‘Ga Ma Bha Na’ back with a new look
Popular Marathi stage play ‘Ga Ma Bha Na‘ which had staged more than 100 shows had to discontinue their shows for some time. But, the play is now back with a new look. Producer Kiran Kudalkar has filled in new life into his play, which has 40 artistes performing on stage.
‘Ga Ma Bha Na’ has a strong storyline which reminds the audience of their good old days during childhood. The play is based on Milind Bokil’s novel ‘Shala‘ and Hemant Mahajan has successfully done the dramatic presentation of the same to create that required humour on stage. It is the kind of play that all parents must watch with their children. ‘Ga Ma Bha Na‘ is directed by Santosh Verulkar with background score by Shivdarshan Sable.
The main artistes of this play are Aakash Dabhade, Nitin Jadhav, Sunil Tambat, Amogh Phadke, Dhanashree Joshi, Swapna Joshi, Rajendra Shirsatkar, Shashikant Mhatre, Vijay Waghal, Jayashri More, Harshad Panchal, Manali Bandarkar ,Chandrakant Kamble and others. Dilip Pednekar handles the production management.
‘Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar’ all set for Christmas release
‘Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar’ a multi starer marathi film produced under the banner of Rainbow productions & presented by Aviraj Folwers is all set for release all over Maharashtra on Christmas day in more than 100 theatres. Mr.Santosh Raut , who has put in his vast experience of more than 12 years, will be making his debut as a director through this film . This film is about a true story of a theft that took place in the famous Khandoba temple of Jejuri near Pune.
The film has Dialogues penned by Manish Kulkarni & Ramesh Chauhan, screenplay by Santosh Raut, lyrics by Jagdish Khebudkar and music score by Achyut Thakur .
Milind Gunaji plays the lead role of an inspector who cracks the theft case. The other star cast comprises of Shewta Shinde, Mohan Joshi, Suhas Bhalekar,Asha lata, Vijay Chauhan,Ashok Samarth, Suhas Palshikar, Nutan Jayant, Kuldeep Pawar, Ali khan, Ravi Patwardhan & Priti Joshi. Payal Desai is making a debut in this marathi film playing an item girl .Camera work by Shyam Chauhan , Creative Art direction by Baba Patil, Stunts by Ijazbhai & Sound recording by Vilas Raut are other credits
‘Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar’ all set for Christmas release
‘Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar’ a multi starer marathi film produced under the banner of Rainbow productions & presented by Aviraj Folwers is all set for release all over Maharashtra on Christmas day in more than 100 theatres. Mr.Santosh Raut, who has put in his vast experience of more than 12 years, will be making his debut as a director through this film . This film is about a true story of a theft that took place in the famous Khandoba temple of Jejuri near Pune.
The film has Dialogues penned by Manish Kulkarni & Ramesh Chauhan, screenplay by Santosh Raut, lyrics by Jagdish Khebudkar and music score by Achyut Thakur .
Milind Gunaji plays the lead role of an inspector who cracks the theft case. The other star cast comprises of Shewta Shinde, Mohan Joshi, Suhas Bhalekar,Asha lata, Vijay Chauhan,Ashok Samarth, Suhas Palshikar, Nutan Jayant, Kuldeep Pawar, Ali khan, Ravi Patwardhan & Priti Joshi. Payal Desai is making a debut in this marathi film playing an item girl .Camera work by Shyam Chauhan , Creative Art direction by Baba Patil, Stunts by Ijazbhai & Sound recording by Vilas Raut are other credits
‘Sangeet Natya’ competition begins in Pune
Organised under the auspices of Maharashtra Rajya Sanskrutik Sanchanalay, the 49th State level Sangeet Natya competition was inaugurated by former President Datta Bhagat on Monday 21st December 2009. On this occasion, former classical singer and actress Kirti Shiledar, well known actress Sumati Tikekar and renowned musician Jayram Potdar were present.
Mr. Mohan Kulkarni, convener of the competition, welcomed the participants and after that The ‘Active Group’ from Sangli presented V.V. Shirwadkar’s popular play ‘Yayati aani Devyani’. The competition will go on till 3rd January 2010 at Bharat Natya Mandir , Pune from 7.30 pm onwards. Total 14 teams have entered this competition and the organizers have kept the very nominal rates for the tickets.
Two new serials on E-TV Marathi
In spite of the recession period in other sectors, the Marathi film industry stood firm with good business during the year 2009. Even the fear of swine flu did not deter the enthusiastic audience from watching the films in theatres in places like Pune and surroundings which generally attract a good crowd for Marathi films. In fact, the strike observed by producers and distributors of Hindi films, indirectly helped a Marathi film like ‘Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’, which was released around that period. The multiplex owners in Maharashtra welcomed this film, which made a good business for them too.
Year 2009 also saw the arrival of big wigs like Eros entertainment, Zee talkies and Sanjay Ghodavat Group entering the business and offering a good distribution network and required publicity that was very much required to popularise Marathi films. To name a few, films like ‘Ek Daav Dhobi Pachaad’, ‘Gaiir’, ‘Jogwa’ and ‘Rita’ did a good business. At the same time, a sensible films like ‘Gabhricha Paus’ invited the attention of foreigners during various Film festivals abroad. Both ‘Harischandrachi Factory’ and ‘Jogwa’ staked their claim for India’s entry for Oscars with their universal subject and finest presentation; but ‘Harischandrachi Factory’ which had an edge over ‘Jogwa’ for being the film made on the life of the Grand old man of Indian cinema, was finally selected.
It looked like that the new cinema had almost taken over from the traditional comedy films of 80’s and 90’s which remained dominated by Ashok saraf and Laxmikant Berde. Today, we find lots of new faces displaying their talents through new subjects. Renuka Shahane tried a new experiment with her own production through ‘Rita’ by making Pallavi Joshi to play lead opposite an ageing hero of Hindi films Jackie Shroff. She was more confident of her script. And, her experiment did work well . ‘Sukhaant’ directed by Sanjay Surkar and ‘Samaantar’ directed by Amol Palekar offered the audience totally different subjects, which were so necessary to change the taste of audience.
There were films like ‘Gandha’ ,‘Made in China’ and ‘Lonavala Bypass’ which were also based on new subjects, succeeded in inviting the attention of new audience particularly in multiplexes. While the traditional comedy films continued during 2009 with the focus on big screens, but except for ‘Ek Daav Dhobi Pachhad’ no other film could pull the crowds. Among the new directors, Satish Rajwade invited the attention of one and all for offering two hits.
What is more appreciated about today’s Marathi films is that there are more technically perfect films with better cinematic presentation. We also saw Ajay- Atul offering best of music in many films. At the same time we should also appreciate the efforts put in by all those cinematographers, sound & editing experts and choreographers. With 2009 now coming to an end, all eyes on 2010 which welcomes a bunch of Marathi films with new subjects lined up during the month of January, to offer some more variety. But, we are eagerly waiting for that most prestigious Oscar award to be won by a marathi film. Will ‘Harischandrachi Factory’ succeed in doing so ?
Two new serials on E-TV Marathi
Two new Serials ‘Tuzhe Mazhe Jamena, Tuzhya Vachun Karmena’ -a new sit-com and ‘Kasturi’ – an emotional drama, are scheduled for 28 December 2009 from Monday to Friday at 9.30 pm and 10 pm respectively, on E-TV Marathi.
‘Tuzhe Mazhe Jamena….’ is about the sister-in- law and the ‘bahu’ of a family and their amusing
‘Nok-Jhonk’. It is also about two soldierly neighboring families, namely Retd.Major Ranvir Singh Mohite Patil and Advocate Sridhar Kulkarni whose siblings fall in love with each other which leads to many funny situations. This situational comedy stars Resham Tipnis and Neelam Shirke in lead roles along with Anand Ingle, Neelam Kulkarni, Kishori Ambiye, Supriya Vinod, Vijay Gokhale and Girish Salvi. This ‘Logical Thinkers’ production is produced by Sanjay Kolhe and directed by Rajesh Deshpande.
The other show ‘Kasturi’ is about a girl from a rich family in search of her identity in the world of superstitions and rituals,who gets married to a rich industrialist from Sangli and from hereon starts her journey. The show exposes the plight of girl child who are being killed at birth by insensitive parents. This show is produced by editor-producer Vidyadhar Pathare and Iris Productions and directed by Kartik Kendhe. The serial stars Sai Ranade in the lead role along with Harshada Khanwilkar, Amita Khopkar, Ashutosh Kulkarni, Rajan Bhise, Sharad Ponkshe, and writer Chinmay Mandlekar.
Tributes to Laxmikant Berde
Was Laxmikant Berde a real Vidushak of Marathi film and Theatre ? This question would obviously get 100% response with ‘Yes’, from our readers. Laxmikant served this entertainment world with a simple logic ‘Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan, Iske Siva Janaa Kahan’. The enthusiasm with which he performed on stage and in front of the camera clearly indicated that he was sent on this earth with a mission and that was to entertain the audience. And he did his job with perfection and complete devotion.
No one really expected that his term as an actor would come to an end so soon, when he finally said Good bye to all on that fateful day of 16th December 2004. On the coming 16th will be his 5th Death anniversary. MMW pays sincere tributes to Laxmikant Berde by remembering his contributions on this occasion. We invite our readers to pay tributes to this great actor in their own words.
‘Stars of India’ will pay tributes to Laxmikant Berde
A star was born on the earth. It glittered for almost 15 years non stop, entertaining the Marathi and Hindi film industry. It did not fade away, instead it preferred to quit its place from the earth and today it is glittering in the sky. The name of that star is Laxmikant Berde. Today, his wife Priya Berde in the name of ‘Late Laxmikant Berde Foundation’ has been organizing a variety entertainment programme called ‘Stars of India’. So far, they have successfully performed 15 shows.
On the occasion of Laxmikant Berde’s 5th death anniversary, ‘Stars of India’ will be presenting a special programme of singing and dancing performances by new young artistes, who will display their talents on the 16th December 2009, at Balgandharva Rangmandir, Pune . The entire programme will be in Hindi which will include hit melodies from the time of Raj Kapoor to latest offerings from A.R. Rehman. The artsites will particularly perform dances picturised on popular stars of yesteryears like Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rehman, Vaijayantimala, Shammi kapoor and today’s popular stars like Aishwarya Bachchan.
Maya Jadhav, popular dancer from Marathi films, will handle the choreography of all dances, while Madhav Moghe will be the programme host. Priya Berde herself will be part of the artsites, who will be performing on that day. The duration of this programme will be 2 hours and 45 minutes, offering total entertainment.
Rima Amrapurkar’s ‘Janani’ is best shortfilm
Rima Amrapurkar, who shot into fame as a director with Marathi comedy film ‘Ara Ara Aaba Aata Tari Thamba‘, recently made a sensible short film ‘Janani’. The film was shown at the Goa International film festival and was adjudged as the best short film in the video format category. The film also won honours for the best story (Rima Amrapurkar) , besides Best editing( Sanjay Sankla) and Best actress( Darshana Kharat) . It is a great achievement by this young film maker, who thought of making this short film during the distribution of her debut film, when she witnessed the hardships of rural women.
Rima attributes the success of her film to all the artistes of this film. The film has also entered the competition at the Iran short Film festival.
Sulochana Chavan launches ‘Natarang’ Music
Popular Lavani singer of yesteryear- Sulochana Chavan was invited as the chief guest to release the Music CD of Zee Talkies’ film ‘Natarang‘ which is due for release shortly. While speaking on the occasion she said that it was a happy moment for her to revive the popularity of Maharashtra’s most popular folk art through the music of this film. Music directors Ajay-Atul have given a new look to the traditional Tamasha art, by almost recreating it with their modern beats of technology.
The film’s hero Atul Kulkarni was also present on the occasion along with other artistes Bela Shende, Sonali, Priya Berde, Vibhavari Deshpande, Amruta Khanvilkar. The film is directed by Ravi Jadhav .