Thodasa Roomani Ho Jaayen

Mr. Palekar has created a thoroughly watchable Hindi version of the 1956 movie 'The Rainmaker', starring Burt Lancaster and Katherine Hepburn. Nana Patekar has put in another commendable performance, as has Anita Kanwar.

I felt one or two sequences were a bit too lengthy, and maybe the movie could have been completed within 2 hours.. but It's okay. Definitely watch the movie if you like a little unconventional romanticism.

If you like watching this movie, I can also suggest watching English movies like 'The Bridges of Madison County', 'Sweet November', 'Notting Hill'.. and Hindi movies like 'Ijazat' and 'Manzil'.

Strongly recommended for a nice weekend evening. Excellent direction, acting and totally new story line. Especially the first part where the whole movie follows a poetic route of dialogue delivery rather than traditional rout. Though the film drags in second part, it is still watchable for its central character, Nana Patekar

Thodasa Roomani Ho Jayen review :

Amol Palekar's desi adaptation of Hollywood classic 'The Rainmaker' (1956); Thodasa Roomani Ho Jayen was highly experimental in nature with most of its dialogues in lyrical form. Even the songs were perfectly blended in to the storyline.

The plot revolved around seedhi saadhi plain jane Binny (Anita Kanwar) and her family who live in a small town where there are no rains so far. Binny likes the local collector JD (Vikram Gokhale) but he largely ignores her. Her mind is as 'sukha' as the imminent drought they are facing.

In comes Baarishkar (Nana Patekar) who promises rains in lieu of Rs. 5000 cash. Binny's father accepts the offer and the rainmaker or Baarishkar as he is called, sets his plan to action.

The film is slow in parts and quite a few sequences appear extended beyond their worth. But still somewhere, the movie is able to connect with its audience and that is because of its deep rooted positive message of inner beauty and self esteem. It truly cheers us up. The performances are expectedly super fine with Nana Patekar, Anita Kanwar and Vikram Gokhale being the clear standouts. Infact, Anita Kanwar was truly outstanding here but sorrily, she never got any due for it.

Baarishkar's role was written with Naseeruddin Shah in mind but post Tridev's (1989) success, he had hiked up his price which the producers couldn't afford. Thus, Nana got the role and made it his own. Just listen to him narrating the meaning of Baarish in his intro scene. Super!!

Overall, Thodasa Roomani Ho Jayen is recommended to the discerning viewer.

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.