Zapuk Zapat (working title; confirmed for mid-2025 release) Director: Makarand Mane Lead Cast: Gashmeer Mahajani, Sayali Sanjeev, Kshitee Jog Genre: Rural Comedy-Drama Review: Zapuk Zapat – A Witty Slice of Life That Hits the Right Notes Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

In an era where Marathi cinema is boldly experimenting with urban thrillers and biopics, Makarand Mane’s Zapuk Zapat arrives as a refreshing, grounded breath of fresh air. Set in the drought-prone landscape of Satara district, the film uses its seemingly simple premise to explore deep-seated issues of ambition, community, and generational conflict—all wrapped in sharp, authentic humor. The story follows Abhimanyu (Gashmeer Mahajani), a failed IT engineer who reluctantly returns to his ancestral village. To his father’s horror, he decides to install an overhead water tank right in the middle of the village square—a move that disrupts the fragile water-sharing hierarchy maintained for decades. What follows is a chain reaction of quirky legal battles, family feuds, and a budding romance with the local sarpanch’s daughter (Sayali Sanjeev), who has her own plans for that same square. Performance & Direction Gashmeer Mahajani delivers a career-best performance. Shedding his chocolate-boy image, he brings a lived-in rawness to Abhimanyu—frustrated, idealistic, and clumsily heroic. Sayali Sanjeev is the film’s quiet storm; her character’s silent resistance through sharp one-liners and controlled expressions outshines many dramatic monologues. Veteran actress Kshitee Jog, as the village matriarch, is terrifyingly good in just three scenes.

A triumph of rooted storytelling. One of the best Marathi films of 2025, so far. Note: This review is based on an advanced press screening. Release date confirmed for June 6, 2025.

Absolutely. This is the kind of regional cinema that deserves a full house—for the collective laughter, the shared gasps, and the final silent frame that will stay with you long after the credits roll.