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 ?