Marathi artistes grab attention in Hindi Serial ”Punyashlok Ahilyabai’
Over the years many Marathi artistes with their stage background have been able to display their acting skills through popular Hindi serials, thus reaching the viewers worldwide. Some names that come to our mind are Sulbha Deshpande, Ashok Saraf, Bharati Achrekar, Neena Kulkarni, Usha Nadkarni, Reema Lagoo, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Bhargavi Chirmule and many others who grabbed prominent roles in Hindi TV serials, besides also making it big in the Hindi film industry. But, have you noticed majority of Marathi artistes in one Hindi TV serial that too in a big budget period drama ?
We are talking about the ongoing popular Hindi TV serial ‘Punyashlok Ahilyabai’ a biographical period drama on the life of Ahilyabai Holkar the great female Sardar of the Maratha empire in Central India. This historical serial is being aired on Sony Television from Mon to Fri @ 7.30 pm. The serial has already completed 100 episodes successfully, with best screenplay supported by excellent performances by the artistes, majority of whom are from our Marathi stage, television and film industry.
The lead character of Malharrao Holkar is played by Rajesh Shringarpure known for his rich graceful voice in Marathi film industry followed by Aditi Jaltare who played Little Ahilya. And now, the grown up Ahilyabai is played by Aetasha Sansgiri, whom we earlier saw in few Marathi serials for the past three years, including ‘Chhoti Malkin’ in title role and ‘Dakkhancha Raja Jyotiba’ in which she played the key role of Yamai.
Snehalata Vasaikar who was seen playing an important character of Soyarabai in historical Marathi serial ‘Swarajyarakshak Sambhaji’ is now playing the key role of Gautamabai, Mother in law of ‘Ahilyabai’ . You will also notice Sukhada Khandkekar in a prominent role of Dwarkabai. Sukhada has performed earlier on Marathi stage and few Marathi serials besides playing the role of Anubai in popular 2015 Hindi film ‘Bajirao Mastani’.
There are many more Marathi artistes playing important roles in this serial like Varada Patil as Sitabai, Sameer Deshpande as Mankoji Shinde, Sanika Gadgil as Harkubai, Bhagyashree Nahvale as Banabai, Sulakshana Joglekar as Susheelabai, Abhay Harpale as Gangoba and so on. And all of them have grabbed the attention of worldwide viewers with their superb performances. Thanks to Producers Nitin Vaidya and Ninad Vaidya and director Jackson Sethi for offering this wonderful creation . A must watch historical serial for all.
Script for ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar’ film gets ready
Producers Balasaheb Karnavar Patil and Suryakant Kadakane and director Dilip Bhosale under the banner of Punyashlok Productions are getting ready to launch their bilingual film ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi’ in Marathi and Hindi with full preparation. The makers had engaged 20 experts from writing, literature and technical field for research and script writing work. Now, with the help of these 20 experts Dr. Murhari Sopanrao Kele has completed the script work in record time, despite the lock-down period.
It may be recalled that Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar’s history is not known to many people across the world and therefore an effort is being made by the film makers to spread this history through this film. According to Dr. Kele every member of the team paid attention on every important aspect in the life of this intelligent and highly respected noble sardar of the Maratha Empire in 18th century. Even today, she is considered as an ideal example of a perfect administrator. And therefore, there is a lot of curiosity among the film lovers about this film.
Writers, Professors and Researchers unite for script writing of ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi’
History based films and biopics on the lives of renowned persons need a lot of research and perfection, which ultimately find very good response from the audience. It is for this reason, Producer Balasaheb Karnavar Patil and director Dilip Bhosale have invited Dr. Murhari Kele to head the team of 20 respected writers and literary experts to work on the script of their film, ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi’ .
It is perhaps for the first time that such a big team of experts has been engaged by a Marathi film maker to create something authentic and big. The well known writers from different parts of Maharashtra associated with Dr. Murhari Kele are, Dr.Mahesh Kharat, Dr.Ramkishan Dahifale, Govind Kale, Editor- writer Prof. Ganesh Namdev Hake, Annasaheb Jahagirdar, Prof. Mukund valekar, Dr. Kishan Mane, Dr.Devidas Pote, Dr. Arun Gawde, Dr.Suryakant Kadakne, Dr.Vivek Kele, Sunil Ganesh Matkar, Laxman More, Govind kale, Bapusaheb Shinde, Madhavi Sanjay Shinde, Niharika Khondale, Yogesh Khairnar and actor Samir Vijayan.
‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi’ will be a biopic of Ahilyabai Holkar
Towards the end of 18th century Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar was the Holkar Queen of the Maratha Malwa kingdom, India. Rajmata Ahilyabai was born on 31 May 1725 in the village of Chondi in Jamkhed, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. She moved the capital to Maheshwar south of Indore on the Narmada River. Apart from being a brave queen and proficient ruler, was also an erudite politician. She observed the bigger picture when the Maratha Peshwa couldn’t pin down the agenda of the British.
A biopic on her life suitably titled ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi’ is being produced in Marathi and Hindi by Balasaheb Karnavar Patil and directed by Dilip Bhosale. Recently, the poster of this film was launched at the hands of Dy.C.M. Mr. Ajitdada Pawar , who was all praise for this effort made by the film makers. This being a historical subject presenting the character of a very important personality, the responsibility of research and writing has been handed over to the team headed by Dr. Murhari Sopanrao Kele.
Very soon the artistes of this film will be finalised and the makers propose to release this film during Diwali time of year 2021.