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‘Ramachandra Purushottam Joshi’ nearing completion

Dilip Prabhavalkar

5 years ago film maker Ajay Phansekar tried something different in Marathi films. For his film ‘Ramachandra Purushottam Joshi’ he made use of Graphic presentation on the lines of Harry Potter films. At that time, he had even shot the movements of certain characters in Black Chroma and even edited those portions. But, the deadly natural calamity of 26th July downpour caused heavy destruction to his studio and godown with the floods causing complete damage to the film.

However, that did not deter Ajay from completing this film, in spite of heavy loss. He began work on this film once again and today, he is all set to complete his film by end of August 2010 with post production.
‘Ramachandra Purushottam Joshi’ is based on the director’s own play-‘Shraddha’ that narrates the story of a dead man, who is permitted by Yama to revisit his family for eight hours as a bonus offer from the doors of hell. The film’s screenplay is expected to offer variety entertainment through all those graphic effects with the support of popular artistes like Dilip Prabhavalkar, Deepak Shirke, Rajan Tamhane and Vikas Kadam playing important roles.

V. Shataram awards presented

V. Shantaram awards presentation ceremony was held at the Rajkamal studios Mumbai on Saturday , when several awards for excellence in Marathi films were presented. This year, Veteran Make up man Pandharidada Juker, who has completed 60 years in the film industry was presented with the Lifetime achievement award. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Juker recalled his old memories stating that he was fortunate to begin his career doing make up for none other than Chitrapat Maharshi V. Shantaram.

Three films mainly ‘Jhing Chik Jhing’ , ‘Natarang’ and ‘Sukhant’ shared maximum awards in different categories. While Madhavi Juvekar bagged the best actress award for her performance in ‘Jhing Chik Jhing’, it was Atul Kulkarni, who walked away with best actor award for his memorable performance in ‘Natarng’. The two child artistes Aarti More and Chinmay Kambli received best child artiste and special appreciation awards respectively, for their performances in ‘Jhing Chik Jhing’.

While all the three awards for story , screenplay and direction went to Jhing Chick Jhing’s Nitin Nandan, those for best lyricist and music went to Guru Thakur and Ajay Atul respectively for the film ‘Natarang’. Kavita Lad Medhekar and Nagesh Bhosale were adjudged best supporting actress and actor for their performances in the films ‘Sukhant’ and ‘Goshta Chhoti Dongraevadhi’ respectively. The best film award went to ‘Sukhant’. The other awards in production, such as Photography, Sound recording, editing, art, play back singing, choreography were shared by films like Natarang, Vihir, and Canvas.
Popular actor Prasad Oak hosted the show, while some dance and skits were presented by popular artistes from Marathi film industry. Manasi Naik rocked with her western style dance on the beats of ‘Natarang’.

Saii Ranade Sane steps in ‘Tujha ni Majh Ghar Shrimantacha’

Saii Ranade

We just can’t miss Saii Ranade Sane for a long time on small screen. Ever since the talented marathi actress made her appearance on small screen, she has grabbed the attention of viewers with her performance and looks. Recently, Saii played the lead in E-tv’s ‘Kasturi’and was doing very well, but the serial stopped its telecast mid way, without specifying any reasons. This must have caused a great disappointment to an actress of her caliber.
But, as someone has rightly said, “Our opportunities to do good are our talents.”. Saii has made a quick comeback through an ongoing serial ‘Tujhe Ni Majha Ghat Shrimantacha’ .She is playing the girl friend of youngest grandson of Ramesh Deo’s family. Let us wait and see, whether her entry proves lucky to increase the popularity of the serial.

‘Tata Birla ani Laila’ releasing this friday

Ashok Saraf Bharat Jadhav

‘Tata Birla ani Laila’ is the title of a forthcoming Marathi comedy film directed by Raju Parsekar. Based on enmity between Landge and Kolhe- the two rivals in business . The film however talks more about safety of Lakshmi-daughter of Kolhe, who is saved by three persons posted in her house with the names of Tata, Birla and Laila. The film is due for release on 9th July 2010.

‘Tata Birla ani Laila’ stars Bharat Jadhav, Ashok Saraf, Sheetal Jadhav, Mohan Joshi, Ravindra Berde, Vijay Chauhan, Vijay Gokhle, Usha Naik, Arun Kadam, Dr. Vilas Ujawane, Sanjay Khapre and others. Music by Nitin Hivrekar and camera by abdul wahab are other credits.

‘Mission Possible’ Rocks with new style Music

Manisha Kelkar Wallpaper

The rocking & trendy music of ‘Mission Possible’, a Marathi film is set to revolutionise Marathi Cinema. distributed by Percept Picture Company, the film’s music was launched in a star studded grand event recently at Grand Imperial Andheri Mumbai. Among the guest were Saie Tamhankar, Pushkar Jog, Manisha Kelkar, Swapnil Bandodkar, Resham Tipnis, Sanjay Jadhav, Chitrashi Rawat, Kranti Redkar, Kadambari Kadam, Umesh Jadhav, Aditya Sarpoddar, Ganesh Yadav & Nanubhai. The event began with dance performance by Pushkar Jog on the music of the title song.

Salim-Suleiman launched the music of this Marathi Film. Composed by young talents Sai & Piyush duo, the music is fresh with new sounds, rocking music & youthful songs, which is sure to be a hit with the masses.

Besides the film the Music also has many firsts to its credits. For the first time the film has a song entirely in English. The composers have used new sounds which have never before been used in Marathi films. “Marathi films traditionally have good music. Our aim was to introduce fresh music with universal appeal, music that not only catches-on with Marathi youths but also be liked by people, regardless of the language or culture they belong to.” Said Piyush.

“The Film has music that would be liked by everybody. From the title song which is a rock genre & sure to encourage you to wear your dancing shoes, to soul stirring ‘Swapna Sha’….the film has an all encompassing music”. added Sai.

Directed by Pushkar Jog, “Mission Possible” a big budget, film, treads a new path in Marathi Cinema by offering a complete entertainer with action, emotions, style, trendy music, dance, romance & glamour all rolled into one, backed by a intriguing murder mystery. Something that’s not commonly seen in Marathi Cinema. The film attempts to enthuse the youth to watch Marathi Cinema by slick production values, modern sets, exotic locales & dose of glamour. “Swapna Sha…” sung by Swapnil Bandodkar is the first Marathi song to be shot in scenic Ladakh.

Veteran editor Vishwas Dabholkar passes away !

Veteran editor Vishwas Dabholkar who edited several films of Dada Kondke, Mahesh Kothare, Smita Talwalkar, Sanjay Surkar, Dr.Jabbar Patel (along with his partner Anil Kawale), passed away in the wee hours of morning in Mumbai on Wednesday.

He began his career by assisting the senior editor N. S.Vaidya. Some of the prominent films that he edited include ‘Sawat Mazhi Ladki’, ‘Mazha Chakula’, ‘Jivlaga’, ‘Ek Hota Vidhushak’ etc. He was also the chief of Akhil Bhartiya Chitrapat Mahamandal for a brief period. He was honored with the Maharashtra Government’s State awards for his work in films like ‘Kalat Nakalat’, ‘Thartharat’, ‘Raosaheb’ etc. May his soul rest in peace!

Percept Pictures to release ‘Mission Possible’

Manisha Kelkar

Marathi Cinema has a good news! Percept Pictures, India’s premiere and the only fully integrated entertainment company, has taken on the distribution rights of forthcoming Marathi film ‘Mission Possible’ .

Directed by Pushkar Jog, ‘Mission Possible’ is obviously a big budget film by Marathi movie standards today. The film walks a new path by offering a complete entertainer with action, emotions, style, voguish music, dance & romance all rolled into one, backed by an intriguing murder mystery. Something that’s not commonly seen in Marathi Cinema. The film attempts to enthuse the youth to watch Marathi Cinema with slick production values, modern sets, exotic locations with a touch of glamour. The highlight of the film is a song “Swapna Sha……” sung by Swapnil Bandodkar, which is the first Marathi song shot in scenic Ladakh.

Percept Pictures has been a leader in acquiring & distributing films with fresh & distinctive content. Known for identifying the right film for the right audience with focus on multiplexes, their previous releases Page 3, Malamaal Weekly etc. speak about their success . The company also carried out the release of ‘Khuda Ke Liye’, a historic event, being the first Pakistani film to be released in India over last four decades. Animated & Children films catering exclusively to the kids like ‘Hanuman’, ‘My friend Ganesha’, ‘Makdee’ etc. have been their offerings for children. They are the one to bring fascinating Hollywood blockbusters such as Hancock, The Mummy, Spider Man 3 etc. to the Indian audience

“Mission Possible” being a trend setter, would be promoted on a large scale. The star cast of the Film will be visiting various cities across the state such as Pune, Nagpur, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Sangli etc; 15 to 20 days prior release. So, look out for the stars of this film in your city.

The reason for Percept Pictures to present “Mission Possible” is simple. This is what the company feels, “It is very different from the kind of Marathi films that we see nowadays. Moreover, the film has a fresh & youthful treatment. We are confident that this film would not only be well appreciated by the masses but also be a trend setter taking the Marathi Film Industry altogether to a new high.” Percept Pictures plans to market and distribute this film as the biggest Marathi language film till date. “The release of this film will simultaneously cover all the belts of Maharashtra, Goa and Marathwada in Nizam circuit. The marketing reach will be across all mediums starting with TV, Radio, Outdoor (Hoardings, OOH screens, Bus shelters and Bus panels – all across Maharashtra), Internet and Press,” says Yusuf Shaikh, Head of Acquistion & Distribution, and Percept Pictures.

Apart from directing & acting in the film, story & lyrics of the film have been penned by the multi talented Pushkar himself, who is also singing his own songs in the Film.

The strong storyline is supported by excellent performances by the entire cast comprising of talented Manisha Kelkar & Saii Tamhankar, who play the lead heroines supported by noted actors like Sharad Phonkse, Niranjan Namjoshi, Astaad Kale, Shantanu Moghe, debutant Amit Kalyankar & Mohan Joshi with Ganesh Yadav in a guest appearance. The Music is directed by the Saii- Piyush duo & the cinematographer(DOP) is Sanjay Khanzode.

‘Mumbai -Pune -Mumbai’ – A film based on only two characters

Mukta Barve

A love story with only the two lead characters sounds quite unique in Marathi films; but, Satish Rajwade’s new film ‘Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai’ is one such film with a difference.

The film’s romantic pair of Swapnil Joshi and Mukta Barve want to spend a day on their own without any interference from anyone, in the ambience of beautiful nature. That’s the gist of the film.

This ‘Mirah Arts Prod. Pvt Ltd’ presentation is written by Parag Kulkarni and Satish Rajwade with music by Avinash – Vishwajeet and cinematography by Suhas Gujrathi. The film is due for release on June 11.