara bolle tumhi Mukund saheb!
Dhanyawaad 🙂
Posted by Kiran Joshi on November 20, 2011 at 12:06 pm
You r right! excellent movie, we like it everyone should see it to get clearity about both entities! kiran & manali joshi
Posted by madhumangesh on November 5, 2011 at 8:12 am
sahi yaar
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 6, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Thanks for the comment 🙂
Posted by mukund on November 12, 2011 at 1:22 pm
मराठीतील कधी नव्हे एवढी तुफान सामाजिक आणि मानसिक कॉमेडी, फास्ट एडिटिंग, उत्कृष्ट पटकथा, संवाद, स्माल कारेक्टेर चा अभिनय सुद्धा लक्षात राहणारा… यंदाची सर्व पारितोषिके झाडून घेन्येची शक्यता …हा पिक्टुरे पाहणे म्हणजे सामाजिक कार्यशाळेचा इक भागच होईल..यात शंका नाही..
Posted by Kalpakant Pawar on November 5, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Awesome movie
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 6, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Yeah!
Posted by Kalpakant Pawar on November 5, 2011 at 1:56 pm
And a good review too… Thanks
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 6, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Thanks a lot Kalpakant 🙂
Posted by tushar on November 5, 2011 at 4:10 pm
the movie is tooooo good, a real OSCAR deserving ..
it truly reflects todays condition of god been used to make money..
i have experienced the same at SHIRDI and many more temples where god is been used to generate money.
i never go to such famous temples since then … god is within u, being good human is like being god .
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 6, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Very well said Tushar 🙂
Posted by mindcravings on November 5, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Really enjoyed Deool..
The standards were high as he had made Valu before this, but this one did not let me down one bit.. it’s a very thought provoking film.. beautifully made. Kudos to Marathi cinema!
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 6, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Thanks a lot Sukhada for the comment and ‘like’ 🙂
Posted by mindcravings on November 6, 2011 at 6:42 pm
My pleasure, absolutely! 🙂
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 7, 2011 at 7:14 am
🙂
Posted by shreya on November 6, 2011 at 7:02 am
very nice movie
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 6, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Yes 🙂
Posted by nagesh on November 6, 2011 at 8:25 am
DEOOL film ilike very very much.and he is great film ilike this movie.best of luck.
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 6, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Thanks!
Posted by Walmik (@iWalmik) on November 6, 2011 at 9:27 am
This is undoubtedly a brilliant film and should be sent for screening in world film festivals as India’s entry. The star cast is superb and the screenplay throbs with life.Dr. Mohan Aghashe is such a fantastic actor, completely absorbed by the role he is playing and it shows on his face, in every cell that he is no one else but the role he is playing. Nana Patekar is at his usual best… I loved the part where he is hesitant to give a hundred rupee note at a toll naka and the part where he explains to Anna(Dilip Prabhavalakar) that city people think that villages should remain just the way they are while they will rake in wealth while villagers roll in filth and dirt. Dilip Prabhavalkar… what can I say…. you cannot just stop loving this wonderful human being. I had met him once at a Marathi play and I went up to him and profusely appreciated his work. He responded the way a person would respond if he has been on stage for the first time in his life. He took great care to NOT make me feel that he is ‘someone’. In the movie, the way he describes the role of God is that of an indvidual nature and should be pursued in a manner that is personal to the pursuer is so apt that it looks like he was sharing something he himself has felt and not something that was on the script. His conviction is so genuine and infectous.
The director has hit bullseye when it comes to the state of Marathi village with Deool without trying to make it a sob story. In fact the film is entertaining! I ve not seen the earlier films of the Kulkarni duo but I want to now! These people are way ahead of their times. The best part, is they are not taking Marathi cinema downhill like Bollywood. There s so much that Bollywood can learn from Marathi cinema and this film in particular.
The youth represented by Bhau’s nephew and his circle of young friends is mind boggling. Its like these people were shot in real life and they are not acting at all. Like they are all really what they portray. Mahasangram, Audience, the school teacher with the big eyes, the poet, Eedya.. the characters are essayed with such perfection that the village is right in front of you.
The women folk have played their part to the hilt. Sonali Kulkarni is a known name but even the other faces that I m not aware of are no less. Sarpanch’s mother in law played by the renowned actor Usha Nadkarni is simply brillant. Her throw of words, her body language, her authoritative tone… I ve seen such people in villages.. its unbelievable how these actors have imbibed so many nuances in their work. Sonali Kulkarni fits perfectly as Bhau’s wife… The transformation she portrays after the Dutt Temple becomes a craze is marvelous. Sarpanch, Keshav’s mother, his love interest…. they are all played by some faces I am not aware of but not once did they seem any less than the known faces. Probably they are from theatre which goes to say that though most of art is going down the drain in India, it is still very much alive in the Indian Theatre.
All in all a wonderful film and its a must watch.
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 6, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Thanks for the detailed view Walmik 🙂
Posted by Sambhaji Chavan on November 7, 2011 at 4:44 am
अतिशय छान चित्रपट आहे. त्यामुळे हा हिंदीत डब करून देशभर प्रदर्शित करायला हवा. आणखीन एकदा दाखवून देवूया मराठी चित्रपटातील दम.
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 7, 2011 at 7:13 am
Ho Hindi madhe banvu shaktaat. Pan Bollywood che prekshak asa chitrapat baghayla janar ka, ha ek prashnachinha aahe. Bollywood che je masses aahet, tyanna stars aani masala pahije entertainment saathi. Hya sandarbhat Marathi prekshak faar pudhe aahe.
Posted by vishakha on November 7, 2011 at 6:27 am
देऊळ – बारावीच्या मराठी पाठ्यपुस्तकात ” बोकडोबा “नावाची कथा होती …….त्या कथेशी बरेचसे साम्य असणारा हा चित्रपट आहे. एकून सादरीकरण उत्तम आहे.
माणसाचे नाते देवाशी कमी आणि स्वार्थाशी जास्त जवळचे आहे ह्याचा “साक्षात्कार” चित्रपट पहिल्यावर होतो .
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 7, 2011 at 7:05 am
Hmm khara aahe.
Posted by shekhar on November 7, 2011 at 11:23 am
Ha ahe khara cinema…..
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 7, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Ho!
Posted by chandrakant chopde on November 7, 2011 at 8:07 pm
deool is a very good movie……a must see marathi movie
Posted by Suraj Pawar on November 7, 2011 at 9:39 pm
What i think is it’s not a common MAN..it should be common HUMAN BEINGS..it’s not about only MAN many of WOMEN respondents are also there.
Posted by Suraj Pawar on November 7, 2011 at 9:42 pm
So the title should be COMMON HUMAN BEING SPEAKS
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 8, 2011 at 6:39 am
Very valid point Suraj.
But in science and history, human being is called man. For example – man-made, pre-historic man, neanderthal man, etc. So it also includes women.
Also, the term ‘Common Man’ is very famous and it generates support. Hence, I chose it.
But I liked your comments and observation.
Cheers 🙂
Posted by harshali on November 8, 2011 at 6:04 am
mast maja aali……………….
Posted by shankar on November 9, 2011 at 11:38 am
This very good film !
Were is mangrul place in Maharashtra
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 9, 2011 at 2:19 pm
It is near Ambernath as per Google maps.
Posted by Prakash Kandekar (Aurangabad) on November 9, 2011 at 1:43 pm
हो खरच हा सिनेमा बघने म्हणजे, आज जे वर्तमानात चालले आहे त्याच एक उत्कृष्ट दर्शन आहे . मला हा चित्रपट (वळू)आणि (गाभ्रिचा पाऊस) प्रमाणेच खूप खूप आवडला.
Posted by vishnu on November 9, 2011 at 4:13 pm
far chhan chitrapat ahe ha vishnu ghuge
Posted by roocha on November 10, 2011 at 6:42 am
this is really a good movie. I think nowadays marathi cinema are more worth watching then hindi cinemas. It is the story of commonman and how money is generated in the name of God.
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 10, 2011 at 9:05 am
Yes, these days they are more meaningful than Hindi movies. Thanks for the comment 🙂
Posted by rajesh mael on November 11, 2011 at 11:19 am
super film ..zabardast
Posted by Vaibhav Chatarkar on November 11, 2011 at 6:49 pm
brilliant movie, good review, good going marathi !! i am sharing this review on fb !
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 12, 2011 at 5:49 am
Thanks a lot Vaibhav. I am honoured 🙂
Posted by sachin bachhav on November 13, 2011 at 1:24 pm
it’s just a awesome movie. BHAU & AS UPADHYAKSHA were fabulous.JAY MAHARASHTRA
Posted by Ambarish P. on November 13, 2011 at 9:00 pm
After reading the comments by the viewers of Deool, i feel like watching this movie soon..:-)
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 14, 2011 at 5:57 am
Yes you should. Thanks for the comment 🙂
Posted by Ajit on November 14, 2011 at 7:04 am
Khupach Sundar….pratyekane pahava asa chitrapat…
Posted by ulhasgadekar on November 14, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Khooooop chaaan….. Khas DEOOL sathi Punyala gelo. Picture pahun veda zalo. Marathi aslyacha abhiman watato. Anek janana sangitle. Ajun akada pahayacha hota. Mazi mulagi mhanali- Baba mala DEOOL pahayach. Teche nimitta pudhe karun dusaryanda pahila. Girish Kulkarni etake divas kothe hota. Abhimanane sangave ki ha aamchya MARATHI tala picture aahe.
Ajunhi mi DEOOL madhun baher aalo nahi.
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 14, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Kya baat hai!
Majja aali tumchi comment vachun.
Jai Maharashtra!
Posted by DeepJeevani on November 14, 2011 at 5:20 pm
It is one of the Awesome movie in the Marathi Industry. The climax should have been better than this but liked Direction and acting of all the Actors. The songs are good and the movie will not let you go anywhere before the climax ends. I think its the director intention is to ask there viewers “what could have a Better Ending for this film” and are we really practicle…?
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 14, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Yes, well pointed out. Thanks Deep 🙂
Posted by supriya on November 17, 2011 at 2:18 pm
loved it but did not understand naseeruddin shah ‘s role
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 18, 2011 at 7:28 am
Hi Supriya,
Naseer was like God’s avatar. He said he was a dacoit and then disappeared. In this way, he gave an idea to Girish’s character to steal the idol (moorti) of Datta.
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Keyur 🙂
Posted by amit on December 1, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Hi Keyur, Sorry but i dont think that the God(dacoit) wanted to give him idea of stealing…..but i think he was hiding from all the loot that was happening in his name….nicely shown by the Director…..I also like the part when that Dacoit(The God)ask for water and has a wound on his leg…..same as that of Kardi(the Cow) to whom Keshya wanted to give water for the last time……Man What a thinking!!!!
Posted by Keyur Seta on December 2, 2011 at 10:13 am
Yes Amit, even that can be an idea. Yes, the other scene you mentioned is also praiseworthy.
Thanks for the comment!
Posted by supriya on November 17, 2011 at 2:21 pm
did not understand naseer’srole
Posted by karnik.yogesh@gmail.com on November 18, 2011 at 3:42 am
This story has resemblence to Stock Market. Consider the following & we find we are no different than characters in movie. We may be critisizing the superstitions, but aren’t we also in the same boat. Consider the following:
Stock Market = Deul.
Shops around Deul= various stock brokers.
Flowers, agarbati = share certificates.
Keshav = some one who got money from stock market
People who are manpulating publicity of Deul= Likes of Harshad Mehta.
But one thing we must appreciate that such “Deul” generates economy in the same way as Wall Street/Dalal Stree.
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 19, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Wow! Truly appreciate your interpretation. Well compared!
And thanks for the comment Yogesh 🙂
Posted by Sukhdev on November 21, 2011 at 3:13 am
hey frd’s awesome move …Dev…kuthe.? Kasa.?..kadhi..? Manu shakto.,ani tyacha vevsay karu shakto.,yaache utoomtam udharan mhanje.”.DEOOL”
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 22, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Ho 🙂
Posted by Ajit Kavishwar on November 21, 2011 at 7:51 am
It is a very good thought provoking movie. Two sequels are suggested, second one should show extremities of science like youth becoming gadget savyy and mechanical and forgetting human relations and sports.Also the bad outcomes of science as atom bomb, genetic disorders in the offing..etc. The third sequel should be highlighting the importance of science and the Adhyatma in real as a combination which is the need of all the times what we call in Marathi as “Suvarnamadhya”..For this the help of Dr.Vijay Bhatkar and Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samitte can be sought….
Posted by Keyur Seta on November 22, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Hmm good suggestion Ajit.
You can approach the director or the producer and put forth your idea!
Cheers 🙂