"Maanjhi- the mountain man" is a fine effort but not path breaking cinema considering the story it tries to recreate on celluloid.Ketan Mehta tries earnestly to induce this film with the right gravitas and emotions and he partially succeeds.
The film is based on a true story of villager who braved a rocky mountain to make a pathway after being a victim of an irreversible loss.The film tackles in its sub plots the various faces of Caste ism raising an ugly head in rural politics and also the manipulations of the powerful int he scenario as our protagonist braves his way with a never say die spirit.
Impeccable performances from a superlative Nawazuddin Siddique and an endearing and natural Radhika Apte take the film notches higher.Sandesh Shandilya's music and BGM blend seamlessly with the scenery endowing it with romance, pathos and depth.The one other performance in this movie which I personally felt needed special mention was for the actor essaying Maanjhi's father.
Watch it for the earnestness with which it portrays the hardships faced by rural folk and how they overcome their problems with optimism and bravery.