Swapna Waghmare Joshi, who has previously made several television shows and two films - Himesh Reshammiya-starrer Damadamm! (2011) in Hindi and Mitwaa (2015) in Marathi - takes on directorial duties for the psychological thriller Savita Damodar Paranjpe (2018). John Abraham steps in as producer. This will be the actor-producer's first Marathi project.
From the trailer, the subject of Savita Damodar Paranjpe feels like the tried and tested 'person getting possessed by a bad spirit' kind of story. Perhaps there is more than what meets the eye.
The film is based on Shekhar Tamhane's play by the same name, starring Reema Lagoo in the central role. The play revolves around a professor’s wife who begins to display sudden strange behaviour, almost unable to hide her violent streak and lustfulness.
As interesting as the premise is, what does the trailer harm is the loud background score and the melodrama really takes away from the thrill and suspense. Also, the story of the play seems dated in the feature film format. What will be interesting to see is how the story has been contemporised.
Actress Trupti Toradmal plays the role of an independent woman married to Subodh Bhave. Her sudden weird behaviour starts creating trouble in their domestic life. She begins to have sudden outbursts where she calls herself Savita Damodar Paranjpe. Raqesh Bapat seems to be playing some sort of a ghostbuster who feels she is possessed. On the other hand, a doctor steps in to find out if this is indeed a medical condition. Bhave's character is left confused at what actually is going on with his wife.
Is she possessed or does she have a multiple personality disorder? Guess, the whole quest for the audience will be to find an answer to the question that comes at the end of the trailer - 'who is Savita Damodar Paranjpe?' It remains to be seen if the treatment does the subject justice. Also, will the film follow the plays storyline or come up with a twist?
Savita Damodar Paranjpe will be released on 31 August.
Watch the trailer below: