Mrinal Kulkarni joins Founders’ Board of Planet Marathi
Popular Marathi television and film actress Mrinal Kulkarni has joined the Founders Board of Planet Marathi OTT and A Vistas Media Capital Company recently. Mrinal having experience of her long career in acting and now as a director screenplay writer, will be of great help to Planet Marathi, to take Marathi films at the top level, with her active presence with them.
Speaking about her new association with Planet Marathi, Mrinal says, “This is a very happy moment for me . But, at the same time there will be a lot of responsibility. Today, the Web world is looking forward to place before the audience their best content fearlessly. Planet Marathi has already made a good beginning and therefore I have totake their Marathi flag higher across the globe by contributing from my side.” At the same time Mr. Akshay Bardapurkar has also .welcomed the entry of Mrinal Kulkarni. She will begin her work with Planet Marathi from this month of June 2022.
Marathi short film ‘Arjun’ wins first prize
In order to offer opportunities to new film makers, Planet Marathi had organized ‘Planet Marathi Short Film Festival’ ( PMSFF) recently. This festival had received a very good response with 1600 entries. Out of which five short films were selected for awards. The judges of this competition were Sanjay Jadhav, Mrunal Kulkarni, Kiran Yadnyopavit, Nikhil Mahajan and Sarvesh Parab.
Madhuban Film’s ‘Arjun’ bagged the first prize comprising of Rs. 5 lakhs. The second prize of Rs. 3 lakhs was awarded to ‘Arjun’s story’ made by Rakhadi Sudios, while the third prize of Rs. 2 lakhs went to Rakhadi Studios ‘Avanti’. The consolation prizes of Rs. 50,000/- were awarded to Rakhadi Studios’ ‘Abhi- Anu’ and Rs. 30,000/- ‘ Amar Gore and Akbar Sayyad’s short film ‘Aatman’.
Planet Marathi founder Mr. Akshay Bardapurkar expressed his happiness for the overwhelming response received from new film makers for this short film festival, which was organized by them for the first time. “All the films were well presented with variety of subjects and had very good artistes. So, it was a difficult task for the judges to shortlist five films . But, they did their job very well,” he said.
New Web Series ‘RaanBaazaar’ to release on 20th May
After directing popular Marathi films like ‘Rege’ and ‘Thackeray’, Abhijit Panse is now ready with his new Marathi web series ‘RaanBaazaar (रानबाजार)’ which will be released on OTT platform on 20th May 2022. Produced by Planet Marathi , A Vistas Media Capital Company , recently the teaser of this web series had generated a lot of curiosity. Today, the trailer of this series will be out and it is clear that two top Marathi actresses Tejaswini Pandit and Prajakta Mali are playing the lead roles. 
Namrata Gaikwad, Prajataka Mali, Urmila Kanitkar Kothare, Tejaswini Panadit, Raanbazaar web series, Madhuri Pawar, Anant Jog
According to Planet Marathi OTT Chief Akshay Bardapurkar, this web series which will be a political thriller, will offer action filled content with the support of renowned artistes, who are part of this film. Mr. Bardapurkar has full confidence in the work of Abhijit Panse and feels that he has done full justice to his work as a creative director.
Kranti Redkar directed film soon on Planet Marathi
Well Known Marathi actress Kranti Redkar had made her debut in direction few years ago through her film ‘Kakan’. Now, her second film as director ‘Rainbow- Sohala Aathvya Rangacha (रेनबो – सोहळा आठव्या रंगाचा)’ will soon release on Planet Marathi OTT platform. This film has been produced by Planet Marathi’s Akshay Bardapurkar and Mangorange Productions’ Hridaya Bannerjee. The film will present colourful journey of changing relationship in today’s generation and stars Sonalee Kulkarni and Rishi Saxena in lead roles.
Speaking about her film director Kranti Redkar said that she was happy about her association with Planet Marathi through her film and has thanked Planet Marathi for giving her this opportunity. “After ‘Kanan’ I wanted to attempt something new and first wrote the story of this film. Thereafter, I found suitable artistes. They are all my good friends and therefore I am enjoying their company. I am sure, the audience will like this film.” Mr. Akshay Bardapurkar has also praised the work of Kranti in her earlier film ‘Kakan’ and feels confident about her work as a director in this film too.
Planet Marathi make their presence felt at Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE
Maharashtra Government, Cultural Department have organised Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE, between 19th November to 26th November. On this occasion in the Indian Pavilion, the first Marathi OTT platform Planet Marathi made its presence felt, with teaser launch of their web series ‘Sahela Re’ and organising premiere show of their film ‘Goshta Eka Paithanichi’.
This was well received with the presence of Maharashtra Cultural Minister Amit Deshmukh and other dignitaries like IAS Shri Saurabh Vijay, IAS Kailash Pagare and IAS Shri Kumar Khaire. Speaking on this occasion Mr. Deshmukh was all praise for the efforts taken by Planet Marathi for offering quality content and wished them all the best for future progress. Planet Marathi which has the support of Vitas Media Capital Co. to reach out to worldwide audience also received the ‘Achievers Award’ on this occasion. Mr. Bardapurkar chief of Planet Marathi seemed to be very happy with this latest achievement of Planet Marathi.
Diwali Pahaat Musical programme ‘Bhimanna’ dedicated to Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
With some restrictions of theatre attendance still implemented, instead of hosting live programmes in presence of audience in theatres, Planet Marathi have come up with a novel idea of presenting a musical programme ‘Bhimanna’ on the occasion of ‘Diwali Pahaat’ on 5th November 2021 on their OTT platform. This being the centenary year of celebration of his birth anniversary, this programme which can be seen worldwide, is dedicated to Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and his classical presentations such as, ‘Tirth Vithha’, ‘Sakhi Mand Jhalya Taraka’, ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’ and many others will be presented on this occasion.
The main attraction of this programme is that all these songs of Panditji will be rendered by Ustaad Rashid Khan, while this programme will be anchored by Sunil Barve, who will also speak to Panditji’s close relatives and friends. The programme will also present the other side of Panditji and his way of encouraging new young singers. In all, it will be a good treat for music lovers, on the occasion of Diwali.
Madhuri Dixit launches Planet Marathi
The official launch of much talked about Planet Marathi OTT app was held today in presence of Madhuri Dixit in Mumbai. Present on this occasion were Head of Planet Marathi Mr. Akshay Bardapurkar along with Marathi celebrities Amruta Khanvilkar, Tejaswini Pandit, Siddharth jadhav, Sonalee Kulkarni, Prasad Oak, Sachit Patil, Prajakta Mali, Bhargavi Chirmule, Gayatri Datar, Sanjay Jadhav, Sonalee Khare, Sayali Sanjeev, Surbhi Hande, Nikhil Mahajan, Deepti Devi, Bhagyashree Milind, Resham Srivardhankar & Sushant Shelar.
At present Planet Marathi have 40 Marathi films / Web Series to choose from and have decided to offer more films in next three months. In next one year they have planned to offer 24 web series on different subjects, besides other entertaining programmes like talk shows , music videos , concerts and other content. Speaking on this occasion, Madhuri Dixit was all praise for this effort made by Planet Marathi to reach out to Marathi audience scattered all over the world. “ To be part of this big moment is itself a big honour,” she added.
Trailer of ‘Parees’ released on social media
New web series ‘Parees’ is all set for release on 31st August on Planet Marathi OTT platform. Trailer of this series has been released on social media , which clearly indicates that the subject of this web series is based on superstition and has been shot on the backdrop of a village. The trailer also gives a hit that in search of Gold, the villagers are ready to perform any act based on superstition. The desperation of the characters in this series to achieve their ultimate desire is clearly noticed in this trailer.
The team of Mayur Karambalkar, Kuldeep Dangade and Vishal Sangle are behind the story, screenplay and direction respectively of this series and the series is presented by Planet Marathi and One Cam productions. Cinematography is by Sopan Purandare. According to the makers of this web series, they have tried to create awareness among the people about the damage caused due to belief in such superstitious thinking.
‘Hing Pustak Talwar’ promises non stop entertainment
After offering two different serious subjects through web series ‘Soppa Nasta Kahi’ and ‘Jobless’, Planet Marathi will now offer non stop entertainment through their new web series ‘Hing Pustak Talwar’. This new web series will be aired on their OTT platform from 31st August 2021. There was a lot of curiosity about the title of this web series. Therefore the trailer of this series has received good response from youth on social media.
The trailer of this series clearly indicates that it revolves around youth who have different attitude towards their lifestyle. So, there is Akshay( Shaunak Chandorkar) who is fed up of corporate world. Amit( Sushant Ghadge) who is trapped in the commitment with his girlfriend and boss. Simple and innocent Amruta( Ketki Kulkarni) , Then, there is Samar(Kshitij Date) who arranges marriages but also looking for a would be in every girl he comes across. Also Kaustubh( Neil Salekar) who is the most talkative with close friends but quiet in front of other. Sanika( Mansi Bhavalkar) who is most practical and Pande( Alok Rajwade) who has solution for every problem of others. So, you can imagine, what will happen when they come together.
Omkar Rege and Tanmay kanitkar have written the script of this series and is directed by Nipun Dharmadhikari, Nitish Patankar, Anupam Barve and Makarand Shinde.
New live- in relationship between one woman and two men on Marathi screen
Polyamory is the practice of intimate relationships with more than one partner, with the informed consent of all partners involved. This concept is practiced in western countries. So, why not show it in our Marathi cinema, seems to be the stand of makers of forthcoming Marathi film ‘Soppa Nasta Kahi’. They are also inspired by Draupadi in Mahabharat who had five husbands. So, their modern day Draupadi who is the leading lady of this film, lives with two men. Mrunmayee Deshpande plays the modern day Draupadi in this film, with Shashank Ketkar and Abhijeet Khandkekar playing the two men in her life. The film is directed by Mayuresh Joshi.
Recently, the trailer of this film was released on social media. And we find two men in the life of actress Mrunmayee Deshpande whom we find living with these two men. It is for the first time such a concept is being introduced in a Marathi film and therefore it remains to be seen how the Marathi film lovers would respond to this subject on OTT platform. The film will be released on Planet Marathi OTT platform on 31st August 2021. Viewers can watch this film on this OTT platform against nominal payment.