Smile Please trailer: Lalit Prabhakar is out to change Mukta Barve’s outlook towards life

We finally know what the subject of designer-turned-filmmaker Vikram Phadnis’ Marathi film Smile Please (2019). After keeping us guessing between a psychological drama and light-hearted entertainer, the trailer tells us that it is based on the theme of one man providing the wisdom of life to people who are almost strangers. 

Nandini (Mukta Barve) is a professional photographer who stays with her daughter and father (Satish Alekar) in Mumbai. One day, their long distance relative Viraj (Lalit Prabhakar) arrives to stay with them for some time. 

After disliking him initially, Nandini and others develop a deep bond with him. Viraj turns out to be a source of life’s lesson for them, especially for Nandini, who is going through some crisis. 

Such themes have been a favourite in Hindi cinema with Hrishikesh Mukerjee’s Anand (1971), Rajkumar Hirani’s Munna Bhai series and 3 Idiots (2009) and the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). But this theme is new for Marathi cinema. 

The trailer presents a positive feeling for the upcoming film. Smile Please promises to be an emotional journey with light-hearted moments. 

Prabhakar is impressive in the trailer itself and so is Barve. The film also stars Prasad Oak in a pivotal role.

Smile Please is due to be released on 19 July.

Watch the trailer: