Usha Jadhav bags award at Indo German Film Fest
Better known for her memorable performance in Marathi film ‘Dhag’ read review which won her National Film award for best actress 8 years ago, Usha Jadhav is once again in news. Now, the talented actress has won the Best actress award for her performance in the Marathi film ‘Mai ghat – Crime No. 103/2005′ at the Indo German Film Week held at Berlin.
Originally from Kolhapur, Usha travelled to Mumbai via Pune, where she was doing a job. Her passion for art, brought her in search of roles in films. Initially, she received some modelling assignments and in the year 2007 found an important role in Madhur Bhandarkar‘s film ‘Traffic Signal’. This was enough for her to make progress in her acting career, with few more important roles in Hindi films. Last year , Usha also performed lead role in Aruna Raje‘s Marathi film ‘Firebrand’ released on Netflix. But now, her lead role in this Marathi film ‘Mai ghat’ have raised big expectations from this film, which is yet to be released.
Usha Jadhav bags IFFI international award for best actress
National award winning actress Usha Jadhav has one more feather in her cap. The talented young actress has now bagged most prestigious international award for best actress , at the International Film Festival of India ( IFFI), which concluded in Goa recently. 200 films from 76 countries had participated in this festival. Usha bagged this award for her brilliant performance in Marathi film ‘Mai Ghat: Crime No. 103/2005′ directed by Anant Mahadevan.
Usha’s name for recommended for this prestigious and by the team of Jury comprising of UK director Lily Ramsey, French Director Robin Campello, Chinese director Zan Ang and Indian Film director Ramesh Sippy. Oscar Academy President John Belly who was head of th Jury was high praise for Usha’s performance in this film. His wife Carol Littletone has also praised Usha for her remarkable performance in this film.
Reacting on this memorable moment, Usha thanked director Anant Mahadevan for the efforts taken by him to extract the best out of her and for selecting her for this role. She also thanked producer Mohini Gupta and her entire team for their support during the shooting. Usha has played a protagonist mother – Prabhavati Amma who fights a long battle of justice for 13 long years , against custodial death of her son. The story of this film is based on a real incident and therefore has a special significance. Along with Usha, the other prominent artistes who have performed in this film are, Suhasini Muley, Kamalesh Sawant, Dr. Girish Oak, Vibhavari Joshi and Vivek Chabukswar.
Usha Jadhav has big hopes from IFFI Goa for her film ‘Mai Ghat’
Usha Jadhav starrer Marathi film ‘Mai Ghat : Crime No. 103/2005′ is one of the Marathi films which will be competing with 13 other international films for the coveted Golden Peacock Award this year at IFFI Goa International Film Festival Goa. The actress of national award winning film ‘Dhhag’ , she is very much excited and has big hopes from this festival.
This film is a biopic, which is based on a real story of a mother whose only son was tortured and killed by the police. It’s her struggle for justice for more than a decade, which can be seen in this film. Speaking about this film, Usha says, “It was a really challenging role to play. I never played a real-life character till now. I am playing my age in this film. Moreover, It was a great experience working with Director Anant Mahadevan and producer Mohini Gupta and the whole team. We all are very happy that our film is selected in this competition.”
Marathi film ‘Mai Ghat Crime no. 103/2005′ bags best movie award in Singapore
Anant Narayan Mahadevan is a big name in film industry. The actor turned director is now in the news for having bagged the Best film award at the Singapore South Asian International Film Festival for his Marathi film ‘Mai Ghat: Crime no. 103/2005′, which has been edited and directed by him. Produced by Mohini Gupta, this film was nominated in 6 out of seven categories. Besides Best film award, the film has also bagged best editing( Anant Mahadevan) and best cinematography( Alphonse Roy) awards .
Based on a true story, this film revolves around a mother’s fight for her son who was wrongly arrested as a thief and tortured to death. According to a statement released by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, the film raises a vital moral dilemma in the end. “Can one really win justice after everything is lost? I am thankful to those who left me, because they taught me I can do it alone.” the statement read.
Renowned Marathi actress Usha Jadhav plays the lead role of Prabha Mai in this film along with other versatile artistes like Suhasini Mulay as the lawyer, Kamlesh sawant as Cop, Girish Oak as CBI lawyer, Vibhavari Joshi as Sunanda and Vivek Chabukswar as Nitin Athavale. The film has also been officially selected in competition at the prestigious ‘The Asia Pacific Awards 2019′.
Usha Jadhav
Biography / Profile:
Born : 3 November
Occupation : Actress
The girl originally from Kolhapur is not new to this entertainment field; as she began her career as a stage artist, while she was doing her job in Pune. Being passionate about films since her childhood; Usha shifted to Mumbai with a new job at Mahalaxmi and kept trying her luck giving auditions at UTV and other production houses.. She had already bagged prominent ad films like ‘Tata Docomo, Fevicol Muchwali, Head N Shoulders with Prieta Zinta, ICICI Bank with Sujit Sarkar, Idea with Abhishek Bachchan and so on. On the recommendation of a friend, she gave her audition for Madhur Bhandarkar’s film ‘Traffic Signal’ and bagged an important role of a young girl selling goods at the traffic signal. It was a good opening for her; as by that time, she had also bagged an ad with Amitabh Bachchan for the promotion of KBC.
Usha has also worked under Deepti Naval’s direction for the film ‘Do Paise ki Dhoop char Aane ki Baarish’, with Chandan Arora in ‘Striker’ and her forthcoming Hindi film is ‘Cinema Ki Aankh’ where she plays lead opposite Prashant Narayanan (Murder- 2 fame) . But, at present, all eyes on the official release of her Marathi film ‘Dhag’, where her performance will appreciated by one and all. Usha has already received appreciation from people like Saie Paranjape, Shabana Azmi and Academy awards winner Resul Pookutty, who have seen her film during Goa and Pune festivals. Some have compared her with Smita Patil.
Filmography:
Movie(s)
Marathi Movies
Dhag (2015)
Bai Manus
Ek Saat Free
Hindi Movies
Veerappan (2016)
Bhoothnath Returns (2014)
Striker (2010)
Ashok Chakra: Tribute to Real Heroes (2010)
Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish (2009)
Traffic Signal (2007)
Serial(s)
Lakhon Mein Ek (Star Plus)
Kalay Tasmay Namaha (ETV Marathi)
Play(s)
Award(s):
National Film Award – Best Actress – For The Film Dhag
Maharashtra Times Sanmaan Award – Best Actress – For The Film Dhag
Interview(s):
‘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.
Usha Jadhav invites all the attention at SKD Film Fest
For the past three days there has been a feast of selected Marathi films at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi. The occasion is Film Festival organised by ‘Sanskriti kala Darpan’ to shortlist the nominees for the best film and other individual awards for the year 2013. The Organisers had invited entries from the film makers, who released their films during the year 2012 in theatres or at the International Film festivals.
There are films like ‘Tukaram’, ‘Touring Talkies’, ‘Aayna Ka Bayna’, ‘Mokala Shwas’, ‘Balak Palak’, ‘Investment’, ’35 Minutes’, ‘Masala’ ‘Ajintha’ and ‘Dhag'( Blaze) which are being screened . But, the topic of discussion on Saturday evening was Usha Jadhav, the dusky complexioned girl, who invited all the attention after the screening of her film ‘Dhag( Blaze)’ made by Jayashree Motion Pictures and directed by Shivaji Loten Patil. Though the film revolves around a small boy played by Hansraj Jagtap; it is Usha Jadhav who has displayed her potential as an actress in that most difficult emotion filled role of his mother. The film also has Upendra Limaye playing her husband; but it is Yashoda played by Usha, who shoulders all the responsibility to carry the film forward in post interval session; till the end.
It would not be proper to disclose much about this film; as it is yet to be released. But, the film has received critical acclaim at Pune and Goa international film festivals. The best appreciation comes from ‘Kohinoor Ma Ta Sanman’, as the film has received 7 nominations in different categories, such as Best film, best direction, best actress, best supporting actor, best child actor, best screenplay and best editing. And, Usha finds herself eligible among the three actresses for the prestigious honour.
The girl originally from Kolhapur is not new to this entertainment field; as she began her career as a stage artist, while she was doing her job in Pune. Being passionate about films since her childhood; Usha shifted to Mumbai with a new job at Mahalaxmi and kept trying her luck giving auditions at UTV and other production houses.. She had already bagged prominent ad films like ‘Tata Docomo, Fevicol Muchwali, Head N Shoulders with Prieta Zinta, ICICI Bank with Sujit Sarkar, Idea with Abhishek Bachchan and so on. On the recommendation of a friend, she gave her audition for Madhur Bhandarkar’s film ‘Traffic Signal’ and bagged an important role of a young girl selling goods at the traffic signal. It was a good opening for her; as by that time, she had also bagged an ad with Amitabh Bachchan for the promotion of KBC.
Usha Jadhav, Actress
Usha has also worked under Deepti Naval’s direction for the film ‘Do Paise ki Dhoop char Aane ki Baarish’, with Chandan Arora in ‘Striker’ and her forthcoming Hindi film is ‘Cinema Ki Aankh’ where she plays lead opposite Prashant Narayanan (Murder- 2 fame) . But, at present, all eyes on the official release of her Marathi film ‘Dhag’, where her performance will appreciated by one and all. Usha has already received appreciation from people like Saie Paranjape, Shabana Azmi and Academy awards winner Resul Pookutty, who have seen her film during Goa and Pune festivals. Some have compared her with Smita Patil.
When we asked Usha about this comparison, she just smiled and said that she was a great admirer of late Smita Patil. She appreciated her performances in films like ‘Mirch Masala’ and ‘Arth’ but refused to admit that she had emulated Smita in ‘Dhag’. “I have just tried to be natural in my own way and would love to play such characters. I am just passionate about acting in films,” she concluded. Marathi Movie World wished this talented actress all the best and hoped that she walks away with ‘best actress award’ in forthcoming award functions.