I am not a movie buff, but I like to watch movies that have a good subject and something new. Lately, movies are coming up with many exciting and off-beat topics. Regional language movies are also keeping up with this new trend. My mother tongue is Marathi, and whenever I come across any good Marathi movie, I try to watch it. Recently, I watched one Marathi movie, and I felt that it was worth a review. It deals with a very simple yet important topic – “Bonus”. Yes, bonus what we know by the definition. A payment made to employees in addition to their base salary as part of their wages or salary. It becomes the source of their celebration during festival time or extra limb during challenging times.

Director: Saurabh Bhave

Star Cast: Gashmeer Mahajani (as Aditya Deodhar), Pooja Sawant (as Minal), Mohan Agashe (as Aditya’s Grandpa)

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Subtitles: English

Language: Marathi

Length: 2h 1min

‘Bonus’ touched upon a simple-sounding subject in a very mature way. What bonus means for workers, how many of their big decisions are dependent on the bonus, and what compromises they make in the hope that they will sort out several matters when they get their bonus. 

Review:

The movie begins with a conversation cum discussion among Aditya Deodhar, his grandpa Mohan Agashe and staff members on whether to give a bonus to the workers or not. He wants to take their family business to new heights and ensure that they are paid well and on time. But he opposes giving workers a bonus. He sees it as a “freebie.” His grandpa tries to convince him why it is essential for the worker. They decide to do the voting, and it comes to a tie. The last vote lies with his grandpa, who is going to be in favor. To make a fair deal, Grandpa challenges Aditya to try and survive a month in Mumbai on the average salary their workers get. The condition is he will not reveal his true identity.

A guy like Aditya, who does not think twice before swiping the credit card to buy an expensive watch for his friend’s birthday or cannot imagine even a single day without air-conditioner, accepts his grandpa’s challenge. He leaves for Mumbai’s Koliwada with Rs 8000 in his pocket, out of which Rs 5000 get spent for a room’s monthly rent. With just Rs 3000 remaining, does Aditya complete his challenge? Would he be able to finish one month? Of course, life is tough for him now, but the entry of Minal (Pooja Sawant) makes it a little easier.

Why you should watch Bonus:

Bonus, explains how many life’s important decisions of the workers are dependent on the bonus. It also tells how simple things can bring joy and a smile to your face. And sometimes, there are challenging moments but how one can have a positive approach towards life. This is a wonderful movie to be watched with kids.   

Final words:

Though I liked the movie, there was no melodrama and everyone delivers natural performances with conviction. Mohan Agashe has delivered grandpa’s powerfully. Gashmeer Mahajani has nicely played the character of Aditya. Pooja Sawant brings the brightness with her presence in the movie.   

What could have been better:

The end felt incomplete. The love story between Aditya and Minal could have been explored little more. Same goes for Grandpa’s role. There was a scope to have a few more scene between Aditya and his grandpa. Here is a trailer of the movie Bonus.