Mitalee Scores at the National level
The 58th National Awards have just been announced and we found many Marathi films and Marathi artistes among the award winners in different categories. Some of them did expect the awards, but for some of them the prestigious award was unexpected. This happened in the case of Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar, the leading lady of Marathi film ‘Babu Band Bajaa’, who went on to win the National Award for best actress in Indian cinema.
Mitalee Jagtap
The film ‘Babu Band Bajaa’ which also won an award in a special category, had made its mark earlier at the Pune International film festival, when the Jury had acclaimed this film. Mitalee played a challenging role of a Mother in this film, who goes through hardship while bringing up her children.
Born in Nanded, Mitalee completed her school education through Sharda Mandir Girls High School and later acquired her degree in Arts from Vasantrao Naik College. Mitalee received good support from her family before entering this field of glamour. Her father being a writer, always supported her every move. With the blessings of her parents, Mitalee finally made up her mind to enter the filed of acting. But, it was not an easy decision. Not everyone is lucky to
attain success immediately and those who attain success quickly also come down with that speed.
Luckily for Mitalee, she had some experience of acting, having played as a child artiste while she was in 3rd standard, in the film ‘Devki’ and had also studied a course in Theatre Arts simultaneously while doing her degree course in college. She further learnt Bharat Natyam till she became technically perfect. This certainly came to her advantage. When Mitalee shifted to Mumbai, she joined a theatre Group ‘Ashwatha’ and performed at Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai, which is known for experimental plays. Thus began her acting career through stage.
Very soon, she got an opportunity to perform in Hindi TV serials like ‘Kkusum’, ‘Kalire’, ‘CID’, ‘Hakikat’, ‘Kagaar’ and later went on to perform in Marathi serials like ‘Aakash Peltana’, ‘Vadalvaat’, Tikala Te Political’, and ‘Pimplepaan’. She also performed in films like ‘Vitthal Vitthal’ and ‘Aag’. Mitalee married Cameraman Sandeep Varadkar and thus became Mitalee Varadkar. Thereafter she had taken a break, but with ‘Babu Band Bajaa’ she made a comeback with a bang, by winning this prestigious award at the national level.
Marathi Movie World congratulates this talented actress and wishes her a grand success in years to come.
“I always wanted to try something different in Marathi….” -Trupti Bhoir
Trupti Bhoir is not a new name to the Marathi film industry. As an actress she has already made a mark, be it on stage, television or films. Young and ambitious Trupti who hails from Mumbai, was a part of theatre before entering the mainstream cinema. Her journey began with stage followed by TV serials and films. While in college, she took part in drama competitions and also learned classical dance. This came to her advantage, while venturing into this field.”
Trupti has already bagged state-level awards for best acting, during her college days. Super hit Drama ‘Sahi Re Sahi’ was her first break in professional Marathi theatre. Three years since then Trupti has been a part of this industry and she has done films like ‘Ishya’, ‘Ovalte Bhauraya’, ‘Tujhya Majhya Sansarala……’ , and ‘Paulkhuna’, while her television serials include the famous ‘Vadalvaat’ and ‘Char Diwas Sasuche’.
About her decision to turn towards production of films at such a young age, she reacts, “Even a clapper boy working on the sets, dreams to be a producer someday.”
Trupti Bhoir
As someone has rightly said, “The thing always happens that you really believe in and the belief in a thing makes it happen.” “I always believed in such a thing and after watching something unusual in the presentation of many good films, I got inspired to make something different in the Marathi film industry, so as to deviate from the current trend.”
“I always felt that whatever I present through my Marathi film, others should also appreciate it and try to remake it . More so, Marathi viewers also need variety and if that is not given to them, then how will the Marathi film industry survive?” she questions . She did produce her first film ‘Tujhya Majhya Sansarala Ani Kai Hava’ , which was a family story related to every household. But, later she felt the guilt that she offered nothing different from the traditional Marathi film. However, after coming across the script of ‘Agadbam’, she made up her mind to make this film.
Trupti spoke leisurely to marathimovieworld, just a week before her much awaited film’s release, narrating her experiences. Excerpts from an interview:
Q: Your film ‘Agadbam’ has crossed your original budget of 5 Crore. Aren’t you worried about your returns ?
A: When I took a decision to make this film, many people suggested me to make this film in Hindi, for the variety offered and to get good returns. But, I was more keen to offer this subject in Marathi only. I always felt that Marathi film industry was capable of producing technically perfect and financially backed film. That’s the reason, I am paying more attention on marketing of my film now, though the budget has exceeded. It has certainly crossed 6 Crores and nearing 7 Crores now. I have worked very hard to offer something different and I am confident that people would respond well with a good turn out at the theatres.
Q: Were you ambitious from the childhood to enter this field?
A; Yes, I was always ambitious and very much wanted to be a part of this field. Accordingly, I had prepared my self in that direction, learning dance first. I was very much fond of dancing. But, my mother always reminded me about my priorities and hence had to complete my studies first. With the experience that I gained through drama competitions while in college; the gates of this profession opened doors for me.
Q: How challenging was it, to perform this huge character of Najuka, weighing 250kgs.?
A: The technique of prosthetic make-up has come to India, with actors like Kamal Hasan and Anil Kapoor having tried it before in their films; but to remain in that make-up and work for hours was real challenging for a woman like me. I had to not only carry that extra weight, but also dance and fight in few scenes. On one particular occasion, I remained in that make up for 26 hours, which is a record. More so, I was using this make up done by our own industry person, rather than seeking help of experts from abroad. But, I had confidence in Mr. Pemgirikar and his team. Finally, we have overcome all challenges.
Q: Was this a start to finish shooting schedule?
A; Yes, it was a start to finish shooting, which took 17 days, including shooting of four songs. But, we had planned it properly. Thanks to our director Mr. Satish Motling, for coordinating so well.
Q: You have also used VFX in this film?
A: Yes, it was the demand of the film. Most of our expenditure has gone on that. But, we wanted this film to be technically perfect, besides the use of prosthetic make-up.
Q: How are you marketing this film ?
A: Right from Govinda festival, I started marketing this film, which was then in post production stage. At Dombivali, I was dressed up in the same make up and entertained the crowd from the stage, performing dance. During the Ganapati festivals, I toured Ganapati temples and community celebrations across the state, to seek blessings of people, besides Lord. People from these places appreciated my efforts to dress up with that make up of Najuka’s character and wished me luck for this movie. The show will go on till the release of the film.