Well known Marathi actor Sandeep Kulkarni was the centre of attraction at Status Restaurant, Mahim, on Wednesday evening; when first look of his forthcoming film ‘Ajinkya’ was officially released with clippings from the film with songs. The ceremony had special significance with a specially decorated dais scattered with Basketballs,giving a look of a sports related event.

Since the film is based on the personal life of a Basketball Coach, Producer Sandeep Kewlani and director Tejas Deoskar, both basketball players from Nagpur, had invited two personalities from basketball field, namely Ms. Janhavi Prabhu- former India basketball team captain and Mr. Kumar Joshi a former University Basketball Coach, as special guests on the occasion. Mr. Nishikant Kamat, who directed ‘Dombivali fast’ and ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’ was the chief guest to officially announce the launch of film’s website.

Speaking on the occasion, Sandeep Kulkarni thanked the producer and director Tejas Deooskar, whom he knew since his previous film ‘Pratisaad’, story of which was written by him. “Success is a journey, not destination…the journey has begun… Now, join us on 26th December at nearby theatres,” he appealed to all. Instead of speaking about the role himself, he asked the show anchor to ask questions to the two sports dignitaries invited for the event.

While Ms. Jahnavi Prabhu said that her personal experience in life, being a basketball player and a housewife , was good; as her parents and later her husband supported her. “When one of the partners is achieving something extra ordinary, the other partner has to make some adjustment,” she said. Mr. Kumar Joshi felt that the film was his own story, as he himself had to work hard as a coach, besides managing his State Bank job and commitments with his wife. “My wife always kept asking me, whether others who played with me earlier at competitive level; were also busy like me? But, then, it was my passion for this game, that kept me going,” he reacted.

Kadambari Kadam, who plays the leading lady in the role of Sandeep’s wife in this film, said that the story of this film and her role as a V.P. of a big corporate, appealed to her. ” It was good experience working with all my co stars and the director,” she said. Mr. Nishikant kamat wished the team a grand success and said that it was always his own wish to make a film with sports background. Also present on the occasion were few other co stars like Dipti Potdar and other well wishers -like actor, Shishir Sharma, actress and model Pallavi Subhash, Sharvari Patankar, music director of the film Susmit Limaye, singer Milind Ingale. Samira Gujar anchored the event.

“Ajinkya’ which is due for release on 11th January 2013, also stars Sarika Nilatkar Nawathe, Sachin Deshpande, Pravin Tarde, Viksah Khurana, Abhijit Bhosale, Ketan Pawar, Raghavendra Tupekar, Sojas Thakurde, Siddhesh, Akshay, Abhijit Joshi, Shaswat pathak, Radhika Deshpande, Manasi Magikar, Madhavi Soman, Jayesh, Pranit Kulkarni and Rajan Bhise in supporting roles.