Songs of ‘Faas’ praise prowess of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whose strategies are known all over the world, has become immortal in the hearts of Marathi people. In the upcoming social Marathi film ‘Faas(फास)’, the song that will sing the praises of Shivaraya’s prowess, is expected to make the fans proud.
Presented by Maa Entertainment and produced by Maaheshwari Patil Chakurkar, ‘Faas‘ sheds light on the issue of farmers. A very important song from ‘Faas’ has just been released. This song has been included in ‘Faas’ on the occasion of Shiva Jayanti. This song which starts by saying ‘Ji Ji Ra Ji Ji …’ is describing the birth of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The song is written by lyricist Amol Deshmukh and composer Alan K. P. and has been recorded by singers Avdhoot Gupte & Sheikh Nishant. Listening to the title of this song, ‘Shivnerivar Shivshakticha Tej Janmala Aaj…’ is memorable.
In this song, Maharaj’s Saffron flag is seen fluttering by Doula, but the beautiful idol of Shivaraya also attracts attention. This song has been filmed on prominent artist Kamlesh Sawant. At the beginning of the song, National Award winning actor Upendra Limaye also appears in khaki uniform, then the song starts. This song of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has been filmed and recorded to the sound of dhol. Disciplined drumming and rhythmic dancing can be seen in this song. There is also an authentic Marathi lezim dance with a pair of drums and flutes. Apart from the adventure sports like fencing and dandapatta, also fugadi is seen which is the identity of Maharashtra. Overall, this song is coming at an important moment in the story to generate curiosity.
‘Faas’ is directed by Avinash Kolte , while Upendra Limaye, Sayaji Shinde, Kamlesh Sawant, Pallavi Palkar, Ganesh Chandanshive, Namdev Patil, Nilesh Bade, Dnyanesh Undagavkar, Umesh Rajhans, Sharad Kakade, Ishwar More, Pawan Vaidya, Vinay Joshi, Deva Pandey, Pooja Tayde, Tejaswini, Madhuri Bharti and Shrutika Londhe are part of the star cast. The story and dialogues of this film have been written by Maaheshwari Patil Chakurkar, while the screenplay has also been done by the director Avinash Kolte.
‘Faas’, which has garnered more than 130 awards from critics and connoisseurs all over the world, will be released in cinemas on February 4, 2022. The film will give a new perspective on farmers and their way of life. In addition to Cannes, Japan and Paris, as well as in important cities like Rajasthan and Noida, ‘Faas’ has been highly praised. Ramani Ranjan Das is the cinematographer of the film, while Apoorva Motiwale and Ashish Mhatre are the editors. Art direction has been handled by Santosh Samudre.
Ramdas Phutane returns with ‘Sarpanch Bhagirath’
Well Known Poet and film maker Ramdas Phutane, who produced award winning film like ‘Samna’, followed by directing two other Marathi films ‘Sarvasakshi‘ and ‘Survanta‘ has returned to direction after almost two decades. Known for dealing with social issues, on the rural backdrop, through his films, this time Ramdas Phutane makes a strong statement on caste politics and reservation policy, through his forthcoming Marathi film ‘Sarpanch Bhagirath‘.
Story of this film revolves around Bhagirath, played by Upendra Limaye, who is made Sarpanch of the village, being an OBC, by a Political leader of the village. What problems he faces, after taking over this post and how tackles them, doing the balancing act of Political work and home front, is what the film’s story is all about. In the film, talented actress Veena Jamkar plays his wife in the film. Shahir Sambhaji Bhagat scores the music of this film, making his debut as music director in films.
Film’s first look was released on Monday, in presence of producer Shivkumar Lad , director Ramdas Phutane, and the lead pair of Upendra and Veena. The film will be released on 4th March 2016, as per the announcement made by the makers.
‘Yellow’ inspires with ‘You can do it’ message
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Rating: ★★★★
Studio / Presenter: Viva In En, Mumbai Film Company Producers: Riteish Deshmukh , Uttung Hitendra Thakur Cinematographer, Director: Mahesh Limaye Story: Ambar Hadap, Ganesh Pandit Music: Kaushal Inamdar Cast: Upendra Limye, Mrunal Kulkarni, Hrishikesh Joshi, Aishwarya Narkar, Usha Nadkarni, Gauri Gadgil Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
Rob Liano, the Rock Star Success Coach & Sales Strategist has rightly said, “Nothing is born into this world without labour.” And, if we can recollect Walt Disney’s strategy, ‘If you can dream it, you can do it'; then, there is nothing impossible in this world. Based on this philosophy, producers Riteish Deshmukh and Uttung Thakur have offered a sensible Marathi film ‘Yellow’, which is directed by renowned cinematographer Mahesh Limaye. By the way, Mahesh also makes his debut as a director with this film.
Only last year, we saw director Manohar Sarwankar’s film ‘Maat’, which was also debut of Eshaa Koppikar in Marathi and which talked about the success story of a ‘deaf-mute’ girl, who turns a Chess Champion, with the support of her mother; who has been deserted by her selfish husband; only because the child is born with a handicap. However, through this film – ‘Yellow’, director Mahesh Limaye presents a real life success story of a girl, born with ‘down syndrome’. And, he has done a commendable job, as presenting a real life character – Gauri Gadgil, who has already won two silver medals in Special Olympics; has made ‘Yellow’ more appealing than ‘Maat’.
Mugdha (Mrunal Kulkarni) and Shekhar (Manoj Joshi) give birth to a girl – Gauri, who is born with ‘down syndrome’. Mugdha , who is already a teacher, wants her daughter to study in the same school, with normal children. But, when she finds her score in IQ as 65, the principal suggests her to admit Gauri to a special school. However, Shekhar is unable to accept Gauri as his daughter and suggests Mugdha to go for second child. One day, Mugdha gets the biggest shock in her life, when she witnesses Shekhar let Gauri drowned in a water tank at a resort, instead of running to help her out. Taking an immediate decision to leave her husband, Mugdha arrives at her brother Shree’s (Hrishikesh Joshi) house, who being a bachelor, offers all the love and affection to Gauri, besides managing his ‘tent house’ business.
When, Mugdha admits Gauri to a school for special children, Prinicipal (Aishwarya Narkar) suggests her to join the school, as a teacher. On the advice of the principal, Mugdha is advised to admit Gauri for swimming, noticing her keen interest and especially for improving her ‘hand and eye’ coordination. It is at this place, Gauri interacts initially with a good elderly coach and later with a strict coach – Pratap Sardeshmukh ( Upendra Limaye), training at advanced level. It is at this stage, the film goes on to describe how such children are to be treated, to extract the best out of them.
Director Mahesh Limaye, has beautifully captured the emotion filled moments through his camera lenses, besides directing the most difficult sequences, in an efficient manner, generating humour at short intervals, through light humour filled scenes. Ambar Hadap and Ganesh Pandit have really worked hard, to present an engaging screenplay with the support of wonderful performances from all the artistes. Mrinal Kulkarni, who has played Gauri’s possessive mother, has been able to display perfect emotions of a worried mother, while Manoj Joshi has cleverly presented a selfish husband through his limited role.
There is no doubt about the brilliant natural performance given by Gauri Gadgil, as this was her own real life success story; but the little girl performing her childhood role, also looks very natural. In fact, Gauri actually appears on the screen only few minutes before interval, when her coach for advance training – Upendra Limaye also arrives on the screen, around that time. Upendra has also given a fantastic performance, understanding very well the given situation and more particularly, the attitude of all such Indian coaches in different games, at competitive level. However, the most impressive performance comes from Hrishikesh Joshi, who looks very natural, in the character of Gauri’s real well wisher and caring uncle. It is because of his presence, there is some humour generated, in this otherwise thought provoking film.
Through this film, the director has also presented the attitude of a typical sports coach, who always demand more from their students, without paying the required attention on sports psychology and the much desired counselling, expected from them. At the same time, he has also shown how the parents interfere with the training methods of the Coach, by showing their regular presence, at the practice venue of the sport. ‘Yellow’ is certainly an inspiring film and a must watch for all. There are very few errors noticed in the film; as it is otherwise a technically well presented film, with good background music provided by kaushal Inamdar.
‘Dhag’ is a path breaking Marathi film
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Rating: ★★★ ½
Studio / Presenter: Jayashree Motion Picture Producer: Vishal Pandit Gaware Director: Shivaji Lotan Patil Screenplay: Nitin Dixit Cinematographer: Naagraj Editor: Nilesh Gavand, Cast: Upendra Limye, Usha Jadhav, Hansraj Jagtap, Nagesh Bhosale, Suhasini Deshpande, Neha Dakhinkar Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
There have It is very difficult to know the reason for delay in releasing this path breaking Marathi film ‘Dhag’ during the year 2013, when the film had won National award for best direction and in best actress category, besides receiving special mention of the Jury for the child artiste, in March 2013. But, if this film was released last year, it would have made a big difference. However, it is always ‘better late than never’.
‘Dhag’ is now finally released this week. Produced by Vishal Pandit Gavare and directed by Shivaji Lotan Patil, the film was also highly appreciated by the critics at 2012 PIFF and Goa Int Film Fest. It also received the appreciation of Jury, including Academy awards winner Resul Pookutty. The film had also received appreciation from dignitaries like Saie Paranjape & Shabana Azmi. Last year, the film had won 6 awards in Ma Ta Sanman
Needless to say that ‘Dhag’ is an off beat Marathi film, which revolves around a teenager Krishna (Hansraj Jagtap), living in a village with his father Shripati (Upendra Limaye), who operates at the only crematorium in that village. Mother Yashoda (Usha Jadhav) a housewife, an old Grandmother and a younger sister are his other family members. Krishna doesn’t seem to be interested in carrying forward the family tradition of managing a crematorium and hence prefers to study at a village school. He even does a part time job at a juice centre, besides attending school, when he finds that his family is facing financial crisis. However, the harsh comments from his teacher about his family’s profession, forces him to drop out of the school.
The film goes on to show how Krishna’s family is solely dependent on the money earned during the last rites performed and hence, when there are no deaths in the village, Shripati has to find some temporary work at his friend- Mangya’s workshop. Still, he doesn’t get paid for his services, as his friend’s wife is ill and bed ridden. One day, Shripati dies of snake bite and the whole family is traumatized. Mangya takes care of the family; but, Krishna and his mother are hesitant to approve his help. Krishna’s grandmother also warns her daughter-in-law about Mangya’s intentions of being so generous. When Krishna hears their discussion, he realizes his duty at that time. So, he steps into his father’s shoes; and also starts attending school for a better future.
‘Dhag’ is a very realistic and thought provoking film. Director Shivaji Lotan Patil, who had earlier directed a sensational film ‘Vaavtal’, offers this sensible subject . The film has one national award winning actor Upendra Limaye and with Usha Jadhav also winning the national award for best actress, for her performance in this film; whatever praise about their performances will be less. Usha has already received compliments from Bollywood, with her selection in ‘Bhootnath 2′ in presence of Amitabh Bachchan. Upendra has limited scope; but, he has impressed through his role. Moreover the director also having won the National award for best direction, goes on to say everything about his excellent work. But, the talented child actor Hansraj, who also received special mention from the Jury at the last national awards, deserves all the praise.
The performance of this child artiste, is more appealing in the film. Good support also comes from supporting artistes Nagesh Bhosle, Suhasini Deshpande, and Neha Dakhinkar . Excellent presentation of Screenplay by Nitin Dixit, good cinematography by Naagraj, perfect editing by Nilesh Gavand, suitable music composition by Aadi Ramchandran and Amit Gupta’s sound design have added value to this thought provoking film, which is a ‘must see’ for all.