Film maker Rajiv Patil dies due to heart attack
Noted film maker and national award winning film director Rajiv Patil is no more. He passed away due to heart attack today in Mumbai. Rajiv had come into limelight at national level, when his film ‘Jogwa’ won the National award. But, recently, his film ’72 Miles’ which was the first Marathi production of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, brought him name and fame.
Having also made variety of films like ‘Oxygen’, ‘Blind Game’, ‘Savarkhed Ek gaon’, ‘Sanai Choughade’ and ‘Pangira’, he created his own identity of handling any subject with perfection. His forthcoming film ‘Vanshavel’ is all set to release shortly. His funeral will take place at Nashisk – Panchavi tomorrow morning around 9 am. MMW sincere tributes to his departed soul.
‘Jogwa’ comes out strong against superstition
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Rating: 4/5
Presenter: IDream Productions Pvt. Ltd Producer: Shripal Morakhia Director: Rajiv Patil Screen Play: Sanjay Patil Music: Ajay Atul Cast: Upendra Limaye, Mukta Barve, Vinay Apte, Amita Khpkar, Kishor Kadam, Sharvari Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
Television and Cell phones have reached most of the villages in India. We talk about reforms but superstition still exits in many villages. The so called society, which treats the Jogtas and Jogtins as children of Goddess, go to the extent of exploiting them with inhuman treatment by branding them as Eunuchs and prostitutes. The latest marathi film ‘Jogwa’ goes on to show the naked truth in such a society in an effective manner. Director Rajiv Patil ( ‘Savarkhed Ek Gaon’ & ‘Sanai Choughade’fame ) takes up this burning issue, which still persists in few villages in India.
Set on the backdrop of a village in Karnataka, where Goddess Yelamma’s strong influence leads to interpretation by some money minded people to exploit the villagers in the name of superstition. In fact, the influence of the Goddess is just a metaphor, to show how the villagers are made to believe in old rituals to cure from an ailment or minor disorder. In the case of young girl Suli( Mukta Barve) , her mother faces a knot while combing her daughter’s hair and considering it as a serious issue, Suli is taken to Akkubai( Amita Khopkar) who is an interpreter. With her team of Jogtins and Jogtas she forces the family to offer their daughter to serve the Goddess. At the same time a youngster– Tayappa( Upendra Limaye) is brought by his father( Vinay Apte) to the same place, as he has been passing blood through urine. Tayappa is forced to become a Jogta, much against his wish.
Soon Tayappa gets adapted to the lifestyle of Jogta and he sings in the name of the Goddess and earns for his living. Suli learns to dance to please the Goddess. She falls in love with a stranger, who comes to village for his earnings. She flirts with him; but when it comes to contract marriage to support her; he runs away. Tayappa loves Suli from his heart, but he cannot express his love. Finally, both the victims come together for common cause. They revolt against their society and the film conveys a clear message of fight against superstition.
‘Jogwa’ is well presented with superb photography, perfect locations, good editing work and well suited music score. The film has appropriate artistes placed at the right spot. There is also a teacher who is educating the villagers to stay away from wrong practices. “ I am not against worshipping the Goddess, but the interpretation of offerings to Goddess is wrong. The Government wants to rehabilitate all Jogtas and Jogtins, through reforms,” he pleads. His repeated appeal only helps two sensible youngsters to revolt against the existing practice. But, one fails to understand as to why the two lovers, don’t approach the teacher-cum-social worker to come out of the trap. Why they had to go and challenge their own people in the open? But, then, without melodrama, there cannot be a cinema.
In all, ‘Jogwa’ is a very sensible film and a worth watch for all those freedom loving youngsters living in city; so that they understand the plight of their counterparts living in villages , who are subjected to atrocities by their own people in the name of superstition. Both Upendra and Mukta have come out with wonderful performances. Their hot love scenes have been captured well. Among the other performers, Kishore Kadam, Vinay Apte and Shravani Pillay are impressive. Music by Ajay-Atul is good.
Rajiv Patil, Director
Rajiv Patil is known as one of the most renowned directors in Marathi film industry. He already has proven himself through super hit movie ‘Savarkhed-Ek Gaon’ and two other movies. Because of his sincere efforts, devotion and consistent performance, he got the opportunity to direct Mukta Art’s first Marathi movie- ‘Sanai Chaughade’. Rajiv shared his experience of ‘Sanai Chaughade’ and his directional thoughts behind huge success of the movie.
How was the overall experience of ‘Sanai Chaughade?’
It was great. I have already directed three Marathi movies. But I always start movie as the new one and. This movie is the product of resourceful teamwork. We all had amazing rapo with each other and thus everyone including Santosh, Subodh or even Shreyas was ready to devote their best of the performances. Being a director, I personally enjoyed the process making the movie a lot. As I was involved in it from story development to post production and everything I treated it as ‘my movie.’ It was fun and its some of the sweetest memories in my life.
You worked with one of the best production houses in India – ‘Mukta Arts’. How it was different than working with other productions?
See, the thing is I trust myself. I was selected because I am capable. And thus for me most important thing is to work efficiently. But yes, working with such a big production house was fascinating experience. I got a chance to interact with Subhash Ghai. Budget was good. Technical backup was excellent. Experts were there to guide. Obviously it was great environment to work.
It was commercial film. But still has element of social issue. How did you balance both sides?
My aim was to make a complete entertainment package and I don’t think entertainment can be delivered only through typical movies. Even thought provoking movies can provide fine entertainment. I was involved in the movie even from the primary stages. Thus, actually I didn’t find difficult to balance the both sides. As a commercial film, it reaches to the larger audiences and provokes them to think about the problem. Thus it has larger impact than any parallel film.
What were your thoughts while making movie?
Globalisation is changing life of even common man. I belong to small town and now working in the metro city. I have closely observed changing scenario. Marriage, relations, clothes, and thoughts everything is changing rapidly. Our marriage system, value of women or even concepts of feminism are changed. Forget the metros. But even in small towns of Maharashtra like Satara, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Nashik life is not stagnant. Views of young girls regarding sex and relation are changed. Being a close observer, I wanted to present it in front of masses and make them think about it. I tried to bring together all these things in the movie and I think I have successfully done the job.
What was Shreya’s contribution in the movie?
He was really concerned about the movie. He was the one who brought us together. He couldn’t devote of the time in actual shoot, but from pre productions to post production, from location selection to mixing and in each every process his vital contribution made the job easy for us. Even now he is completely aware about every show in the city, daily collection, response from masses.
What are your futures plans?
Three of my movies will be screened by this September. Also working over few other projects. As ‘Sanai Chaughade’ is getting huge appreciation, flow of new projects will certainly move toward me. But just like past I am going to select only best of the projects.