Kaashi Raaghav
{{Short description|2005 Gujarati-language film by Dhruv Goswami}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Kaashi Raaghav
| image = Kaashi Raaghav poster.jpeg
| caption = Official poster
| director = Dhruv Goswami
| writer = Jhanvi Chopda
Dhruv Goswami
| producer = Dhanpal Shah
Shweta Shah
| starring = {{plainlist|
- Deeksha Joshi
- Jayesh More
- Pihushree Ghadvi
- Shruhad Goswami
- Preeti Daas
}}
| cinematography = Pratik Parmar
| editing = Jigar Chauhan
Shivam Bhatt
| music = Vatsal Goswami
Kavan Bhatt
| studio = Dhanpal FIlms
| distributor = Rupam Entertainment
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2025|01|03}}
| runtime = 130 minutes
| country = India
| language = Gujarati
| budget =
| gross = {{estimated|{{INR|1.35 crore}}}}{{cite web|url=https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/all-the-best-pandya-box-office-day-1-gigantic-462-higher-than-the-biggest-gujarati-opener-of-2025/|title=All The Best Pandya Box Office Day 1: Gigantic 462% Higher Than The Biggest Gujarati Opener Of 2025!|date=15 March 2025}}
}}
Kaashi Raaghav is a 2025 Gujarati-language drama film directed by Dhruv Goswami and produced by Dhanpal Films. The film features Deeksha Joshi as Kaashi and Jayesh More as Raaghav in the lead roles, with Shruhad Goswami, Preeti Daas and child artist Pihushree Gadhvi in supporting roles.{{Cite news |date=2024-10-26 |title='Kaashi Raaghav' drops title teaser as release date approaches January 2025 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/gujarati/movies/news/kaashi-raaghav-drops-title-teaser-as-release-date-approaches-january-2025/articleshow/114621408.cms |access-date=2024-12-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-03 |title='Kaashi Raaghav' to showcase the complexity of relationships & thrill of love with best of India |url=https://navjeevanexpress.com/kaashi-raaghav-to-showcase-the-complexity-of-relationships-and-the-thrill-of-love-with-best-of-west-east-india/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Navjeevan Express |language=en-US}}
Plot
The story revolves around the interconnected lives of a mother, a truck driver, and a lost child. Set in Kolkata, Varanasi and Gujarat, the film explores their struggles with guilt, betrayal, and the search for redemption.{{Cite web |title=કાશી રાઘવ: દીક્ષા જોષી, શ્રીહદ ગોસ્વામી સ્ટારર ફિલ્મમાં એક માતાની વાર્તા, તેના વ્યવસાયની નહીં |url=https://www.gujaratimidday.com/entertainment-news/dhollywood-news/video/kaashi-raaghav-a-story-of-a-mother-not-her-profession-deeksha-joshi-shruhad-goswami-4226 |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Gujaratimidday.com |language=gu}}
Cast
- Deeksha Joshi as Kaashi
- Jayesh More as Raaghav
- Shruhad Goswami as Ghanoo
- Pihushree Gadhvi as Shobhita
- Preeti Daas as Chandni
- Saikat Sengupta as Warehouse staff
- Aurobindo Ghosh as Doctor
Production
The screenplay was written by Jatan Pandya, Jhanvi Chopda, and Dhruv Goswami. Music for the film was composed by Vatsal Goswami and Kavan Bhatt, while Pratik Parmar handled cinematography.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-20 |title=ગુજરાતી ફિલ્મ 'કાશી રાઘવ' નું ટ્રેલર લોન્ચ થયું, જુઓ સિનેમાઘરોમાં ક્યારે થશે રિલીઝ |url=https://www.gujaratijagran.com/entertainment/kaashi-raaghav-official-trailer-released-starring-jayesh-more-deeksha-joshi-gujarati-movie-447816 |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Gujarati Jagran |language=gu}} The casting for the film was directed by Avani Soni and filming locations included Gujarat, Varanasi, and Kolkata.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=Casting Director Avani Soni speaks about her journey and upcoming Gujarati film 'Kaashi Raaghav' {{!}} |url=https://www.gujaratimidday.com/entertainment-news/dhollywood-news/article/kaashi-raaghav-casting-director-avani-soni-speaks-about-her-journey-and-upcoming-gujarati-film-projects-233958 |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=www.gujaratimidday.com |language=gu}}
Release
Reception
The film received mixed to positive reviews. VTV Gujarati praised the performances, music, and cinematography but criticized the narrative's inconsistency and a weaker second half.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=V. T. V. |title=Kaashi Raaghav Review: ફિલ્મ જોવા જતા પહેલા આ જરૂર વાંચી લેજો |url=https://www.vtvgujarati.com/news-details/entertainment-bollywood-movei-review-kaashi-raaghav |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=VTV Gujarati |language=en}} Gujcinema.com rated the film 4/5, commending it for its bold storytelling, emotional depth, and strong performances, particularly by Deeksha Joshi and Jayesh More, while noting issues with pacing and dubbing. The review highlighted the film's departure from conventional Gujarati cinema, describing it as a fresh and daring exploration of complex themes.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-04 |title=Kaashi Raaghav Review - A Bold Leap for Gujarati Cinema. |url=https://gujcinema.com/kaashi-raaghav-review-bold-leap-for-gujarati-cinema/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Gujcinema.com |language=en-US}} Yesha Bhatt from The Times of India rated 4.5 stars out of 5, describing it as "a film that you would want to re-watch for its brilliance." She praised the sensitive handling of its subject, stellar performances by Deeksha Joshi and Jayesh More, and the captivating cinematography by Pratik Parmar. The film's music, particularly the songs Nindru Re and Maa Ganga, was lauded for its emotional resonance. Bhatt commended the multi-lingual dialogues and the vivid depiction of locations like Varanasi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, making the film feel more universal than regional. She recommended it as a visually stunning and emotionally gripping watch.{{Cite news |date=5 January 2025 |title=Kaashi Raaghav Movie Review: It is a film that you would want to re-watch for its brilliance |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/gujarati/movie-reviews/kaashi-raaghav/movie-review/116970467.cms |access-date=16 January 2025}}