Marathi artistes offer a video on the occasion of State’s Diamond Jubilee Year
Due to the spread of coronavirus, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Maharashtra State’s formation day could not be celebrated on 1st May, 2020. But, our Marathi artistes came up with an idea by observing the lockdown rule of ‘stay at home’. They have presented a video suitably titled ‘Vaibhav Maharashtracha’ on this occasion.

The most important thing is that these artistes shot the video at their respective homes taking the help of out latest technology. Aakash Pendharkar and Hemant Dhome with the help of social media platform ‘Helo’ have produced this video which is based on the song ‘Baghtos Kay Mujara Kar’ from Hemant Dhome’s film. This new song has been written by Kshitij Patwardhan, while music is provided by Amitraj.
Singers Hrshavardhan Wavare & Kasturi Wavare have rendered this song in their voices, while this song is pictured on popular Marathi artistes Sonali Kulkarni, Hemant Dhome, Aniket Vishasrao, Sumeet Raghavan, Shashank Ketkar, Rasika Dhabadgaonkar, Sanjay Jadhav, Prarthana Behere, Amitraj, Abhinay Berde, Anuja Sathe Gokhale, Saurabh Gokhale, Chaitrali Gupte, Lokesh Gupte, Siddharth Menon, Kirti Pendharkar, Suyash Tilak, Sayali Sanjeev & Prajakta Mali. This video has received good response on social media.
Lockdown Film festival – a novel concept
During this period of Lockdown, in order to keep the creative people busy, Virus Marathi a YouTube channel has organised a ‘Lockdown Digital Film festival’ . The film could be a short film or a documentary , shot at home, observing all the rules of lock down set by the Government.
This offers a good opportunity to young film makers to attempt something creative which could be noticed . The film can be shot on a mobile or a camera and should have neat presentation with proper editing.

This unique Digital Film festival will offer three prizes in short film section as well as documentary section. The first prize will be of Rs. 7,500/- Second Prize : Rs. 5,000/- and the third prize : Rs. 3,000/-.
Writer Arvind Jagtap, actress Sonali Kulkarni, director Santosh Kolhe, director Sameer Patil have been appointed as Judges for this contest. Last date for submission of entries is 10th May 2020. The bet 10 films will be shown on Virus Marathi channel. For more details: e mail : vmffest[at]gmail[dot]com
Brian & Reema keep Marathi celebrities fit and healthy during lockdown
The spread of Corona virus has brought the entire film Industry on a standstill. It’s been a month since the social events and shoots have come to a halt putting the celebrities locked down at their respective homes. This has resulted a lot lethargic and unhealthy feeling among all those who have been active with their busy work
schedule. And our Marathi celebrities are no exception. But there is a sign of relief for several Marathi celebs since the popular fitness instructor duo Brian D’Souza and Reema Vengurlekar are making sure with their virtual fitness classes that their Marathi celebrity clients stay fit and healthier during this lock down
period.

Because of the lock down all gyms and fitness studios are temporarily non functional. But Reema and Brian are taking virtual classes to motivate their students to be fitter during this social distancing time. Reema Vengurlekar, founder of WOD says, “It is very important to keep ourselves fitter mentally and physically in this difficult and testing time. Keeping this in mind, we have started group online classes for our students. In this quarantine time, we have kept these virtual classes open for all.”

Reema added, “Anybody can just contact us and take a few free trial classes in this stressful time. But for our Marathi celebs we have personal virtual training slots. The free times are now productive physically and mentally. With personalize training and diet plans we are solely concentrating on keeping them fit, healthy and
stress free. “
Brian has received a positive response. He concludes ,“We are content that celebrities like Deepti Ketkar, Prajakta Mali, Hruta Durgule, Snehalata, Spruha Joshi and 70 odd other students are positively transforming themselves during the lockdown. It’s been a month now for our virtual classes and these free of cost virtual classes are getting superlative response from fitness enthusiasts.
Marathi artistes are making good progress in Hindi web series
During this lock down period, when the release of films, shows of Dramas and shootings of films and TV serials have come to a halt, many home viewers have switched over to web series. And when we go through some of the Hindi web series released on different web channels in the recent past, we find many Marathi artistes in prominent roles.

In the newly released web series ‘Hundred’ on Hotstar Specials , Rinku Rajguru finds a parallel role along with Lara Dutta and the trailer of this series clearly indicates that she has a lead role. There are other two Marathi Actor Hrishikesh Joshi and Rohini Hattangadi who have also found prominent roles. Incidentally, Hrishikesh Joshi was also seen in a prominent role of a police Inspector in another popular web series ‘Breathe’ shown on Amazon Original video.

MX player which presents a web series ‘Ek Thi Begum’ in Hindi as well as Marathi Actress Anuja Sathe in title role, with Santosh Juvekar and others . But, the language of this serial is very rough. On the same channel there is another Hindi and Marathi serial ‘Samantar’ starring Swwapnil Joshi and Nitish Bharadwaj. There is another web channel Voot , which offers an interesting Hindi web series ‘The Raikar Case’ a murder mystery directed by Aditya Sarpotdar , which also stars Atul Kulkarni , Ashwini Bhave, Manva Naik , Lalit Prabhakar, Ajay Purkar and Vaishnavi Kadam in prominent roles along with well known Hindi artistes. But, this serial too has used a rough abusive languages uttered by politicians and members of so called affluent family.
मराठी कलाकार एकत्र येऊन म्हणताय ‘पुन्हा एकदा गरुड भरारी घेऊ’
इतर देशांच्या तुलनेत भारतात कोरोनाबाधितांची सध्या संख्या कमी असली तरीदेखील हा आकडावाढतच चालला आहे, याचा परिणाम म्हणून अनेकांच्या मनामद्धे नकारात्मकता वाढत आहे. याच धर्तीवर लोकांमध्ये सकारात्मकता वाढवण्यासाठी अनेक मराठी कलाकारांनी एकत्र येऊन ‘पुन्हा एकदा गरुड भरारी घेऊ’ हे प्रेरणादायी गाणं तयार केले असून सोशल मीडियाच्या माध्यमातून ते सर्वांपर्यंत पोहचवण्याचा प्रयत्न केला आहे. या गाण्याचे ध्वनिमुद्रण आणि चित्रीकरण हे दोन्ही सर्व मराठी कलाकार घरातून मोबाईलच्या साहाय्याने केले असून, तांत्रिक बाबींच्या साहाय्याने शक्य तितकं स्टुडिओ ध्वनिमुद्रणाच्या बरोबरीचं करण्याचा प्रयत्न केला आहे.

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‘पुन्हा एकदा गरुड भरारी घेऊ’ या गाण्यात आपल्याला दीपाली सय्यद, मनोज जोशी, किशोरी शहाणे, मकरंद अनासपुरे, रेणुका शहाणे, शिल्पा अनासपुरे, पुष्कर जोग, स्मिता गोंदकर, शरद पोंक्षे, वर्षा उसगावकर, मानसी नाईक, गायत्री दातार, नितीश चव्हाण, स्मिता शेवाळे, देवदत्त नागे, किरण गायकवाड असे कलाकार एकत्र दिसतात. गाण्याचे दिग्दर्शन व संकलन मकरंद शिंदे यांनी केले असून, संगीत जीवन मराठे यांनी दिले आहे.
गाण्याची संकल्पना अभिनेत्री दीपाली सय्यद यांची असून हे गाणं रसिकांसमोर आणण्यासाठी श्रीनिवास कुलकर्णी, अमोल घोडके, राजेंद्र अनासपुरे यांनी पुढाकार घेतला.
‘Aani Kay Hava?’ A Marathi web series with good entertainment
Now days in the name of entertainment and action some of the web series released on different web channels are offering rough language with even some of the so called characters uttering abuses, which are otherwise censored in feature films and TV serials. But, very few web series are an exception. And one of them is ‘Aani Kay Hava ?’ presented by A Mirchi Play Original on Mx Player web Channel. Directed by Varun Narvekar, this neat and clean entertaining web series features Umesh kamat and Priya Bapat Kamat in lead roles.

The first season of this Marathi web series was restricted more to these two characters, covering the humour filled happenings in the life of this young well to do working couple living in an apartment in Pune. Now, the second season of this web series is going on, with more entertaining episodes with some interesting happenings in their life. Both the artists have performed well. And it was nice to see some additional characters coming into their life . Special mention about Kshiti Jog who was seen in the first episode of season -2. What is more interesting thing about this serial is its presentation style, which can be enjoyed by on and all. The language of this serial and dialogues are well written. Certainly a worth watch.
Ashish Ningurkar shoots a Social short film on Corona awareness at home
‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’ A creative person cannot sit idle, even in the period of lock-down. In the present situation of lockdown due to spread of corona virus, when majority of the people are required to sit at home and watch movies and news on television or play leisurely games like carom and playing cards, writer, lyricist Ashish Ningurkar has attempted something out of the box. Ashish has been part of some sensible films like ‘Rairand’, ‘Ek Hota Pani’ and short films like ‘Aarsa’ and documentary like ‘Coma’ .

Ashish who works for Postal department in Ghatkoper, Mumbai is held up in his house at his native place Vambori in Nagar district. But, instead of sitting idle, while reading books, he came across an idea of shooting a short film at home, using his own family members in the cast of the film. So, observing the rule of ‘Work from Home’, the film was shot in a day to create awareness about the danger of corona virus and the precautions to be taken by people. After completing the film, when his family members watched this film, they were extremely happy to see the impact created by this film.
Ashish himself has conceived the idea of the script and has directed this film, besides handling the camera. His father Ashok Ningurkar, mother Jayashree Ningurkar, cousin Swarup kasar have performed in this film, while Ishant Sigh and Abhishek Lagas have done the editing work. The film has already become viral on social media.
Girija Oak Godbole starrer short film ‘Quarter’ delivers a good message
Starring Girija Oak Godbole in the lead role the 15 minute length short film ‘Quarter’ has been inviting attention of audience all over the world. This Marathi film which can be viewed on Youtube has already received 22 nominations at the International film festivals and has won seven international film awards . Produced and directed by Navjyot Bandivadekar this film revolves around a 30 year young lady Ashvini Satish Ranade who has been declared certified alcoholic.

Having filed a petition for divorce with mutual consent, she is shown living a lonely life and is in a state of soliloquy, when we see her talking to herself and calling out the name of her husband Satish, and talking to the plants in the garden, while consuming her drink. The next morning we find her in a different mood, when we see her tearing off and burying her latest medical report and divorce papers into an earthen pot, while planting a new variety in her garden. And then she utters a very meaningful dialogue which relates to how important is life for all of us and we are addicted to it too.
Technically, it is a well made short film, with story and dialogues by Aalap Bhagwat and wonderful photography by Yash Khanna.
Marathi celebrities form a group to appeal people on the backdrop of corona
During this ongoing lock down in all parts of Maharashtra, people are required to stay at home which has affected their daily routine. This has resulted in their isolation from social life. Many people are feeling lonely and this has also affected their mental health. Our Marathi celebrities are no exception. In an advanced country like USA people required to stay alone have sought medical assistance. But, looking at the present critical situation there is no way to escape from this lock down, which is likely to be extended.

The Hon. Prime Minister of India has already succeeded in bringing together the people of India to display their unity and strength to fight Corona virus and also appreciate the efforts of Doctors and Police for their selfless services. And now, the Marathi celebrities have come together to help remove the loneliness of people by way of communicating with them through social media. They have already prepared a timely message to stay at home to take proper care of themselves. “Don’t ever feel that you are alone.” they have appealed.
The names of these celebrities who have formed this group are, Deepali sayyad, Hardik Joshi, Manasi Naik, Devdutt Nage, Sandeep Pathak, Sanskruti Balgude, Abhinay Berde, Akshaya Deodhar, Punit Balan, Smita Shewale, Bhargavi Chirmuley, Kiran Gaikwad, Pushkar Jog, Smita Gondkar, Suyash Tilak and Sangram Salvi.
Anuja Sathe to play title role in bilingual web series
Talented Marathi actress Anuja Sathe Gokhale who was seen in Marathi and Hindi films in prominent roles since last 6 years, will now play title role in forthcoming bilingual web series ‘EkThi Begum’, which is a revenge story set on the backdrop of 1980 period.

Anuja plays the character of Ashraf Bhatkar alias Sapna, who takes the revenge against Don Maksud (Ajay Gehi), who is behind the death of her husband Zahir (Ankit Mohan). Directed by Sachin Darekar , this web series will be available for free viewing on MX Player from 8th April 2020.
Recently, the trailer of this film was released. Speaking about her role in this series, Anuja says, “Till now we have only heard about the male Mafia/Don , but now, you will see a story of a woman who turns Mafia Queen, to take the revenge of her husband’s death”. Along with Anuja and Ankit this series stars Chinmay Mandlekar, Rajendra Shirsatkar, Resham, Abhijit Chavan, Pradeep Doitode, Vithal Kale, Nazar Khan, Vijay Nikam, Anil Nagarkar, Suchit Jadhav, Raju Athavale, & Santosh Juvekar in prominent roles.