Akhil Bharatiye Marathi Natya Parishad’s ‘Shravanshandhya’ was a delightful evening
The holy month of Shravan is on with Rains playing Hide N See with mother nature. Music plays a very important role during this month. To celebrate their foundation day, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, Borivali Branch, had organized a programme aptly named ‘Shravansandhya’ at Prabodhankar Thackeray Auditorium. The 3 hour long entertainment programme offered the best of Poems and Songs based on this holy month. Besides that the children also performed dances on old hit Marathi songs like ‘Nach Re Mora…’ and likes and also offered the best of music.Incidentally, this branch of ABMNP at Borivali is actively associated with conduct of workshops for all such creative talents right from the age of 5 years to senior citizens. Mr. Suhas Kamat who is doing a good job as the organizer of such workshops stated that they had so much of talent in their own institute that they thought of having a programme of their own to offer a platform to them. The programme received an overwhelming response from well wishers and friends with a full house.
‘Geli Ekvis Varsha’ for Italian International Theatre festival
Natak Company – a group of enthusiastic and free spirited youngsters, has been formed with a view to performing plays which are honest and different and which will appeal to both, the masses as well as to the eclectics. The good news for them is that their play ‘Geli Ekvis Varsha’ has been short listed for the international theatre festival in Italy- Universo Teatro, that will take place in Benevento, Italy, from October 21st- October 25th , 2010.The play was selected amongst hundreds of entries from all over the world. The play made headlines when it won the Best Play award along with many others at the prestigious National Festival Thespo 11 in December 2009. After proving on the national platform,
Geli 21 Varsha, Geli Ekvis Varsha, Marathi Natak
Natak Company is all set to take their play at the international level for the second time in a span of just 3 months.
‘Geli Ekvis Varsha’ presents a unique theme Straight out of the minds of 21 year olds. The story of a youngster who finally goes to a reality show which is there to create an extremist, terrorist young force. Is it fundamentalist? Religious? Regional? Certainly not! Exactly what happened to the young parents, involved in liberal, leftist, socialist movements in and after the 1975 Emergency? What happened to the concept of a free, secular, liberal and ideal nation ? What happened to those values and ethics which they expected from their previous generation of freedom fighters? What exactly did happen in the last 21 years? These are the questions raised by the play.
Written by Dharmakirti Sumant, directed by Aalok Rajwade with music by Gandhaar Sangoram ; the cast of this play comprises of Amey Wagh, Siddharth Menon, Sayalee Phatak, Vishwajeet Kadam, Manali Bibikar, Ruturaj Shinde, Gautam Raddi,Amol Gokhale and Shardul Kadam.
Akhil Bharatiye Marathi Natya Parishad’s ‘Shravanshandhya’ was a delightful evening
The holy month of Shravan is on with Rains playing Hide N See with mother nature. Music plays a very important role during this month. To celebrate their foundation day, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, Borivali Branch, had organized a programme aptly named ‘Shravansandhya’ at Prabodhankar Thackeray Auditorium. The 3 hour long entertainment programme offered the best of Poems and Songs based on this holy month. Besides that the children also performed dances on old hit Marathi songs like ‘Nach Re Mora…’ and likes and also offered the best of music.
Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad
Incidentally, this branch of ABMNP at Borivali is actively associated with conduct of workshops for all such creative talents right from the age of 5 years to senior citizens. Mr. Suhas Kamat who is doing a good job as the organizer of such workshops stated that they had so much of talent in their own institute that they thought of having a programme of their own to offer a platform to them. The programme received an overwhelming response from well wishers and friends with a full house.
Finally , R.R. Patil speaks tough on Multiplex issue
Multiplex theatre owners seems to have gone on the backfoot after so much of pressure mounting on them from all sides. First, it was MNS flexing their arms against their step motherly attititude towards screening of Marathi films. Then the Shiv Sena also entering into the fray by filing a third party petition in court on this issue. But, now the Home Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. R. R. Patil has taken quick steps to sort out this sensitive issue.
The State Government has now decided to make it mandatory for Multiplexes in city to give Marathi films the prime slots. As per the new
R R Patil, Aaba Patil
guidelines issued, Multiplexes would even lose their licenses, if they give secondary treatment to Marathi Cinema. A meeting was called by the Home Minister with the representatives of Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal and the Multiplex owners, when several issues were discussed. To address the complex problems, the state government has decided to constitute a committee to sort them out and to come out with recommendations. “However, henceforth, the permission for new multiplexes will be sanctioned only if they reserve a separate screen for Marathi movies,’ assured the Home Minister.
‘Second Inning’ wins Best Film award in England
Mohan Parab’s sensational Marathi film ‘Second Inning’ could not achieve much commercial success in Maharashtra, but the film has been receiving good response at various film festivals abroad. In the heart of England International Film festival that concluded recently, ‘Second Inning’ has won the Best feature Film award. Madhav Abhyankar, who played the lead role of a retired judge in this film, was more than happy to share this news with MMW on this occasion. “This award is the biggest appreciation for a Marathi cinema, which dealt with combined fight of senior citizens against injustice in the society.”
In fact, ‘Second Inning’ was a perfect film for multiplex audience, but the step motherly treatment offered by many Multiplexes in Maharashtra only deprived sensible audience from watching this film, when it was released few months ago. The film was a clear message to the society and also to the present system.
One fails to understand why these Marathi film producers don’t opt for other options like ‘Showcase’ on Tata Sky or similar others by other satellite TV operators ? It would certainly help them to earn some revenue on sharing basis with operators , in this Home Theatre scheme, where many latest Hindi films are presently shown few weeks after they are out from theatres . Films like ‘Mission Possible’, ‘Pratisaad’ and ‘Second Inning’ should try this experiment.
Sachin Tendulkar bats for ‘Gela Madhav Kunikade’
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has always been a great fan of some popular Marathi dramas. One of them being ‘Gela Madhav Kunikade’. “I have seen this play twice six years ago and I enjoyed it. Now, that it is being revived, I am happy about it” said the Master blaster while speaking on the occasion of the promotion of popular Marathi comedy play ‘Gela Madhav Kunikade’ which is all set to make a comeback after a gap of about six years.
The play which was at the top during 90’s for its non-stop laughter, later took a long break. But, now we find Prashant Damle and Vinay Yedekar coming together once again with their ‘Haay kaay ani Naay kaay’ punch line. Paying sincere tributes to all time greats like Late Vasant Sabnis, Mohan Wagh and Mohan Tondwalkar the hilarious comedy is all set to play their second innings from 19th August 2010 with their show at Prabodhankar Thackeray Sabhagriha, Mumbai.. And, this time they are extra charged with the backing received from none other than Cricket Ace Sachin Tendulkar.
‘Debu’ due for release on 20th August
Producer Prof Shatrughna Birkad and director Nilesh Jalamkar have made a film ‘Debu’ based on the life and works of Saint Gadge Maharaj. Suitably supported by a punch line – Dev Tethechi Janava…, the film is all set for release in Maharashtra on 20th August 2010.
Popular actor Mohan Joshi plays the lead role of Debu, alongwith Madhu Kambikar, Ashwini Ekbote & Ravi Pawardhan.
Poet Narayan Surve is no more
Popular Marathi poet Narayan Surve is no more. He died today in a Thane hospital after a brief illness. He was 83. Orphaned soon after birth, he was adopted by Gangaram Surve, a mill worker from central Mumbai. He worked very hard in his life. He was actively in the workers’ union movement in Mumbai and supported himself as a schoolteacher. In 1966 he published his first book of poems ‘Majhe Vidyapith’.
In 1998, he received Padma Shri award from the government of India for excellence in Literature & Education. Some of his famous other compilations are : (Jahirnama) (1978), Aisa Ga Mi Brahma , Sanad and Manush Kalawant Ani Samaj. Marathi Movie world pays sincere tributes to his departed soul.
“Don’t cry, be bold and address your issues” – Raj Thackeray
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has a terrific sense of humour. Whenever he is asked to speak at functions, he makes spontaneous remarks to create laughter among the audience. On the occasion of Music and website release function of the Marathi horror film ‘Sa ..Sasucha’, the charismatic leader while appreciating the efforts of the film maker Kishore Belekar, asked him if he needed any help from him. “ I can help you a lot with my own experience with horror films. My own film is treated sometimes by critics, as horror film,” he remarked with a pause; allowing the jam packed elite audience to burst into laughter. Obviously, he was referring to his recent ‘Khall and Phataak’ remarks and aftereffects.
While boosting the confidence of Marathi film makers, he stated, “ You focus on internal matters of the film and we will look into the external requirements. I will certainly look into your grievances with the Multiplexes.” Referring to the meeting he had planned with the Producers of Marathi films the next day, he appealed to all those and artistes to come forward openly with their issues. “ Don’t cry, be bold and address your issues. I will not ask for any favour in return. Don’t be scared that in future I may ask you to join my party’s election campaign or meetings etc.. All I can assure you that I am playing no politics with this issue. It’s my genuine effort to sort out your problems,” he remarked categorically. At the same time he appealed to Marathi film lovers to go and watch Marathi films at Multiplexes “I assure you that henceforth they will have to screen Marathi films during prime time. Now, it all depends on your response.”
Kishore Belekar, who is directing this film, thanked his producers Harish and Sunita Patil, Nupur Rathod besides thanking Sameer Dixit who is distributing the film and Videocon Group, who are presenting this film. Among those present on the occasion were Yatin karyekar, lead actress of the film- Sonali Kulkarni, Bharati Achrekar, Satish Pulekar, Lyricist & music director Sandeep Khare and young Music directors Viraj and Ankur, who have provided the background music for this film.
‘Sa..Sasucha, is a thriller which revolves around a woman and her deceased mother-in-law. It’s an unusual story about the quest of this woman who longs to find answers to the strange incidents that she experiences in the new house after marriage.The film is full of special and terrific sound effects, as experienced after watching the trailor of the film. While speaking to Media persons after the function, Director Kishore Belekar spoke about some of the issues during film’s promotion. “In some theatres, they were hesitant to show the trailor of my film, even against payment, which is strange”. Starring Sunil Barve, Sonali Kulkarni, Vinay Apte, Shubhangi Gokhale, Yatin Karyekar, Kamlesh Sawant, Omkar Karve, Vimal Mhatre, arun Bhadsavle, Rajesh Bhosale, Anita Ninave and k. Vrushali, the film is due for release on 27th August 2010.
MCTS takes Theatre issue to court
We have been hearing a lot about the raw deal being given to Marathi films by the Multiplexes and theatre owners especially in Mumbai and Pune. The fresh incidence is that of Bollywood film ‘Peepli Live’ which has booked 400 theatre shows and blocking the screening of two Marathi films ‘Aikaa Dajiba’ and ‘Tee Ratra’ released during the week. MNS has already taken this agitation against the theatre owners in Mumbai and are questioning most of them the reason for not screening Marathi films.
In the meanwhile, Maharashtra Cine Chitrapat Sena (MCTS) a Union working for the welfare of Marathi Cinema, has taken up the issue in a different way. They have clearly pointed out the recent Mumbai High Court order, wherein the Marathi films in a theatre per year have been reduced from 112 to 44 only.
Reacting to this judgment, the MCTS has filed a third party petition against the above order. An announcement to this effect was made by the Union at a press conference held in Mumbai on 13th august 2010. The Union has blamed the Cultural department of Maharashtra Government for not taking any initiative to fight for the rights of Marathi language films, which in the recent times has shown considerable improvement and had also gathered a good turn out at theatres. They also alleged that none of the representative from Cultural Department of Government was present during the proceedings in court.
This clearly shows the neglect of our own State Government in promoting Marathi language cinema in their own state. MCTS has therefore appealed to all those lovers of Marathi cinema and the media to show their solidarity in this fight against injustice to Marathi cinema.