Known for his talent and creative work as a director of quality Marathi cinema, Gajjendra Ahirey is all set to release his 45th film – ‘Postcard’ on 25th April 2014. By the way, his previous film ‘Anumati’ had fetched best actor’s national award for actor Vikram Gokhale, besides winning Best Indian film award at New York Film festival. Yesterday evening, Gajjendra along with producers Smita and Vinay Ganu had called for a press conference in presence of artistes of his film, in Mumbai. After releasing the first look of the film, Mr. Vinay Ganu, who presents this film, welcomed the media persons and requested all the artistes in the film, to share their experience about the film. But, before that he welcomed the guest of honour – Veteran film maker Vijaysingh Pawardhan who had come all the way from Sangli, along with his daughter Poornima.

Known for his modesty, Girish Kulkarni, who is playing the lead role of a Postman in this film, openly admitted that it was for the first time he and Gajendra Ahire, had agreed on this script to work together. “In the past, I had always had differences with Gajendra, on scripts, whenever, he approached me; as the writer in me, would never agree to his ideology. But, this time, I was very happy with his script and decided to do this film, with him,” he said.

Mr. Dilip Prabhavalkar, who plays Bhikaji – a poor woodcutter in this film; was all praise for Gajendra Ahire, for making his choice for this role. But, he was all praise for Sai Tamhankar, who is playing the wife of Postman in this film. “I don’t have a single scene with Sai, but when I watched her scenes during dubbing session; I was highly impressed by her performance,” he said.

Mr. Subodh Bhave and Vibhavari Deshpande also thanked the director for attempting something different every time. “In this film, Mr. Ahirey has presented me in a totally different type of role and I am happy about it; as otherwise, I was getting only the same type of roles, which I had done before,” expressed Vibhavari. Subodh doesn’t have a big role, as he plays the husband of one important character Radhika in this film. But, he seemed happy to be part of this film.
Popular Marathi actress Sai Tamhankar, who was the centre of attraction during this function, first thanked Mr. Dilip Prabhavalkar for appreciating her performance. Dressed up brilliantly in black with a new hairstyle, she was wearing a beautiful necklace, adding charm to her striking personality. In her address, she expressed her gratitude to the veteran actor and also thanked the director, for believing in her to perform this role. “I have never seen such a lively press conference before; and I only wish that this happens during all my forthcoming films,” she reacted after the question- answer session.

Mr. Gajendra Ahire, initially thanked actor Kishore kadam, who was seated next to him, for suggesting the most appropriate title ‘Postcard’ for this film. “Kishore, being a good friend, I had narrated the story of this film to him and he liked it very much, except for the original title, which was in my mind. So, he suggested the present title, which was immediately accepted by me. But, I was feeling bad that there was no place for Kishore in this film; as I had already finalised the cast. But, as I progressed further, I found a suitable role for him. Same was the case with Vibhavari. Her character of Lisa kamble was added much later, almost after the film was first screened, at a festival. Such things keep happening, as I am always used to experimenting new things,” said Gajendra.

In this film, Gajendra has given scope to a new cinematographer Yogesh Rajguru, who had earlier worked in his film as an assistant cameraman. Even picturising a ‘thumri’ on Radhika Apte in the film was an after thought; and he thanked choreographer Phulwa Khamkar, for giving her best , in spite of changes suggested at the last minute. The film has three different stories which connect in the life of a Postman, while performing his day to day duty at different places. His wife played by Sai Tamhankar also plays an equally important role in this film; as she is the one, who reads all these post cards (meant for delivery by her husband) and both husband and wife get emotionally drawn into the personal problems of the senders of the letter; be it illiterate helpless old woodcutter- Bhikaji under heavy debt, a soldier James kamble and his daughter’s struggle or Gulzaar- a dancer turned prostitute from a village, eagerly waiting for her husband’s return .

“Postcard’ has already raised lot of hopes, having been critically acclaimed at Goa Film festival and now participating at other international festivals too. So, over to 25th April, at different theatres in Maharashtra, when it actually makes a screen impact on Marathi audience.