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.
“I feel like I’am the first man on moon” – Swwapnil Joshi.
He has been associated with the entertainment industry since his childhood. And now, heartthrob of millions of girls ; the latest superstar of Marathi movies, Swwapnil Joshi, is all set to diversify in his professional life. GSEAMS (Global Sports Entertainment And Media Solutions Pvt Ltd) along with Swwapnil Joshi are offering a new structural format of film and show making. Though this concept is already popular in Hindi entertainment industry and sports industry, Swwapnil Joshi will be the first marathi actor for whom, Youtube will have a dedicated youtube multimedia page as they are aware of Swwapnil’s strong following.
Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartik Nishandar, directors, GSEAMS, who were associated with Reliance Broadcasting Network Ltd. earlier and gained large expertise, were glad to announce collaboration with Swwapnil Joshi. GSEAMS will, endorse Swwapnil, co-produce films, brand alliance, create new contents and shows, with his participation. There will be a high level of investment on brand Swwapnil Joshi. Swapna Joshi Waghmare, a well known producer and director of TV serials, Hindi films, will take the responsibility of strengthening the company’s business with her expertise. Kartik Nishadar opined that association of GSEAMS with Swwapnil will be able to explore new door to marathi cinema, which has huge untapped potential.
‘This structured business alliance for marathi movie business, makes me feel like I’m the first man on the moon.’ Swwapnil was using his oratory skills to perfection’. He further added ‘I promise that I will keep on finding ways to entertain people. Acting, of which I am passionate about, and this venture, hope to be able to balance. And I am damn good at multi-tasking.’
Veteran actors Shyam Ponkshe and Deven Verma pass away.
Marathi theatre industry and bollywood are both mourning passing away of Shyam Ponkshe and Deven Verma, respectively.
Shyam Ponkshe was known to be an endearing co-actor to many leading Marathi stage actors including Prashant Damle and Atul Parchure. He will be remembered for his roles in Marathi dramas like ‘Jaadu Teri Nazar’, ‘Eka Lagnachi Goshta’, ‘Priyatama’,‘Be Dune Paach‘. A voracious reader and vastly knowledgeable was highly appreciated for his role in ‘Tilak ani Aagarkar’. He died at the age of 62 on 1st dec’14.
Deven Verma, bollywood character artist, known for his impeccable comic timing in films like ‘Khatta Meetha‘, ‘Angoor’ etc., who also was close to a few Marathi film personalities, expired on 2nd dec’14. Son-in-law of bollywood’s ‘Dadamuni’ – Ashok Kumar, Deven Verma will be remembered for his straight faced and deadpan comedy which kept the audiences in high spirits, without resorting to cheap or below the belt humour. He was fond of marathi cinema for it being content oriented, and has acted in couple of Marathi movies like, ‘Dost Asava Tar Asa‘, ‘Ha Khel Savalyancha’. He
Veteran actress Nayantara is no more
Probably the first or one of the very few comediennes of Marathi films and theatre, Nayantara left for heavenly abode on sunday 30th November2014. She was 64. Popularly known for her role as Laxmikant Berde’s mother in a play ‘Shantech Kaarta Chalu Aahe’ and few other plays like ‘Bhetalaat tar Bhetalaat’; she was also active on silver screen, with marathi films like ‘Baala Gau Kashi Angaai’, ‘Ashi Hi BanavaBanvi’ and ‘Dhaagaddhinga’.
For more than a decade, she was a patient of Diabetes and a few days back she was hospitalised at Nair hospital, where she breathed her last on sunday. She has been survived by a son and a large family. Heartfelt condolences from marathimovieworld.com. May her soul rest in peace.