72 Miles – Ek Pravas (72 Miles – A Journey)

Director: Rajeev Patil
Starring: Smita Tambe, Chinmay Sant, Chinmay Kambli, Sharvani Solaskar, Isha Mane.
Run time: 96 mins | Recommended Certificate: 12A
Language: Marathi with English subtitles | Year: 2013 | Country: India

Ashok, a 13-year-old boy in 1970s India, is sent away to a borstal boarding school for disciplinary reasons cannot cope with the harsh rigours of the establishment and runs way. On the long 72 mile trip home, which he has to undertake on foot as his money is soon stolen, he falls in with Radhakka, a strong woman with her brood of children who are on a similar journey. The group face the wrath of nature, extreme hunger, prejudice and every step is an adventure where tragedy lurks around every corner. Ashok sees how Radhakka, an illiterate woman with not a penny to her name, maintains the most positive outlook towards life through the most difficult times which he witnesses with her. Directed by Rajeev Patil who made the multiple award-winning Jogwa, the film is an adaptation of Ashok Vhaktar’s novel which is considered a masterpiece of Marathi literature. The film is co-produced by Bollywood megastar Akshay Kumar.