Review : Dagabaichi Chawl Marathi Movie

Name of the film: Dagdabaichi Chawl

Date of release: 23rd October 2015

Producer: Dattatray Hingane

Director: Suni Waikar

Artistes: Vishakha Subhedar, Kamlakar Satpute, Rajpal Yadav, Bhushan Kadu, Sangram Salvi, Shweta Pagar, Mohini Kulkarni, Kishore Chougule, Madhavi Juvekar, Sunil Godbole and others.

Singers: Aadarsh Shinde, Yogita Godbole, Pratibha Thorat

Music: Kedar Pandit, Ajay, Advait


The story of ‘Dagdabaichi Chawl’ revolves around a chawl in Parel area of Mumbai city. The owner of the chawl is a middle aged, kind-hearted woman Dagdabai Mhatre (Vishakha Subhedar), who is taken for granted by the tenants. They don’t pay her rent in time. Dagdabai has two young tenants Aniket and Nitin (Bhushan Kadu and Sangram Samel) who fall in love with Dagdabai’s niece Shraddha and Sayali (Mohini Kulkarni and Shweta Pagar). Both arrive from Bangalore after completing their graduation. There is a hotel owner Anna (Kamlakar Satpute) who is in love with Dagdabai. Jilebiwala Ram Sharan (Rajpal Yadav), who has taken shelter near the chawl besides other tenants. The story highlights the different issues and relationships that are built in the closly-knit chawls, and how it affects the characters of the film.

‘Dagdabaichi Chawl’ goes on the lines of films of 70’s and 80’s. It has good performances coming from Vishakha Subhedar, Kamlakar Satpute, Rajpal Yadav, Bhushan Kadu and others. The music is well suited to the theme, offering two good songs in particular.

The plot of the film is good, but the director has failed to generate interest thanks to a predictable climax. On two occasions, the continuity is lost. One fails to understand how the two girls could afford a big white car, when they are solely dependent on their aunty – Dagdabai, who struggles to pay the money for her court case. There are a few other lapses in this film, which has turned out to be an average traditional entertainer.