'Hello Gandhe Sir' is a mix of B'wood films

Cast: Bharat Jadhav, Dr. Girish Oak, Sia Patil, Vijay Chavan and Vijay Kenkre

Director duo: Sandeep-Samir

At a time when Marathi cinema is fast adopting fresh subjects and innovative techniques, arrives this week’s new release, Hello Gandhe Sir, a poor mish mash of Bollywood films Mohabbatein and Hello Brother.

Datar Behere College of Science, Commerce and Arts Principal Anandrao Gandhe (Dr. Girish Oak) is very strict. He carries his stern disciplinarian attitude at home as well. Therefore not only his students but also his daughter Damayanti (Sia Patil) who studies in the same college, are constantly terrified of him.

When Gandhe goes out of town for attending a seminar, his college faculty hires Gangaram Sawant (Bharat Jadhav) as the new dance teacher. Gangya, as he is fondly called, succeeds in bringing about a change in his students, changing their lives for the better. But this irks Gandhe Sir when he returns.

An argument ensues between the two, ending with Gangya promising Gandhe Sir that he will change the principal as well. But unfortunately before he can do that, Gangya meets with a fatal accident and dies. He returns as a ghost to complete his promise of bringing fun and happiness in Gandhe’s life.

While the makers may have termed it as a black comedy, it is definitely not one. The sequences incorporated to derive humour are not only contrived but also outdated. A screenplay that constantly keeps giving you a feeling of déjà vu and lacklustre direction despite having two directors makes Hello Gandhe Sir an unbearable watch.

Since one has seen it all in Mohabbatein and Hello Brother already, the writers could have at least thought of something original to keep the proceedings interesting. Music is also a let down.

Marathi cinema’s current superstar Bharat Jadhav grates on your nerves in the first half but thankfully is more controlled in his act after turning into a ghost. Dr. Girish Oak is good. Sia Patil looks alluring but hardly gets any chance to show any histrionics. Veterans Vijay Chavan and Vijay Kenkre are passable.

Give this one a miss as it simply offers nothing new.

Rating: Simply avoid it.