Three new Marathi films to compete among themselves
Year 2013 will be soon coming to an end and we find many Marathi films, lined up for release. This week, as many as three Marathi films are being released, creating a competition among themselves for theatre availability. Luckily for them, there are no big banner Hindi films releasing simultaneously; but, recently released ‘Mangalasthaka’ and ‘Pitrurun’ are still receiving good response at some of the theatres in Mumbai and Pune. So, it remains to be seen, how the Marathi audience would respond to these three films, which are offering different subjects.
While ‘Majhya Navryachi Bayko (MNB)’ starring Bharat Jadhav, Deepali Sayed and Smita Gondkar hints at a traditional comedy, the other film ‘Mee aani U’ starring Bhushan Pradhan, Sai Lokur and others, seems to have been inspired by Hollywood film ‘Just like Heaven’. And the third film ‘Angarki’, as the title suggests, is obviously on the backdrop of Lord Ganesha. Makarand Anaspure and Tejaswini Pandit are the lead stars of this film, with Tejaswini making her comeback to Marathi films, after her marriage.
Two new Marathi films to release on 4th Oct
Friday 4th October will witness two new Marathi films, namely ‘Lagna Pahave karun’ by director Ajay kishore Naik and ‘Ramachandra Purushottam Joshi’ by director Ajay Phansekar. With most of the theatres blocked by Bollywood film ‘Besharam’ released on Wednesday; there only one shows at each theatre available for these two films in Mumbai. The position may not be different in other parts of Maharashtra, as ‘Besharam’ has booked more than 4 thousand screens all over the world, creating a new record.
Now, talking about our two new Marathi films, it remains to be seen, whether they succeed in finding more outlets next week; as “Besharam’ has disappointed the viewers, as per the reviews published so far. ‘Lagna Pahava Karun’ has a team of youngsters, with Umesh Kamat – Mukta Barve forming one pair and Siddharth Chandekar and Tejashree Pradhan making another pair. It will be nice to see Mukta after a long time and it will be interesting to see, how her chemistry with Umesh works in this film. Tejashree is already doing well on small screen, with her serial ‘Honar Sun Mee Hya Gharchi’ turning popular. She has already worked with Siddharth in Avadhoot Gupte’s film ‘Zenda’.
On the other hand, we have Ajay Phansekar’s ‘Ramachandra Purushottam Joshi’, which is a film on return of a dead person back to his family, to spend only eight hours granted to him by Yama. The film has graphic presentation on the lines of Harry Potter films, which is something new to the Marathi films. However, the film’s release has been delayed for over 7 years, due to the worst natural calamity in 2006, that destroyed the studio of the film maker. But, in spite of facing this grave situation, the director has managed to reshoot the film and offer the same to the audience. The film is based on director’s own creation ‘Shraddha’ on stage. So, let us wait and see, which film invites the attention.
Can’t we have inspiring tales in Marathi films ?
Gone are the days, when Marathi films made on the topics related to freedom fighters and lead characters playing protagonists, fighting against system; received good response from audience. Today, the attitude of Marathi film makers has changed. Though some of the films offer inspiring tales; majority of the film makers are following the traditional comedy pattern, just to claim subsidy offered by the Government. They are not concerned whether the film does business or not. It is only the release of film in few theatres for one week, that matters to them. No doubt, there are realistic films; but they narrate the tragic stories and the biographies fail to inspire.
Maharashtra has produced so many national heroes and saints, who have been inspiration for those who have read about their stories. Marathi films and some of the Bollywood films did attempt films on their lives; but, they needed more extensive research. Music plays very important role, even today in Indian cinema. We also need inspiring songs to support the script of the film. Just take for example, the song ‘ Swarajya toran chadhe Garjati Tofanche choughde,..Marathi paul padate Pudhe’..from old Marathi film ‘Maratha Tituka Melavava’ and even now, after several years, we still get inspired after listening to this song. Also remember the song “ Jyot se jyot jalate chalo, prem ki ganga bahate chalo..” from the Hindi film ‘Sant Dnyaneshwar’ and we get charged up with the message of love towards humanity.
Marathi film industry has offered great film makers like Dadasaheb Phalke, Baburao Painter, V. Shantaram , Vishnupant Damle, Bhalji Pendharkar, Raja Paranjape, Dr Jabbar Patel, Amol Palekar and few others, who paid attention on social issues. In the recent past, we saw few patriotic films like ‘Vasudev Balwant Phadke’, ‘ Krantiveer Rajguru’, ‘Tukaram’ , ‘Savarkar’ and ‘Ambedkar’ and now we understand that there is a film on Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In Hindi film industry, we notice at least one patriotic film and it does invite all the attention. In the past, there was a film made on Mahatma Gandhi by a British film maker and it turned out to be not only a commercial hit worldwide; but, also won eight prestigious academy awards, besides being nominated for other three categories.
When a foreigner could make a Biopic on the life of an Indian Freedom Fighter, why couldn’t our Indians make a film on the lives of our own freedom fighters. The film by British film maker gave us a good lesson, i.e. a Biopic should have a strong script, supported by extensive research. Maharashtra being the main ground for freedom struggle, we in Maharashtra have yet to make a world class film. Research and script are the main foundation for quality film making. Today, we have technology with many experts in VFX and animation effects. Let somebody from Marathi film industry take advantage of these available skills and create a spectacle which would be appreciated by the entire world.
By: Team MMW
Marathi Producers join hands with IMPPA
The Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association ( IMPPA) which is the parent body of the Hindi film producers, have invited Marathi film Producers to join their association to strengthen their unity. In a recently held function, many producers from Marathi film industry attended the meet. Sushma Shiromani, Vijay Kondke and Macchindra Chate took the lead to invite maximum Marathi film producers and convinced them to become members of IMPPA.
IMPPA membership would help Marathi film producers in a big way, as it would sort out their problem to find distributors besides getting costly equipments against reasonable charges. At the same time, advanced editing and dubbing facilities would also be available to them at concession.
Incidentally, elections for the post of President and other members of IMPPA are scheduled for 27th September 2010 and for that purpose, under the leadership of Sushma Shiromani a group of producers have already formed a panel comprising of popular names like Sawan Kumar, Ketan Desai, Vinod Chhabra, Kukku Kohli and Naresh Malhotra are part of it. They have suitably named their panel ‘We for You’
Two new serials on E-TV Marathi
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 ?
Vinod Kambli makes his debut in Marathi film
Maverick cricketer Vinod Kambli, after his unsuccessful attempt in Maharashtra Politics, has now decided to enter Marathi films. Kuber Productions and Lokesh Movies presentation
‘Lagli Paij’ will be featuring Vinod in a different way, singing and dancing in an item song of this film for the first time. The song is written by Milind Shintre who is also the writer- director of the film and the music is composed by Abhijit Kavthalkar.
The song has Southern Star Shruti Marathe performing the item song with Vinod Kambli. The song contains cricketing terms like ‘T-20′ and ‘Yuvraj Singh’ etc. Asha Bhosle, Shankar Mahadevan and Usha Uthup have rendered their voices for the songs of this film. The film stars Mohan Joshi, Arun Nalavde, Smita Talwalkar, Satish Tare, Kishori Ambiye, Milind Gunaji, Priya Berde, Sunila Karambelekar, Samir Dharmadhikari, Raghvendra Kadkol, and Rahul Solapurkar. The film is due for release on 20thNovember 2009, all over Maharashtra in a big way.
‘Gandha’ bounces back with Fame
The unexpected attack of Swine Flu and the fear psychosis arising out of it had prevented many film lovers from going to theatres during the last month. Unfortunately, the release of a sensible film like ‘Gandha‘ had almost coincided with the closure of theatres due to Government directive. The film did receive a big jolt due to this natural calamity. But, as somebody has rightly said, “You cannot stop good creation from reaching to the people with a word of mouth publicity.” With the opening of theatres and with the rise in demand for ‘Gandha‘ in Pune, the film has bounced back with the screening in six theatres.
Directed by Sachin kundalkar ‘Gandha’ has tried out a new experiment in Marathi cinema, combining three different stories knitted into one theme. ‘Gandha’ has already received appreciation in the form of best screenplay during the International Film festival in Pune. It has also been appreciated by well known filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar. Above all, the director has also added one more feather into his cap, when his name was announced recently for National Award for best direction for his previous film ‘Nirop’.
‘Gandha’ has a super combination of popular stars like Milind Soman (who makes his debut in Marathi films through this film) Sonali Kulkarni, Girish Kulkarni and Amruta Subhash, who display their talent through different roles.
Rangiberangi – promises total entertainment
Sara Movies ‘Rangiberangi‘ filled with all essentials of romance, comedy and drama is all set to release on Friday 11th September. Directed by Rajendra Bade, the film stars Aniket Vishwasrao and Madhura Velankar in lead roles. While versatile actor Manoj Joshi makes his debut in Marathi films through ‘Rangiberangi‘, other popular Marathi actors like Pradeep Velankar, Ravindra Mahajani, Madhu Kambikar and Kiran Karmarkar will also be seen in important roles.
‘Rangiberangi‘ is a tale of a young boy Ganesh ( Aniket), who much against the wish of his father moves to city from his village, as he aspires to become rich faster. He comes and lives with his uncle( Manoj Joshi). Having been brought up in a decent culture, initially he is unable to cope up with the city lifestyle. His shrewd uncle teaches him all those tricks to walk on the fast track to earn quick money. As per his advice, he tries to impress upon a girl from a rich family( Madhura Velankar) for obvious reasons, but observing her good nature and her service to the society through social work, he becomes her great admirer, besides deeply falling in love with her.
‘Rangiberangi‘ highlights the actual mind-set of today’s youngsters, clearly displaying the good and bad sides. It also shows the contrast between the village lifestyle and that of a city, but it goes on to show how the proper upbringing of a person finally helps in bonding strong relationship. The film also shows the conscience that Ganesh possesses, after reaching a particular stage, when he confesses about his guilt to his beloved and she too forgives him with a big heart. With many more dramatic moments, the film comes with a package of total entertainment for all age groups.