‘Elizabeth Ekadashi’ a creative film with a difference
Rating: ★★★ ½
Studio / Presenter: Essel Vision, Mayasabha Productions Producers:Nittin Keni, Nikhil Sane & Madhugandha Kulkarni Director: Paresh Mokashi Writer: M adhugandha Kulkarni Director of Photography: Amol Gole Music Director: Anand Modak Cast: Shrirang Mahajan, Saili Bhandarkavthekar, Pushkar Lonarkar, Nandita Dhuri, Vanmala Kinikar, Chaitanya Badve, Durgesh Badve – Mahajan, Chaitanya Kulkarni, Ashwini Bhalekar, Anil Kamble Movie Review by: Sanskruti Bhatkar |
Director Paresh Mokashi’s first film ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ was acclaimed nationally as well as internationally and had won many prestigious awards. He has now returned back after a gap of five years, with his second creative film ‘Elizabeth Ekadashi’, which has all the qualities of the world cinema and also has the local feel. This film neither has a regular ‘formula’ of a hero, heroine and villain, nor has a love story between boy and a girl.
The name of the film itself creates curiosity in the minds of the viewers. The three main characters in the film are little children, who are passionate and determined to save their bicycle ‘Elizabeth’. The whole movie has been picturized in Pandhapur, against the backdrop of Ekadashi Vaari, with the real people of Pandharpur and the devotees around.
‘Elizabeth Ekadashi’ , is a story of Dnyanesh (child artist Shrirang Mahajan) and Zendu (Saili Bhandarkavthekar) who are staying in Pandharpur, with their mother (Nandita Dhuri) grandmother (Vanamala Kinikar) and friends Ganya and Kalpit . Dnyanesh is a bright student of his school, who is fascinated with the theories of well-known scientist Isaac Newton and performs ‘Kirtan’s on ‘Saint’ Newton, which is liked by the local people. His family financially struggles a lot after the death of his father. As his mother is not able to pay the loan installments, the bank takes away her Knitting Machine, the source of her earnings; to be returned only after payment of some installments. The family struggles to collect the money for payment to the bank. Dnyanesh who is very fond of ‘Elizabeth’, the bicycle made by his father, strives hard to save her from getting sold, with the help of his sister Zendu and his friends.
Presented by Essel Vision Productions Ltd and Mayasabha, the producers of this film are: Nittin Keni, Nikhil Sane and Madhugandha Kulkarni. The story is written by Madhugandha Kulkarni, who has written the script of TV serial ‘Honar Soon Mi Ya Gharachi’. The screenplay and dialogues are jointly written by Paresh Mokashi and Madhugandha Kulkarni, who happen to be a husband and wife pair. Paresh Mokashi has also written the songs, while the music has been rendered by late Shri Anand Modak. Brilliant Camera work by Amol Gole, suitable costumes designed by Chaitali Dongre, and editing by Abhijit Deshpande have added to the quality of the film.
Best part of this film are the fine performances by all the artistes. For stage artist Nandita Dhuri, it has been a good opportunity, to display her talent, while all the three child artistes Shrirang Mahajan, Saili Bhandarkavthekar, Pushkar Lonarkar have played their roles, remarkably well. The film’s screenplay has universal values, taking into account the struggle of the family, in absence of the head of the family, to keep the fire burning in their house. The film carries a strong message for children of all age group as well as elders. This film is likely to win many awards and is a ‘must watch’ for children and parents alike.
Elizabeth Ekadashi (एलिझाबेथ एकादशी )
Release Year: 2014 ( 14 November)
Genres: Drama
Censor: U
Duration: 130 min.
Studio/presenter: Essel Vision And Mayasabha
Producer(s): Nitin keni, Nikhil Sane, Madhugandha Kulkarni
Executive Producer: na
Director: Paresh Mokashi
Writer: Madhugandha Kulkarni
ScreenPlay: Paresh Mokashi
Dialogues: Madhugandha Kulkarni, Paresh Mokashi
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Cast & Crew
Executive Producer: na
Director: Paresh Mokashi
Assistant Director: na
Writer: Madhugandha Kulkarni
ScreenPlay: Paresh Mokashi
Dialogues: Madhugandha Kulkarni, Paresh Mokashi
Lyrics: Paresh Mokashi
Music: Late Shri Anand Modak
Playback Singer: na
Cinematographer (DOP): Amol Gole
Editor: Abhijit Deshpande
Starcast: Shrirang Mahajan, Sayali Bhandarkavthekar, Pushkar Lonarkar, Nandita Dhuri, Vanmala Kinikar, Chaitanya Badve, Durgesh Badve-Mahajan
Costumes: Chaitrali Dongre
Makeup: Amod Doshi
Sound : Anmol Bhave
Background Score: na
Choreographer: na
DI, VFX: na
D.I. Colourist: na
Promos: na
Music Label: na
Publicity Designs: Vizual Junkies
P.R.O.: na
Distributor : Essel Vision
Synopsis
‘Elizabeth Ekadashi’ : Director Paresh Mokashi’s first film ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ was acclaimed nationally as well as internationally and had won many prestigious awards. He has now returned back after a gap of five years, with his second creative film ‘Elizabeth Ekadashi’, which has all the qualities of the world cinema and also has the local feel. This film neither has a regular ‘formula’ of a hero, heroine and villain, nor has a love story between boy and a girl.
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Review
‘Harischandrachi Factory’ is simply amazing !
Rating: na
Presenter: UTV Motion Pictures, Mayasabha Director: Paresh Mokashi Camera: Amalendu Chaudhary Art: Nitin Chandrakant Desai Music: Anand Modak Cast: Nandu Madhav, Vibhawari Deshpande, Mohit Gokhale, Atharve Karve, Dilip Joglekar, Ketan Karande, Dhiresh Joshi, Sandip Pathak, Vaibhav Mangle, Ganesh Mayekar, Ambarish Deshpande, Pravin Tarde, Mayur Khandge, Gary Richardson, Gary Tanton Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
After the announcement of its entry from India for Oscars and having won the hearts of audience abroad recently during various film festivals across the globe, ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ has indeed created a lot of anxiety among Indians about its recognition at Oscars. Watching this film during the recent Third Eye Film festival in Mumbai was a real pleasure. For every scene that was filled with humour, the elite audience comprising of foreign delegates seated in the balcony of Plaza Cinema, responded spontaneously.
‘Harischandrachi Factory’ is not only a beautifully crafted cinematic presentation about the making of India’s first feature film, but also depicts in a simple way as to how perseverance, hard work and a splash of humour, could make a realistic film. At a time when people in India were scared to watch the moving images shown at tent theatres, an enthusiastic photographer cum Magician from a middle class family dared to make first feature film in India. The film maker Paresh Mokashi has gone into details of the family life of Dadasaheb Phalke and the support he received from his family members and close friends during the making of ‘Raja Harischandra’ the first feature film of India.
What is more appreciating point about the film is that the film maker has almost recreated Mumbai 1911 with clever picturisation of scenes. Thanks to Art director Nitin Desai for his studio creations. Besides this unique theme which pays tributes to the Icon of Indian film industry, the film has best cinematic presentation with technical areas well managed. With required lobbying in US, the film stands all chances to win Oscars. UTV Motion Pictures who are marketing this film have scheduled the release of this much talked about film on January 22, 2010 all over India. Watch it with your family. It’s a biggest tribute to the grand old man of Indian cinema.
‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ which is co-produced by Paprika Media and Mayasabha Production is Paresh Mokashi’s directorial debut and stars many talented actors like Nandu Madhav, Vibhawari Deshpande, Mohit Gokhale, Atharve Karve, Dilip Joglekar, Ketan Karande, Dhiresh Joshi, Sandip Pathak, Vaibhav Mangle, Ganesh Mayekar, Ambarish Deshpande, Pravin Tarde, Mayur Khandge, Gary Richardson and Gary Tanton.