Gajaar -the journey of soul’ completes shooting
outique Cinema Private Limited’s Film ‘GAJAAR’ – Journey of the Soul, is due for release shortly. The shooting of this cinema scope film was completed recently. Some scenes were picturised at Alandi and for the first time ever the film unit walked all the way till Pandarpur for 18 days, shooting sequences amongst thecrowd of 20 Lakh people. ‘Gajaar’-Journey of the Soul, is the first ever film with 20 lakh actors. The biggest ever in the world cinema. This is also the first feature film on VAARI based on ‘Dnyaneshwari’.
The film stars Chinmay Mandlekar, Sukhada Yash, Edward, Suhas Shirsat, Umesh Jagtap, Ganpat Maharaj Jagtap, Sanjeev Kapoor, Rajabhau Chaudhary, Raja Bhau Chopdar & Ram Raya Sangvadekar. Produced by- Sunill Khosla & Vibha Dutta Khosla, Co-Producer – Anuradha Gole/Story Board films Pvt. Ltd. Written and Directed by Ajit Bhairavkar, the Dialogues by Ajit Bhairavkar/Amol Gole. Lyrics by Jitendra Joshi and Music by Shailendra Barve, are the other credits.
Zee Talkies to present ‘Teesri Ghanta’
After receiving a good response from viewers on their screening some popular films of the recent past, Zee Talkies will now start a new programme for Marathi drama lovers. ‘Teesri Ghanta’ which will present one Marathi drama every Sunday at 8 am, will begin from 3rd April 2011, with the play ‘Char Divas Premache’ starring Prashant Damle and Arun Nalawade.
This will be followed by ‘Hum To Tere Aashiq Hain’ on 10the April, starring Jitendra Joshi in the lead. The other plays to be telecast during the month of April are ‘Ek Daav Bhatacha’ on 17th April, starring Vaibhav Mangle- Vishakha Subhedar and ‘Shyamchi Mummy’ on 24th April, starring Nirmiti Sawant in the lead.
Suresh- Swapnil Musical treat on Zee Marathi
Suresh Wadkar and Swapnil Bandodkar will sharing the stage with their duets as well as their experiences with audience.
The musical programme also includes ‘Glipses of Musical Journey of Suresh wadkar’ presented by Swapnil, while ‘Glipmses of Swapnil’s Musical career since childhood’ narrated by Suresh Wadkar.
This musical treat will be telecast by Zee Marathi on 3rd April 2011 at 7 pm.
3 New Stage shows launched
Writer Ratnakar Pilankar had happy moments to celebrate. His three different concepts in writing, namely – ‘Aadhi Lagin Songadyacha’ – a musical drama based on Hindustani Folk art, ‘Lavnicha Saubhagya’ – a Lavani based programme and ‘Rafisaheb’ – a tribute to Mohd. Rafi, were launched recently.
‘Aadhi Lagain Songadyacha’ will be presented under the banner of ‘Riddhi’- drama group, while the other two programmes are being presented by Pancham Hit beats group.
Jeetendra and Ektaa kapoor praise Marathi culture
The occasion was to officially declare the release date of their first Marathi film ‘Taryanche Bait’ on 14th April 2011. After the director Kiran Yadnyopavit, actor Sachin Khedekar, Creative director Neeraj Pande ( ‘A Wednesday fame) spoke about their experience during the making of this film, in came Jeetendra, who still looked young and handsome.
The evergreen Jumping jack of Bollywood, spoke about his good old days and recalled some of his memorable moments while he lived in a chawl in Girgaon. When he was asked to speak in Marathi, he did oblige narrating memories of his days of struggle. He was all praise for Marathi language and said that even his mother used to converse with him in Marathi. “My upbringing has been in this traditional Maharashtrian culture,” he said. While praising Sachin Khedkar sitting next to him, he called him as his favourite actor. When asked as to why he himself was not acting in Marathi films, he showed his willingness and invited for a suitable script.
After the arrival of Ektaa Kapoor, lensmen rushed to capture her photos. In her brief speech in English , she spoke high about Marathi language and culture. “During my childhood, I did visit Maharashtian houses, as there were few good school friends. I always appreciated their traditional culture. It is for this reason that I selected this script to make a film,” she said.
Single Screen Theatres observe 7 day strike
The business of single screen theatres is in distress due to special concessions offered to multiplexes. Moreover, Entertainment tax, Show tax, Advertisement tax and rising piracy has also affected their business.
In order to invite the attention of the Government, since yesterday about 650 Single screen theatres all over Maharashtra have shut down their business for 7 days. The bandh is supported by Cinema Owners & Exhibitor’s Association, Cine Circuit Association and Marathwada Chitrapat Association
Popular Marathi film-stars Join MNS Cine Wing
Popular Marathi stars in a big number have been joining MNS Cine Wing. Thanks to the month long membership campaign held by Ms. Shalini Thackeray, General Secretary of the Maharastra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena ( MNCKS). Till now, their unit has enrolled around 10,000 technicians, artists and workers from the film industry and is expected to cross the 25,000 mark in coming month. On Thursday, some more top artistes from Marathi like superstar Makrand Anaspure, Ajinkya Deo, Prasad Oak, Sayaji Shinde, Priya Berde, Vinay Yedekar along with others accepted the leadership of Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, in the battle of promoting Marathi cinema in Maharashtra.
Makarand Anaspure in particular, expressed his gratitude towards Raj Thackeray and MNS for helping out Marathi film industry in the time of crisis. Mr. Anaspure also expressed his desire to sort out the existing problems faced by Marathi films right from the promotion and advertising to availability of theatres, especially multiplexes; during prime time, to release the films.
Leading Marathi star Prasad Oak thanked MNCKS for their support, while Sayaji Shinde, emphasized the need of unity among cine artistes. Ameya Khopkar, President of the association, said that more and more artistes were coming forward to enroll for the membership of their wing, because of thei faith in Mr. Rajsaheb Thackeray.
Don Ghadicha Daav’ to release on 25th March
Kanchan Adhikari’s so called suspense thriller ‘Don Ghadicha Daav’ is all set to release on 25th March, all over Maharashtra. Directed by Amol Shetge, the film stars Makarand Anaspure, Sayaji Shinde, Sai Tamhankar, Ajinkya Deo and Kanchan Adhikari herself.
Written by Suresh Jayram the screenplay and dialogues of the film are penned by Amol Shetge. Cinematography by Suresh Deshmane, Lyrics by Prakash Rane and Music by Nitin Hiravklar are the other credits.
Two new TV programmes from 21st March
Through their new revised programme ‘Bhavishyavar Bolu Kahi’ Mi Marathi will be presenting Sharad Upadhye, who will take up each member of the family in dispute and suggest remedy; after going through their horoscope.
Meghana Erande will be anchoring this show, which began from 21st March 2011 and will be telecast from Monday to Saturday at 6.30 pm on Mi Marathi channel.
Another new programme comes on E-TV from 21st March 2011in the form of a serial ‘Kaalay Tasmai Namah’ which will be shown at 9pm from Monday to Saturday.
This new serial stars Vikram Gokhale in the role of Vishwambhar Pandit while Arun Nalawade plays the head of Deshmukh family- Mr. Vasantrao Deshmukh, who is the central character of this serial. The other important artistes of this serial comprises of Sulbha Deshpande, Manasi Magikar, Amit Bhanushali, Ruchita Jadhav, Sharayu Jaiwant, Naresh Bidkar and Manoj Kolhatkar.
5th Cinemax Marathi festival opens with ‘Pangira’
Opening ceremony of 5th Cinemax Marathi Film festival was held at Cinemax, Versova-Andheri, in the presence of dignitaries from Marathi film industry. The main attraction of this ceremony was the premiere of much awaited Marathi film ‘Pangira’, scripted by Sanjay Patil and directed by Rajev Patil. Almost all the members of ‘Pangira team were present and they were felicitated by Cinemax DGM- Girish Wankhede. Some other film makers like Anant Mahadevan, Mahesh Kothare, Kanchan Adhikari were also felicitated.
Mr. Mahesh Kothare appreciated the efforts taken by Cinemax to promote Marathi films, while Ms. Adhikari, welcomed such move by Cinemax to extend their festival to many more theatres in their chain this time. Mr. Girish Wankhede in his small speech made it very clear that Cinemax was always there to support Marathi films by making more and more theatres open and that too during prime time. “This year we were able to reach out to Nashik and Malegaon for the seven day festival and next year we will have a 14 day festival of Marathi films at 14 locations simultaneously, all over Maharashtra,” he said.
The artistes of ‘Pangira’ Pramod Pawar, Mita Savarkar, Smita Tambe, Chinmay Mandlekar, Shravani Pillay and others looked happy with the reaction of the viewers after the show. Mr. Rajeev Patil, the director was more than happy to notice the support of many Bollywood personalities like Mr. Vinod Pande, Mr. Dharmesh Tiwari and others appreciating his efforts to project reality through this film. Some of the films selected for screening during the one week festival at 7 Cinemax outlets in Maharashtra( like Versova, Sion, Wondermall( Thane), Kalyan, Nagpur,Nashik & Malegaon) were ‘Mee Sindhutai sapkal’, ‘Manya – the Wonder Boy’, ‘Lalbaug Parel’ ’Huppa huiya’, ‘Ideachi Kalpana’, ‘Paradh’ besides ‘Pangira’.