Cancellation of ‘Laathi’ show helps ‘Mumbai Pune Mumbai-2′
Late Sanjay Surkar’s last directed film ‘Laathi’ had announced its release in about fifty screens in Mumbai and surrounding areas from today, i.e. 11th December 2015. But, the film could not be released today at Plaza Cinema, Dadar, where the show of this film was scheduled at 3.30 pm. As a result of this, those who had come to see the film at this venue, preferred to watch ‘Mumbai Pune Mumbai-2′ for the second time, instead of returning home disappointed. MarathiMovieWorld.com correspondent , who had gone to see this film, noticed this scene at Plaza cinema ticket window.
It may be recalled that the makers of ‘Lathi’ neither had any press show for the media people, nor did they promote the film, in spite of having many big artistes like Sachin Khedekar & Subodh Bhave in this film.
Actually, this friday, there were three films to be released simultaneously. Out of which ‘Sangharsha Yatra’ backed out, postponing its release. But, ‘Laathi’ kept on is using daily ads in newspapers, about its release this friday. There was no clear indication, as to why the film’s show was cancelled. While the booking clerk at the ticket window stated that the film will be released on Saturday, the door keeper standing near the window, stated that there was no guarantee of the film’s release, even next day. We had heard about cancellation of a film’s show on the first day, for the reason of non arrival of print or non availability of audience; but the release of a film on Saturday, instead of Friday, is a news to film industry.
Whatever may be the reason, but the audience who had gone to see this film at different venues on the first day, must have been surely disappointed, as this was the last film of creative director Late Sanjay Surkar and the new producers had released this film, perhaps to pay tributes to the film maker of sensible Marathi films in the past. However, at Plaza Cinema, the makers of ‘Mumbai Pune Mumbai-2′ should thank the makers of ‘Lathi’ for the cancellation of their show, on the first day.
Laathi (लाठी )
Genres: Drama
Rating: na
Censor: U
Duration: 130 min.
Studio/presenter: Star Talash Promotions
Producers: Janardan Vishnu Kulkarni, Prasanna Babasaheb Tanwade
Executive Producer: na
Director: Sanjay Surkar
Writer: na
ScreenPlay: na
Dialogues: na
Official Facebook Page I Twitter
Cast & Crew
Executive Producer: na
Director: Sanjay Surkar
Assistant Director: na
Writer: na
ScreenPlay: na
Dialogues: na
Lyrics: na
Music: na
Playback Singer: na
Cinematographer (DOP): na
Editor: Sunil Dhanve
Starcast: Sachin Khedekar, Nagesh Bhosle, Subodh Bhave, Smita Tambe, Shakti Kapoor
Costumes: na
Makeup: na
Sound : na
Background Score: na
Choreographer: na
DI, VFX: na
D.I. Colourist: na
Promos: na
Music Label: na
Publicity Designs: na
P.R.O.: na
Distributor : Om Rajat Enterprises
Synopsis
‘Laathi’ : This film is a socially relevant drama that charts the journey of a school teacher, who devotes his entire life imparting knowledge to children, only to realise that what they had learned from him was completely different.
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News / Article / Interview
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Movie Still(s)
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Review
SUKHAANT- A debatable but touching story
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Rating: na
Producer: Anuya Mhaiskar. Director: Sanjay Surkar Camera: Harish Joshi Writer: Kiran Yadnopavit Editor: Manav Datta, Vishwas Dhabolkar Cast: Atul Kulkarni, Jyoti Chandekar, Kavita Lad Medhekar, Tushar Dalvi… Movie Review by: Sadeep |
Producer Anuya Mhaiskar’s ‘Sukhaant” directed by veteran Sanjay Surkar discusses the serious topic of euthanasia i.e. mercy killing. The approval of the lawmakers has still not been received for mercy killing but this film poignantly supports the concept of mercy killing.
Pratap Gunje (Atul Kulkarni) is a lawyer from a well to do family living with his wife (Kavita Lad Medhekar) and son. In a freak accident Pratap’s mother Sitabai Gunje(Jyoti Chandekar) gets injured and her hands and legs are paralyzed . No hopes for revival makes Sitabai an angry and frustrated lady who
wants an easy death to relieve her of a life of a vegetable though her son and family take good care of her. But the old lady doesn’t wan t to burden herself on anyone and asks her lawyer son to file a petition for mercy killing, a plea which is refused by the courts. But Pratap can’t bear his mothers pain and kills her with great remorse and surrenders himself to the police.
The climax is very bold and the more conservatives like the doctor played by Tushar Dalvi feel that mercy killing is agreeable
to the heart and not the mind and that we shouldn’t play God and try to treat the patients as far as possible.
The film though a tad serious is made watchable by the lead performers especially Jyoti Chandekar and Atul Kulkarni who excel in the ‘breakdown’ scene in the climax. Both Kavita Lad Medhekar and Tushar Dalvi are impressive. The rest of the cast supports well.
The music by Ashok Patki offers few good tunes. The film has been written well by Kiran Yadnopavit. The DOP has done his job well and the lighting effect especially in the courtroom scenes and during the traffic sequence, where Atul gathers his thoughts is well captured. The sound provided in the background is amazing. Director Sanjay Surkar is a master at handling such subjects and does his job well. The producer Anuya Mhaiskar should be lauded for backing such a serious subject instead of opting for routine comedy or gross songs. In all, a thought provoking film, certainly a worth watch.
Two new serials on E-TV Marathi
In spite of the recession period in other sectors, the Marathi film industry stood firm with good business during the year 2009. Even the fear of swine flu did not deter the enthusiastic audience from watching the films in theatres in places like Pune and surroundings which generally attract a good crowd for Marathi films. In fact, the strike observed by producers and distributors of Hindi films, indirectly helped a Marathi film like ‘Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’, which was released around that period. The multiplex owners in Maharashtra welcomed this film, which made a good business for them too.
Year 2009 also saw the arrival of big wigs like Eros entertainment, Zee talkies and Sanjay Ghodavat Group entering the business and offering a good distribution network and required publicity that was very much required to popularise Marathi films. To name a few, films like ‘Ek Daav Dhobi Pachaad’, ‘Gaiir’, ‘Jogwa’ and ‘Rita’ did a good business. At the same time, a sensible films like ‘Gabhricha Paus’ invited the attention of foreigners during various Film festivals abroad. Both ‘Harischandrachi Factory’ and ‘Jogwa’ staked their claim for India’s entry for Oscars with their universal subject and finest presentation; but ‘Harischandrachi Factory’ which had an edge over ‘Jogwa’ for being the film made on the life of the Grand old man of Indian cinema, was finally selected.
It looked like that the new cinema had almost taken over from the traditional comedy films of 80’s and 90’s which remained dominated by Ashok saraf and Laxmikant Berde. Today, we find lots of new faces displaying their talents through new subjects. Renuka Shahane tried a new experiment with her own production through ‘Rita’ by making Pallavi Joshi to play lead opposite an ageing hero of Hindi films Jackie Shroff. She was more confident of her script. And, her experiment did work well . ‘Sukhaant’ directed by Sanjay Surkar and ‘Samaantar’ directed by Amol Palekar offered the audience totally different subjects, which were so necessary to change the taste of audience.
There were films like ‘Gandha’ ,‘Made in China’ and ‘Lonavala Bypass’ which were also based on new subjects, succeeded in inviting the attention of new audience particularly in multiplexes. While the traditional comedy films continued during 2009 with the focus on big screens, but except for ‘Ek Daav Dhobi Pachhad’ no other film could pull the crowds. Among the new directors, Satish Rajwade invited the attention of one and all for offering two hits.
What is more appreciated about today’s Marathi films is that there are more technically perfect films with better cinematic presentation. We also saw Ajay- Atul offering best of music in many films. At the same time we should also appreciate the efforts put in by all those cinematographers, sound & editing experts and choreographers. With 2009 now coming to an end, all eyes on 2010 which welcomes a bunch of Marathi films with new subjects lined up during the month of January, to offer some more variety. But, we are eagerly waiting for that most prestigious Oscar award to be won by a marathi film. Will ‘Harischandrachi Factory’ succeed in doing so ?
‘Sukhaant’ talks about Mercy Killing !
Acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Surkar’s latest film ‘Sukhaant’ deals with the controversial subject of mercy killing. It discusses the right of people with no hope of living to die honorably. Atul Kulkarni plays the protagonist, whose mother is afflicted with a grave ailment. She asks her son to give her the right to die with her own choice. Having made up her mind, the mother forces her son to seek court approval for her self-willed death.
The film raises the ultimate question as a suffering mother demands justice and her lawyer son struggles between his love for mother and doing the right thing.
When fiercely independent and a self-made mother Sitabai meets with an accident that deems her quadriplegic, her life changes forever. Her son Pratap, who is a successful lawyer, takes care of his bed-ridden mother. Even as her dear ones surround her with much love and attention, Sitabai is unable to live at other’s mercy. Everyday she pleads to her son to relieve her from the sufferings with mercy killing . Pratap is unwilling to grant her this peculiar wish. With the passage of time adamant Sitabai gives up food and her condition deteriorates further. When he can no longer bear to watch his helpless mother suffer, Pratap decides to move the court to grant his mother ‘her wish’ to end her life.
The film has tried to send a timely message to the society and hence would certainly invite the attention of one and all. The other cast comprises of Kavita Lad Medhekar, Jyoti Chandekar and Tushar Dalvi. The film is written by Kiran Yadnopavit and is produced by Anuya Mhaiskar. The film is all set for an early release.
‘Sukhaant’ is based on real facts! – Sanjay Surkar
Sanjay Surkar is known for his realistic, hard hitting movies on social problems. His films like ‘Saatchya Aat Gharat’, ‘Aapli Manse’, ‘Chaukat Raja’ etc have been critically lauded. His latest film is ‘Sukhaant’ based on the controversial problem of euthanasia or mercy killing. We spoke to Sanjay about his new film. Here are some excerpts.
How did you think of making a film on euthanasia?
I had been to a friend’s house and he was really troubled by the state of his elderly mother who was comatose for the last eleven years. His predicament really troubled me and I did research on the net regarding euthanasia or mercy killing which is being considered by many lawmakers but still has not been implemented.
Your casting of Jyoti Chandekar as the old paralyzed woman requesting her son Atul Kulkarni for moving court to grant her wish of mercy killing is a powerful performance. How did you manage this?
I didn’t know Jyoti that well nor have I seen her plays or serials or films. But I didn’t need a
star or a known face for the role of the old woman. I needed an actor who would look rustic and speak the rustic lingo. She would come to me from now and then for a role and this time I did offer her the all important role of the paralyzed woman who wants to die with dignity and without troubling her dear ones.
How did you cast Atul Kulkarni as the son grieving for his mother?
I needed a face who is though a lawyer but would look village bred. And Atul Kulkarni is a powerful performer as is the performance in ‘Sukhaant’.
International Acclaim for Sandeep Kulkarni !
Popular star of Marathi films, Sandeep Kulkarni, known for his award winning performances in films like ‘Shwas’, ‘Dombivli Fast’, ‘Bedhund’, etc has been honoured with the Best Actor Award for his film ‘Ek Daav Sansaracha’ at the Nigerian Film Festival 2009. It is Sandeep’s first international award although the film has won accolades in international film festivals in Pune,London, Kolkata, etc. The film stars Sarika Nilatkar and is directed by Sanjay Surkar. Congratulations Sandeep!
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‘SAKHI’ REVIEW
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Rating: na
Company: Shree Chintamani Vision Producers: Lata Narvekar, Bharati Acharekar Director: Sanjay Surkar Story: Gautam Rajadhyaksha, Yogesh Khadikar Music: Ashok Patki Lyricst: Sudhir Moghe Cameraman: Harish Joshi Cast: Ashok Saraf, Sonali Kulkarni, Subodh Bhave, Usha Nadkarni, Raghavendra Kalkol, Pushkar Shotri, Lokesh Gupte, Santosh Juvekar, Jyoti Joshi, Kishor Mahabole… Movie Review by: Nisha Garud |
Far of from the usual storylines of commercial movies where two people meet, develop romantic love for each other and then live a happy life every after, Sanjay Surkar’s Sakhi is a movie which is unusual in all respects and aspects. It moves away from typical comedy forcibly included in movies to deviate the audience’s attention from a weak script and keep the movie going. Sakhi is a story of a relationship that develops between two strangers brought together by fate.
The two strangers, Suryakant Jagdale(Ashok Saraf) and Nishi ( Sonali Kulkarni ) find each other at a such a time in their life when both need support and a mentor to guide them. Suryakant, an accountant returns to his village Jatgaon, where he is born and brought up by his godmother Kunda Tai (Usha Nadkarni). He hides the fact from her and his friends that he is actually been fired from his job. He decides to spend his time by doing something for the villagers. But his all efforts end in vain. Restless, frustrated and tired, Suryakant contemplates on what is to be done next when he hears a woman’s cry for help.
Soaked in blood and badly bruised, he sees Nishi (Sonali Kulkarni) being chased by two men. He saves her and takes her to his house. Nishi narrates the tale of how she was married of by her brothers into a rich Inamdar family. She comes to know on her wedding night itself that her husband is not loyal to her. Her brother-in-law eyes her every time with bad intension and her mother -in-law turns a blind eye to all this and reminds her that she should actually be obliged to them for taking her into their family and not complain.
Sonali Kulkarni gives her best performance ever as a woman suppressed by the conditions, trying her best to adjust to her cursed fate. Unable to bear the brunt any longer, she runs away from the house. When is refused an entry into her brother’s house, she admits herself into a women’s ashram but there too she does not find solace. She escapes from the ashram only to be chased by two men and finally being saved by Suryakant.
Ashok Saraf gives a strong performance after a long time by playing a role of a mere understanding friend who strives to give a new meaning to his Sakhi’s life, a woman who needs support, care and security. A relationship which is beyond friendship develops between the two. Sonali’s voice gives her an advantage in playing out well her role of a tortured wife and of innocent village lass.
The movie drags too much with in the second half. The ego clashes shown between Subodh Bhave and Saraf are unnecessary. Some scenes are too obvious in the movie. The end of the movie is seems to have well thought about but was also dragged a lot. Though the movie loses its touch in the here and there, it is brought back by effective dialogues and strong performances by Saraf and Usha Nadkarni, who plays an understanding and supportive character. Certainly a bold subject to make a movie on but would have been effective if the script was more intense.