Before getting to theatre I was the most reluctant person to watch JOGWA. Infact I was much disturbed by my GF’s choice of “JOGWA” over WANTED. Well soon I realized that at least sometimes girls think differently.
Jogwa set against the backdrop of northern Maharashtra (I guess, not sure) is the real eye-opener. I had been hearing a lot about the Marathi cinema lately but this time witnessed it. Jogwa stands well ahead of all its counterparts as well as hindi movies released recently. Gone all the days when Marathi movies were synonymous for stupid and silly comedy. Now the Marathi cinema has became meaningful. It’s on the way of becoming Bengali or Malayalam movies grabbing all national awards. The new breed of directors are really doing their job well. Their work depicts their sense of responsibility towards society.
A young girl Suli (I don’t know the name of actress*) develops a knot (jatt) in her head. Her mother instead of clearing it, thinks it as the sign of goddess Yelamma and goes to the self declared interpreter of goddess for resolution. As it is the history of India this so called interpreter have ruled by making fool of others. Same happens here. The young girl is declared as Jogati (Offered to the service of goddess for her whole life with no personal life)
Similarly the Young man Tayappa (Inspector from Page3, and also in Traffic Signal*) who discharges blood while urinating is made Jogta by the same self declared interpreter of goddess Yelamma. Jogtas are supposed to follow the life of women by wearing saree and blouse for the whole life.
With Suli and Tayaappa as the central characters the movie moves ahead. It shows how the people who has immense respect for goddess gives jogva (alms) to jogtins but at the same time don’t hesitate to taste their flesh in lieu of jogva. The jogtins are left with limited options. Either they became prostitute or succumb to the hypocrites of society. Mostly by the false assurance of marriage. Same is the case with jogtas. For villagers the jogats are nothing but the source of unnatural sex.
With all these things going in background, the director paints very beautiful love story. Again the love story is accommodated with lust, sex, betrayal and trust. Need to mention that Marathi cinema has became matured and bold in content. The love making scenes are captured in a very professional manner.
I would not like to spoil the movie by disclosing its content or ending. It’s worth watching and at no point of time its meaningless. It shows the life of two youngsters trapped by superstition and religion and their fight to get out of it.
The performance of Suli* and Tayappa* is outstanding and well supported by other characters .
The music is very good by Ajay-Atul.
4/5 for this must watch movie.
Suli – Mukta Barve*
Tayappa - Upendra Limeya*
