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'Dhai Aakhar' with classic performance by Mrinal Kulkarni, is a relatable cathartic-effect movie," insists director Praveen Arora by Chaitanya Padukone

Although the movie-title might sound slightly poetic and cryptic, Dhai Aakhar, an independent entertaining Hindi feature film directed by Praveen Arora,

insists director Praveen Arora
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Although the movie-title might sound slightly poetic and cryptic, Dhai Aakhar, an independent entertaining Hindi feature film directed by Praveen Arora, feels it's a highly relatable 'ode to love with its cathartic-effect' and with its power to transform someone’s life. The erudite Praveen has sensitively highlighted in his movie, how domestic abuse is accepted and normalized within families. Also the kind of impact it has on a woman’s persona and psyche... The director firmly believes that love holds the power to liberate anyone who is subjugated and wants the audiences to feel the same in this captivating period drama set in the 1980s.

The intense bitter-sweet yet endearing drama produced under the banners of Kabir Communications and Aakriti Productions Pvt. Ltd. was officially selected in last November under the competition section in the Indian Panorama, 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2023, Goa. The film will now be released on November 22, 2024 all over India and worldwide

The film competed in a stellar line-up of national and international cinema which included Indian films like Kantara, Gulmohar, 2018 - Everyone is a Hero which was India’s official entry Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. For an independent film, to have its world premiere at a prestigious international film festival like IFFI is a remarkable feat.

According to the articulate director Arora, his movie Dhai Aakhar is based on the novel – ‘Teerthatan Ke Baad’ by Amrik Singh Deep and depicts the story of a woman, Harshita who rebuilds herself after years of being in an abusive marriage when she starts talking to an empathetic writer, Sridhar through letters. Their relationship stands against patriarchal societal norms due to her widowhood and regressive values as to what kind of relationship is ‘right’ in society.

The film’s heart lies in Harshita’s attempts to become her own person. Will Harshita be able to rise above these challenges? Will her relationship with Sridhar overcome hatred and abuse? Will love prevail? The film addresses all these questions innovatively and emphatically.

Dhai Aakhar scene Mrinal Kulkarni with co-star Harish
Dhai Aakhar scene Mrinal Kulkarni with co-star Harish

The film stars acclaimed Hindi and Marathi movie and TV actress Mrinal Kulkarni as the female protagonist Harshita. Mrinal is known for ‘Sonpari' and more recently for ‘The Kashmir Files’,where she was cast opposite  (Dadasaheb Phalke National Film Award-winner)  Mithun Chakraborty. Also featuring in the cast is eminent theatre personality Harish Khanna and popular Marathi actor Rohit Kokate. 

Theatre and film writer Asghar Wajahat of Jis Lahore Nai Dekheya and Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh fame has adapted and written the screenplay & dialogues of the film. The film’s stellar crew consists of eminent film-lyricist Irshad Kamil, Hindi and Bengali genius music composer Anupam Roy and fabulous singer Kavita Seth.


Charming actress-director Mrinal Kulkarni  ( who also proposes to direct a Hindi movie) disclosed that since she belongs to a literary family background she could identify with the wonderful subject of 'Dhai Aakhar adapted from a novel also because her woman-centric multi-layered screen-character allowed her scope for a realistic performance. The central character Harshita faces immense challenges, and audiences will witness an emotional love story cruising amidst turbulent odds in 'The meaningful woman oriented film Dhai Aakhar has been shot beautifully in the spiritual and serene state of Uttarakhand.  It promises to be an interesting identifiable entertainer which is thought-provoking as well as resonate emotionally. Director Praveen is highly appreciative of Mrinal's modest, co-operative and enthusiastic nature and how she is an ideal director's actress, despite being a director herself.

Dhai Aakhar--Mrinal Kulkarni ( right) with sr journalist Chaitanya Padukone
Dhai Aakhar--Mrinal Kulkarni (right) with sr journalist Chaitanya Padukone

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