Krantijyoti Vidyalay Marathi Madhyam Review: A Rallying Call to Preserve the Marathi Language

Marathi filmmaker Hemant Dhome ushers in 2026 with a timely tribute that resonates with Maharashtra Day and Teachers Day. Known for films like Jhimma and Fussclass Dabhade, Dhome’s latest offering centers on a Marathi-medium school in Nagaon, Alibaug, facing the threat of closure.The Krantijyoti Vidyalay, run by Dinkar Shirke’s family for generations, has been declared structurally unsound and slated to be replaced by a modern English-medium school. Shirke (Sachin Khedekar) rallies his favorite students most of whom have moved away except for Baban (Amey Wagh)—to save the school.

This reunion-like return of the batch carries a nostalgic charm.Characters like Deep (Siddharth Chandekar), Anjali (Prajakta Koli), Salma (Kshitee Jog), Rakesh (Harish Dudhade), Vishal (Pushkaraj Chirputkar), and Suman (Kadambari Kadam) revisit shared memories, rekindling old bonds and unresolved tensions. The chemistry between Deep and Anjali simmers, while nostalgic moments like Rakesh and Vishal tracking down their old bhaji seller add warmth. Baban’s playful energy ties the group together.For much of its runtime, Krantijyoti Vidyalay lovingly captures adults slipping back into childhood.

Dhome’s episodic screenplay shines here, as the group fondly recalls Shirke’s passionate teaching, indulges in orange candies, and basks in shared nostalgia. However, the tone shifts when teacher Narkevar (Nirrmitee Sawant) reminds them of their real mission thwarting the developer Jagtap (Anant Jog) and, more importantly, saving Marathi itself.What begins as subtle hints soon reveals the film’s core message: a passionate plea to protect Marathi-medium schools and by extension, the Marathi language from extinction.Some scenes resemble televised debates on the dominance of English-medium education, declining Marathi literacy, and fading cultural pride. Shirke’s direct addresses to the camera feel like political campaign speeches.

Yet Dhome steers clear of shrillness or anti-English rhetoric—after all, several characters, including Anjali and the couple Vishal and Suman, live abroad. Nor does the film promote anti-Hindi sentiment. Instead, it advocates nurturing Marathi from the grassroots, starting in schools.By this stage, the film feels more like a political manifesto than a drama. Despite its noble cause, Krantijyoti Vidyalay oversimplifies the complex challenges facing Marathi-medium education and the broader cultural crisis.

The film makes saving Marathi seem straightforward, with Jagtap’s character portrayed as a comically inept villain rather than a formidable threat. Though Jitendra Joshi appears as Maharashtra’s education minister, the movie stops short of tackling the deeper political apathy hindering language preservation.In sum, while Krantijyoti Vidyalay Marathi Madhyam is a heartfelt call to arms for Marathi pride, its simplistic treatment limits its impact on the real issues confronting the language and its institutions.