5 New Marathi plays during next fortnight
Suhas Joshi, Vikram Gokhale, Mahesh Manjrekar and Siddharth Jadhav will be the topic of discussion among Marathi drama lovers during the next fortnight. In fact, Suhas Joshi and Vikram Gokhale will be seen together on stage almost after 30 years long period. Mahesh Manjrekar will be in the new role as a writer – director with his new play ‘Mee Shahrukh Manjarsumbhekar’ which will begin with its first show on 29th December 2010. Siddharth Jadhav, who plays the lead role in this play, will be supported by Sagar Karande, Rupali Bhosale and Kishore Raorane.
Katha (The Story), which brings Suhas Joshi and Vikaram Gokhale together, displays a wonderful relationship between husband and wife in a humorous way. This play will have their inaugural show on 26th December 2010. Bhushan Kadu starrer ‘Chehrapheri’ will begin from 18th December 2010, obviously with full-two-dhamaal, as Bhushan plays a double role in this play, supported by Rasika Vengurlekar, Puja Chavan and Deepti More.
The humour arising out of the relationship between husband and wife with big age difference has been presented in a different manner through one more play ‘Nava gadi Nave Rajya’ by young team ofUmesh kamat ,Priya Bapat, Hemant Dhome and Urjaa Deshpande. Vijay Tendulkar’s popular play ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’ is all set with a revival after 6 years, with the first show to be held at Pune’s Balgandahrva Auditorium on 19th December 2010, while another hit play ‘Guntata Hriday Hey’ is also in the pipeline.
Avadhoot Gupte’s rare gesture
We have been watching so many talk shows on television channels, but we have never seen the programme host donating his honorarium for the day towards the just cause. However, such an incident took place on Zee Marathi channel’s popular programme ‘Khupte tithe Gupte‘on Friday 17th December 2010.
It so happened that the host Avadhoot Gupte was interviewing two great personalities, namely Mr. Vikram Gokhale and Social activist Ms. Sindhutai Sapkal. With the progress of the discussion, the host was found deeply moved by the contribution of both of them for a social cause and kept on appreciating their work. At the end of the show, he handed over the entire honorarium for the day’s show as his contribution to the trusts run by them. He offered two cheques separately to each one of them. Isn’t that a rare gesture on the part of the host?
Revival of old hit Marathi plays
Marathi Stage-TV and Film actress Neelam Shirke is going on the lines of Sunil Barve’s Herbarium. She has turned a Marathi Drama Producer with the revival of an old hit play ‘Barrister’. Vikram Gokhale, who played the lead role in this play some 35 years ago, will be directing this play. Now, Shailesh Datar will play the lead role along with other promising artistes from Marathi stage. Rehearsals of this play are currently going on.
Neelam has big plans to revive around 50 such old hit plays during the next 5 years, with each play running for 25 shows. So, there will be 10 such plays in a year. With ‘Ghashiram Kotwal‘ also waiting for release, the focus will be on such old plays in the coming year. It also gives an impression that either the industry is running short of new stories, or the new subjects are not well accepted. After all, the Marathi stage has to survive and therefore the revival of old plays is not a bad idea.
Big ‘B’ Amitabh Bachchan to be part of Marathi play
After producing a Marathi film ‘Vihir’, which received international acclaim, Big ‘B’ Amitabh Bachchan is in news once again in Marathi entertainment. Recently, he confirmed his participation at MIFTA Marathi awards in Dubai and now there is a news that he will be part of Mahesh Manjrekar’s new play ‘Mee Sharukh Manjarsumbhekar‘ which stars Siddharth Jadhav in the lead role.
What role Mr. Bachchan will play is not yet clear. Whether, he will actually perform on stage or be a narrator through Video projection system during the play, is to be seen. If Mr. Bachchan really takes part in the live show, all the shows will run to full house; but, even if he plays a narrator, it’s a fine gesture on his part.
Saurabh Vakhare turns Professional singer
Saurabh Vakhare who managed to reach the last 5 stage in E-TV’s reality show “Gaurav Maharashtracha” , has turned a professional singer, with an offer coming from Dr. Salil Kulkarni. Saurabh recently recorded a song for Dr. Salil, in the film ‘Jana Gana Mana’, scheduled for release soon.
Saurabh, who is studying in std. 8th, hails from Nagar district in Maharashtra. He had taken part in the trials for the show, which were held in Nashik and qualified for the show. His talent was noticed by Dr. Salil, when he visited the show as a guest.
‘Jana Gana Mana‘ directed by Amit Abhyankar, stars Nandu Madhav, Madhura Velankar and Santosh Juvekar in lead roles. The film has three songs , out of which one is sung by Saurabh.
M. D. College bags maximum ‘Mrugajal’ awards
Maharshi Dayanand College artistes from Mumbai proved their supremacy in the inter-collegiate circle, when they bagged maximum awards in the final round of ‘Mrugajal’ one act play competition held at Dinanath Mangeshkar hall, recently. Besides bagging the best One act play award for their presentation ‘Girgaon via Dadar’, they also bagged awards in best writer, best direction, best actress, best lighting, best music and best art direction categories.
The second prize went to Mumbai University’s ‘Ek Don Adich’, which also bagged an award for best presentation in Viewer’s choice category. The third place was secured by M .L. Dahanukar’s ‘Lapachupi’. The best actor’s award was bagged by Ninad Limaye (Ek Don Adich) and the best actress award went to Rujuta Bagwe (Girgaon via Dadar).
Amitabh Bachchan to attend MIFTA awards
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be the star attraction among the host of celebrities who will be part of the first ever Marathi International Film and Theatre Awards (MIFTA) to be held in Dubai from December 16-18. Apart from the awards function, about 13 Marathi movies would be screened during the three-day event…
According to reliable sources, Mr. Bachchan is preparing his speech in Marathi for tis occasion. The organizers also wish to honour Big ‘B’ banner marathi film ‘Vihir‘, which will be screened . Filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, who is the brain behind the concept to take Marathi cinema overseas, is all set to make this awards function a grand success.
‘Aatapitaa’ to release on 10th December
Samarth Art Innovatives ‘Aatapitaa’ is all set to release in Maharashtra (excluding Vidarbha) on 10th December 2010 in about 70 to 80- theatres simultaneously. Written and directed by Uttung Shelar, the film stars Bharat Jadhav and Sanjay Narvekar in this so called situational comedy.
On Saturday 4th December 2010, the director introduced his team (excluding Bharat Jadhav, who was absent) to the Press at a function held in Punjab Association Hall, Kings Circle, Mumbai; when promos of the film were shown. While speaking on the occasion, Mr. Uttung Shelar made it clear that his film was a commercial film and that he has focused on both Single screen and Multiplex audience.
Story of the film revolves around Ashutosh (Bharat Jadhav) , who works in Municipality’s Water Department and lives in a chawl. His dream is to become a top writer and accordingly works in that direction. He is highly impressed with the behaviour and attitude of Nandu (Sanjay Narvekar) and decides to make him the hero of his story. But, after he begins to write, strange happenings take place in Nandu’s life. The film is about all those twists and turns, before Ashutosh successfully completes his story.
The other important stars of the film are Ashwini Apte, Girish Salvi, Pradeep kabre, Mohan Khambete, Pratibha Goregaonkar, Raju Shisadkar, Santosh Patil, Rahul Kulkarni, Rohan Bhalekar, Pradeep Doifode, Nikhil Khairnar and Satish Pulekar in special appearance. Produced by Bhooshan Patil, Deepali Samant and Aachal Rane, the dialogues of the film have been written by ‘Comedy Express’ fame Prashant Loke. Lyrics by Girish Salvi and Music by Sanjeev Kohli are the other credits. Cinematography is by Prasad Bhende.
Many Marathi films lined up for release before year end
While Gajendra Ahire gets ready with his next film ‘Samudra’, young director Nitin kamble is also set to release his new film ‘Chandrakala’ on the same day, i.e. 17th December 2010. While ‘Samudra’, a period film is based on the backdrop of picturesque Konkan offering a triangular love story, ‘Chandrakala’ offers the challenge taken by the daughter of a Tamasha organizer, who refuses to carry forward the profession of her mother. She revolts against the system. There is no doubt that both the films are handling sensitive subjects.
In ‘Samudra’ you will find Sonalee playing the beautiful girl Nanda, with the introduction of new male star Amogh, while in ‘Chandrakala’ Megha Ghadge plays opposite Varad Chavan, son of Vijay Chavan. Both the films have a strong supporting cast.
Another film to follow on December 24th will be ‘Chal Dharpakad’ which is also based on injustice on women, where director Atmaram Dharne has used the game of Kabaddi to indicate challenge posed by females led by Nirmiti Sawant. On the defending side is Nagesh Bhosale.
But, the most awaited film is Vikram Gokhale directed multi-starrer film ‘Aaghaat’ based on medical science in which Bollywood actor Kiran Kumar also makes his appearance. At the same time, two more multi-starrer Marathi films ‘Ideachi Kalpana’ and ‘Shahanpan Dega deva’ are also expected to be released before the end of this year.
Tanveer Sanman for Sulabha Deshpande
Veteran Marathi actress Sulabha Deshpande will be honoured with the prestigious Tanveer Sanman 2010 for her contribution to theatre, films and television. The award, initiated by Roopwedh Pratishthan, will be presented to her at the Yashwantrao Chavan auditorium, Kothrud, between 6.30 pm and 9 pm on December 9. The award comprises Rs 1 lakh, a memento and a certificate. Actor Nana Patekar will be the chief guest of this event.
The Tanveer Natyadharmi Puraskar is a fellowship of the Pratishthan worth Rs 30,000, which will go to theatre artsite Veena Jamkar. Initiated in 2004, Roopwedh Pratishthan felicitates every year theatre personalities who have made rich contributions to theatre, but are no more in the spotlight. Dr. Shreeram Lagoo executive president of Roopwedh Pratishthan, has made this announcement.