Chitra Palekar returns to acting after 32 years with ‘Happy Journey!’
Actress Chitra Palekar is returning to silver screen after a long hiatus of 32 years in Happy Journey the forthcoming film produced by Everest Entertainment. Chitra, prior to her marriage, had made her debut as an actor, way back in 1981 in ‘Aakriet’ which was directed by her actor-film maker husband Amol Palekar. Interestingly, she was the lead female actor as well as the producer of Aakriet.
Born in Dharwad, Chitra Palekar was a lead actor director in avant-garde theatre of Mumbai since 1967, she won a number of State Awards and has performed all over India. She also played Table Tennis at the national level. After marriage, she began her multifaceted career in films in 1981 with Aakriet, which won a special Jury Award at Nantes, France. Post ‘Aakrit’, she has been involved in various faculties of filmmaking. She wrote the screenplay and dialogues for ‘Thodasa Roomani HoJaaye’ in 1989, Kairee( The Raw Mango)in 1999 and ‘Kal Ka Aadmi’ in 2001. Her ‘DhyasParva’ won the state award for Best Screenplay and in 2006, she made her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed ‘Maatimaay’.
No one had expected Chitra to return to acting; but, she agreed to do this film, as she loved the script of ‘Happy Journey’. She says, she loves to work with the young filmmakers, as it helps her to stay with times. According to her, the young filmmakers are bringing in a lot of new concepts and trying out various genres, which is a very good development for the regional cinema to grow on the national as well as international platforms.
Sanjay Chhabria of Everest Entertainment has commented, “It’s an honour to have Chitra Palekar on board for ‘Happy Journey’. He further added “We have a very young team making ‘Happy Journey’ and I am sure people would like to see Chitra Palekar essaying a very interesting character role in
‘Campus katta’ launched with initial shooting
New Marathi film ‘Campus Katta’ produced under the banner of ‘Sharp Eye productions’ was launched recently with initial shooting schedule in Pune and its surroundings. Directed by ‘Rangakarmi’ fame Sanjeev Kolte, the film stars Santosh Juvekar along with Namrata Gaikwad, Sheetal Dabholkar, Milind Shinde, Vikram Gokhale, Kishori Shahane, Arun Nalawade & newcomer Rahul Dongre.
This film is produced by Prathamesh Gadwe, with cinematography by Jitendra Achrekar and music by Pravin Kunwar. Set on the backdrop of entry of politics into colleges, it is also a love story.
New Marathi film ‘Sangharsh’ does unusual promotion
To promote their films, today Marathi film makers have been using unusual ways. Panoramic Group, which presents new multi starrer Marathi film ‘Sangarsha’, after launching first look of this film in Thane, recently promoted the songs of their film at Shanmukhanand Hall, Mumbai, in presence of 2000 marketing experts. This was with the intention of seeking their opinion. One of the four songs in this film is a Ganapati song, involving 60 dancers and 200 junior artistes.
Choreographer of popular Bollywood film ‘Wanted’ Rajiv Surti has done the choreography of this song, which is picturised on Rajesh Shrungarpure, Prajakta Mali, Nakul Ghanekar & Sushant Shelar. The film’s story and direction is by Saisparsha, while R.Viraj is executive director. Music is by Nishikant Sadaphule and Bappi-Tutul. ‘Sangharsh’ which will be released on 7th February 2014, stars Rajesh Shrungarpure, Sushant Shelar, Nakul Ghanekar, Prajakta Mali, Madhavi Nimkar, Sangeeta kapure, Arun Nalawade, Dr. Vilas Ujawane, Amita Khopkar, Ajay Purkar, Sulbha Arya, Devdatt Nage & Sunil Deo.
Double Delight for Abhijeet Panse’s ‘REGE’
Forthcoming Marathi film ‘Rege’ based on a recent notorious encounter, to be screened at 12th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) and 2nd Indian International film festival of South Africa (IIFFSA). This film Written and directed by Abhijit Panse, which was lauded by critics and audience during MAMI Festival, is believed to be based on a notorious fake encounter, which has seen many encounter specialists from Mumbai police force going behind bars. Some of them have even been convicted by a Mumbai court in a recent ruling.
After dabbling many years in politics, Initially as the president of ‘Bhartiy Vidyarthi Sena’ and then as the president of ‘Bhartiya Chitrapat Sena’, Abhijit Panse has turned director with this ambitious project ‘Rege’. Panse says, “The film has all real life experiences. I have even used real names like Pradeep Sharma, Sachin Waze or D.K. to give the film much required authenticity.”
‘Rege’ stars Mahesh Manjrekar, Pushkar Shrotri, Santosh Juvekar, Aaroh Velankar and many others, with a sound theatre background in pivotal roles. Cinematography is by Mahesh Limaye, while background score has been composed by ‘Saawariya’ fame Monty Sharma. During the competition at festivals, ‘Rege’ will lock horns with films like Fandry, Tapaal, Astu & Naarbachi Wadi. PIFF will begin in Pune from 9-16 January, 2014 and thereafter, ‘Rege’ flies to South Africa to compete in the prestigious IIFFSA; a multi-city event between Jan 16-23, 2014.
‘Rangakarmi’ all set to release on 27th Dec
The magical world of Marathi theatre has always attracted the sensible audience to the drama theatres. In a city like Mumbai, we find rising response to Marathi theatre, which is evident from the additional drama halls and more and more plays becoming popular. Recently, we also witnessed a film, which was a biopic on famous theatre artist Balgandharva. There are many films which are based on popular Marathi plays.
Now, director Sanjiv Kolte is presenting one such subject on the backdrop of Marathi theatre, through his latest film ‘Rangakarmi’ which is due for release on 27th December 2013. ‘Rangakarmi’ is a story of a struggling actor and a veteran make-up artist. When this make up artist turns a mentor for this actor, to achieve his dreams; there comes a time, where there is ego clash. The film presents talented Marathi actor Dr. Amol Kholhe in a most challenging role, in the company of veteran versatile actor Mohan Joshi.
The film also stars Sheetal Dabholkar( who is making her debut in Marathi) and Sharmistha Raut in important roles, supported by Rajan Joshi, Prafull Samant, Devendra Dodke, Dinesh kanade, Mahesh Bodas, Deepjyoti Naik & Mrunal Gawde. Others in guest appearance are : Jayant Savarkar, Nisha Parulekar, Dr. Vilas Ujavane, Pradeep Patwardhan, Upendra Date & Ram Kolhatkar. Produced by Shashi Mittal & Sumit H Mittal, the film’s music is provided by Praveen Kunwar.
Pallavi Subhash is the other girl in “Happy Journey”
Pallavi Subhash has been chosen as the 2nd lead girl in “Happy Journey” produced by Everest Entertainment. Auditions were underway for this role in Mumbai and Pune. Pallavi Subhash has been shuffling between Mumbai and Chennai as she is shooting for a South Indian film directed by Gautam Menon. In her busy schedule she flew down from Chennai auditioned for “Happy Journey” and flew back to Chennai. She joins the illustrious cast list of Happy Journey comprising of Atul Kulkarni and Priya Bapat. Pallavi was chosen on the basis of her ravishing beauty and innocent looks required for this particular she is going to essay in Happy Journey. Pallavi Subhash is a popular actress having acted in quite a few television serials both Hindi & Marathi, several TV commercials as well as feature films. She has been highly appreciated for her work.
The shooting for the film has already commenced in Pune and is also going to be shot in Goa in the month of January, 2014. The film is scheduled to release in mid 2014. The film is going to see a very young and energetic crew taking the mantle of various departments.
Sanjay Chabriya of Everest Entertainment said, ” its a very young, contemporary and a modern film which would cater to the youth. Its a new genre which we are trying and I am sure the audiences would appreciate our effort”
Makers of ‘Premacha Jholjhal’ announce their next film
Producers of Marathi film ‘Premacha Jholjhal’ Mr. Siddhant Pilani & Seema Upadhyay shared the success of their film’s 50 days, by felicitating other successful film makers of 2013, besides felicitating their entire team recently. On this occasion, they also made announcement of their next film, with Siddharth Jadhav in lead role.
Mr. Sanjay Jadhav director of ‘Duniyadari’ and Mr. Aditya Sarpotdar were felicitated by team ‘Premacha Jholjhal’, showing a fine gesture.
‘Khara Saangu Khota Khota’ all set to release on 20th Dec 2013
Two great actors from Marathi film industry Ashok Saraf and Sayaji Shinde are all set to confront each other from 20th December 2013, through new Marathi film ‘Khara Sangoo Khota Khota’. Needless to say that it will be a non stop comedy film, in the company of Marathi’s Queen of Comedy Nirmiti Sawant. In this film, both Ashok Saraf and Sayaji Shinde are playing traditional rivals Dhandalgaonkar and DhandlePatil resp, living in the neighbourhood in the same village. Always wanting to prove their supremacy in the village, both of them are in for a surprise; when they come to know that their grown up children, studying in the same college of the nearest city, fall in love with each other.
To add further twist to their love story, in comes a spinster matchmaker Nani Saranjame,to add more flavour to this fun filled recipe cooked by the youngsters Dushyant and Yashashree, played by Analesh Desai and Trishala Shah. Based on the novel ‘Tujha majha Zamena’ written by Ramchandra Sadekar, the film is directed by Sanjeev Naik. The film is a musical action comedy, with four melody filled songs penned by Aarti Desai and composed by evergreen Shrirang Aras.
The film’s beautiful locations at Mumbai, Wai, Satara, Mahabaleshwar and Konkan have been captured by cinematographer Manjunath B Nayaka, with perfect editing by Sanjeev Nayaka and Umesh Rane. Hemangi Velankar and Deepjyoti naik play supporting roles in this film, which is produced by Sarav Films and presented by Abhiruchi Films.
Three new Marathi films to compete among themselves
Year 2013 will be soon coming to an end and we find many Marathi films, lined up for release. This week, as many as three Marathi films are being released, creating a competition among themselves for theatre availability. Luckily for them, there are no big banner Hindi films releasing simultaneously; but, recently released ‘Mangalasthaka’ and ‘Pitrurun’ are still receiving good response at some of the theatres in Mumbai and Pune. So, it remains to be seen, how the Marathi audience would respond to these three films, which are offering different subjects.
While ‘Majhya Navryachi Bayko (MNB)’ starring Bharat Jadhav, Deepali Sayed and Smita Gondkar hints at a traditional comedy, the other film ‘Mee aani U’ starring Bhushan Pradhan, Sai Lokur and others, seems to have been inspired by Hollywood film ‘Just like Heaven’. And the third film ‘Angarki’, as the title suggests, is obviously on the backdrop of Lord Ganesha. Makarand Anaspure and Tejaswini Pandit are the lead stars of this film, with Tejaswini making her comeback to Marathi films, after her marriage.
New Marathi film ‘1909’ to revive history
Based on the life of young freedom fighter Anant Kanhere, new Marathi film ‘1909’ is all set to release on 10 January 2014. A grand premiere of this film has been organised on 21st December 2013 at historic Vijayanand Theatre, Nashik. It may be recalled that it was at this historical venue, 17 year old freedom fighter Anant had killed collector Jackson, giving a new twist to the freedom movement of India.
Producer Ajay kambli and his director brother Abhay kambli are offering this sensational creation. Recently, first look of this film was released in presence of former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Mr. Shivshankar Gawai, whose grandfather-Mr. Nanasaheb Gawai was part of the freedom movement of Veer Savarkar. The film stars Akshay Shimpi, Rohan Pednekar, Shrikant Bhide, Shrinivas Joshi, Shubhankar Ekbote, Chetan Sharma, Amit Vaze and many others, who are making their debut through this film.