Amazon Prime Video offer a new life to Marathi films
Ever since Marathi film ‘AB Aani CD’ was released on Amazon Prime Video on 1st May 2020, this film attracted good viewership from home viewers during the lock down period and still continues to do so, with word of mouth publicity. Though this film was released on 15th March 2020, its theatrical run was impacted due to spread of corona virus pandemic which forced theatres to shut down. Therefore, it was a wise decision to premiere this film on Amazon Prime video .
Even otherwise, this film had an advantage of having two big names on the poster of this film- Vikram Gokhale and Amitabh Bachchan and therefore it helped to attract the viewership from Non Marathi audience too. No matter Mr. Bachchan had very limited role in this film, his presence was felt in the film, with the plot of this film having a direct connection with him. Above all, Vikram Gokhale being a versatile actor invited all the attention playing that most important character of Chandrakant Deshpande aka CD in this sensible humour filled film.
Now, talking about overall viewership of Marathi films on this network, there is a good demand for films starring Vikram Gokhale and Sachin Pilgaonkar, no matter how big or small is their role in such films. Just watching their photos on the poster or watching them in trailer or credits of the film, the viewership of such films is decided by home viewers. Surprisingly, the non Marathi viewers are increasing day by day, as noticed from the comments seen on social media. Moreover, Family dramas and films with good subject and decent language are preferred by the viewers.
The other best examples are films like ‘Sohalla’ starring Sachin Pilgaonkar and Vikram Gokhale, ‘Love You Zindagi’ starring Sachin Pilgaonkar in the lead and ‘Ek Nirnay’ starring Vikram Gokhale along with Subodh Bhave and others. In short, Prime Video has offered a new life to Marathi films, as the Marathi film makers need not depend on theatre release henceforth.
‘Aathavanitle Baba’ is the best tribute from son Varad to his father Late Vijay Chavan
During the complete lockdown period due to corona virus, the activity of Film, television and stage had come to a complete halt, forcing all those connected with this industry to stay at home. But, those with creative mind occupied themselves with something which would help them to communicate with others, through social media. One such good attempt was made by young Varad Vijay Chavan son of legendary Marathi actor Late Vijay Chavan.
Varad who is himself an actor, having performed variety of roles in television serials and films, thought of using this time to communicate with people through his video programme titled ‘Aathavanitle Baba’ which is spread over in parts. He has uploaded this video on youtube . In a short time he has received good response from people , who feel that it is the biggest tribute from a son to his father. Through this video Varad has described the early life of his father and his entry into this field. He has dedicated one full part talking about his father’s successful play ‘Moruchi Mavshi’ which created a record of presenting 500 shows in 500 days.
Varad also explains how his father was benefited with the experience he gained while working with some top artistes of his time, including legendary Dada Kondke and others. Certainly a worth watch, as Varad has made it interesting by narrating some humour filled happenings during the stage shows of his father and by adding old photos and documents from his collection.
Spruha Joshi’s ‘Khajina’ series receives good response
Actress Spruha Joshi used the free time during lock down to make something creative in the form of a series suitably titled ‘Khajina Aathvanitlya , Sathvanitlya Kavita, Pustak aani barach kahi’. The insta live sessions received good response on social media. It may be recalled that after the first 21 days lockout she concluded her posts which were in the form of Gratitude diary. And then she began her new series ‘Khajina’’
Through this insta series the viewers saw the live sessions on 14 celebrities like Swanand Kirkire, Subodh Bhave, Avadhoot Gupte, Anita Datey, Jitendra Joshi, Prasad Oak, Pushkar Shrotri, Mahesh Kale, Vaibhav Joshi, Sandeep Khare, Amey Wagh, Sankarshan Karhade, Shalmali Kholgade and Siddharth Mishra. This proved to be a special treat to all during the extended lockdown period. Spruha who started using her free time in reading, had this idea in mind to share the likings of literature of her celebrity friends and that’s how ‘Khajina..’ was presented.
‘Yere Yere Pavsa’ bags six awards at Hollywood North Int. Film awards
The first rains of the season have arrived and so timely the awards for the Marathi film with a suitable title ‘Yere Yere Pavsa’ at the Hollywood North International Film awards ( HNFA) 2020, which were announced recently at an online ceremony. For this international film festival, ‘Ye Re Ye Re Pavsaa’ had received eleven nominations . And hence, bagging six awards certainly makes the entire team of the film more than happy.
Directed by Shafaq Khan, the film highlights the pleasures of rains besides the adventures of little ones with a worthwhile message. According to the director, this film takes your mind into a different world. Presented by S. Cube films, India , the cinematography of this film is by Yogesh Koli, while editing is by Chandan Arora. Story by Bhushan Dalvi, screenplay Bhushan Dalvi and Shafaq Khan, dialogues by Abhishek Kargutkar and Vinod Jadhav. Sushant Pawar and Kishore Pawar have composed the music of this film on the lyrics of Amol Powale. Popular singers Swapnil Bandodkar and Avadhoot Gupte have rendered their voices for the songs in this film.
The awards have been bagged by SCUBE Films for best film feature, Shafaq Khan for best direction, Shafaq Khan and Bhushan Dalvi for for best screenplay, Chandan rora for best editing, Arya Adhav for best supporting performance and Chakir Hussain for best sound design.
Zee5 offers variety of popular Marathi plays
During this lock down period what the regular Marathi theatre audience is missing is their favourite pastime of watching Marathi plays in drama theatres. For such people Zee Marathi has offered variety of old Marathi plays in video format. Some prominent pays in the list are, ‘Natasamrat’ starring Mohan Joshi and Rohini Hattangadi. ‘Aaranyak’ starring Dilip Prabhavalkar, Ravi Patwardhanand Pratibha Matkari.
1988 play ‘Kusum Manohar Lele’ starring Shubhangi Joshi, Bal Karve, Manda Desai and Dr. Girish Oak is also another attraction on this Zee5 app, besides another popular play ‘Vahato Hi Durvanchi Judi’ starring Subodh Bhave in the lead role. There is also ‘Kachecha Chandra’ starring Sharad Ponkshe and Harshada Khanvilkar while ‘Vegala Vhaychay Mala’ starring Nivedita Joshi and Jayant Savarkar is also another good choice. Among the other plays in the list are, ‘Pappa Sanga Kunache’ with Late Anand Patwardhan, ‘Goshta Janmantarichi’ with Mohan Joshi and ‘Ghar Shrimantanche’ with Sudhir Joshi.
Priyadarshan Jadhav makes his debut in Marathi web series through ‘Bhootatlela’
Known for his memorable performances in Marathi films like ‘Timepass 2′, ‘Halaal’ and ‘Choricha Mamla’ Priyadarshan Jadhav also tried his hands in direction. But now, he is making his debut through Marathi web series ‘Bhootatlela’ presented by Hungama Originals , which has been released on MX Player. This five episode series can also be seen in Hindi.
‘Bhootatlela’ is a horror comedy directed by award winning director Shivaji Lotan Patil, in which Priyadarshan will be playing the lead role of Rayaba opposite Surabhi Hande, who plays the role of Shivani. The story of the series revolves around a happening in the life of Rayaba before his marriage to Shivani. During the marriage rituals, Rayaba sees the ghost in the form of Sudha following him and that reminds him about forgetting something to carry with him, as suggested by his mother.
Along with Priyadarshan an Surabhi this series also stars Yogesh Shirsat, Sunil Holkar and Sayali Patil in prominent roles.
Shooting of Films and TV serial to begin soon, with conditions
We are all aware that the shootings of Films, television serials and web series had come to a complete halt ever since the lock-down was imposed in Maharashtra, due to spread of corona virus. But now, there is good news to all the film makers and TV serial producers.
The Cultural department of Government of Maharashtra has taken a decision to grant permission for shootings soon, subject to conditions laid down by Government , which specifically refer to guidelines issued by them recently.
The concerned producers will have to make application for the same. Many Marathi film makers and artistes have expressed their happiness over this decision and have welcomed it.
शंतनु मोघे आणि प्रिया मराठे-मोघे यांनी जपली सामाजिक बांधिलकी
सध्याच्या बिकट परिस्तितीवर मात करण्यासाठी , ‘जनकल्याण रक्तपेढी’ तर्फे रक्तदान शिबीर आयोजित कार्यांत आले होते. त्या वेळी सामाजिक बांधिलकी जपत अभिनेता शंतनु मोघे आणि प्रिया मराठे-मोघे ह्यांनी त्यात भाग घेतला. दोघांचे मनःपूर्वक आभार, धन्यवाद!
Shantanu Moghe, Priya Marathe at Blood donation camp in their society.
Amita Kulkarni – A graphic designer turned actress
A graphic designer ,dancer, actress ,painter and model, Amita Kulkarni has gained good experience in her acting field in few years time. In ‘Hridayat Something Something’ she had an opportunity to work with versatile actor Ashok Saraf and other popular artistes like Aniket Vishwasrao, Bhushan Kadu, Sneha Chouhan and Priyanka Yadav.
Amita who comes from Gondia near Nagpur has done Ad Films projects with some well-known brands like Camlin, Essco, Qtrove, etc. and also short films ‘Tale of a Onion Witch’ which is applauded by critics on web/internet and recently, got release platform like Amazon. Till now, she has done projects like ‘Kunwara Hai Par Hamara Hai’ and ‘Tumcha Aamcha Jamla Dot Com’. And now she will b seen in multi starrer film ‘Respect’ and ‘Lagnakallol’.
Vikram Gokhale donates his land worth Rs. 2.5 Crore for a cause
Known for his social commitment , Veteran actor Vikram Gokhale has always been in the lead when it as time to offer help for a cause. Earlier his father Chandrakant Gokhale used to regularly offer his helping hand from his earnings by donating to Army welfare fund. Now, Vikram Gokhale has carried forward this family tradition . He has always offered his help from time to time for social cause.
This time during lockdown period, when he heard about the pathetic condition of workers associated with Marathi film industry, he has announced donation of land worth Rs. 2.5 Crore owned by him at Nane village off Paud, to Akhil Bharatiya Chitrapat Mahamandal. He feels that should offer shelter on this land to retired aged and homeless workers living a lonely life. The Mahamandal has taken a decision to set up an ashram on this land, under the guidance of Vikram Gokhale.