‘Prawaas’ selected at IFFI in Indian Panorama Feature Film 2020
Shashank Udapurkar‘s Marathi film ‘Prawaas’ [read review] starring Ashok Saraf, Padmini Kolhapure and himself, in the lead roles; which was released early this year, has been selected for 51st The International Film Festival of India ( IFFI) in the Indian Panorama Feature Film 2020 section. The other two Marathi films selected by the Jury in this section comprising of 23 films are, ‘Karkhanisanchi Wari’ directed by Mangesh Joshi and ‘June’ directed by Vaibhav Khisti and Surhud Godbole.
It may be recalled that ‘Prawaas’ was lucky to reach out to the people through cinema halls, as it was released little before the closure of theatres due to spread of corona pandemic. And the film was highly appreciated by the critics and film lovers, for its sensible subject and fine performances by the lead artistes. Reacting to this news, writer- director of this film Shashank Udapurkar has expressed his happiness and has called it a big honour. Producer Om Changani feels that this film will make its presence felt even at this prestigious film festival.
Usha Jadhav bags IFFI international award for best actress
National award winning actress Usha Jadhav has one more feather in her cap. The talented young actress has now bagged most prestigious international award for best actress , at the International Film Festival of India ( IFFI), which concluded in Goa recently. 200 films from 76 countries had participated in this festival. Usha bagged this award for her brilliant performance in Marathi film ‘Mai Ghat: Crime No. 103/2005′ directed by Anant Mahadevan.
Usha’s name for recommended for this prestigious and by the team of Jury comprising of UK director Lily Ramsey, French Director Robin Campello, Chinese director Zan Ang and Indian Film director Ramesh Sippy. Oscar Academy President John Belly who was head of th Jury was high praise for Usha’s performance in this film. His wife Carol Littletone has also praised Usha for her remarkable performance in this film.
Reacting on this memorable moment, Usha thanked director Anant Mahadevan for the efforts taken by him to extract the best out of her and for selecting her for this role. She also thanked producer Mohini Gupta and her entire team for their support during the shooting. Usha has played a protagonist mother – Prabhavati Amma who fights a long battle of justice for 13 long years , against custodial death of her son. The story of this film is based on a real incident and therefore has a special significance. Along with Usha, the other prominent artistes who have performed in this film are, Suhasini Muley, Kamalesh Sawant, Dr. Girish Oak, Vibhavari Joshi and Vivek Chabukswar.
Smita Tambe’s fourth film ‘Gadhul’ to be screened at 50th IFFI
This will be the 50th Golden Jubilee year of Indian International Film Festival and therefore it has a special significance. The audience will have the finest opportunity to watch some best films at this festival. And actress Smita Tambe has a good news for her. Her film ‘Gadhul’ has been selected in Non Feature film section of Indian Panorama at this forthcoming film festival.
Smita has a connect with IFFI during the past few years, as her previous films like ‘Dhoosar‘, ‘Rukh‘, ‘Pangira’, were also screened at this festival. This will be her fourth film to be screened at this prestigious Indian International Film festival and it is a great honour for the talented actress. Speaking about her experience with IFFI, Smita says, “When I participated in this film festival for the first time, I didn’t know the vast importance of this event. But, soon I realised it was a big hub for film lovers. You get an opportunity to meet some renowned film makers from different parts of the world. Therefore, for me it is a big honour that my film has been selected.”
Usha Jadhav has big hopes from IFFI Goa for her film ‘Mai Ghat’
Usha Jadhav starrer Marathi film ‘Mai Ghat : Crime No. 103/2005′ is one of the Marathi films which will be competing with 13 other international films for the coveted Golden Peacock Award this year at IFFI Goa International Film Festival Goa. The actress of national award winning film ‘Dhhag’ , she is very much excited and has big hopes from this festival.
This film is a biopic, which is based on a real story of a mother whose only son was tortured and killed by the police. It’s her struggle for justice for more than a decade, which can be seen in this film. Speaking about this film, Usha says, “It was a really challenging role to play. I never played a real-life character till now. I am playing my age in this film. Moreover, It was a great experience working with Director Anant Mahadevan and producer Mohini Gupta and the whole team. We all are very happy that our film is selected in this competition.”