Yashwant International Film Festival to begin today.
The Yashwant International Film festival begins today in Mumbai. The Festival which will be held at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan’s main auditorium and the Rangswar theatre at Nariman Point, will be jointly organized by the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, Mumbai and the Pune Film Foundation with the support of Government of Maharashtra.
Zhang Lu’s ‘Dooman River’ which recently won the Best International Film at the Pune International Film Festival, will open the first edition of this festival on January 20. ‘Babu Band Baaja’, which won the Best Marathi Film Award in 9th Pune International Film Festival will be the closing film of the festival on 26th January 2011.
The festival will showcase competition films from the recently concluded Pune International Film Festival in the following sections: The World Cinema competition, Marathi Cinema competition, Student Film competition and Short films competition done jointly by Pune and Goa International Film Festival Fest.
A workshop on topic “Choose Your Format: Film or Digital” by Ujjwal Nirgudkar will be conducted during the festival.
‘Shahanpan Dega Deva’ ready for release
Known for his sensational films, film maker Mahesh Manjrekar now comes with a comedy genre for a change. His latest film ‘Shahanpan Dega Deva’ is all set to release on 21st January 2011. The film is directed by Atul kale and Sudesh Manjrekar jointly.
Besides acting in this film, Mahesh has also written the screenplay along with Abhijeet Deshpande. He has also contributed his dialogues in the company of Sanjay Pawar. The story of the film revolves around 5 mentally disturbed people, who are being treated by a doctor. The film presents the humour arising out during the course of their treatment.
‘Shahanpan Dega deva’ has a multi star cast comprising of Bharat Jadhav, Ankush Choudhary, Sanjay Narvekar, Vaibhav Mangale, Siddharth Jadhav, Kishore Kadam, Santosh Juvekar, Kamlakar Satpute, Manva Naik, Kranti Redkar and Mahesh Manjrekar.
Sangeet Natak Academy award for Dilip Prabhavalkar
Well known Marathi actor Dilip Prabhavalkar has been selected among others for the Sangeet Natak Academy award this year. There are total 38 recipients from all over India for this prestigious award. Two other prominent personalities also to receive this award are Dr. Ashok Ranade for his contribution to music and Chandabai Tiwadi from Pandharpur, for keeping alive the folk art.
Some of the other great personalities who have received this award in the past include names like- Narayan Rao Rajhans ‘Bal Gandharva’ Dr. Shreeram Lagoo, Prabhakar Panshikar, Sulabha Deshpande, Bhakti Barve Inamdar, Neelu Phule and Dr. Mohan Agashe.
‘Mandala Don Ghadicha Daaw’ On Star Pravah
STAR Pravah, which has brought to you some interesting shows like ‘Mann Udhan Varyanche’, ‘Swapnanchya Palikadle’, ‘Olakh’ & ‘Tujha Vin Sakhya Re’, are now all set to present their latest offering ‘Mandala Don Ghadicha Daaw’- an interesting story of two sisters. The show reflects the relationship between two sisters and how the elder one sacrifices for the younger one’s deeds. Premiering on January 24 at 9.30pm from Monday to Saturday ‘Mandala Don Ghadicha Daaw’ will take viewers through the journey of innocent Anagha Patankar (Smita Shevale), a simple and responsible Maharashtrian girl who falls prey to the callous attitude of her younger sister Antara Patankar (Anuja Sathe), a beautiful and lively girl, who cares for nothing in this world beyond herself.
‘Mandala Don Ghadicha Daaw’ will replace another popular show ‘Tujhe Ni Majhe Ghar Shrimantanche’ and being a successor, it promises to provide even more exciting entertainment for the entire family. Anagha is a post-graduate in Sanskrit and finds happiness in her younger sister’s antics and her grandmother’s tales. She has left the decision of choosing her life partner with her parents while Antara, a brat and pampered by her elder sister Anagha, starts liking the most handsome Maharashtrian middle class boy in her college Viren Vagh (Saurabh Gokhale). Viren is a highly ambitious boy with a zest to pursue his dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur and sees an ideal partner in Antara. The story revolves around these three individuals, their complex relationships, the ups and downs in their lives, and extent to which the elder sister sacrifices her life and surrenders herself to the unpredictable fate.
Directed by the popular and talented Mangesh Kanthale and produced by Namita Vartak’s Farm Film Productions, ‘Mandala Don Ghadicha Daaw’ stars Smita Shevale, Saurabh Gokhale and Anuja Sathe in lead roles.
We Care film festival’ inaugurated.
The 8th edition of ‘We Care Film festival’ was launched at Y. B. Chavan Centre, Mumbai, with the lighting of traditional lamp by chief guest -Film maker Govind Nihlani. ‘We Care Film Festival’ is a tribute to all those disabled people who have overcome this handicap with sheer hard work supported by encouragement from others to come into mainstream. “There is lot to be done, but unfortunately, we have yet to find a permanent sponsor for this unique film fest, which has been going on for the past eight years,” said Mr. Satish Kapoor, Director of ‘We Care Film festival’ in his inaugural speech. With great hope, this year he planned this year’s fest to begin from Mumbai.
Speaking about the uniqueness about this fest, he said that we begin from one city and later travel for the next 3 months to different venues in India and other foreign countries, so that different judges evaluate the selected films. This year ‘We care’ have selected 28 such short films with duration from one minute to 30 minutes. This year they had eminent personalities from social fields to select the films. ‘Tale of Little Half Chick’ a 19 min film, which is a true success story of a young boy – Prathamesh Date from Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra, who born with down syndrome, is also part of this year’s fest entries. This film is made by Ms. Sandhya Deorukhkar from Pune.
Ms. Neenu Kewlani, who played the show anchor, did a good job to create awareness about the idea behind hosting such a kind of film festival. Her swift movement on the stage while seated in a wheelchair was itself a big inspiration for others. Also present on the occasion were Mr. Rajeev Chandran, Information Officer, UN Information Centre, Mr. B.B. Nagpal, Film Critic, Mr. R. Rangasayee, Director of Ali Yavar Jung Institutute for Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai and Mr. Pralhad kakkar, Advertising Film director.
Janasthan’ Puraskar for Mahesh Elkunchwar.
Well known Marathi playwright Mahesh Elkunchwar will be honoured with the prestigious ‘Janasthan’ Puraskar. The award comprising of Rs. 1 lakh along with the memento will be presented to him on 10th March 2011 in Nashik. Mr. Elkunchwar, known for his literary works for dramas like ‘Yuganta, Garbo, Vasanakand, Rakthapurush, Wada Chirebandi, Aatmakatha, Holi, Pratibimb, Rudravarsha and Party deserved the award. This award is being given in memory of well known poet Kusumagraj and in 1993, when it was instituted, Mr. Vijay Tendulkar was the first recipient.
Two films were made in Bollywood based on his original plays ‘Holi’ and ‘Party’ by Ketan Mehta and Govind Nihalani respectively, with the same name. Mr. Mahesh Elkunchwar has already been conferred with other prestigious awards like Sangeet Natak Academy Award and the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar in the past, in appreciation of his contribution to theatre world.
Maharashtra Bhushan – Prabhakar Panshikar passes away
Well-known Stage actor and Maharashtra Bhushan- Prabhakar Panshikar passed away in a Pune Hospital today. He was 80 years old. Mr. Panshikar , who began his acting career in Mumbai and shot into limelight through a lead role of Lakhoba Lokhande played by him in M.G Rangnekar’s sensational play ‘To Mee Navehch’ written by Acharya Atre. So effective was his performance that the play went on to create a record of stage shows those days. It was for the first time in Marathi dramas , a revolving stage was used for the presentation of this play.
Besides ‘To Mee Navehch’ he also performed in some of the popular plays like ‘Asrunchi Jhali Phule’, ‘Ithe Oshalala Mrityu’,’Bhatala Dilee Osari’, ‘Ithe Gavtat Bhale Phuttat’, ‘Thank you Mr. Glad’. He had also formed his own drama company ‘Natyasampada’ which produced many plays like ‘Katyar Kaljaat Ghusli’ ‘Andhaar Majha Sobti’ besides some music based plays. In all, he had appeared in 8001 shows on stage, which showed his dedication to stage. His autobiography ‘Toch Mee’ was well received among his well wishers.
Mr. Prabhakar Panshikar was blessed with a grand persona and a rich voice. He was conferred with many prestigious awards, including the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar, the Sangeet Natak Academy award and the Maharashtra Bhushan award for his contribution to the theatre. Marathi Movie world pays sincere tributes to his departed soul.
Makarand’s Makar Sankranti with ‘Guldasta’
Makarand Anaspure is all excited and is eagerly waiting for the ‘Makar Sankranti’ day, i.e. 14th January 2011. On this auspicious day, Makarand is a all set to present the ‘Guldasta’ first to his would be in his new film and then to his well wishers. “Please watch this new film of mine, released by Zee Talkies; by visiting the nearest theatre and don’t watch the same on pirated DVD, as it will only affect the business of Marathi cinema,” he has earnestly appealed to all the Marathi film lovers.
Talking about the film which is directed by Hemant Deodhar , Makarand says that he and Jitendra Joshi play childhood friends, but when they grow up, they fall in love with the same girl (Tejaswini Lonari) . “And, to know who finally gets the tilgul, please come and watch this film, which to be released on Sankranti day,’ says Makarand. He was all praise for Jitendra Joshi and said that he has performed very well. “You will all enjoy this light comedy with 100% entertainment and a message,” he adds. Incidentally, in the recent past, Makarand has given all three hit films for Zee Talkies, namely ‘De Dhakka’, ‘Sade Made Teen’ and ‘Gallit Gondhal ani Dillit Mujara’
Asha Kale conferred with Kala Gaurav award
Popular Marathi film actress of yesteryears – Asha Kale, was conferred with the prestigious Kala Gaurav award by the Pimpri-Chinchwad based Kalarang Sanskrutik Kala Sanstha at the Ramkrishna More Auditorium recently.
The chief guest Mr. Lakshmanrao Dhobale, hailed the contribution of all the artistes for winning the awards. The other awardees were Atul Parchure, Smita Tambe, Kishori Shahane-Vij and Swapnil Joshi. The best director award was given to Ravi Jadhav while Phulwa Khamkar received the best choreographer award. Music director Ajit Parab, was also felicitated with late Shrikant Thackeray music award , while Shahir Umap award went to singer Anand Shinde.
Tarayanche Beit’ to be premiered at PIFF
On Monday the 10th January 2011, the Pune International film festival will have an added attraction in the form of a World premiere of new Marathi film ‘Tarayanche Beit’. The film will be premiered at City Pride Kothrud at 6 pm on this day. Produced jointly by Shobha kapoor, Ektaa Kapoor, Niraj Pandey and Shital Bhandari, the film is directed by debutant Kiran Yadnopavit.
The film has tried to show how the so called Globalisation affects a helpless family living in the remote place in Konkan region. Shot at the actual Konkan locations like Dapoli, Anjurle and Kelshi, this one hour 45 minutes long film has captured reality besides the scenic beauty of the picturesque region. Saurabh Bhave has scripted the story of this film, while award winning photographer Sudhir Palsane has done the cinematography. The film’s star cast comprises of Sachin Khedekar, Ashwini Giri, Kishore Kadam, Vinay Apte, Shubhangi Joshi, Milind phatak, Jaywant wadkar, Sunil Deo, Shashank Shende, Ishaan Tambe & Asmita Joglekar.