Jayanti (transl. ”birth anniversary”) is a 2021 Indian Marathi-language social-drama film, directed by Shailesh Narwade and produced by Meliorist Film Studio.The film starring Ruturaj Wankhede, Titeeksha Tawde and Milind Shinde was theatrically released on 12 November 2021.
It’s been months since a Marathi film released in theatres, and Shailesh Narwade’s Jayanti is the first of the lot. The film is based on the influence of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s thoughts on people and how those very teachings have the power to change the aimless and ignorant youth of today.
The story revolves around Santya (Ruturaj Wankhede), the ruffian who doesn’t give a damn about what people say and believes only in doing what he feels is right. Santya’s definition of right, however, comes from the selective and twisted meaning of history imparted to him by a local politician (Kishore Kadam). Deep hate against Muslims and Bahujan clouds Santya’s perspective. However, he is a true friend, and when it comes to friendship, he doesn’t see caste or religion.
Santya also likes a girl named Pallavi (Titeeksha Tawde) but his outlook towards women is problematic as well. A teacher named Ashok Mali (Milind Shinde) advises Santya to read books and understand the history of people like Dr BR Ambedkar and his idol Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but Santya brushes this off as hogwash. Things take a different turn when Santya, in a drunken fit of anger, tries to attack a businessman named Vikas Kukreja (Amar Upadhyay) who has raped and murdered a woman from Santya’s area. Arm-twisting by the businessman lands Santya in jail. Time in jail, along with a plan by Ashok, works well for Santya. How? That’s for you to find out.