Chaitanya’s ‘Court’ finds International distributor
In all our films with different languages, a court is shown in a typical standard way. But, in reality no two courts in India look similar. Chaitanya Tamhane, after a lot of research about premises, procedure, etc. wrote a realistic, understated script based on judicial system of lower courts in the country. He then converted it into a thought provoking movie, ‘Court’ . The dialogues of ‘Court’ are in Marathi but Gujarati, Hindi, English language has also been used, to make it quadro-linguistic film. This film has been doing rounds of National and International Film Festivals and has won laurels, bagging numbers of awards, including Best Film and Best Director awards. Now, the good news is that an internationally renowned film distribution company, Zeitgeist films – an American independent film distribution company based in New York, is going to distribute this film locally and on foreign soils.
Kranti Redkar reveals the first look of ‘Kaakan’
An established and successful actress, a passionate dancer, a witty anchor, Kranti Redkar, who has now forayed into movie direction, presented the first look of her marathi film ‘Kaakan‘ in Mumbai. “Never wear a long dress, if you are required to do a lot of running around, during the first event of your film; because, it makes you stumble, resulting in a fall,” said Kranti Redkar, while arriving on the dais with this witty comment. She looked ravishing in a flowing dress.
Also announcing the release date of her movie with a motion poster, Kranti reminisced “I always wanted to foray into film direction and after watching my dear friend Manava (Naik)’s short film, I decided to take up direction, five years ago. I was to make Kaakan into a short film, but when I approached my Brother-in-law, Mr Bannerjee , he and his team , who are into Ad-film business, prompted me to make a full fledged movie.”
On this occasion, a title track of the film was launched and one of the singers of the duet, Neha Rajpal sang on a track, for the benefit of the attendees. Swapnil Bandodkar and music director Ajay Sinha too, took the dais a to thank Kranti, for letting them to be part of Kaakan. digital poster by Sachin Gurav (winner of Best Poster Designer of a film award of marathimovieworld.com ), was also unveiled, on the occasion.
The lead pair of Kaakan, Jitendra Joshi and Urmila Kanetkar-Kothare shared effervescent tit-bits of shooting days, pulling each other’s legs. Ashok Shinde (who hasn’t charged a penny for his performance in Kaakan) and child artistes Ashutosh Gaikwad, Aakash Bannerjee , who are part of the cast, also praised Kranti’s efforts. Hridaya Bannerjee of Mangorange Productions (she also happens to be Kranti’s sister) appreciated Kranti’s die hard spiritedness and dedication towards her craft. Mahesh Kothare with spouse, Manava Naik, Abhijit Panse, Aadinath Kothare, Phulwa Khamkar were present, among other celebrities, to support Kranti. Late afternoon Sanjay Jadhav and Sai Tamhankar also arrived, to wish Kranti good luck.
New Marathi film inspired by Savarkar’s ideology
The historical figures seem to fascinating and getting popular with film makers. Now in the queue seems to be Veer Savarkar. ‘What About Savarkar’ is a new marathi movie, which seems to have been inspired by ideology of Veer Savarkar. We have already seen a biopic on ‘Savarkar’ few years ago. But now, we will see a story about a youth, who sets out a rebellious journey, against a corrupt and arrogant politician. This movie will be the first Marathi film, to have been shot at the famous Golden Temple, Amritsar.
The producer duo of Rohit Shetty, Atul Parab and a director duo of Rupesh Katare, Nitin Gawde recently released the first look of this movie. The DOP of the film is AKN Sebastian and music is composed by Avdhoot Gupte, Abhishek Shinde. Popular Marathi Artistes like Avinash Narkar, Shrikant Bhide, Atul Todankar and Sara Shravan are part of the principal cast.
New Marathi film inspired by Savarkar’s ideology
The historical figures seem to fascinating and getting popular with film makers. Now in the queue seems to be Veer Savarkar. ‘What About Savarkar’ is a new marathi movie, which seems to have been inspired by ideology of Veer Savarkar. We have already seen a biopic on ‘Savarkar’ few years ago. But now, we will see a story about a youth, who sets out a rebellious journey, against a corrupt and arrogant politician. This movie will be the first Marathi film, to have been shot at the famous Golden Temple, Amritsar.
The producer duo of Rohit Shetty, Atul Parab and a director duo of Rupesh Katare, Nitin Gawde recently released the first look of this movie. The DOP of the film is AKN Sebastian and music is composed by Avdhoot Gupte, Abhishek Shinde. Popular Marathi Artistes like Avinash Narkar, Shrikant Bhide, Atul Todankar and Sara Shravan are part of the principal cast.
Aatmaram Bhende was a Comedy Superstar
It’s ironical that on the inaugural day of 95th ‘Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natyasammelan’, a refreshing news arrived about a marathi litterateur Prof. Bhalchandra Nemade being honoured with prestigious Dnyanpith award. But, a sad and disturbing news also reached, about sad demise of veteran actor Atmaram Bhende.
Atmaram Bhende enthralled the audience in his long and successful acting career, spanning sixty years, entertaining the viewers with his impeccable comic timing. He started his career with INT (Indian National Theatre) which was operational in its full glory those days; and won the hearts of the viewers, while teaming up with legendary comedy icon late Baban Prabhu. Together they gave splendid hit marathi plays like ‘Dinuchya Sasubai Radhabai’,‘Zopi Gelela Jaaga Zala’. Mr Bhende was hugely appreciated too, in plays like Tuze Aahe Tuzapashi, ‘Pala Pala Kon Pudhe Pale To’ & ‘ Tarun Turka Mhatare Arka‘.
He was not only active on marathi stage, but won the hearts on Hindi and English theatre too. He donned various hats, Producer, Director & Actor successfully, in his long stint in the entertainment arena, inclusive of marathi drama, serials and movies. Many awards have been bestowed on him and the State Government’s Cultural Affairs Ministry too felicitated Atmaram Bhende with ‘Rangabhoomi Jeevan Gaurav’ award. Recently, he was conferred with Lifetime Achievement award at the inaugural Zee Comedy awards.
We at MarathiMovieWorld.com offer heartfelt condolences to his family. RIP Atmaram Bhende.
Ketan Pawar in ‘Katti Batti’
Ketan Pawar attained popularity through the film ‘Shala’, in which he had performed an adolescent school boy ‘Surya’. With his humor filled dialogues, he entertained the audience. Producer Yuvraj Paar and director Rajendra Pawar, who had spotted his talent, engaged him to play the role of an adolescent in the film ‘Katti Batti’. The film is about the new lifestyle of teenagers and their addiction to television and internet. Through this film, the director wants to convey a message to the parents, suggesting their role to handle such children, during this age, so that they do not fall into bad company.
Along with Ketan Pawar, the film stars Prajakta Yadav, Pritam Bhujbalrao, Arun Nalawade, Dr. Vilas Ujavane, Sanjivani Jadhav, Jairaj Nair, Deepjyoti, Prabhakar More, Mahendra Abhang & Deepali Kulkarni. The film will be released on 27th February 2015.
Ila Bhate to perform at Kala Ghoda Fest
Two Marathi plays will be staged at the prestigious Kala Ghoda festival in Mumbai, which opens next week. One of them is a one act play ‘Pai Paishachi Goshta’ to be performed by versatile Marathi stage-TV and film actress Ila Bhate. Based on the original story of Vijaya Rajadhyaksha, with the same name; the conversion into drama form had been made by Vipul Mahagaonkar. The first show of this play is scheduled on 9th February at 6.30 pm at Gallery Beyond, Fort, Mumbai.
Another Marathi play ‘Do Baki Ekaki’, which is a sequel to already popular play ‘Ek baki Ekaki’, will be presented by group of talented artistes from award winning colleges at the Inter Collegiate Drama competitions. Written by Sanket Tandel and directed by Sanjay Jamkhandi, this play presents Abhijit Pawar, Tuishar Ghadigaonkar, Shruti kamble, Sayali Parab, Rajratna Bhojane, Vaibhav Pisat , Bhavesh Titwalkar, Suvedha Desai, & Gourav More in important roles. The first show of this play will be staged on 13th February , 8pm at Cawasjee Jahangir Public Hall, kalaghoda.
Sad demise of Aatmaram Bhende
Well known Marathi stage, television and film artist Aatmaram Bhende is no more. He was 93. He passed away today morning in Pune. Mr. Bhende was being treated at Ratna Memorial Hospital , Pune, where he breathed his last. For the past few months, he had kept himself away from functions. In November 2014, he was conferred with the lifetime achievement award at the first Zee Comedy awards. The award was presented to him personally at his residence, due to his ill health. Mr. Bhende was last seen in a Marathi film‘Yanda Kartavya Aahe’ and Hindi film ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’. Some of the ad films he did, still keep appearing on television.
Mr. Aatmaram Bhende completed his Textile Engineering in from V.J.T.I. and later worked as an Engineer in executive positions in several reputed organizations. But, he found time to perform on stage. He retired in 1981; but continued his acting on Marathi and English stage, besides directing some plays.
Mr. Bhende had offered his services as the Joint-Secretary of the Marathi Natya Parishad , the representative body of the Marathi theatre, during 1954-60 and was responsible for setting up and organizing the Mumbai Branch of the Marathi Natya Parishad.
The news of his sad demise came on the inaugural day of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Sammelan,being held in Belgaum. We at MMW, pray for his soul to rest in peace.
Neha Rajpal turns producer
One is a national award winning writer of a hindi movie ‘Chillar Party’ and another is a highly acclaimed writer of films, ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’ and ‘Tendulkar Out’. They are Vijay Maurya and Yogesh Joshi respectively. Both have joined hands together to write screenplay together for an upcoming untitled Marathi movie, produced under the banner Neha Rajpal Productions. The story is written by Dr Akash Rajpal and Omkar Nagesh. This film is about twin sisters, falling in love with the same boy, resulting in funny situations.
The makers, after toying with different names, have identified Vijay Maurya’s name for directing the movie. They are of the opinion that since Mr Maurya has the experience of directing ad-films and also being a good scriptwriter, will be able to do justice to the subject convincingly. Mr Maurya, apart from being a well known and respected ad-film director, is a fine actor too. He has been part of the cast, in films like ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’ & ‘Black Friday’. Speaking about his debut, the director is believed to have said that Marathi films are rich in content and the script is predominantly important part of Marathi films and that he is happy to be working with sensible producers like Rajpals. He has assured an emotional sensitive fun loving fresh movie, this year.
At the moment, this movie is in pre-production stage.
“My present experience will help me in future projects” – Shhyam Singhania
As the release date approaches near , the film makers are keen to be more visible through Digital, Print, Electronic media as much as possible. They find different reasons to be in the limelight, so as to create a buzz about their product. The latest to join the bandwagon of promotions is an upcoming new marathi film ‘Bugadi Mazi Sandali Ga’ (BMSG) . At a press conference on Tuesday evening , team BMSG interacted with the media persons.
The script writer, lyricist and director of ‘BMSG’ Mansingh Pawar welcomed the attendees and briefing about one-line story of the film, he opened up the arena for Q & A session. He was specifically asked about inspiration, as there are few films which boast about the life stories of Laavni performers, one example being V Shantaram’s Pinjra. Mr Pawar had hard time convincing media, that his story was original, although it may bear resemblance to some other film. He claimed his film, being musical, dramatic and romantic, besides entertaining.“We had a tough time finalising lead pair. Getting suitable artists for the respective characters, took a long time, but the wait was worth it, as we have now beautiful (Miss India 2013) Manasi (Moghe) and a very natural actor Kashyap Parulekar, ( Taptapadi fame) as the lead pair. And I am happy with their output,” said Mr Pawar.
Mr Shhyam Singhania, producer admitted that being a producer is a tough job but the experience will help him in his future film projects. ‘How do you adjust with the new lot of actors?’ To this question Ramesh Bhatkar mischievously replied ‘ I am still active(young) in the field, so no issues about working with anyone.’ Ila Bhate stated to have been able to do a varied shaded mother’s role in the film. Another veteran actor, part of the cast, Mohan Joshi could not attend the conference due to prior commitments. Kashyap Parulekar light heartedly stated that he learnt things from Mansinghji and taught the same to Manasi. On a serious note he stated ” I did not feel pressure working with Manasi (she being Miss India) and really I am glad to be part of BMSG.” Manasi Moghe reiterated “I can speak Marathi, though not chaste; but, our director helped me grasp the Kolhapuri marathi accent. Also visiting real Laavni shows and observing the performers have helped me.” When asked about the timing of the release of the movie during Cricket World Cup, the makers stated that their marketing team have taken all aspects into account, before deciding on the release date.
The executive producer Vivek Shah thanked the attendees and expected a positive response to the film ‘Bugadi Mazi Sandali Ga’, since it is hitting the theatres on 20th February 2015.