Shriyut Non-Maharashtrian had all the potential to be a strong film about Marathi pride and the struggles faced by local entrepreneurs, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The story of a cafe owner trying to expand his business while also searching for a mysterious criminal sounds intriguing on paper, but in execution, it feels muddled and fails to leave a lasting impact.
While Gaurav Upasani gives a sincere performance, his character lacks the depth needed to fully engage the audience. His portrayal of a man torn between ambition and revenge feels underdeveloped, and the emotional beats don’t land as strongly as they could. Atharva Deshpande, though promising, doesn’t get enough material to truly showcase his talent. There are moments where you can see his potential, but the script doesn’t give him much to work with.
The film’s central theme of Marathi Asmita feels underutilized. Instead of digging deep into the cultural and societal pressures faced by Marathi businessmen, the movie skims the surface, relying on clichés and predictable plot twists. There are brief moments where the struggles of Marathi identity shine through, but these are overshadowed by a disjointed narrative that tries to do too much without focusing on what matters.
Ajinkya Upasani’s direction lacks the finesse needed to tie everything together. The pacing is uneven, and the film feels unnecessarily stretched at times. The music by Sumedh Mirji is passable but fails to elevate the film in any significant way.
In short, Shriyut Non-Maharashtrian feels like a missed opportunity. It had all the ingredients to be a thought-provoking film about the struggles of the Marathi community, but weak storytelling and uneven direction prevent it from making a real impact. While it hints at something larger, it ultimately fails to deliver the powerful message it seems to aim for.