Kapuskondyachi Goshta’ and ‘Dhag’ find entry among World’s best 323
Happy days are here again for Marathi films. Ten years ago ‘Shwaas’ found its selection, as India’s official entry for the Oscars. But now, for the 2015 OSCARS – 87th Academy Awards, two Marathi films namely ‘Kapuskondyachi Goshta’ and ‘Dhag’have been shortlisted among the 323 foreign language films, eligible for nominations.
For Marathi film industry, this is a big news, as more and more Marathi films with new subjects are made. And, for them, this news will certainly an encourage them to attempt more and more films, on socially conscious subjects, to invite the attention of the entire world. Both these films won awards before their release, in different sections; with‘Dhag’ bagging 2 prestigious national awards and one special mention award .
Before the actual awards are presented in February 2015, soon we are expecting good news to hear form one of these two films. If it happens, it will be a golden moment for Marathi and Indian cinema.
“Initially, I was reluctant to do ‘Lokmanya’, as I was scared” – Subodh Bhave
‘Swarajya ha Mazda janmasiddha Hakka aahe, aani to Mi Milavinarach!’(Independence is my birth right and I shall get it at any cost) These are the famous words every school going child has learned in school text book. It portrays the grit and determination of the person, who said it and these words are the uttrances of the first leader of the nation Bal Gangadhar Tilak, during the rule of Britishers. Born in Konkan region of Maharashtra, Keshav Gangadhar Tilak spent most of his life in Pune, where he edited and published a newspaper ‘Kesari’, which was a tool to educate and induce our people to boycott anything that British rules imposed. British colonial authorities called him the ‘Father of the Indian unrest.‘ He was conferred with the honorary title of‘Lokmanya’, which literary means Accepted by the people, as their leader.
Presented by Nitin Keni and Nikhil Sane of Essel Vision, ‘Lokmanya, Ek Yugpurush’ is being produced by Neene Raut for Neena Raut Films and is directed by Om Raut. The film has Subodh Bhave playing the title role of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. A press conference was organised by the makers and presenters of this film in Mumbai on Monday evening. While interacting with media, Subodh Bhave confessed, “Initially, I was reluctant to do ‘Lokmanya’, as I was scared” . Producer Neena Raut said, “This film not a biopic, but a thoughtpic. We have emphasised the views and thoughts of Tilak in this film, which are relevant today also.” She added . One of the presenters of the movie Nitin Keni said “We do have expectations from this film and We did not trust this idea of a debutant director doing a film on ‘Tilak’, but when I saw the film at a special screening at midnight, before the sunrise, we decided to be associated with this talented bunch of people.”
Director Om Raut, who returned to India after finishing a film making course from USA, expressed that Tilak and his thoughts were worshipped at their house and after research on the subject for about one and a half year he was confident and determined to go ahead with this project. He along with Kaustubh Savarkar have penned the screenplay and dialogues of Lokmanya and managed to convince Subodh Bhave to do the central character of the film.
On this occasion, the Music of Lokmanya, ek Yugpurush was unveiled by ever youthful Sachin Pilgaonkar and Shankar Mahadevan. Sachin wished best luck to the entire team and Mr Bharatkumar Raut, ex-MP, Rajya Sabha, and father of Om Raut. Shankar Mahadevan thanked music composer duo Ajit (Parab) and Sameer (Mhatre) for giving him an opportunity to be part of this historical figure film. Chinmay Mandlekar said that he plays a director’s point of view character in the movie, by binding past and present era. Bharat ‘Amul’ Dabholkar, Nanubhai of Video Palace, Ankush Choudhary, Aashish Shelar, Pushkar Shrotri, ‘Classmate’ director Aaditya Sarpotdar, Vikram Gaikwad (noted make-up designer), Shashank Joshi (famous musician), Nandesh Umap, Siddharth Chandekar also graced the occasion.
Only ‘Coming Suun’ has some substance
Four Marathi films were released last Friday, putting the regular Marathi film lovers into a dilemma, as to which film to watch. From their titles and first look, all four of them posed as casual entertainers. At a time, when Marathi film makers are attempting out of the box subjects, comedy and action films on the lines of Bollywood, still seems to be the favourite topic of some film makers.
Instead of covering all these films on our own, we thought of seeking the reactions of audience, who watched these four films, at different venues in Mumbai and Pune and this is what our correspondents gathered from some enthusiastic Marathi film viewers.
For ‘Madhyamvarg’, the general opinion was that it is a typical masala film on the lines of Bhojpuri films. Even such a subject is now outdated in Hindi, said some of them. And, this was obvious, because Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan was making his entry into Marathi films, through this film. Some said that the music and overall screenplay of this film was very loud.
Director Kishor Vibhandik’s film ‘Love factor’ had an interesting title; but it has turned out to be disappointing film, as per the reactions from the audience. The presence of action hero Rajesh Shringarpure failed to pull the crowds at cinema halls, during the first week end.
‘Miss Match’ which was mainly targeted at youngsters, by director Girish Vasaikar and producer Alkok Shrivastava has however offered a fresh face to Marathi film industry. But, the film has failed to appeal the youngsters, as expected otherwise. Those who saw this film, have praised the chemistry between Bhooshan Pradhan and Mrinmai Kolwalkar and their different looks in the film.
The biggest surprise comes from ‘Premasathi Coming Suun’ , which has turned out to be a better film, amongst these four films, only because of its clever screenplay and skilful direction by Ankur Kakatkar. Many youngsters, who gave their reactions after the show, were all praise for the performances. Jitendra Joshi received maximum appreciation from well wishers, for his so called superb performance.
Abhijteet, Samidha and others all praise for MMW Awards
The popular awards based on Viewer’s choice every year by MMW (MarathiMovieWorld.com) were presented yesterday to artistes and technicians in different categories of films, TV serials and Dramas. MarathiMovieWorld.com is the leading site on Marathi films, with maximum viewership from different parts of India and abroad. Well Known Marathi and Hindi film personality Mr. Viju Khote was the chief guest on the occasion. Among the special invitees were film makers Kishor Belekar , Manohar Sarvankar and Vikas Kore, Co Founder & Managing Director of Bharat Jadhav Entertainment Pvt. Ltd congratulated the award winners and thanked the viewers for their overwhelming response, while deciding their popular choices in 15 different categories spread over Films, Television and Dramas. Team MMW announce new SMS service via WhatsApp, for film lovers across Maharashtra, to know the nearest theatre location and show timing of the film, they wish to see.
The chief guest who arrived little before the scheduled time, set a new precedent to all the invitees, about the punctuality to be observed. He however did not give a speech due to ill health; but blessed all the prize winners. Those winners who were physically present to collect their awards were Ms. Leena Deore of RajRadha Movies (Viti Dandu), Manish More (Best promo for ‘Balak Palak’) , Sachin Gurav (Best Publicity Design – ‘Narbachi Wadi’), Mr. Anand Chavan from Endemol India Productions( for the best serial ‘Lagori’), actor Abhijit Khandekar, (Fresh face of the year – film JMDB) & actress Samidha Guru Best actress of the Drama ‘Get Well Soon’.
Many other award winners including producer of ‘Duniyadari’, actor Swapnil Joshi, actress Saie Tamhankar, best actor Dilip Prabhavalkar, best director Chandrakant Kulkarni for the play ‘Get well Soon’ and others could not make it for this function, much to the disappointment of the hosts. Ms. Sanskruti Bhatkar of MaratrhiMovieWorld.com welcomed the guests and also anchored the show.
The award winners in different categories were us under:
Feature Film Section
Most Awaited Film 2014: Vitti Dandu
Best Film of The Year: Duniyadari
Best Marketed Film of The Year: Duniyadari
Best Promo of the film: Balak Palak
Best Publicity Design: Narbachi Wadi
Fresh (Male) Face of the year: Abhijit Khandkekar (Jai Maharashtra Dhabha Bhatinda)
Fresh (Female) Face of the year: Shriya Pilgaonkar (Ekulti Ek)
Best Actor: Dilip Prabhawalakr (Narbachi Wadi)
Best Actress: Sai Tamhankar (Duniyadari)
Television Section
Best Serial of the year: Lagori (Star Pravah)
Best actor : Shashank Ketkar (Honar Sunn Mi Hya Gharachi)
Best Actress: Anuja Sathe-Gokhale (Lagori)
Theatre Section
Best Play of the year : Get Well Soon, (Directed by Chandrakant Kulkarni)
Best Actor : Swapnil Joshi (Get Well Soon)
Best Actress: Samidha Guru (Get Well Soon)
( We can only say, this was not only voting based on popular choice, for but the best work of the year.)
Maharashtra state Amateur drama competition – The show must go on
There was a time when everybody connected with theatre, would make it a point to watch as many plays as possible, during the annual Maharashtra State Amateur Drama Competition. This competition has always been held in high esteem, for sheer raw talent displayed. It may be mentioned that no professional dramatist is allowed to participate in this competition, as per rules. Even it used to be attended by established producers, directors for spotting new talent and ideas; for the very reason that many actors, directors, writers, technicians have risen from this platform to make a name and gain fame at professional level.
But, in recent times one can witness very thin attendance at this competition, mainly due to the changing scenario in entertainment world. Finance is one such factor, as theatre doesn’t allow you to earn heavily, so as to support for living. The advent of television, is another factor which locks the viewers in their drawing rooms, not allowing them to think of an outing to a theatre, to watch a play. Maharashtra Government is also expected to infuse more confidence in theatre people, for the survival of small theatre groups. No doubt, it’s credible on their part to have continued this movement to encourage new talent.
For the year 2014-15, about 385 plays are to be staged at 19 centres all over Maharashtra. There are many stalwart institutions, which dominate the competition year after year, some of them being, BEST, BMC (Municipal Corporation), BPT (Bombay Port Trust), Mazgaon Dock, Amar Hind Mandal and State Bank of India.
SBI (State Bank) this year staged a play, ‘Seedless’ specifically written for this competition by Ravi Bhagwate and directed by Vinay Wategaonkar. It’s a story of a successful businessman taking pride in being a kingmaker or a queen maker, as he uplifts couple of women to business glory, by his sheer financial acumen. He marries the second woman, as the first one leaves him because she gets pregnant. He is against having children, thinking that they are hindrance, due to their troubled and stressful childhood. The first wife adopts a girl with special abilities, comes and stays in the same house. The girl transforms his thinking, but in the end he is left alone repenting.
It was a well presented play by actors, Pranay Bhuvad, Amit Guhe, Tejal Samant, Sampada Tulaskar, child actor Vallary Gaikwad (she was exemplary), without any professional background. Even technically this show was no less professional, and special mention for beautiful light designing by Hemant Donkar. Writer Ravi Bhagwate’s scripting was very relevant. Director Vinay Wategaonkar’s presentation was no less than a commercial play epitomising drama quotient equally well.
One really hopes that the Government does not let die this competition and at the same time an appeal to all the theatre loving people, to ensure that there is no Curtain Call on this competition.
Four Marathi films to compete among themselves
This Friday we will be witnessing tough competition among four Marathi films, which are to be released simultaneously. Siddharth Jadhav starrer ‘Madhyamvarg‘, which is a typical masala film is banking on Bhojpuri film audience, besides Marathi, as the film stars Bhojpuri film’s hero Ravi Kishan, in a parallel role. The film has also managed to bag maximum theatres in Maharashtra.
The other Marathi film is Ankur Kakatkar’s ‘Premasathi Coming Suun‘, which has Adinath Kothare, Neha Pendse & Jitendra Joshi in the lead. Not, much is known about the story of this film; but it looks like it is a romantic comedy. This film has also managed to find sizable number of screens, for its release, this Friday.
Then, there is one more romantic comedy, directed by Kishor Vibahndik, starring Rajesh Shringarpure, Khushboo Tawde, Kushal Badrike, Harshada Bhavsar and Pratibha Bhagat. But, it remains to be seen, whether this film can offer the required content to draw the crowds at cinema halls. The film has managed to find only 20 screens in Mumbai and Thane region.
Last but not the least is ‘Miss Match’ offering the timely subject for youngsters. With Bhooshan Pradhan paired with newcomer Mrunmayi Kolwalkar, the film certainly has some content to offer, with a reputed small screen serials director Girish Vasaikar, who is making his debut in Marathi films. But, unfortunately, even this film has managed maximum 20 screens in and around Mumbai city, where it has its target audience. But, this film is likely to do well in Pune, as the lead pair belongs to Pune.
So, let us wait till the end of this week, to check which film succeeds in inviting audience at theatre windows.
Theatrical trailer of ‘Baji’ released
As a child, everyone has a dream of becoming a superhero, but hardly anyone is able to fulfil that dream. But some people especially actors from the film world, get a chance to fulfil this dream in a small way, by playing superhero on celluloid. One such actor who is fortunate enough to do so, is Shreyas Talpade. He ended his seven year hiatus from marathi films, to do this superhero Vigilante film, Baji, that transcends both folklore and present times.
At, Sunny Super Sound, Juhu, Mumbai, a theatrical trailer launch and “Poshter” unveiling event happened, which was well attended by media, print, digital and electronic, and film fraternity including Aadinath Kothare, Sachin Kundalkar, Sanjay Chhabria. One of the producers, Suhrud Godbole welcomed the attendees and introduced a battery of producers, viz. Vivek Rangachari, Amit Ahirrao, Nikhil Mahajan and the key cast of the film, viz. Shreyas Talpade, Amruta Khanvilkar, Jeetendra Joshi. Director of Baji, Nikhil Mahajan who has directed critically acclaimed‘Pune 52′ earlier, candidly admitted that this film is a family entertainer and not meant for film festival circuit.
He said “We started shooting in Jan.’14 and have shot extensively in Konkan region of Maharashtra, Malvan and some parts in Mumbai. It’s an entertaining movie with loads of special effects. Also it has got swashbuckling action, but unfortunately Shreyas was injured innumerable times.” Vivek Rangachari thanked the entire crew and cast of the film on behalf of all the producers as he thought it was tough shooting this movie.
Shreyas Talpade, who was looking extremely fit, confessed to have agreed to do this film because of its genre of superhero which he never attempted earlier. He said “The moment I read the one-line I agreed to do this movie. I was informed about the stunts well in advance and I was prepared mentally and managed to have required physical look of the character. Even Jeetu (Jeetendra Joshi) has worked a lot on his physique, you can see the results on screen.” As a surprise element Shreyas introduced a young girl, actually a youngest swimmer to have swam across 4 oceans and 8 seas, Bhakti Sharma, who is planning to swim across Antartica ocean in freezing cold in a few months from now. He lauded her efforts and said that the whole team of Baji is supporting her cause, financially and otherwise as they think, she is a ‘real life Baji’.
This action, romance, adventure filled superhero film Baji is produced by DAR Motion pictures along with Virtue Entertainment, IME Motion Pictures and Blue Drop Films which will release all over Maharashtra and a few other select parts in India on 6th February 2015.
Frienship’ launched with new angle
‘Yeh dosti hum nahi todenge …..’ Is a cult song from a very famous Bollywood movie, which glorifies the strong friendship . Friendship has played a pivotal role in many a Bollywood movies. Friends, are necessity to each and every individual. Friendship sometimes rises above even blood relations. Now, marathi movie viewers are going to witness this age old saga about friendship, in a new movie which is aptly called‘Friends’.
At a Muhurat of Friends, a song was recorded in a melodious voice of Swapnil Bandodkar and Anvesha Dutta at a Mumbai studio. This film is being produced by quadruple, namely Kailash Gharat, Dinesh Kadav, K K Mhatre and Sandip Patil.
Milind Arun Kavde, director of earlier films like, ‘Yedyanchi Jatra’, ‘Four Idiots’ and upcoming ‘Just Gammat’ and ‘1234’, also happens to be the writer of this movie; who is believed to have said that his story though on friendship, is going to unveil untapped aspect of friendship through friendly relationship in college life and showing new angles in love and friendship.
Vaibhav sings a song for Ravi Jadhav’s next
After tickling ribs of audience through his comic acts through popular comedy show on television as well as in some Marathi films, well known actor Vaibhav Mangle has now turned a singer.
Even otherwise, Vaibhav always used his vocal chords to enhance his acting performance. Now he has been roped in by director Ravi Jadhav, to sing a song for his new film, which is a sequel to his immensely successful film ‘Time Pass’. No eyebrows are raised this time, as everyone is aware of Vaibhav’s singing talent and hope that he passes this ‘Naya’ test as a singer
Amruta all set to breaks hearts of her male fans
After attempting her luck in bollywood through films like Phook, Mumbai Salsa etc. Amruta Khanvilkar did settle down in Marathi film industry, as one of the sought after glamorous leading ladies. Now, about settling down in real life, she will be getting married early next year, thus breaking many hearts of her male -fans.
After featuring in many Marathi movies like ‘Golmaal’, ‘Natrang’, ‘Aayna ka Bayna’, ‘Satrangi Re’, ‘Dhoosar’,‘Shaala’, ‘Saade Maade Teen’ etc. Amruta will marry her beau of many years Himanshu Malhotra.
Amruta while doing a hindi reality show called ‘India’s Best Cinestars ki Khoj’ on trlevision, met Himanshu and soon they started dating and are now about to tie knot very soon, i.e. 24th Jan. 2015.