Sai Lokur’s debut through ‘Platform’
Film Producer Veena Lokur, whose Marathi film ‘Mission Champion’ bagged 14 awards, has now turned director through her forthcoming film ‘Platform’. Through this film, she will be launching her daughter Saie Lokur in lead role. Sai has been actively associated with theatre in Belgaum along with her mother for past few years through their group Fulora.
‘Platform’ has been shot in Belgaum and stars other popular stars like Astad kale, Mohan Joshi, Sharad Ponkshe, Prashant Patil, Shubhangi Joshi, Apurva Joshi, Kesar naik, Akshata Joglekar, Raveena Patil and Veena Lokur herself.
Balgandharva for Cannes
Nitin Chandrakant Desai’s film ‘Balgadharva’ has turned out to be a real tribute the legend Narayan Shripad Rajahans. who revolutionised Marathi Theatre in the early 20th century withhis lavish musical productions and graceful portrayal of female characters.
Now, the good news is that ‘Balgandharva’ will be shown in Cannes festival. The film meets with all international standards of production, having been shot using latest technolohy. Credit for the same goes to Mahesh Limaye for his cinematography and to Sameer Pandit for graded davinci Resolve. Ravi Jadhav has already excelled in direction with the wonderful presentation.
Atul Kukarni to present Quiz Show on E-TV
Popular actor Atul Kulkarni will now be seen in a new role of a TV anchor in a new game show ‘Lunar’s Walkmate High Tension’ to be telecast every Monday and Tuesday from 23rd May 2011 at 9.30 pm on E-TV Marathi.
According to E-TV, it’s a different game show wherein three participants will comete at a time going through 5 rounds, facing 42 questions. The final winner has a chance of winning a maximum of Rupees Seven lakhs sixty three thousand. Will this show give high tension to the participants, it remains to be seen.
Was that a right time for ‘Gajaar’ ?
People is Maharashtra are well aware of Palkhi, a unique feature of Maharashtrian culture, where a 1000-year-old tradition is followed by the Warkaris . Come Ashadh (June-July) and the devotees collectively go singing and dancing, chanting ‘Dnyanba-Tukaram’ and called as Dindis (organised group of Warkaris) to the holy town of Pandharpur via Pune.
A new Marathi film ‘Gajaar’ based on this Dindi , has been written and directed by Ajit Bhairavkar. Parth (Chinmay Mandlekar) is a young ambitious and egoistic film director from Mumbai. ‘Gajaar’ is a unique cinematic experience, the story of self discovery and transformation of Parth during his 18 day pilgrimage (Waari). Parth is in live-in-relationship with his love Geetali ( Sukhada Yash), a sound designer by profession. Eric ( Edward Sonnenblick), an Anthrapology PhD student from US and Parth come together to make this film on the traditional Maharashtrian religious pilgrimage of Waari’.
Actually in the film’s screenplay, it was Parth’s dream to make a path breaking international film on Waari wherein millions of devotees walk together for 240 kms in 18 days to meet their beloved lord Vithoba. Parth undertakes the challenge to capture this soulful journey of millions, with the core thoughts behind it, in a conventional manner. He and his team work very hard to capture the grandeur and soul of Waari. The 18 chapters of Dnyaneshwari unfold very interestingly with real life characters during the pilgrimage they undertake.
Last week this film was released along with another Mega Marathi film ‘Balgandharva’ . With two other Marathi films ‘Taryanche Bait’ and ‘Mast Chalalay Aamcha’ still doing a good business and occupying theatres, an important film like ‘Gajaar’ just managed to run one show per day at few theatres and that too at odd hours. This certainly makes us think whether it was a right decision to release the film at this time? It would have been better, if the film was released a little before the Dindi, i.e. by end of May or beginning of June, to inspire the devotees .
New ‘Fu Bai Fu’ from 11th May 2011
Zee Marathi’s popular celebrity comedy show ‘Fu Bai Fu’ will begin its new chapter from 11th May every Wednesday and Thursday at 9.30 pm. This time with new celebrities and new judge in the form of Renuka Shahane , who will join Nirmiti Sawant.
The new combination of pairs will be from Marathi stage and films comprising of artistes like Satish Taare – Bhalchandra Kadam, Santosh Pawar – Kishori Ambiye, Kushal Badrike- Hemangi Kavi, Mangesh Desai – Bhargavi Chirmule, Santosh Mayekar – Priya Berde, Also joining them will be winners-runners up of past chapter Atul Todankar – Snehalata Tawde, Sunil Tawde – Atisha Naik.
Popular comedy pair Anand Ingale – Vaibhav Mangale will also join them in special appearance, as they will not be part of the competition. Nilesh Sable will be anchoring this show.
Aata Ga Bayaa’ music released
Music of Sanjay Narvekar’s own film ‘Aata Ga Bayaa’ was released recently in a function attended by Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty as a chief guest. The film is all set to release on 13th May 2011.
Lyrics by Guru Thakur and Anil Jagtap on the music of Ajay – Atul as well as Pankaj – Pushkar, is a special treat to the music lovers with three well composed songs. Sanjay Narvekar who has himself directed this film, also plays lead role along with Puja Sawant, Arun Nalawde, Nivedita Saraf, Satish Pulekar, Atul Parchure, Jitendra Joshi, Viju Khote, Pandharinath Kambli and Kamlakar Satpute
Ya Gol Gol Dabyatla’ progresses
Siddhi Entertainment’s first Marathi film ‘Ya Gol Gol Dabyatla’ written and directed by Asit Reddyz, is progressing fast with its shooting immediately after the muhurat; which was performed recently. After the traditional muhurat shot, some of the important scenes were picturised on Smita Talwalkar, Madhav Abhyankar, Smita Shewale and child artistes Papan Patil and Akanksha.
The film’s shooting is expected to be completed by 15th June 2011., Besides the above mentioned artistes, the other popular stars of the film are: Ashok Saraf, Santosh Juvekar, Vijay Chavan. The film deals with an important issue of Senior citizens and their issues.
Display Dadasaheb Phalke’s photo in Theatres- MNS
The Maharashtra Navanirmaan Chitrapat Karmachari Sena (MNCKS) which is a Employee’s Union wing of MNS in the Bollywood and Marathi film industry, has been fighting against the engagement of foreign artistes in films without proper permission. The MNS wing has been successful in the recent past to stop the shooting of some of the films, where the producers had engaged foreign artistes violating the existing law.
The firebrand activist of MNS are now after the theatre owners, asking them to display the portrait or photo of Dadasaheb Phalke prominently at their theatres. According to MNS spokespersons Amey Khopkar and Ms. Shalini Thackeray, the people have forgotten the great contribution of the Grand old man of Indian Cinema and therefore to remind one and all about his work, this suggestion has been made. “We felt very bad, when his 141st birth anniversary went unnoticed on 30th April 2011.People should know, who has brought cinema to India,” they said.
“The MNCKS have issued a circular to all theatre owners asking them to implement their suggestion within next seven days or else they will have to face the consequences in MNS style,” said the press release issued by them.
Star Pravah to premiere ‘Jetaa’
Star Pravah channel will present the World premiere of sensational Marathi film ‘Jetaa; Eka Samanya Jodpyachi Asamanya katha’ on Sunday 8th May at 1 pm. The film’s story revolves around the helpless couple, who seek justice for the brutal murder of their daughter. In the film, their daughter Shweta is murdered by three youngsters of influential parents, when she is about to uncover their connection with the SEZ irregularities in a village, through her documentary film.
When the case is heard in the court of law, the three criminals get away with the crime, for want of sufficient evidence. The helpless father, who is retired professor of law, then with the encouragement of his wife, takes the revenge in his own style. Besides Ramesh Deo and Seema the other star cast of this action packed thriller produced by Ramesh Deo Productions and Lokmat Entertainment, comprises of Manava Naik, Ajinkya Deo, Sharad Ponkshe, Atharva Undale, Sandeep Mehta, Ranjeet Jog, Aditya Shah, Janardan parab, Kaustubh Diwan, Sanjay Kshemkalyani, Aniket Kelkar and Atul Joshi.
The film is jointly directed by Ajinkya Deo and Amol Shetge. Cinematography by Dhananjay Kulkarni and Music by Vaishali Samant and Vaibhav Joshi are other credits. Marathi Movie World had already written a good review of this film.
‘Hip Hip Hurray’ for 13th May release
Bollywood film Producer Ramesh Sharma is making an entry into Marathi films through his forthcoming film ‘Hip Hip Hurray’ with a big team of popular artistes- Prasad Oak, Pushkar Shrotri, Mangesh Desai, Vijay Chavan, Sharad Ponkshe, Avinash Narkar, Avantika Salian, Smita Gondkar, Kishori Ambiye, Lalan Sarang, Hemangi Rao and Pranav Raorane.
This film which is due for release on 13th May, is a combination of action ,thrill supported by entertainment and is directed by Shriprasad Pawar. Music, which also plays an important part in this film is composed by Chinar-Mahesh along with Narendra Bhide on the lyrics of Dr. Pramod Bejikar and Manoj Yadav. Remo Fernandes sings for the first time in Marathi through this film. Editing by Deepak Virkul and photography by Sanjay Malvankar are the other credits.