Is Subodh Bhave No.1 actor of Marathi films today ?
With more than 50 films and 27 TV serials to his credit, Subodh Bhave is certainly an actor to reckon, when it comes to popularity. He has been active with the Marathi film industry since 2005. And he is still going on adding more films to his account that too in lead roles. With ongoing serial ‘Tula Pahate Re‘ and upcoming biopic ‘Ani Kashinath Ghanekar‘ Subodh is certainly at popularity heights. At the age of 40, this is certainly creditable. Why can’t we call him No. 1 actor of Marathi films today?
Having successfully performed in biopics like ‘Lokmanya‘ and ‘Balgandharva‘, he had become the first choice of film makers opting for Biopics. No wonder, he was selected to play the title role in ‘Aani Kashinath Ghanekar‘. An actor with stage background Subodh has really worked hard to move to this top position. An actor par excellence, he has played variety of roles in different films. Best thing about him is that he has not been part of any controversy. A polished actor that he is, Subodh Bhave has also maintained good relationship with others, being a soft spoken gentleman.
Larger than life ‘Balgandharva’
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Presenter: Iconic Chandrakant Productions Pvt. Ltd. Producer: Nitin Chandrakant Desai Director: Ravi Jadhav Story: Abhiram Bhadkamkar Music: Kaushal Inamdar Cinematographer: Mahesh Limaye Cast: Subodh Bhave, Suhas Joshi, Madhu Kambikar, Kishor Kadam, Avinash Narkar, Sagar Talashikar, Anand Abhyankar, Vibhavari Deshpande, Prachiti Mhatre… Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
Some films are to be seen, some to be enjoyed, but very few films are to be sensed. Nitin Chandrakant Desai’s Biopic on ‘Balgandharva’ is one such masterpiece which is not only a tribute to the legend but is also an experience to peep into the life of the dedicated artiste of yesteryears. At a time when India was under British rule, sometime in early 19th century no females performed on stage. It was during this period that a talented artiste who was groomed since his childhood by Kirloskar Drama Group, played the roles of females and even entertained the theatre audience with his classical songs in gifted voice. Musical plays were very popular those days and the popularity of actor Narayanrao Rajhans took him to the top.But, as rightly said by Abraham Lincoln, “Avoid popularity if you would have peace.” In the life of Narayanrao, there was not much gain or peace though he touched the height of popularity. He devoted his life only for theatre. Spent lavishly on sets and costumes. Director Ravi Jadhav in his little more than 2 hour long film has tried to show how on his way to success, Narayanrao lost the support of his close associates one by one. In the process, he has depicted his strengths and weaknesses. Not many were aware of his interactions with Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, The Maharaja of Baroda Sayajirao Gaekwad, Annasaheb Kirloskar , Ram Ganesh Gadkari, Baburao Painter and V. Shantaram. From the beginning till end, the director has tried to include all those important incidences, besides having a glance at all those popular musical plays of which he was a part and the classical songs in each one of them rendered by him.
What makes this movie larger than life is for creating that era of early 19th century on screen, with perfection. Just look at the costumes of every character and the superb art design, supported by suitable sound effects in the background for every important scene. Watch that scene where the businessman Laxmichand Narang a great admirer of Balgandharva, appreciating him after hearing the news that he had even performed the show even on the day of his daughter’s death. Listen to that background sound effect and it gives the feeling that he is really based in Karachi. Watching that outdoor scene when the Moneylender Pathan approaches the team of Balgandharva after the show and you actually sense the sudden arrival of a drizzle.
Marathi theatre is blessed with talented artistes and therefore the film has picked up the right people for the right roles. In the team of Balgandharva’s theatre group, we find promising youngsters like Abhijit Kelkar and Siddharth Chandekar dressed up as females, Vibhavari Deshpande playing that emotion filled role of his distressed wife, Suhas Joshi playing a typical old mother of Balgandharva belonging to that era and Kishore Kadam, Vidyadhar Joshi, Avinash Narkar, Rahul Deshpande and others as his stage associates. Greatness shown by some of the artistes like Manoj Joshi as Seth Laxmichand and Madhav Abhyankar as Pant from Bhor Province is that it did not matter for them how big was their role. Same was the case with Smita Shewale and Vishakha Subhedar . They hardly have one scene but they both were all smiles for being part of this mega film. Surprisingly the producer and art director also played that small but important character of Lokmanya Tilak, as an admirer of Balgandharva.
Three more persons who add luster to the film are Singer Anand Bhate, Music composer kaushal Inamdar and cinematographer Mahesh Limaye.
If one has to find faults, there will be very few; but looking at the sincerity of the producer and director besides the artistes it nullifies them in that effective screenplay of the film.
‘Balgandharva’ is a tribute to the Superstar – Subodh Bhave
In the golden era of Marathi Musical based plays ie. More than 100 years ago, no female artist was coming forward to act in a drama. Therefore, male artistes used to perform female roles. In those good old days, artist Narayanrao Rajhans was acknowledged as an actress of Marathi stage. He was then named as ‘Balgandharva’. Today’s popular Marathi Television and film actor Subodh Bhave was enthused with an idea to produce a film on the life and history of Balgandharva. His dream has come true. The film will be released on 6th May in many theatres all over Maharashtra.
In order to know more about the film, Marathi Movie World spoke to Subodh Bhave after congratulating him on his winning the Zee Gaurav puraskar and Mata Sanman.
Q What prompted you to have a theme on the life of Balgandharva for your film ?
A. After directing a musical drama like ‘Katyar Kaljat Ghusali’, many misconceptions about Musical play were erased from my mind. I had an opportunity to read a book named ‘Gandharva Gatha’. With an intention of making an ordinary man familiar with the caliber and struggle of this Marathi stage artist – Narayanrao from the past century, I approached Mr. Nitin Desai and he appreciated the idea and agreed for the production.
Q. His 80 years of lifespan to be covered only in 2 hours was a big challenge. How you could make it possible?
A. Oh! It was really a difficult task. We have tried to cover only the important events of 50
Subodh Bhave as & in ‘Balgandharva’ years of his career. So basically it’s a trailer. It’s a tribute to the super star. We approachedseniors from earlier generation who were fortunate to enjoy his female roles and ‘Natya Geete’. In absence of such a movie, the present generation would not have any other option except for referring the contemporary literature.
Q. To give justice to your role as Balgandharva., what efforts have you put in ?
A. Well, he was well-known for his female roles. To make myself fit for such a role, I had to undertake special exercises to slim down. I took inspiration from his photograph. I studied the expressions on his face. His standing style , his poses & gestures. I read many reference books. I met his daughter Ms. Khedekar and daughter in law Anuradha. I also spoke to Ms.. Jaimala Shiledar, a well known female singer on Marathi stage.
Q. Who has played the role of Balgandharva’s wife ?
A. Vibhawari Deshapdne has played the role of his wife.
Q. To the best of our knowledge, you are not a professional singer. Have you learnt classical music? Who has given the playback?
A. Neither I have taken any formal education in classical music, nor I was fond of Natya Sangeet . But, in the company of my friends -Shaunak , Salil, Bela & Mahesh kale, who are classical singers; I could learn a lot. While doing research for this film, I have totally changed . Now, I like Hindustani Sangeet. In this film, playback singer is Anand Bhate.
Q. Do you think that along with old generation, even youngsters will be attracted towards this movie?
A. There cannot be a single Marathi music lover, who has not heard about Balgandharva. But, most of them did not get opportunity, to see his acting and listen to his voice. Most of the youngsters from present generation are curious to know about his talent and personal life. I am sure, all Marathi music lovers irrespective of age, will watch his movie at least once.