Manjrekar touts 'Kaksparsh' as his best ever cinematic effort

“I feel this is the best possible project I have worked on. Such a great cinematic canvas, the right acting talent, story, music, cinematography, direction and solidly written powerful script The script, the talent, the production and the overall look rarely come together so beautifully even if I say so myself,” said director Mahesh Manjrekar of his latest Kaksparsh being produced by Zee Talkies.

The fact that it is releasing on May 4, 2012, as we enter the 100th year of Indian cinema since Dada Saheb Phalke gave this country its first motion picture-Raja Harishchandra on 3rd May 1913, makes it that much more special.

Kaksparsh is a story of love, sacrifice, passion and values. Haridada heads the Damle family after his father’s demise He has to get his sister married, raise three children and educate his younger brother Mahadev. During Mahadev’s last year pursuing law, the elder brother decides to get him married. Durga is barely 13 when she marries and comes to the Damle household. She thinks Haridada is the groom and falls for him. Later though she’s married to Mahadev tragedy strikes on the first night itself.

While Haridada stands by her, doubts are raised about his intentions, by neighbours and family including his wife. Though Haridada stops talking to Uma, when his son begins to question his character, he reveals a truth which shocks one and all. What is that shocking truth? And does it make life easy for Haridada and Durga? Answers to these questions come forth in the Kaksparsh narrative which takes on a strong dramatic turn.

When asked whether he cast Sachin Khedekar only because of their 25-year-long friendship, Manjrekar said that was not the case. “He was living with this story for the past five years and was chasing me to make film for the past three. But there was never any compulsion to cast him. I did so simply because he was the best to pull it off.”

According to the film’s director, the other male artistes were  also told that wearing a prosthetic bald patch wouldn’t do. All of them had to get their heads tonsured. “That, the careful avoidance of make-up and the attention to detail in the period costumes have given the film a very authentic feel. We have also shot in a real old style village home.”