Third Eye Film Festival between 24th and 31st December 2015
Maharashtra Cultural Minister Mr. Vinod Tawde will inaugurate the 14th Third Eye Asian Film Festival at 7 pm on 24th December 2015, at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, Mumbai. This festival will go on for a week between 24th and 31st December 2015,.
On the inaugural day, in presence of the Hon. Minister, well known film maker Shyam Benegal will felicitate renowned actress Waheeda Rehman. This year, during the festival, well known film maker Satyajit Ray will be remembered, on completion of 60 years of his film ‘Pather Panchali’ .
Veteran Marathi actor Mr. Mohan Agashe will also receive the honours, for his performance in the film ‘Astu’. Along with him , Mr. Dilip Bapat, an activist from Baburao Painter Film Society, Kolhapur , will be felicitated by Satyajit Ray Memorial award . Registration for this week long film festival begins from 14th December 2015, at Ravindra Natya Mandir , between 2 pm and 8 pm.
Sonalee to appear as ‘Poshter Girl’ on 12th February 2016
Sameer Patil will be back again to entertain the Marathi audience. After directing a successful hit film ‘Poshter Boyz’ last year, he is all set to release his next film ‘Poshter Girl’ starring Sonalee Kulkarni in the title role, on 12th February 2016. Music director Amitraj has composed the music of this film, which offers a contemporary tale, set on the backdrop of a quaint village in Maharashtra. Along with Sonalee, the film stars, Jitendra Joshi, Hrushikesh Joshi, Aniket Vishwasrao and Siddharth Menon.
The film is produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and therefore makes it a big banner film. Mr. Ajit Andhare – COO, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures has said, “Marathi Cinema is finding greater appeal, with support from exhibitors and broadcasters. The Marathi audience has always relished content led cinema. With our strong record in the Hindi and English segment , we would like to make a mark in this very important segment of regional cinema.”
Director Sameer Patil has also expressed his satisfaction, as his film has been produced by a well-known established film production studio Viacom 18 & Chalo Film Banaye. “I am overjoyed and feel that my responsibility, in the true sense, gets bigger with this opportunity.” he reacted.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Sadachari’ will face tough competition from other January releases
After the release of ‘Coffee Aani Barach Kaahi’ Vaibhav Tatwawdi is in great demand, in Hindi and Marathi film industry. Though his film ‘Shortcut’ released recently, did not do well, his well wishers and fans are eagerly waiting for the release of his film ‘Mr. & Mrs. Sadachari’, with with his ‘Coffee…’ actress Prarthana Behere. By the way, though there is no Marathi film releasing on 18th December 2015, you can find Vaibhav playing a very important role, in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much talked about Hindi film ‘Bajirao Mastani’. Three more well known Marathi artistes are also part of this film.
But, Vaibhav is more keen about his film ‘Mr. & Mrs. Sadachari’, in which he is shown a great admirer of Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In the film, he has even drawn a tattoo of Shivaji Maharaj on his chest. This tattoo has been designed by Publicity designer of the film Sachin Gurav. People close to Vaibhav feel that this role will help Vaibhav to come out of his chocolate hero image. But, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Sadachari’ will face tough competition from many other Marathi films.It is expected that about a dozen of Marathi films, are expected to be released during January 2016.
Logo of film ‘& Jara Hatke’ receives good response
Ravi Jadhav is an Ad-man and commercial writer turned film director. He has written and directed several award winning TV commercials. Therefore, when Ravi Jadhav entered into feature film making and later forming his own film company, we noticed the logo of his film company and logos of his films, very unique.
Now, we all know that Ravi Jadhav is presenting a new Marathi film ‘& Jara Hatke’, which itself has a unique title. Recently, logo of this film was unveiled and made public. And, it received a very good response from his well wishers and friends, who tweeted praising this logo. According to the film maker, the letter ‘&’ stands for binding two different things together, which in the film relates to two generations.
This ‘Hat ke’ film is written by Mitali Joshi and directed by Prakash Kunte, whose ‘Coffee Aani Barach Kaahi’ turned out to be a hit film of this year. Incidentally, this film was also presented by Ravi Jadhav along with others. So, obviously, there are high expectations from this film too.
Special screening of ‘Anuraag’ at London’s Maharashtra Mandal
Forthcoming Marathi film ‘Anuraag‘ which has been shot in Leh- Ladakh is due for release shortly. But, this film, which is presented by Mrunmayee Deshpande, was screened recently in London , at two different places of Maharashtra Mandal over there and Ham Boleyn Cinema theatre . Mr. Nikhil Deshpande, Sunil Rapatwar , Pratik Shelar & Swapnil Kulkarni had organised the screening of this film at these three different places in London, in presence of actress and presenter of this film Mrunmayee Deshpande, Writer- director Dr.Ambrish Darak and cinematographer Suresh Deshmane.
According to the reports received, the audience who saw this film have praised the subject of this film, which according to them, gives a different look to the relationship between husband and wife. For Mrunmayee, this is a big compliment, as besides acting in this film, she is also presenting this film. The makers of this film have also planned such screenings in Germany, in days to come. The film stars Mrunmayee Deshpande and Dharmendra Gohil in lead roles.
Big expectations from ‘Sangharsha Yatra’
The Biopic on the life of late BJP leader Gopinath Munde, ‘Sangharsha Yatra’ is all set to release soon. And, watching the photo of lead actor Sharad Kelkar in the get up of Gopinath Munde, has certainly raised the hopes about this film, which also stars Shruti Marathe, in the role of most active lady politician Pankaja Munde, in this film. So, in this film Shruti Marathe is playing the role of Sharad Kelkar’s daughter; but watching the get up of Sharad kelkar, we are convinced that Shruti would suit in her role.
The film also introduces Amruta Fadavnis, wife of chief minister of Maharashtra, as a singer. She has rendered one song very confidently in this film on the music of Shrirang Urhekar & Aniruddha Joshi , which she presented live, during the music release of this film, recently. Directed by Sakar Raut, the film also stars Deepti Bhagwat, Omkar karve, Girish Pardeshi, Pritam Kangane & Shilpa Gandi, in other important roles..
Namrata Gaikwad impresses in the teaser of ‘Zari’
Producer Radha Bidkar and director Raju Meshram are making a film ‘Zari’, which is based on a real life incident. Recently the poster and teaser of this film was unveiled in presence of dignitaries like Finance Minister of Maharashtra Mr. Sudhir Munguntiwar and other Ministers of state, MLA’s Neelam Gorhe and others , along with artistes from the film Anant Jog, Milind Shinde, Tukaram Bidkar, Nisha Parulekar, Namrata Gaikwad, & Aniket Kelkar. In the teaser of the film, it is only Namrata Gaikwad, who clearly indicates that the film revolves around her character.
This film throws light on a very sensitive issue of exploitation of women in remote areas of Vidarbha region. The director of the film is confident that through this film, he will be able to invite the attention of administration, to provide necessary facilities to this region and pay attention, to protect the women folks in this region, from sexual abuse by the local landlords. The film has also tried to show, how these poor people, revolt against the injustice on them. Now, we only hope that all these politicians, who were present for this function, also watch this film and take necessary steps, to stop these attrocities on women, in such regions.
Samidha Guru is happy with her progress
She has already won State award 2014 for best actress for her brilliant performance in the film ‘Kapuskondyachi Goshta’. At present she is performing in popular TV serial ‘Kamla’. And now, she will open with the first episode of DD- Sahyadri’s serial ‘Chitrakathi’ which is based on different stories and directed by Vaibhav Chinchalkar. MarathiMovieWorld.com spoke to Sameedha Guru recently, to know about her new assignments and she seemed to happy with her present progress.
Sameedha who had also won MarathiMovieWorld.com best actress award for her performance in the play ‘Get Well Soon’ last year, is an extremely talented actress. No wonder, this actress, who has performed in many TV serials like ‘Avaghachi Sansar’, ‘Soniyacha Umbartha’, ‘Ya Valnavar’, ‘Devyani’, ‘Tujhvin Sakhya Re’, ‘Gandha Phulancha Gela Sangun’ has been doing her best in ongoing serial ‘Kamla’. Recently, we also saw her in the film ‘Panhala’. But, Sameedha deserves more challenging roles, in Marathi films, having won the state award for best actress last year. We understand that she is doing a big banner Marathi film, starring Swapnil Joshi, with whom she has already worked on stage in ‘Get Well Soon’. And, we are sure, she would do her best.
Nana’s natter entertains audience during first look of ‘Natsamrat’
Jitendra Joshi, Nikhil Sane, Medha Manjrekar, Mahesh Manjrekar, VIshwas Joshi, VIkram GOkhale, Nana Patkar, Sunil Barve, Mrunmayee Deshpande, Neha Pendse
Last year, well known actor made his presence felt, when he played the role of Dr.Prakash Baba Amte’ in the film on the life of a great social activist. This year, he was already in the news, for his initiative to help the families of poor farmers in Maharashtra, through his NAAM foundation. But, more than that, the news about his playing the lead role of Appa Belwalkar, in the cinematic version of V.V. Shirwadkar’s famous play ‘Natasamraat’. This film directed by Mahesh Manjrekar is complete now; and will be released on 1st January 2016, which also happens to be Nana Patekar.
On Wednesday evening the makers of Natasamraat and the presenters of this film Zee Studios revealed the first look of this film, in a big way, in presence of entire star cast of the film, media and special invites. After releasing the first look, which was very impressive, a talk show was arranged by anchor Jitendra Joshi, when he invited the three pillars of this film, director Mahesh Manjrekar, lead actor Nana Patekar and veteran actor Vikram Gokhale, who is playing an important role in the film, which has been created by the director, taking the cinematic liberties.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahesh Manjrekar made it very clear that he didn’t want to present the story in the original form, as noticed in the play and hence took the liberty of adding additional important characters for artistes like Vikram Gokhale, Jitendra Joshi, Sandeep Pathak and few others. Vikram Gokhale, who spoke very few words, said that he liked the performance of Dr.Shreeram Lagoo playing this character on stage; but felt that Nana had also done a very good job, in his own way.
However, the hero of the day was Nana Patekar, who narrated his experience of working with Mahesh Manjrekar as director. He narrated several such happenings, which generated instant laughter from the audience present at the function. Mahesh tried to explain his side; but when Nana is around, it is very difficult for others to defend themselves. But, it was all in good spirit, as Nana even did not allow the anchor to answer all his questions. Instead of taking more time, he instead allowed others like Medha Manjreakar, Mrunmayee Deshpande, Sandeep Pathak, Sunil Barve, Neha Pendse and others to speak. But, before that, he was all praise for the director , his wife Medha, who played his wife Kaveri in the film and Neha Pendse, who played his family member in the film.
Among the other dignitaries who were present on the occasion were, producer Vishwas Joshi, Mr. Nitin Kini & Nikhil sane from Zee Group, Suhas Joshi, Rajesh Deshpande, Kiran Yadnyopavit, Jaywant Wadkar, Mrinal Kulkarni, Bharat Dabholkar and Cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar , who was a surprise guest, to wish the team of ‘Natasamraat’.
Partu’ is a true story of my father’s Uncle – Nitin Adsul
Nitin Adsul has been living in USA for the past several years; but he has been watching all Marathi films. Knowing about the good response received by Marathi films, based on good scripts, for a long time, he was thinking about making a Marathi film, on the true story happening in the life of his father’s uncle, a farmer from a village in Nagar district, in Maharashtra. Since, Mr. Adsul who lives in Washington DC and a co founder of East West Films; he narrated this true story to his partners and they all agreed to make a Marathi film on this universal subject. And, that’s how Partu’ was shot in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, at the end of last year and beginning of this year.
‘Partu’ is now all set to release on coming Friday and Nitin is eager to know the response of the audience to his debut Marathi film. The story ‘Partu’ revolves around a small boy, who is lost in Maharashtra and is offered shelter by a poor farmer and his family. The farmer tries to search his family in Rajasthan, but in vain. So, he brings up this boy along with his two children and prospers in his Agri business. He also finds a bride for this boy and gets him married. It is an interesting tale of a farmer, who hasn’t given up hopes, to search the biological parents of this boy. Finally, when he finds them, it is interesting to see, what this young boy does.
“I am sure, this story will appeal to audience from different parts of the world, besides the Indian audience. But, my target audience is from Maharashtra and Rajasthan. After all, it is a true story, which happened in the life of my Father’s uncle, living in Nagar district and has a connect with a boy from Rajasthan,” he concluded.