Award winning director Gautam Ghose is back with another exquisite tale, Yatra. Life is indeed a journey replete with surprises. One cannot foresee the future and therein lays the suspense and thrill, we call life.
Yatra is the story of a writer, Dashrath Jogelekar (Nana Patekar), and his muse, the lovely courtesan, Lajvanti (Rekha). Gautam Ghose who takes complete charge of the departments of editing, screenplay and cinematography, brings back memories of Rekha in her immortal role of Umrao Jaan.
The opulent sets and costumes do full justice to the era. The movie which is a throwback in time is radically different from the stereotype and promises to enthrall the audience with its powerhouse performances. Gautam Ghose dares to be different and manages to create a niche place in the halls of Indian films.
The main protagonist of the movie, Dashrath Jogelekar is a writer of repute and has won a number of literary awards. He is on his way to Delhi to receive the prestigious ‘Elegant Sahitya Samman’ award for his novel, Janaza when a chance encounter with a film maker brings about a curious turn of events in his life. Nakul Vaid the filmmaker is an ardent fan of his writings. During the course of their discussions Nakul Vaid expresses his desire to make a film on Dashrath’s novel ‘Janaza’ which he feels would make a good storyline.
The novel Janaza was based on the story of a beautiful, enigmatic and mysterious courtesan Lajwanti whom Dashrath had once befriended. However over a period of time both Lajwanti and Dashrath had gone on their different ways, leading their own separate lives. However during the course of discussions with Nakul about the movie, Dashrath realizes that it would be interesting to explore the life of Lajwanti in the present times.
Dashrath who is married and has two children forgets his familial duties in the throes of his desire to find out more about Lajvanti. After receiving the award, he sets off in search of his reclusive muse. He goes back to the by lanes of Mehndi Gali where Lajwanti would enthrall many a youngster with her mujras. But to his shock, times have changed and Lajwanti is now Miss Lisa who now sways her body to the new and more popular film songs.
However at the sight of Dashrath, Lajwanti is appalled and taken aback. But old memories refuse to die and old flames are rekindled. Dashrath’s wife concerned about her husband’s absence sets of in search of him. Happy in the company of Lajwanti who treats him to some old melodies, Dashrath forgets the present, but an unfortunate turn of events causes a lot of turmoil in their lives.
With stalwarts like Nana Patekar, Rekha and Deepti Naval this movie sure packs powerhouse performances. Dashrath’s obsession with his protagonist is beautifully brought out in this movie where the thin line between fact and fiction begin to blur. This movie will definitely be a treat for the niche audience who look for quality and are ardent fans of the everlasting beauty Rekha.
Rekha looks gorgeos as she looked in Umrao Jaan! Must see this movie just for her.