Remarkable Biopic on Sindhutai Sapkal
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The film which has been creating waves at various film festivals in India and abroad, has been welcomed in Maharashtra on the first day of its release. Its universal theme is not only appealing but also touching the hearts of those who admire self-sacrificing service to the society.What more can one say about a film, which got standing ovation after its screening at the National theatre, London ? In fact, this film had a three show premiere at this festival recently. “Mee Sindutai Sapkal (मी सिंधुताई सपकाळ)” based on the autobiography of well-known social worker Sindhutai Sapkal, is a biopic directed by Anant Narayan Mahadevan, a Journalist turned Bollywoood actor and film maker.
The film’s story begins with present times, with Ms. Sindhutai Sapkal traveling for the first time by an airplane on her way to US on an invitation from a Maharashtra Sahitya Mandal based there. Sitting next to her as a co -passenger on the long journey is the director of the film. During the first half of the film, Ms. Sindhutai recollects her past with strange experiences with every small moment during the journey, while in the second half, she narrates her fight for survival, while addressing the elite audience in US.
“Mee Sindhutai Sapkal” is a sensible film, strictly following the worst incidences in the life of the noble social worker and at the same time highlights her fight for survival. There is a lot to learn from this biopic, especially at a time when we all are living in a materialistic world. Here is an example of a woman, who has seen the worst poverty, yet feeds the other deserted children out of what she has gathered for her own child. It also reminds one and all about the sacrifice a mother has to make when she lifts the responsibility of all the deserted children around, as if they were her own children.
Very efficiently the director has captured every delicate moment in this film, that relates to the actual happenings in the life of the selfless social worker. The well structured Tejaswini Pandit, Sindhutai Sapkal dialogues strike timely in that well presented screenplay. Watch that mother and daughter relationship during the childhood of Sindhutai, when she is known as Chindhi . The father visiting his daughter’s place after her marriage and admitting the guilt of not offering her further education and the husband returning to Sindhutai, during old age, realising his mistake. They are all master pieces.
The film clearly hits out at the exploitation of women in the male dominant society, especially in the rural sector. “Education, is the key to progress,’ is all that the film goes on to say. No matter, you have limited education, but making an effort to see that other deserving get the same at the most appropriate time in their life, is the biggest need of the society. And, you need strong mothers like Sindhutai. Well suited music to every situation and good cinematography gives a more respectable look to the film.
It is for the first time that Mother and daughter combination of Jyoti Chandekar and Tejaswini Pandit have played the role of older and younger Sindhutai and it gave an impression that both of them had totally devoted themselves to this character. Upendra Limaye asyoung Sindhutai’s husband is very special and so is Suhas Palshikar, who plays her father. Neena Kulkarni in her small but effective role does a good job. Rest of the cast has supported well. The film will certainly take Marathi cinema to a greater heights.
‘Mee Sindhutai Sapkal’ for international fests
‘Mee Sindhutai Sapkal’ a new Marathi film directed by Bollywood director Anant Mahadevan, has been selected for screening at the forthcoming London film Festival and the Asian Film Festival in US. Based on the autobiography of social worker Sindhutai Sapkal, titled ‘Mee Vanvasi’ the film is sure to invite the attention of foreign viewers.
‘Mee Sindhutai Sakpal’ which stars Tejaswini Pandit, Upendra Limaye and Neena Kulkarni, will be released all over Maharashtra, after its screening at these two festivals. Produced by Bindiya Khanolkar , the film has music by Ashok Patki.
Realistic but incomplete ‘Wavtal’
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Presenter: Aragade DS Entertainment Producer: Balasaheb Argade-Patil Exe. Producer: Nitin DInkar Shelar Director: Shivaji Lotan Patil Story: Anant Samant Screenplay, Dialogues: Nitin Dixit Cast: Ashok Samarth, Tejaswini Pandit, Vinay Apate, Mukesh Tiwari Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
Marathi films are opting for more and more realistic and bolder subjects, which is certainly a welcome change. The latest released film ‘Wavtal’ has been shot on the backdrop of post Babri Masjid demolition riots, that rocked Mumbai. Based on the novel ‘K-5’ written by Anant Samant, ‘Wavtal’ narrates the tragic tale of a newly married housewife, who becomes a victim of the sudden break out of violence in Mumbai.
Ms. Mankar (Tejaswini Pandit) is on a visit to Mumbai along with her husband from Konkan district of Maharashtra and the couple arrive as guests at CM’s bungalow. Needless to mention that her father in law and CM are having their close political connection. After the check up at a clinic, while the couple is returning back home, their car travels through the lane affected by riots and they are attacked by a group of terrorists who beat up the husband and kill the driver. Ms. Mankar is abducted by the leader of the attackers- Rehmat Khan (Mukesh Tiwari) who takes her to his hideout and uses her as his keep. He tortures her so much by inflicting injuries on her feet that she is restricted to bed only for his sexual pleasures.
When Rehmat Khan plans all his terrorist activities with the help of influential people in public life, the helpless woman is a mute witness. She does make an attempt to escape with the courtesy extended by the servant who attends to her, but she does not succeed.. When the pre plan of major riots is foiled by the police, with raids carried out all over Mumbai, Rehmat khan manages to flee to Pakistan leaving behind Ms. Mankar in the custody of his colleagues, who are advised to bring her along with them via Rajasthan border . Ms.Mankar who is carrying the child of Rehmat Khan in her womb, delivers the baby at the hideout of terrorists in a remote border village of Rajasthan.It is only when a Border security force team led by K-5( Ashok Samarth) on a tip off from a villager, raid their hideout and kill all four terrorists, she is rescued and brought to the camp hospital.
Then begins the formality to make her speak about the terrorists with whom she lived almost for a year. Ms. Mankar agrees to reveal everything only in presence of the hero who rescues her. So the Commandant ( Vinay Apte) persuades the commando K-5 and gets all the information from the woman. When the time comes for the woman to return home, the Commandant receives a letter from her father-in-law about their inability to accept her. He also receives an order from his chief to send the woman to a rehabilitation centre at Delhi. K-5 who is proceeding on leave to his home town, is given the job to drop her at Delhi . But, he takes her to her home only to remind her father-in law about his duty. But, when he sees no hope, he himself proposes her to accompany him to his own house.
The film ends with happy ending, which is predictable but it fails to fulfill the desire of Ms. Mankar who while talking to K-5 expresses her last wish to kill Rehmat Khan. And that wish remains unfulfilled, as being a helpless woman she cannot on her own take up a battle for the head of a terrorist who shatters her life. Instead, she has to satisfy herself for having got the most courageous man to support her and her child in the rest of her life.
Produced by Balasaheb Argade- Patil and directed by Shivaji Patil, the film does succeed in creating a realistic horrifying incident in the life of a woman but nowhere in the film her character is offered the courage to defend herself. The film only narrates the pathetic tale of a woman instead of inspiring the audience. At one point of time, the director does give an indication that she may once again come across Rehmat Khan while she and k-5 are shown waiting at the deserted platform in Rajasthan village, to board the train. It would have been better, if the film had shown his return and K-5 killing him in the climax.
Looking at the performances of the artistes, they have all done well. But, the script has given more importance to Ashok Samarth playing K-5. His interactions with his Commandant – Vinay Apte and the woman’s father –in-law Sunil Shende, clearly indicate the importance given to this character. There is no doubt that he has played his role well. Mukesh Tiwari’s character has also been given unnecessary importance for all those cruel acts. Tejaswini Pandit has given a wonderful performance but her character is shown helpless throughout the film. The technical areas of the film are well managed. Photography is too good, especially the locations shot in Rajasthan. Background sound effect is also good. There is not much scope for music but the background score is good in few sequences. The film is realistic, well presented but still looks incomplete.
Action- Thriller ‘Gaiir’ set to hit theaters after Diwali
Marathi cinema which is growing day by day with improved technology almost at par with Hindi Cinema, is now coming up with a new thriller with the name of ‘Gaiir’. This Movie is well equipped with modern technology and latest methodology of picturisation. Sanjay Godwat group under Kruti picture banner is presenting this movie. ‘Gaiir’ is produced by Santosh Navale , Hashmukh Hirani and G .Prashant and is directed by Satish Rajwade.
To update the net savvy viewers, the website of this movie was launched by renowned director S. Ramanathan who has been the director for hindi cinemas and offered good movies like ‘Bombay to Goa’, ‘Sabse Bada Rupaiya’ and ‘Mahan’. ‘Gaiir’ stars Sandeep Kulkarni , Ankush Chawdary and Amrita Khanwilkar in key roles , while Tejaswini Pandit, Uday Tikekar, Vidhyadhar Joshi, Ela Bhate, Amita Kopkar, Mahesh Joshi and Sandeep Pathak are in the supporting cast of the movie.
This movie stands in competition with any action packed Hindi movie for having a good action and thriller part. required to attract the audience. The story of this film is written by Parag Kulkarni and Shirish Rajwade while dialogue are written by Parag Kulkarni. Songs are penned by Shriran Godbole while music is composed by Vishwajeet- Avinash. Cinematography of ‘Gaiir’ is handled by Suresh Deshmane and choreography by Umesh Jadhav and Rajesh Bidhave, while Mahesh Salgaonkar is the art director of the film.
‘Gaiir’ is set to hit theaters soon after Diwali.
MMW wishes the whole team of ‘Gaiir’ a grand success
I feel comfortable with small screen – Tejaswini Pandit
Today she is into films, but small screen has always been her first love. After watching her perform confidently in that central character in TV serial ;’Tujha Ni Majha Ghar Shrimantacha’, you are convinced that she is a versatile actress, ever ready with her emotions like a perfect button artiste. Marathi Movie world spoke to Tejaswini Pandit to know more about her interests in this field. Excerpts from an interview:
Q: In your currently running serial ‘Tujha Ni Majha Ghar Shrimantacha’, you have been performing with senior artistes like Ramesh Deo and others. How is your experience performing in their presence ?
A: Very nice. Initially, I never knew them so well but as the shooting progressed, I became friendly with all of them. Now that we are working 14 hours a day on the sets, it has brought that required tuning with all of them. Today, on the sets you will not witness simple chit chat but witness everybody involved in pulling each other’s legs during free time. Since I am always in a habit of eating something during the break, they all call me ‘Khadaad Maushi. But, I really enjoy working in such a good company of co-stars.
nishigandha wad, Tejaswini Pandit
Q: Now that you are into TV serials and films at the same time, which medium you prefer the most from your career point of view ?
A: It is very difficult to distinguish between the two. But, keeping in mind the financial gain and popularity, I am more comfortable with TV serials. Working in TV serials, keeps you busy for 30 days in a month. Another advantage being that TV is there in every house, making it possible for you to reach to the masses. In films that does not happen. You only target the Mumbai and Pune audience, unless you accept films meant for Big Single screen. It is only then you are able to reach people from places like Kolhapur, Nagpur and other small towns and villages. Only satisfaction I get through films, is by performing different types of roles.
Q: The first look of your forthcoming film ‘Sindhutai Sapkal’ was recently witnessed at the Berlin film festival. How do you recollect those memorable moments ?
A: I was under tremendous pressure. Actually, the writer and director of this film had seen my performance in ‘Wavtal’ and being fair and blue eyed, I was preferred for this role. Later, they wanted to shoot few scenes on me and asked me to get ready for those scenes, where my performance was closely observed. One of the scenes came so natural that even the director was in tears. He complimented me and it was only then I felt relaxed. I am sure that this film would deliver the best presentation.
Q: What type of roles you intend to play in future ?
A: In most of my forthcoming films, whether it is ‘Sindhutai’, ‘Ranbhool’ or ‘Target’, I am playing different characters. From my side, I am trying to be different; but it is my wish to play the kind of roles that Urmila Matondkar played in her films. I specially liked her role in ‘Ek Hasina Thi’ and would really enjoy playing such a type of role.
Q: As an actress where will Tejaswini be within 3-4 years from now ?
A: Whatever I aimed for in this industry, surely I will be able to reach to that level. This is possible, because whatever roles come to me I consider them to be meant only for me. Take for example the roles offered to Amruta or Sonalee. They are only meant for them. Hence, my competition is not with them but with my own self. Fortunately, the roles coming to me now are women oriented central characters, which itself is a plus point. I am only trying to give my 100%. One more thing I would like to add here that after 3-4 years, even if I am married, I shall remain the same –the mischievous Tejaswini, as you see her today.
Q: In your next film ‘Sindhutai’ you are performing along with your mother. Isn’t that a great moment ?
A: The role that I am playing in this film ( as young Sindhutai) will actually be carried forward by my mother playing the present day Sindhutai. Actually, I had performed with my mother in the past in a play. When the same play was revived, I played the role she used to play and she played the role of my Boss. Later, this TV serial ‘Tujha Ni Majha Ghar Shrimantacha’, brought us together. To be very honest, my mother is like an acting school. There is always some pressure while working with her, but I get full satisfaction while she is around.
Q: In your recently released film ‘Wavtal’ you are shown as an oppressed woman most of the time. Don’t you think that Rehmat Khan’s character should have reappeared to show him getting killed at the hands of K-5 in your presence, to give justice to your character?
A: No, I don’t think so. Instead of finishing off the criminal in a man, the attitude needs to be changed. Only then a woman can live safely.