Debutant director Raj More has bagged National award for best debutant director for his short film ‘Khisa’, in the non feature film category. ‘Khisaa’ has already invited attention of the critics at the Indian and international festivals, where it was selected for screening. Reacting on this happy occasion, director Raj More says, ” You are all aware that for the past one year ‘Khisa’ has invited attention of people from all over the world, wherever this film was screened at different international film festivals. And now, with this National award I am very happy. This award is not my individual award, but belongs to the entire team of ‘Khisa’. Now, with this honour my team’s responsibility has increased and we assure to offer more quality films.”

‘Khisa’ was also selected at the 51st Indian International Film Festival in Goa. In Istambul Film Awards, ‘Khisa’ received best short film and best screenplay awards and now for the IFA’s annual Live Screening Event for Golden Star award to be held in Istambul, Turkey in March 2021 the film has become eligible. Written by Kailash Waghmare, the story of this film revolves around a small boy from a village . The film stars Kailash Waghmare, Meenakshi Rathod, Shruti Madhideep, Dr. Sheshpal Ganvir and Vedant Kshirsagar.

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Film maker Makarand Mane is a happy man. His debut Marathi film ‘Ringan-The Quest‘ has been declared ‘Best Marathi Film‘ at the 63rd National film awards, announced on Monday. Another Marathi film personality and classical singer, Mahesh Kale has also impressed, by winning the Best Singer’s National award, for the popular Marathi film ‘Katyar Kaljat Ghusali‘.

Another award comes to ‘Daaravtha‘ a short film Starring Nishant Bhavsar, Nandita Patkar and Anurag Worlikar. The director of this film Nishant Roy Bombarde has won the best debut director’s award. Film maker Nagraj Manjule has also one more feather in his cap. This year, one artiste from his film ‘Sairat‘, Rinku Rajguru bagged the Special appreciation National award, for her performance in this film. ‘Lai Bhari‘ fame Marathi actress Tanvi Azmi bagged the best supporting actress National award , for her performance in the film ‘Bajirao Mastani‘.

This year, the best Indian film national award went to ‘Bahubali- The Beginning‘, while the best actor and best actress went to Mr. Amitabh Bachchan & Kangana Ranaut, for their performances in the films ‘Piku‘ and ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns‘ respectively.

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Rating: ★★★
Studio/presenter: Chitraksha Films
Producer: Vitthalrao Nanasaheb Karhade
Writer, Director: Bhaurao Karhade
Music: Rohit Nagbhide
Director of Photography: Veerdhaval Patil
Editor: Roshan Patil
Genres: Drama
Censor: U/A
Duration: 125 Min.
Cast: Shashank Shende, Anil Nagarkar, Bhau Shinde, Surekha, Yogesh Dimbale, Rasika Chavhan, Vaishnavi Dhore, Chandrakant Dhumal, Prashant Ingale, Vaishali Kendale, Amol Thorat, Hemat Kadam
Movie Review by:

Ulhas Shirke

Marathi films have shown us rural Maharashtra, highlighting the problems of drought affected areas and suicides of farmers. But, we have neither seen the lifestyle of shepherds nor their rough journey for survival. Latest released Marathi film ‘Khwada’- ( Obstacle), which has won two national and five state awards, not only shows the exploitation of these poor shepherds; but, also shows, how the helpless young lot of this community, revolts against the administrators, when the injustice becomes unbearable.

Producer director Bhaurao Karhade, who has shot this film with many new faces, has opted only for one known face from Marathi films, Shashank Shende. The film is set on the backdrop of the outskirts of villages in Pune district, with focus on a family of shepherd community, which is always on the move, to find feed for the herd of their sheep, their only belonging. Raghu( Shashank Shende) , the head of the family, does all the work of taking good care of the herd of his sheep, with the help of his two sons, one of them Panda, who is married with wife and two children and the other, who is a bodybuilder youngster Balu( Bhau Shinde) . The two ladies in their family cook food for the family in the open. In fact, the living condition of this community is clearly shown by the director, through this film.

The screenplay of the film moves in a natural way, showing how the family fix the marriage of Balu and how the family becomes helpless, when the corrupt village administrator, cheats them, by picking up lambs from the herd, as and when required, without paying them. The film takes a sudden turn, in the post interval stage, when young Balu cannot stand to the harassment by the village administrator and turns a protagonist in the concluding part of the film.

During the entire film, it is one actor Shashank Shende , in the role of Raghu, steals the show, with his brilliant performance, with superb body language and use of perfect dialect, suited to his character. In his presence, Bhau Shinde has done his best to make his presence felt. Anil Nagarkar plays the cruel villain in Bollywood style; but has impressed with his performance. Good support comes from the other newcomers. There are only three fight scenes in the film and they are very natural. In fact, it is because of the perfection in sound design, usage of their language of communication between all the characters, selection of real locations and the perspective of the film maker, The film leaves a deep impact on the audience.

From the start till end, the audience imagine themselves, as part of the film; with director taking them on a rough journey, along with shepherd family. There are few flaws in the film’s screenplay. The period of this story, signifies present days, showing use of mobile phones by the family. But, the filmmaker has avoided the police and the media, over happening of serious matters. The Village head, who plays the villain in this film, represents the ‘One man rule’. But, the villagers are shown literate, reading news papers. Therefore, whatever happens in climax is not very convincing, considering the present time. The filmmaker does give a hint at the end of the film that he would return with a sequel, in 2017, showing some members of the family migrating to Pune city. So, we will have to wait for Part 2, to know more about the progress of this community and change in attitude of the administration.

Certainly, not a film for the masses; but those who like to watch realistic films on the lives of poor and oppressed people, shouldn’t miss this film. It throws light on Government’s apathy towards the shepherd community and warns all those corrupt and atrocious village administrators, about the revolt from the poor, when things become unbearable for them. Last but not the least, the efforts of the film maker, on making a film on this subject, have to be appreciated.

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Marathi artistes have once again proved their ability at the national level. While ‘Fandry’ received two awards for the best child artiste- Somnath Avaghade and best debut direction- Nagraj Manjule, Bela Shende received the best playback female singer award for her song in Marathi film ‘Tuhya Dharma Koncha’ . This film also won the national award for best social film. Sumitra Bhave has won the national award for best dialogues in her Marathi film ‘Astu’, while Amruta Subhash has won best supporting actress award for her performance in the same film.

Marathi film ‘Yellow’ received special jury award , while child artiste Gauri Gadgil was special mention by the jury, for her performance in ‘Yellow’ . This year’s Best Marathi film award went to ‘Aajcha Diwas Majha’.

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Marathi artistes and Marathi film makers have brought pride to Maharashtra by winning the major awards at the 60th National awards announced today. This clearly proves that Marathi artistes are talented and the new directors are attempting something different to invite the attention of the country and also receiving acclaim at international film festivals. Can we now expect a change of taste in Marathi audience?
Now, the good news is that Marathi artistes have won awards in three major categories; i.e. Best actor- Vikram Gokhale ( who has shared this award with Irrfan Khan) for his performance in ‘Anumati’. Best actress award is bagged by Usha Jadhav for her outstanding performance in ‘Dhag’ and for the same film Shivaji Lotan Patil bagged the best direction award . To add one more feather in the cap of ‘Dhag’ child actor Hansraj Jagtrap has bagged special award.

Aarti Anklikar Tikekar has bagged the best Playback Singer’s award for film ‘Samhita’ and for the same film Shailendra Barve has bagged best Music director’s award. . This has certainly set Marathi flag fly high at the National level. Marathi film ‘Investment’ was declared the Best Marathi film for the year 2012.
All these three Marathi films are yet to be officially released in theatres; but their release at various festivals has already received acclaim from the Jury and critics . Marathi film ‘Dhag’ had already received 7 nominations at Ma Ta Sanman award and we understand that Usha Jadhav has bagged Best actress award there too. Marathi Movie World was quick enough to interview Usha on the eve of the award, after watching her film ‘Dhag’ at the festival. She was also declared the ‘Star of the Month’ honour by Marathi Movie World.

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