Dashavatar (2025) [Movie Review] — A Ritualic Thriller That Shines in Performance and Sight

Dashavatar translates the Konkan Dashavatar tradition into a suspense thriller that is as much about community ritual and landscape as it is about a single man's fate. The film roots its stakes in local belief and then lets those roots feed a story that unfolds like a stage performance—sometimes majestic, sometimes uneven.

Story & Structure — Tradition staged like a mystery

Babuli Mestri’s final act sets the village on a spiral

At the centre is Babuli Mestri (Dilip Prabhawalkar), the rakhandar whose presence defines the village’s Dashavatar plays. When age and circumstance push him toward a farewell performance, family hopes and communal rhythms collide with an unforeseen tragedy that launches the second half’s mystery. Khanolkar uses the classical purva-ranga/uttar-ranga division to pace the film: the first act lays ceremonial groundwork, the second reveals consequences and moral reckonings. The structure is inspired, even if the payoff leans predictable.

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Performances — Prabhawalkar commands every frame

An elder actor becomes the film’s moral and emotional centre

Dilip Prabhawalkar is outstanding—his métier, voice, and micro-expressions give the film its heartbeat. At 81, his physical limits are present but never defeat the magnetism he brings to Babuli. Siddharth Menon (Madhav), Priyadarshini Indalkar (Vandana), and Abhinay Berde provide solid support, while veterans like Mahesh Manjrekar and Vijay Kenkre add depth in key moments. The ensemble elevates familiar beats into affecting human drama.

Visuals & Direction — Konkan photographed with reverence

Scenic landscapes and theatrical staging make Dashavatar a visual feast

Khanolkar’s direction and the cinematography revel in Konkan’s coastal light, village sets, and the rituals’ colour. The film’s production values—costume, set design, and the staging of the Dashavatar performances—are lavish and authentic, making the screen feel both ceremonial and cinematic. These elements frequently do the heavy lifting, turning cultural specificity into a universal atmosphere.

Issues & Misses — Pacing and predictable turns

Slow setup and an underexplored middle dilute narrative urgency

Dashavatar’s most notable flaws are its length and occasional indulgence in slow-motion and extended set-ups. The second half sparks with promise—teasing multiple avatars and a broader social reckoning—but then detours into formula, introducing characters that diffuse rather than deepen the core conflict. The climax, while thematically resonant (notably its environmental message), could surprise more; instead, it wraps with familiar resolutions.

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Verdict — Worth the big-screen experience

A respectful, well-acted regional film that rewards viewers who come for craft and culture

Dashavatar is a worthy cinematic celebration of a regional art form, led by a career performance from Dilip Prabhawalkar and bolstered by strong supporting work and striking visuals. While narrative pacing and predictability keep it from being a classic, its emotional authenticity and cultural detail make it a satisfying theatrical watch. Recommended for audiences who appreciate performance-driven cinema and movies that place ritual and landscape at their centre.

Overall Rating: 7 out of 10